Terms of Surrender

The Steelclaw Threat: Tess

Darian left the room, and I settled back behind the desk with the book on warfare. The fact that he was willing to trade secrecy for my competence wasn’t lost on me. He trusted my mind more than he feared my potential escape.

As I read the book, I discovered lore on many of the surrounding packs. The danger that a rival could present want just political, it was brutal and mortal. The descriptions of inter-pack conflicts were graphic. Territorial wars, assassination attempts, and targeting the Luna as the primary weakness were all major points described frequently throughout the book. The violently real danger that the Mate Bond represented almost justified my kidnapping. I was still angry about it, but now I understood Darian’s persistent claim that I needed protection.

It still felt far too absurd, like a dream I hadn’t fully woken up from. If I was to believe what I had been reading and what Darian claimed, then I could easily end up in danger. At least here, I knew Darian wouldn’t hurt me. Without me, his sanity would snap and chaos would break out onto the streets. My compliance was no longer just self-preservation, it was a matter of public safety. If this was all true.

I tried to ignore the mythical elements that my mind was still struggling to accept, and focused on the things I did understand. I flipped back to my original audit notes in an effort to cross-reference rival acquisition firms or shell companies that might oppose Whitmore Terra Acquisitions. As I went back through the audit, I found information on a potential corporate rival. Apex Land Ventures appeared to be a newer, and very aggressive, firm operating out of the southern financial district, specializing in resource extractions.

I wrote the company name in my notebook with the intention of asking Darian about them later. The information I currently had was limited, but from what I could tell, their sudden growth seemed to align with the Steelclaw Pack’s description of being newer and stronger.

As I continued my cross-reference of Apex Land Ventures, I discovered a potential weak link. They had been growing so fast, they were likely over-leveraged. This would make them financially vulnerable. I highlighted and underlined and notated. I needed more information on the group before I could confirm my theory that it was a corporate front for the Steelclaw Pack though.

As I worked, I could see shadows beginning to fall over the room. The sun was setting through the window to my back. My stomach grumbled, and I forced myself to operate under the belief that Darian’s supernatural claims were true, even if I still had my doubts. Under the belief that he truly was a werewolf, I could only assume that he would be able to hear the signs of my hunger, if he was still in the penthouse to begin with. So I pushed myself up from the desk and padded down the hall, making my way to the kitchen. I tried to convince myself that it wasn’t a matter of compliance, but a necessity for sustaining my mind.

In the kitchen, I took the time to actually look at the groceries Leon brought. There were items here that I never even knew existed, as well as the basics. Meat substitutes, a large variety of mushrooms, tofu of different firmnesses. Plant-based cheeses, milk, and butter. There was even egg substitutes. I prepared myself a small dinner and sat at the table, watching the sun set over the city.

While I ate, I realized that I was no longer a prisoner, but a weapon. The only uncertainty was my earlier resolve to exploit Darian’s rival for my own escape. I was absorbed in my thoughts when Darian entered the kitchen, but I could feel the shift in the air before he even stepped through the doorway. I looked up from my plate, but my eyes didn’t hold the challenge that they did each time before. I was curious if he was drawn in by me cooking or if it was my presence outside of the study. I didn’t ask though.

He looked far less corporate now. He had swapped his tailored suit for a mint green, linen pajama set that made his steel gray eyes stand out. Yet he still carried an air of authority with him. Neither of us said anything at first. I took another bite of potatoes while I watched him. His hair was freshly washed, hanging over his forehead in a way that was far too relaxed for my comfort.

“I trust Leon handled the provisions to your liking?” he finally broke the silence. The fact that he was dressed for bed, but still talking as if this was a business meeting almost made me snort.

I nodded once, swallowed my food, and took a sip of water. “He did,” I answered, setting my glass back down. I didn’t wait for the opportunity, I simply started, shifting the conversation towards corporate espionage. “My research, however, is not. While cross-referencing your corporate audit, I’ve found indications of your pack’s rival. Are you familiar with a firm called Apex Land Ventures?” His shoulders tensed, but I continued, “They operate out of the southern district, specializing in resource extraction.”

“Apex…” he drew in a sharp breath, and my eyes narrowed as I watched him. “Land Ventures, yes,” he nodded. “They are a concern. Why do you ask?”

“I believe they are a corporate facade for the Steelclaw Pack, much like your own. However, it would look as if they are over-leveraged on their recent acquisition. If they are the source of instability, their financial vulnerability is the leverage you need. I need access to their financial details though to confirm my theories.”

My words landed and his shoulders drew back. He wasn’t relaxing, it was just a different kind of tension. His brows pulled together as he processed what I was telling him. “I am not able to provide you with their full financials,” he finally said. “I can obtain their publicly filed documents though. Will you be able to audit them and find their precise financial weakness?”

“With only partial documents, there’s no guarantee, but it will likely provide more information than I currently have.”