CHAPTER 5: BANKRUPTING THE ALPA

CHAPTER 5: BANKRUPTING THE ALPHA

The central border market was packed with merchants, leaders, and guards from dozens of neighboring territories. In the center of the pavilion, sitting at a long wooden table, was Alpha Jaxon. He looked terrible, dark circles under his eyes, his posture slumped. Next to him sat Felicity, nervously sipping tea in an overly glamorous pink gown.

"Are you sure she'll come, Jaxon?" Felicity whispered anxiously. "What if the King kept her locked up?"

"She'll come," Jaxon said, trying to convince himself. "Sienna loved me for ten years. She's just acting out because she's bitter. Once she sees me face to face, she'll drop this act and come home."

The crowded market went dead silent as six elite Lycan guards in obsidian armor pushed open the grand doors, forming a double line.

Behind them walked a vision in dark green silk.

My dark hair tumbled over my shoulders in polished waves, a diamond choker rested against my throat, and my posture commanded the entire room. Beside me walked Cassian, looking every bit the apex predator in a tailored black coat.

Whispers flooded the room.

"Is that Sienna Roy?"

"She looks like royalty!"

"Look at the King walking behind her!"

Jaxon stood up so fast he nearly knocked his chair over. "Sienna?"

Felicity dropped her teacup, the porcelain shattering on the stone floor.

I walked straight up to their table, Cassian stopping just behind my right shoulder. The dark green silk of my dress rustled in the quiet room.

"You requested a meeting, Alpha Jaxon," I said, my voice carrying effortlessly to every ear in the building. "You have five minutes before I strip you of your title."

Jaxon swallowed hard, taking a desperate step forward. "Sienna... you look... incredible..."

"Step back," Cassian warned in a low rumble that made the surrounding guards flinch.

Jaxon flinched, but tried to puff out his chest. "Sienna! Stop this foolishness! Come home to Silver Moon! I'll forgive your disrespect! I'll even take you as my second mate! You don't have to parade around with him!"

A cold laugh burst from my lips. "Second mate? You think I would settle for second best in a tiny backwater pack after being offered a kingdom?"

I reached into my leather portfolio, pulling out a heavy stack of parchment stamped with gold wax, and slammed it onto the table.

"These are the master deeds to Silver Moon's iron mines, water rights, and main territory," I announced, leaning over the table. "Ten minutes ago, the Royal Lycan Treasury purchased one hundred percent of your pack's outstanding bank debt. I own your land, Jaxon."

Jaxon’s face went ghost white. He scrambled to pick up the papers, his hands shaking violently as he read the royal seals. "What did you do? You can't do this! This is pack property!"

"You illegally used my father's personal estate to collateralize loans for Felicity's dresses and your grand parties," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You committed high fraud against the Crown. You have twenty-four hours to vacate the main packhouse, Jaxon. Because as of right now... Silver Moon belongs to me."

"Jaxon! Do something!" Felicity shrieked, clawing at his arm. "Call the guards! She can't take our home!"

"Your guards are currently outside, surrendering their weapons to my vanguard," Cassian added smoothly, resting a large hand on my waist. "Your pack elders signed the asset transfer an hour ago. They preferred handing the land to Prince Roy's heir over going to debtor's prison with a boy who ruined their economy."

Jaxon collapsed back into his chair, the legal papers slipping from his numb fingers and scattering across the floor.

Beatrice emerged from the crowd, her face pale with terror. "Sienna... please... we're family..."

"We were never family," I said without giving her a glance. "Be out of my house by sunrise."

I turned my back on them, lacing my fingers through Cassian's as we walked toward the exit. Behind us, Felicity was screaming hysterically, hitting Jaxon's chest while he sat frozen in total ruin, staring blankly at the floor.

As we stepped out into the crisp mountain air, Cassian looked down at me, his silver eyes shining with pride.

"What is our next command, My Queen?" he asked softly.

I looked toward the snowy peaks of Silver Moon, my heart completely free, my power humming beneath my skin.

"Now," I smiled, "we go home and claim my throne.”