Ashes Of Desire

CHAPTER 6

Cara POV

My heart was still pounding when I woke up, sweat clinging to my skin. My eyes darted around the room, and the morning light crept through the curtains, soft and unwelcome.

Abby’s worried face hovered above me.

“Cara?” Her voice pulled me back to reality.

Her brows drew together, eyes softening as she reached for my hand. “Are you okay? Having nightmares again?”

“Yeah, same as always”. I looked away so she wouldn't notice the lie. This nightmare was different.

“I need to get ready”. I muttered.

“What time is it?”

“It's 9 am. You should rest, Cara,” Abby urged. “Whatever dream you had—it’s written all over your face.”

“I can’t,” I said, forcing myself up. “The meeting’s at noon, and I won’t give Brett the satisfaction of seeing me falter.”

“Abby, I know you are worried about Brett and how his reactions will be concerning my marriage with Draven but I can handle it. I’ve handled worse, A few hours won't break me.” I assured her.

Abby crossed her arms, but her eyes softened. “Sometimes, people need rest, Alpha.”

She said as she walked out.

*******

Straightening my shoulders, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Using my hands to straighten the fitted suit I wore, I walked out of the room.

“Cara, my dear”.

I turned to look at who addressed me.

“Sir Henry”. I acknowledged him

“I’m assuming you're heading towards the meeting room. We're all eager to hear what you have decided but whatever it is, I know you will make the right decision”

“When talking about right decision, you mean Draven?” I said with a small smile.

“You should know, Cara” he replied with a slight smile that didn't reach his eyes.

“Henry, please inform the Elders that the meeting will be held in thirty minutes”.

“Of course, Alpha”. He gave a slight nod and left immediately, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the hallway.

My phone dinged and immediately I reached for my pocket, the screen popped up with a message from Rosa.

‘Alpha Cara, I need to speak to you urgently. Can we meet? Privately’.

‘ Yes. Let's meet at Hilton's cafe. I will be wearing a blue cap, 2:00pm’. I texted her back.

Putting the phone back into my pocket, I took steady strides to the meeting room. They were present.

I studied their expressions. Some Elders sat stiff-backed, jaws clenched; others leaned forward, curiosity glinting in their eyes. I am sure they were wondering why I called the meeting earlier than the usual time.

They sat in their usual crescent formation,“ It's good to see you all could make it in such a short time”.

“I believe we should have been informed earlier about the change of time, Alpha”. Elder Brett retorted.

“Yes, Alpha. What could be so important that you couldn't wait to say at the agreed time”. Elder Ezra chirped in.

A slight smirk graced my lips “I see my authority is no longer feared in this council. I am your Alpha and if I want a meeting now, it will be done. I don't need your permission. Don't forget your place, Elder Ezra”.

“And coming to your beliefs Elder Brett, I have places to be and a pack to run. I hope my answer is satisfying enough for you”.

Elder Brett folded his arms, already wearing that same smug smirk. “I trust you’ve reconsidered the Silver Fang debacle?”

I smiled faintly. “Oh, I’ve reconsidered many things.”

Murmurs rippled. I am sure they expected a concession, an apology. Instead, I let the silence stretch until every eye fixed on me.

“As of today” I began, voice steady, “Scarlett Corporations will no longer compete against Wallace Enterprises.”

The shock was instant.

Brett barked, “You’re surrendering to Draven Wilson?”

“No,” I said, rising from my seat, letting the weight of my gaze steady them. “I’m aligning with him.”

The room went still.

“I am accepting his proposal for a marriage alliance. Through this union, our companies—and our packs—will share holdings over Ridgecrest and Scarlet Haven. His capital. Our lands. One empire.”

Elder Myra frowned. “You would tie your future—and ours—to the very man who mocked your leadership?”

I met her eyes. “He mocked my power because he didn’t know it yet.”

I pause. “But he will.”

I let that hang before continuing, cool and sharp as glass.

“Wallace bleeds resources with every project he swallows. We’ll feed him Ridgecrest… while we build Scarlet Haven. While he builds noise, we’ll sell silence. While he builds factories, we’ll build futures.”

A slow murmur of approval grew, cautious but real. Even Brett didn’t interrupt.

Henry stood at the back, expression unreadable, a faint flicker of pride behind his calm.

When the meeting adjourned, I let the mask slip for a moment. My hands trembled slightly.

I had won their faith.

But at what cost?

Walking out of the meeting room, I was stopped by Henry.

“ You’ve done well, Cara. Your parents would be proud, truly.”

“I only did what I thought was best for my pack and company”. I explained.

“Yes, it's good. I am glad you're finally listening to me. You must forget the past, Cara, and move on.”

“How I wish it were as easy as you put it.”

He smiled, touching my shoulder, “My dear, it's never easy, but at some point, you will understand that everything happens for a reason”. He patted my shoulders before leaving.

Henry has always been a father figure, an unbreakable shield, and I am grateful he is here, but every time he says Forget the past, something twists inside me.

I headed towards the pack house. I needed to speak with Abby.

“Alpha”. I was greeted by several pack members as I walked in.

“ John, have you seen Abby”. I asked my Gamma.

“ No Alpha. She stopped by an hour ago, but after that…”

“Okay. How are you and the warriors? Anything I should be aware of?”.

“No Alpha, everything is stable”. He replied sincerely.

Leaving, I headed straight to the one place I was sure to find Abby.

“If I hadn't seen you kill rouges so brutally, tearing their limbs and clawing out their insides, I would believe you're a woman who only loves flowers and pink”. She giggled.

“ I love flowers. Maybe not pink”. My lips widened with a smile at her response.

“I feel at peace when I am surrounded by fresh flowers. You should try it sometime.”

“I’ll pass. Flowers are not my thing, but I could be bribed with food”. I retorted, making her chuckle.

“ So, what brings you to my garden? You hardly come here” she raised her eyebrow in question.

“Well, I came to tell you I would be meeting Rosa. She said to meet in private”.

“Did she tell you why or what it is about?”

I shook my head slowly, “ she didn't and that's why I have to go”.

“ I should come with you. I can't let you go alone”.

“ I will be fine. I didn't come here to ask you to escort me. I am informing you”. I told her, my voice filled with authority.

“ Okay, but be careful. I will take care of things here while you're gone”.

“Hmm… do inform me if trouble arises”.

“Of course”. She replied.

As I headed towards Hilton Cafe, a strange chill ran down my spine — like someone was watching me.