Chapter 0399

The moment Evelyn and I step back into the packhouse, the sylvan fae swarm around us with overwhelming gratitude. Isolde assures them they’re always welcome, especially if they’re in danger or need help.

Before they vanish into the trees, I pull Oberon aside. "Keep watching for hunters. Alert us immediately if you see anything." He nods eagerly before darting off to rejoin his group. I spot the twin fae—Luna and Stella—hovering near the back of the packhouse until Alistair appears, joining them before they all disappear into the forest.

I’ll have to talk to him soon. He needs to understand the weight of his actions, what it means to those two. Fae might be infuriating, but they’re fragile. And as Alpha, it’s my duty to protect them, no matter how much they test my patience.

"Leopold. Donovan. My office. Now."

Our pack’s growth has brought improvements—including actual furniture. Jeremy’s new shop is flooded with orders, forcing him to hire three more workers. He still barely keeps up.

They settle into the cushioned chairs around my new table. "We need intel on these hunters. This is the second time they’ve trespassed. What do we know?"

Leaning forward, Leopold exhales. "Not much. They’re ghosts. Hard to track since we don’t live among humans. But whispers say they’re planning something big."

Donovan’s jaw tightens. "Rumors say they’ve taken wolves captive. Probably experimenting on them. Or worse."

"Dig deeper. I’ll check with Adrian and Sebastian. Sebastian’s company operates in the city—he might’ve heard something." Though I doubt it. If he had, he would’ve told us.

After updating them on the skirmish and confirming they know just as little, I shift the topic. "What’s your pack tax structure?"

Adrian crosses his arms. "Twenty percent. Most comes from businesses on our land. The funds go back into the pack—gatherings, food, orphans, improvements. I don’t overspend, and neither do my ranked members."

Sebastian’s approach differs. "My main income is the company. Since it’s human-run, we already pay taxes. I only take an extra ten percent from the pack. Still substantial, but like Adrian, I don’t waste it."

We finalize travel plans for Luna’s Challenge, agreeing to leave a day early and coordinate pack security in each other’s absence. Then I end the call.

Later, I corner Alistair. I relay Finnian’s warning—he must choose. Either claim the twins as mates or let them go. His calm reaction surprises me. Maybe his wolf is willing to accept them.

And it seems he’d have to take both. A package deal. Uncommon for wolves, but not unheard of—especially with twins.

As the week passes, I finalize construction plans with Donovan, authorizing him to handle finances in my absence. I also warn him about the hunters and fae. Some wolves built homes near the border; they’ll likely encounter the fae. If they become a nuisance, he’s to contact Alistair.