Victoria was waiting in Duke's office when I arrived, her expression grim. She'd already pulled up files on her laptop, satellite images, news articles, financial records.
"Tell me you know what you just did," she said without preamble.
"I accepted someone who needed help." I closed the door behind me, keeping my voice steady. "Same as we always do."
"Damien Nightshade isn't Marcus. He's not some traditional Alpha clinging to old ways." Victoria turned her laptop toward me. "He owns three major corporations, has connections in every level of government, and sits on the Council's advisory board. He doesn't just have power, he *is* power."
I studied the images. Damien at political fundraisers, shaking hands with senators. Damien at pack summits, other Alphas deferring to him. Damien in b
