Chapter 15:The Golden Invitation
508 Words
The cool night air hit my face as the heavy front doors of the ancestral pack house clicked shut behind us. I took a deep breath, letting the high-stakes adrenaline from the council room slowly bleed away.
Silas didn't say a word as he guided me down the stone steps toward the idling luxury SUV. His large hand remained firmly planted on the small of my back, a warm, steady weight that felt intensely grounding. The sheer power of his Alpha aura was still humming through the air, thick and intoxicating.
"You didn't flinch," Silas murmured, his deep baritone breaking the silence as his driver opened the rear door for us.
"I told you I wouldn't, Alpha," I said, stepping into the leather interior.
Silas slid in right beside me, the door closing with a heavy, isolating thud. He turned his upper body toward me, leaning back against the seat as the vehicle smoothly accelerated away from the estate. In the dim light of the cabin, his molten gold eyes held a dangerous, fascinated glint.
"Julian is a fool, but he was right about one thing," Silas whispered, his voice dropping to a low, velvet register that vibrated straight to my core. "You are doing this to get back at him. You're using me as your weapon."
I didn't lower my gaze. Instead, I leaned in just a fraction closer, letting the scent of cedarwood and dark chocolate envelop me. "An alliance goes both ways, Alpha Silas. I gave you the financial leverage to save your billionaire empire from a bankrupt merger. If I happen to get a front-row seat to Julian's downfall while doing it, isn't that just a mutually beneficial bonus?"
A dark, rich chuckle rumbled deep in Silas's chest. He reached out, his long fingers gently catching my chin, forcing me to tilt my head up. His thumb brushed lazily across my lower lip, sending a sharp jolt of electricity straight down my spine.
"Ruthless, brilliant, and entirely unapologetic," Silas murmured, his gaze dropping to my lips before rising back to meet my eyes. "I chose well when I signed that contract. But the real test isn't a private council meeting, Clara. It's the weekend gala."
He released my chin and pulled a sleek, heavy card from the inner pocket of his tuxedo jacket. It was made of brushed black metal, bordered in intricate gold filigree, and bore the supreme Alpha crest.
"Julian and Vivian still believe they are going to use the annual pack gala to announce their leadership ascension to the public," Silas said, sliding the golden invitation into my lap. "They have no idea the carpet has already been pulled from beneath their feet. Tomorrow, you wear the backless black gown. We walk in together."
I looked down at the heavy metal card in my hands, a cold, victorious smile spreading across my face.
Julian wanted to throw me to the shadows. Tomorrow night, he was going to have to watch me step into the light—right at his father's side.
- Writer
