The candlelight in the hall flickered, long shadows formed across the walls as Richard poured wine into Beta Xavier’s goblet with trembling hands. Though he smiled, though his words dripped with honey, Freya could hear the edge of desperation beneath his tone. “You see, Beta,” Richard began, “our family has always respected the Northridge Pack. When… unfortunate circumstances befell us, your Alpha was generous enough to lend a hand.” Xavier sipped his wine, his gaze steady, unreadable. “A hand,” he repeated, voice slow, deliberate. “You mean a loan.” Richard’s laugh was brittle. “Of course, of course. A loan. But surely you understand that times were difficult. Crops failed, traders abandoned the routes, and debts piled higher than the roof over our heads. Without your Alpha’s generosity, we would not have survived.” Lycril leaned in, her jeweled fingers brushing Richard’s arm as though urging him to steady himself. Her smile was practiced, flawless. “And we are ready to make good
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