ARIA “Sure” Knox said after my half-baked excuse about getting ready. He pushed his chair back, rising to his full height. “Let’s go.” Mason groaned softly, still shoving food into his mouth. “Can’t we just—wait—give me one more minute, Alpha, I swear—” But Knox was already walking out, and Mason sighed dramatically before chasing after us, muttering something about wasting good food. The drive to the meeting was quiet. Soon we arrived and entered the boardroom. Everyone stood till Knox took his seat at the head of the table. Mason occupied the chair to his left, while I took the seat at his right. Across from us sat two men and a woman — the representatives of Vanguard Holdings, a high-profile investment group whose signature would expand Grey Enterprise’s influence overseas. “Let’s

