MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 60: The Deal With Alpha Killian

Chapter 60: The Deal With Alpha Killian

Alpha Killian, upon feeling Reana’s killing gaze, coughed into his fist and reverted his gaze to Reana. "Thank you for lending us a hand, Luna Reana. Cheers to the bravery of the Black Moon Pack!" He raised his cup, his smile wide and toothy, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease as he met Reana’s unyielding stare.

The table fell silent, the only sound was the clinking of glasses as the others echoed the toast.

Reana finally shifted her gaze and downed her wine in one swift motion, then slammed her cup onto the table, the loud clang echoing through the hall.

The room fell silent once more, the Black Moon Pack members exchanged uneasy glances, recognizing that their Luna was furious over something, though her cold mask betrayed nothing.

Ryder, seated opposite her, raised an eyebrow, his eyes locked onto Reana’s profile, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths, as his lips subtly rose into a smile.

Alpha Killian’s smile faltered, his eyes narrowing as he sensed the undercurrent of tension emanating from Luna Reana. "Luna, is there anything you’re dissatisfied about?"

Reana stood up, her movements fluid and deliberate. "Thank you for your hospitality, Alpha Killian," she said, her voice dripping with a subtle chill.

"But we will not be staying for the rest of the night. I would like to discuss why we came here, if you’re willing. Otherwise, we’ll be on our way." Her gaze locked onto Alpha Killian’s, a hint of steel underlying her polite words.

Wow, that was direct. Her pack members reasoned. They knew that their Luna was mad at Alpha Killian, but to the degree of not wanting to sit here for another second, that was unexpected. She wasn’t even trying to hide her dissatisfaction.

Alpha Killian was stunned, then anger rose in his chest. How dare a Luna treat him with such disrespect?!

Granted, she was a formidable ruler. When he attended her coronation three years ago, he didn’t think she’d amount to anything. He laughed when she proclaimed herself as the Alpha and Luna of the Black Moon Pack, but surprisingly, she did a great job with her pack.

Still, a woman was a woman. No matter how powerful and intelligent she was, she would still be under a man. And Alpha Killian wasn’t one to take disrespect from women.

Even so, he couldn’t show his true feelings, not when he needed to poach one of her warriors. He took a deep breath, forcing a neutral expression onto his face. "I’m willing to listen, Luna Reana. Please, proceed with why you’ve come to the West Wood Pack."

His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed a glimmer of hostility, a subtle warning that he wouldn’t be pushed around by the Black Moon Pack’s Luna.

Reana, of course, noticed the fleeting hostility in Alpha Killian’s eyes, but she didn’t give a fuck what he thought. If anything, she wanted to gouge his eyes out for having daring thoughts about her Ryder.

With a subtle smirk, she began to speak, her voice clear and commanding. "Alpha Killian, Our Black Moon Pack needs a few more hands and resources to build a fortress around our territory." She paused, her eyes glinting with a hint of challenge. "I’m willing to offer a mutually beneficial trade: in exchange for the West Wood Pack’s assistance, we’ll owe you a favor."

The room fell silent, the weight of Reana’s words hanging in the air. Alpha Killian’s eyes lit up with interest, his gaze locking onto Reana’s as he considered the proposal. A favor from the Black Moon Pack was no small thing, and he knew that with this trade, he could potentially gain a powerful ally... or leverage. Thinking that, his gaze shifted to Ryder.

Clearing his throat, he began, "If I’m not mistaken, the Black Moon Pack has over eight thousand pack members. Why do you still need more hands?"

Reana’s expression turned solemn, a hint of steel creeping into her voice. "That number includes pups and she-wolves, the feeble, and the omegas."

She continued, "Our pack may be large, but with the recent rogue attack, we can’t afford to put all our men at work. We need to maintain a strong defense, and diverting too many warriors would leave us vulnerable."

Her gaze locked onto Alpha Killian’s, a flicker of determination burning within. "We require additional manpower to ensure the wall’s construction doesn’t compromise our pack’s safety."

"Hmm," Alpha Killian nodded, his eyes narrowing in thought. "I see your point, Luna Reana. But you know that we’re also under constant attack from rogues and monsters. You saw that yourself, too."

He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he regarded Reana. "I’m not sure how much manpower I can spare, but I’m willing to consider it... if you’re willing to make it worth my while." A hint of a smile played on his lips, his eyes glinting with a calculating light.

Reana’s gaze narrowed, "What does Alpha Killian want?"

Alpha Killian’s smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think a small token of goodwill would suffice. A gesture of friendship between our packs, if you will." He paused, his gaze shifting to Ryder as he said, "I want a portion of the River of the Ancients’ fishing rights. Exclusive access to the western banks, to be precise." He returned his gaze to Reana.

The Black Moon Pack members glared at him, their teeth bared in a silent snarl. Kira’s eyes flashed with anger, but she maintained her composure when Reana didn’t show signs of anger.

Instead, she chuckled, unamused, "You drive a hard bargain, Alpha Killian. But I’m not sure we’re willing to give up our fishing rights that easily."

That was one of her pack’s largest rivers for fishing. During winters, even though the waters freeze, they could still fish. But the coming winter would destroy the river with relentless avalanches.

When the rogues breached their defenses and flooded the pack, the West Bank was one of the places they camped at, until avalanches and monsters destroyed everything that remained of their Black Moon Pack.

Saving that river was one of Reana’s reasons for building a fortress, so clearly, she wouldn’t give it up, and Alpha Killian knew that much, as it would be a significant blow to the Black Moon Pack’s food supply.

Alpha Killian smiled, a triumphant glint in his eye. "I thought you’d see it my way, Luna Reana, but I understand if you can’t bear to part with it," he said, his voice laced with amusement.

"Then, how about this," he continued, his tone taking on a hint of slyness, "The West Wood Pack will provide the manpower and resources you need, and in return, you’ll give us one of your pack members." His gaze locked onto Reana’s, his eyes glinting with a knowing light. "Someone with... particular skills. Someone like him." He pointed at Ryder.

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