Tobi’s POV
The palace was alive with movement. Every Alpha from each pack was in residence, each with a small entourage. Mother was in her element—ensuring everyone had food, drink, and endless entertainment. My schedule was slammed with meetings, as always leading up to the Bastion Alliance. Two of the smaller packs were considering a merge, and I was being dragged into negotiations that would ultimately benefit them both.
Lila was surprisingly just as busy. When she wasn’t tucked away at the cabin, she was trailed by a small group of people. Oscar’s father, Orin, had taken a particular shine to her, crediting the return of his son entirely to Lila—and rightfully so. Even Benjamin, usually cold and aloof with everyone, seemed to orbit her more often than not. That detail nagged at me. W
