Alliance of Shadows, Book 3: HUNTER

Achievements Won

"So, except for the Fox Alpha, has the Alliance made a decision?"

"It's final—the Vampires have a seat at the Alliance table. I’ll be sendin’ the agreement over this evening, so ye lads can sign off on it and send it back."

I smiled, pleased with the confirmation. "Sounds good to me. Thank you, Alpha Henry. The last few years have been interesting, but the stability offered by the Alliance will help immensely. Since we brothers have the ability, I'd like to sweeten the pot."

Henry’s tone shifted slightly, cautious but intrigued. "Go on, then."

"I propose a community trust—one that all factions can access. It would be used for renovations, tuitions, or whatever the money is required for." I kept my voice even, hoping the idea wouldn’t get shot down.

Henry laughed, the sound gruff with amusement, tinged with curiosity. "Does Micah know about this offer?"

"No, but he's not the one supplying the start-up. I am."

Henry hummed, considering, his tone shifting just slightly interested but wary. "And how much will ye be puttin' down for this so-called community trust?"

I mentally tallied my personal funding, running through figures with practiced ease before settling on a quick conclusion. "I was thinking maybe a small number. Say two million."

The sharp breath Henry let out was nearly a gasp, and I heard both Neil and Clara curse under their breath, their reactions nearly overlapping in stunned disbelief. Izzy, however, sounded like she was laughing, thoroughly entertained by the uproar.

"Forgive me, Alpha," I said, my tone easy, though I could tell my words had landed heavier than expected. "I keep forgetting that not everyone has the bank in their back pocket. You see, though we don't act like it, we Valencia brothers are quite rich money-wise. I have close to five trillion built up over the years, but only because we've lived for so long. Time has a way of stacking wealth if you know how to let it work for you. It’s not a big deal to offer up a few million if it helps keep the Alliance coffers fuller than full. Better spent on something useful than gathering dust."

"One more thing, there, Hunter. See, I got a letter in the mail from Mexico the other day and had to get Logan to translate it for me. He's as confused as I am, and we're both looking for answers. Apparently, your father is now claimin’ that Logan is no longer entitled to his inheritance from his grandfather. Is this true?"

My eyes went wide as I recalled the wills Grandfather and Mariana had left behind. "No, Sir. My father is simply pulling another dirty trick. Logan is entitled to his inheritance, which we eight brothers have full access to at the moment. Unfortunately, as per Grandfather's orders, he can't access it until he is legal age. As for his other inheritance, I can send that whenever he wishes."

Henry’s tone sharpened with curiosity. "What other one?"

"Did he not know that his mother had a dowry she made Harold promise to hold onto? She was afraid that Austin would take her things for himself, so she sent them to her Vampire cousins for safekeeping. Logan has an inheritance of just over two-hundred thousand dollars from his mother."

He blew out a breath, his voice carrying the weight of realization. "Ah now, we had no idea. She didn’t exactly have time to explain much of that to us, either. Poor soul. Tell ye what—hold on to both. Turn over his grandfather’s portion at the right time, but I’ll send ye the details for his bank account. Best to release his mother’s portion as a monthly allowance, eh?"

Neil let out a sharp whistle. "Does Logan know his family’s loaded?"

Grinning, I said, "Yes, but he’s never asked for so much as a dime. Which is why I know that the letter is nonsense. As a matter of fact, I'll send over copies of both our grandfather’s and his mother’s wills to clear up the confusion. So, my offer?"

"Two million dollars, no questions?" Clara asked, skepticism clear in her tone.

"You can appoint a Treasury Officer if you wish, but yes. No questions asked. No repayment, either," I replied, keeping my tone level.

A silence settled for a fraction longer than expected before Micah’s voice cut through. "That's a substantial sum, little brother."

I paused, not moving for a solid moment in time. Micah had been listening. If his tone was any indication of his mood, he had heard everything and agreed with my offer.

"Micah,” I breathed out. “Any objection?"

"None, but it’s coming out of your bank account. Your mess, you clean it."

"What mess?" I asked with a frown. "I've made no mess. I’m simply offering funds to our new friends to be used as they see fit. Spend it all for all I care. It’s not as though I have a Mate to splurge on."

The room fell into a sudden silence, the weight of my words settling over them.

Micah finally spoke, his voice quieter but firm. "Father’s mistakes have cost us dearly, Hunter. I pray you find her soon." A pause. Then a shift in tone, more decisive. "I’ve come to know that many Alliance families don’t have the funds to send their children to college or university. That said, I want you to take 1.5 million out of all eight accounts. If we’re doing this, we’re doing it right."

Clara cursed again. "Micah, that’s twelve million dollars!"

"I know," he told her evenly. "And we don’t want it back, either."

"You don’t have to do this," Izaria exclaimed, her voice carrying an urgency that almost softened the tension.

I processed the transfer, watching the confirmation flash across the screen. Smirking, I leaned back slightly. "Too late. It’s done."

Micah chuckled low, clearly enjoying the reactions unfolding before him. Their faces now showed the first signs of understanding—the recognition of what we were truly hoping to accomplish for the supernatural community.

Henry’s deep laughter rumbled through the space, quickly followed by Clara’s disbelieving gasp. Neil’s hearty laughter rang out in contrast, while Izaria’s scolding tone wove through the noise like an anchor, grounding the conversation.

Most only help their own, but our people had the means to survive for the next few centuries. If there was a way for us to give back to those who helped us rebuild—if there was a way to repay the local community for giving us Vampires a chance to prove we weren’t bloodthirsty monsters—then perhaps we had just found it.

I cleared my throat, refocusing their attention on the call at hand. “In no way is this coercion, but an incentive. They have the power to decline to offer their blood if they wish, and those who give will be compensated with funds above the standard rate for blood sale. Of course, we will have to hold a meeting to see if the other factions agree upon the terms of the community chest and the payment arrangement for the blood bank.”

"We will have to ask, but I don't see why we can't make it work. I mean, Humans often sell their blood for money just to make ends meet sometimes, so I don't see it as being a problem," Neil commented. His tone was thoughtful, but there was a casual certainty in his words, as if the idea was simply an extension of logic.

Not more than a week later, I took my seat at the Alliance table for the first time. Dreson winked at me, tilting his head toward Alan Castle, the eldest Fox Prince.

I’d met the Queen, Lenora, several days before when Logan quietly introduced us. She looked me over—once, twice—before offering a measured smile. “How do you do? I’m Lenora Claudette Castle.”

I sniffed, the faintest trace of intrigue stirring as I recognized her lineage. She was a rare Fox shifter, one that held a much longer life span than her Red fox Mate. A Fennec. “Amazing! Simply glorious to meet such a rare creature as you, my Lady.”

Logan narrowed his eyes. “Explain.”

“Fennec Fox shifters are among the smallest, yet smartest of their kin,” I murmured, the realization settling in with more weight than I had anticipated. I thought nothing of the trouble I’d cause—until the meeting arrived.

Snarling at me, Alan slowly sat back down when two distinct growls filled the air. The tension in the room thickened as every ambassador turned their gaze toward him, their expressions unwavering. He seemed to shrink under the weight of respectability, his initial defiance tempered by the unspoken authority surrounding him.

The discussion had been thorough as the ambassadors in the Alliance held deliberations that carefully weighed the pros and cons of every proposal. Points had been debated, concerns voiced, and counterarguments presented. In the end, the necessity of adaptation was undeniable.

By the time we left the building where the meeting took place, the terms I’d previously introduced were accepted, not just as a temporary measure but as essential reforms for a progressive future. Relief settled over me as I returned home, a bit of a bounce in my step. I hummed quietly, the tune carrying my satisfaction as I collapsed into my favorite armchair and poured a glass of celebratory wine.

Micah joined me soon after, followed by our brothers, their presence filling the room with warmth and familiarity. We toasted, lifting our glasses in silent acknowledgment of the struggle behind us and the progress ahead. It was another battle won—another layer of misery stripped away from our lives.

“To family – by heart and by choice,” Harold declared, his voice steady with conviction.

Vincent smiled, pulling me into a one-armed hug. He no longer hid the stutter that had haunted his childhood, now owning it along with his title as a proper Lord. “To new beginnings, and Hunter’s ability t-to talk us o-o-out of trouble is more like it.”