CHAPTER 6 — THE CONFRONTATION

Caius POV

Five violations.

That is what three hours with Dravenmoor's records produces. Five clear documented and inexcusable violations of inter-pack governance law. Falsified compliance reports. Misappropriated pack funds. Two counts of illegal territory boundary manipulation. And one that makes even Ryker's jaw tighten when I read it aloud — Abuse and cruelty towards lesser pack members. Not one. Not two. Multiple. 

And that's the one that gets us angry the most. 

Dorian Dravenmoor sits across the meeting table from us looking like a man who came with a confidence that can no longer sustain hin throughout the course of this meeting. Sweat lines his brows, his hands grip the table tightly. You can see the tension in the room at first glance. 

I set the folder down.

"These five violations individually carry significant consequence under inter-pack law. Together—" I pause for effect "Together they represent grounds for full Alpha status revocation and criminal referral to the council."

The colour drains from his face.

"Alpha Voss," he starts. "I can explain each of those—"

"I didn't ask for explanations." I keep my voice level. "I asked for records and the records have clearly spoken."

Silence lingers. 

He looks between the three of us. Ryker is immovable. Zane is watching him with his amused expression that can disarm even the most uptight human and that is when Dorian realizes that he's traped. 

Dorian clears his throat.

"I understand the severity my lords" His voice shifts into something softer and more calculated. And automatically, I know that he would try to negotiate. 

"I want to make this right. I will change my ways, my lords and show my sincerity, I want to offer you a gift.”

Zane raises his eyebrows. “And what would that gift be?’

"My Jewel," he says with enthusiasm. "Nova. She is a perfect fit for your Luna. You three can have her as yours… or… or… I'll give her to you Alpha Voss and your Luna,”

Ryker roars and shoves the table to the front. The table flies to the wall immediately, taking all it's contents with it. Dorian turns white and shivers. 

"Say that again," Ryker says very quietly.

Dorian opens his mouth and closes it.

"You are courting death." Zane's voice carries none of its usual lightness. He leans forward slightly. "We choose our Luna. Individually. By bond. Not by the recommendations of mid-tier Alphas with five documented violations and a governance record that would embarrass a junior pack elder." He holds Dorian's gaze. "We don't need your spoilt brat of a daughter."

The insult lands exactly as intended.

Dorian's face goes red. "With respect—"

"You have used your allocation of respect," I say flatly. "Speak carefully."

The sweat is pouring buckets now. His jaw tightens then releases. His pulse working fast. 

Despite his sounded pride, he knows he has to do something.

"Ayla," he says quickly. "Take Ayla. Not as a Luna — I understand that is your decision. But take her as yours. I will give her to you entirely. Do whatever you want with her, however you want it. Feel free to use her as you please."

By please, we understand what he's saying. He is giving us his own daughter as a sex slave without flinching.

His own daughter.

Something moves through me that is not cold — it is the opposite of cold. I no longer show the things I actually feel. 

I keep my face completely still and Ryker goes quiet the way he does when he is completely trying to hold himself. Zane's pen stops moving.

I let the silence stretch for three full seconds.

Then turns to Zane and Ryker who nods at me. 

"We'll need a moment."

***

Dorian hurries our and the three of us deliberates. Silently.

After two while minutes, Zane breakers the silence.

"She's the one," Zane says quietly. “The one that does something to us.”

"I know."

“It's the perfect opportunity,” he says, glancing toward the door. "To investigate the pull we've been feeling since we arrived."

"You're right, Zane."

Ryker doesn't say anything. He looks at the wall with his arms crossed and his jaw set. I know him well enough to understand that his silence right now is not absence of thought. It is the presence of too many thoughts being held tightly under control.

"He hands her to us thinking he is smart," I say. "Thinking he is buying protection."

"No. He's not," Ryker says. “He is giving us exactly what we need.”

"You're right.” I agree with him. 

Because what Dorian Dravenmoor has just done in his desperation, is remove her from his house and removing her from his reach. She will be under our jurisdiction where he cannot touch her or instruct anyone else to touch her. While we… we'll finally get the chance to understand when we feel a strong pull towards her. Why she ingnites a strong reaction in is despite being too weak to be our mate.

He thinks he is offloading a burden.

He doesn't know that he has just handed us the only thing we have wanted since the moment we arrived this territory.

"We will take his offer," I say quietly. "Bring her under our protection and study what she is. And when he finally gives us a reason to punish him—because he will—we will make him pay for every crime he has ever committed."

"Agreed," Zane says immediately.

Ryker nods once.

We signal them to bring him in. 

"We will come for her at the summit," I say in a controlled voice. "Do not fail to provide her or make any mistakes if not both you and your Jewel, Nova would roam outside Park territory like worthless rogues. Understood?"

He nods too fast feeling relieved.

"And Dravenmoor." I pick up the folder. "I want to see changes in the coming records on the day of the summit. Every violation you've committed must be retraced and documented before that summit. Everything." I look up. "Or your offer of goodwill becomes irrelevant and we proceed directly to the council."

"Of course," he says. "Absolutely. You have my word."

I stand. Ryker and Zane stand with me.

And Dorian rises as well, already straightening his jacket, wearing the expression of a man who believes he has successfully escaped his doom. I know that he hasn't escaped anything. He only bought himself more time. But let him think that. 

I walk toward the door and behind me I hear Zane speak very pleasantly, almost as an afterthought.

"You should take better care of your household, Alpha Dravenmoor. Things that are broken beyond repair have a way of becoming evidence."

We walk out and the door closes behind us.

Ryker speaks first. “I hope she survives till the day of the summit.”

Something lands heavy in my chest. “I hope so too.”