Chapter 460

Nathan

The night seemed to drag on as I circled the party, essentially making my rounds; chatting with one Alpha about sports here, chatting with another Alpha about stock prices there, the usual.

Ever since Olivia pointed out the… truth about the women at the party, though, my conscience felt a bit heavier. I had been completely oblivious to all of the prostitutes, thinking that they were just friends or family.

Oh, how wrong I had been. And now, their coquettish stares and smirks behind champagne glasses made it all the more uncomfortable. I wanted to go home, with my wife, but I couldn’t just yet. This party was important for appearances, regardless of the company.

Eventually, I found myself waiting for a fresh scotch refill by the bar when the household butler suddenly materialized out of seemingly thin air at my elbow. “Pardon me, Alpha Nathan, but Alpha Dan requests your presence in his study at once to discuss… private matters.”

I straightened, my feeling of surprise jolting away any lingering cocktail haze.

“Go ahead,” Olivia said encouragingly, although her eyes warned me to be careful. “I’ll be waiting.”

With a nod, I followed the butler up a set of grand stairs and down a hallway. He stopped at a large oak door and knocked twice before a gruff voice called out. “Enter.”

The space that greeted me a moment later spoke volumes about Dan’s personality. Dark leather furniture paired with mahogany accents conveyed masculine refinement. Floor to ceiling bookshelves lined the walls crammed with leather bound volumes emitting scholarly sophistication.

And the man himself sat in a high backed chair behind an orderly desk, his sharp eyes assessing me over steepled fingers.

“Nathan! Please sit.” He gestured toward a plush chair across from his desk.

Sinking cautiously into the velvety cushioning, I met his gaze. “To what do I owe this private meeting?” I asked.

Dan smiled at me, but as usual the expression remained somewhat guarded, the smile not quite reaching his icy gray eyes. Rising from his seat, he crossed the room and retrieved two tumblers and a decanter of amber liquid from a polished cabinet, speaking as he poured.

“I wanted the chance to speak openly, Alpha to Alpha,” he said. “I must confess you intrigued me, the way you confronted the association so fervently that night at the auction.”

As he spoke, he passed me my drink before crossing over to the fireplace that was flickering on the far wall. I watched as he swirled the scotch in his glass, contemplating. “So much determination and charisma in one so young. Have you considered where those qualities might lead you down the line?”

I considered the question slowly, turning my glass. “I only care about my pack and my family,” I said. “I want the best for them.”

Dan paused, glancing at me over his shoulder. “You don’t strive for greater leadership?” he asked. “You’ve got so much potential already. Your pack could just be a stepping stone to greater things.”

His words gave me pause. “My duty is to my pack, with all due respect, sir,” I said slowly. “It’s the entire reason why I worked so hard to join the association. To give my people what they need.”

Dan looked at me for a moment longer. At that moment, I felt as though I could see something flash through his eyes; although what it was, exactly, I wasn’t sure. Then, he simply nodded, raising his glass.

“I’ll drink to that, I suppose” he said, although his voice was stiff and monotone.

I returned the subtle toast, but something about it felt strange. I felt judged, as if this had been a test and I had failed. “Then here’s to whatever the future brings,” I said. We drank deeply.

Over a second round of our drinks, our conversation meandered. Eventually, we were covering various territory politics and practices. At one point, though, I recalled Olivia’s earlier discomfort and hesitantly broached the subject. Maybe it was the alcohol that made me comfortable enough to bring it up.

“Speaking of, how commonplace are… professional escorts among most regions?” I asked delicately, wanting to avoid any outright judgment. “Someone mentioned it to me earlier tonight. I wasn’t sure if it was just a rumor or something more.

Dan merely chuckled, his voice low. “You’ll discover that many things still thrive in the shadows, Nathan; only visible to those who search purposefully.” He leaned back casually, the ice cubes clinking together in his glass. “But regarding carnal entertainers—yes, it’s reasonably common for us titans of industry to partake after the tedium of administrative matters. It’s a way to release.”

I kept my expression carefully neutral despite my mounting unease. “I see,” I said. “And the women—they choose this arrangement without duress?”

“My boy, they are compensated most handsomely for their company and discretion.” Dan’s razor sharp gaze honed in on me like a dagger, as though he was trying to figure out my shifting stance on things. “In fact, feel free to sample any lovely temptress who catches your fancy this evening. Or at future gatherings, for that matter.”

I cleared my throat, my fingers tightening uncomfortably around my glass. “That’s a generous offer sir,” I said, “but I’m happily married, with two little ones and another one on the way. I wouldn’t cheat on my wife in a million years.”

Dan arched one brow, a look of stern appraisal momentarily shadowing his features before he hid it once more behind a mask of good humor.

“Naturally, naturally,” he said. “Although, variety and influence often go hand in hand in our circles.” He stood abruptly, signaling the conclusion of our private chat. “Just food for thought. Let’s rejoin the festivities, shall we?”

I swallowed the remainder of liquor for a fortification that I sorely needed, dousing my swirling unease in the smooth fire of the scotch. If maintaining newfound status required certain unsavory associations with people like Dan—then so be it. But I would never cheat on Olivia. Not in a million years. Not if my life depended on it.

Rising, I met the older Alpha’s steely gray eyes once more.

“Of course,” I said. “Lead the way.”

Dan and I descended the grand staircase together and were immediately met with the raucous laughter and loud music of a party that never seemed to quit. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that the high profile Alphas of the association were such partiers, and already I was feeling infinitely drained by the long night’s superficiality.

I couldn’t wait to get home. I longed for Liv’s soothing presence and the uncomplicated comforts of our little villa. This—the opulence, the splendor, the waiters with trays of champagne flutes and the concubines—it was all too much.

But, unfortunately, it was nights like this that were necessary to the survival of our pack. Not just to survive, but also to thrive. We sorely needed the funding that the association provided if we were going to grow as a pack.

Nearing the dance floor in search of Olivia, however, movement at my periphery drew my attention.

Glancing up at the shadowed balcony, I glimpsed a lone female figure leaning over the railing, watching our descent. Something about her rapt focus instantly raised the fine hairs at my nape.

But before I could discern more she retreated into darkness, her ominous silhouette disappearing swiftly.