Rejected: Her Revenge Plan

Chapter 6:Sacred Ground

Elara POV

I didn't sleep that night.

The threatening phone call played on repeat in my mind. They knew about Xavier. They knew about tomorrow's meeting which meant they were watching me. Listening. Waiting for me to make a wrong move.

By the time dawn broke, I had made my decision.

I was going through with it anyway.

Whoever called me had made a critical mistake, they had shown their hand too early. If they were trying to scare me into backing down, it meant they were worried. Worried I'd find something they didn't want found.

That alone was worth the risk.

I dressed carefully for my performance. I wore jeans that looked slept in. An oversized sweater, applied Minimal makeup except for slightly smudged mascara to suggest recent crying. My hair was pulled into a messy ponytail. The picture of a heartbroken woman seeking comfort from her father.

Perfect.

At one-thirty, I texted my dad: "Are you free? I really need to talk. I'm struggling."

His response came immediately: "Of course, I’ve been expecting you, sweetheart. I'm at the Sterling Hotel having lunch, but you're welcome to join me."

"Thank you, Dad. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

I grabbed my purse, double-checked that Xavier's recording pen was inside, and headed out.

The Sterling Hotel was Moonville's nicest establishment, a restored historic building with marble floors and crystal chandeliers. I had been here dozens of times for pack functions, but today it felt different. Dangerous.

I spotted my father immediately in the hotel restaurant. He sat at a corner table with an older man I recognized from Xavier's photos—Gregory Thorne. Both men stood as I approached.

"Elara." My father's expression softened with concern. "Come, sit. Gregory, this is my daughter."

"Mr. Thorne." I shook his hand, noting the calculating way his eyes swept over me. Assessing. Measuring. "I'm sorry to interrupt."

"Not at all." Thorne's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Your father was just telling me about your recent... difficulties. My condolences."

The false sympathy made my skin crawl, but I forced tears to well up. "It's been hard. I just... I needed my dad."

"Of course you did." My father pulled out a chair for me. "Gregory and I were discussing business, but it can wait."

"Actually," Thorne interjected smoothly, "perhaps your daughter's perspective would be valuable. After all, she's part of the younger generation. The future of the pack."

My father hesitated. "I don't know if this is the right time,.,"

"Please, Dad. I could use the distraction." I dabbed at my eyes with a napkin. "Anything to not think about Julian."

The mention of Julian's name made my father's jaw tighten. "Alright. But if it becomes too much, tell me."

I nodded and pulled out Xavier's pen, clicking it nervously, a gesture that looked anxious but activated the recording device. I set it on the table beside my water glass.

Thorne signaled the waiter, who brought menus. I ordered something I wouldn't eat while listening to my father and Thorne resume their conversation.

"As I was saying," Thorne began, "the human government is prepared to offer Moonville exclusive development rights to the northwestern territory. In exchange, you would provide security consultation and allow limited human access to certain packlands."

My father frowned. "Limited access for what purpose?"

"Research. Scientific study of shifter territories and their unique properties. Nothing invasive, I assure you." Thorne sipped his wine. "The humans are very interested in understanding the supernatural world better. Peaceful coexistence benefits everyone."

"And what does Silverpine get out of this arrangement?" my father asked.

My attention sharpened. Silverpine. Celeste's pack.

"Silverpine serves as the intermediary. They've already established relationships with key human officials. Think of them as facilitators." Thorne smiled. "Alpha Vaughn is quite progressive in his thinking. He sees the value in human-shifter cooperation."

"Cooperation that requires giving humans access to our lands," my father said flatly.

"Not your lands, just the northwestern territory. Which is largely undeveloped and underutilized." Thorne leaned forward. "The financial compensation alone would double Moonville's annual revenue. Plus, you would gain significant political influence with human authorities."

I pretended to study my menu while absorbing every word. This was bigger than I had thought. Not just pack politics, but human involvement. Territory rights. Money.

"What guarantees do we have that human access would remain limited?" my father asked.

"Contracts. Treaties. All legally binding." Thorne pulled out a tablet, tapping the screen. "I have the preliminary agreements here if you would like to review them."

My father took the tablet, scrolling through documents. I watched his expression shift from skeptical to interested. Whatever he was reading, it was convincing.

"This is substantial," he murmured.

"It's an opportunity, Robert. One that won't come around again." Thorne glanced at me. "Think about your daughter's future. The security this kind of financial stability would provide."

The manipulation was so smooth I almost didn't catch it. Using me as leverage against my father.

"I need to discuss this with Alpha Morrison," my father said. "This isn't a decision I can make alone."

"Of course. But time is a factor. The humans have other packs they're considering. Silverpine is pushing hard for exclusive rights." Thorne paused. "Between you and me, I think Moonville is the better choice. You have the territory, the resources, the leadership. But you need to move quickly."

Our food arrived, providing a natural break in conversation. I picked at my salad, maintaining my heartbroken act while my mind raced.

This was a conspiracy. Humans wanted access to the pack lands through Silverpine as an intermediary. But why? What was in the northwestern territory that humans wanted so badly?

"How is Celeste these days?" my father asked casually. "I heard she returned to Silverpine."

"Thriving, as always. Alpha Vaughn keeps her quite busy with diplomatic missions." Thorne cut into his steak. "Such a shame about the situation with Julian. Though perhaps it's for the best. Celeste mentioned he seemed conflicted about the mating."

I nearly choked on my water. The audacity of this man, sitting here pretending concern while knowing exactly what Celeste had done.

"Julian made his choice," I said quietly, letting bitterness seep into my voice. "I'm trying to move on."

"Very mature of you, dear." Thorne's smile was patronizing. "Young love rarely lasts anyway. Better to discover incompatibility before making permanent bonds."

My father shifted uncomfortably. "Elara's been through enough without discussing Julian."

"My apologies." Thorne wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Robert, please think about my offer. I'll send over the full contracts tonight. We should have an answer by the end of the week."

"I'll review everything carefully and consult with our alpha."

"That's all I ask." Thorne stood, dropping cash on the table. "Lunch is on me. Elara, I hope things improve for you soon."

He left with a slight nod, leaving my father and me alone.

"Are you really okay, sweetheart?" my father asked.

"Not really but I will be." I pushed my salad around. "What do you think about his offer?"

"Honestly? It's tempting. The financial benefits alone would transform the pack. But something feels off."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Just instinct." He covered my hand with his. "Let's not talk business. Tell me what you need from me. How can I help?"

The genuine concern in his voice made guilt twist in my stomach. I was lying to him. Recording him. Betraying his trust.

But I was also protecting him from something he didn't see coming.

"I just need time, Dad. To figure out who I am without Julian."

"You've always been strong, Elara. Stronger than you realize." He squeezed my hand. "Whatever you decide about Julian, I support you. Your happiness matters more than pack politics."

If only that were true.

We finished lunch with small talk, and I left with the recording pen safely in my purse. Once in my car, I pulled out my phone.

Text to Xavier: "Got it. Meeting you at the diner in one hour."

His response: "Good work."

I drove around aimlessly for thirty minutes, making sure I wasn't being followed. The paranoia was probably excessive, but after last night's phone call, I wasn't taking chances.

When I finally arrived at the Luvi Diner, Xavier was already there, looking impatient.

I slid into the booth and handed him the pen. "Everything's on there."

He plugged it into his phone using a small adapter, his expression focused as he listened. I watched his face carefully, trying to read his reaction.

After several minutes, he looked up. "Northwestern territory. That's what they're after."

"Why? What's there?"

"Ancient pack grounds. Sacred sites. And apparently, something the humans want badly enough to orchestrate all of this." His silver eyes met mine. "Your father's about to sell out the most important territory in the region, and he doesn't even know it."

"What do we do?"

"We stop him. And we expose everyone involved." Xavier's smile was cold. "Starting with Celeste Vaughn and her dear father, the alpha of Silverpine."