I launch into the overview. Territorial updates. Alliance progress. The new joint project with Silverwood Pack. It’s all routine. Boring. The kind of meeting that usually ends without incident.
But then, Ryker speaks up.
“Before we move on,” he says, leaning forward, “I’d like to present some findings from the Ravenhood side. We’ve been analyzing the Silverwood territory dispute, and I think we’ve found a solution.”
I give him a short nod. “Go ahead.”
He moves to the front of the room with easyconfidence. His presentation is polished. Graphs, data points, legal precedents, all neatly organized.
But I’m not watching the screen. I’m watching the way his eyes keep drifting to Violet.
Subtle glances. Strategic pauses. The kind of thing most people wouldn’t notice.
But I notice everything when it comes to her.
Ryker clicks to the next slide. “Now, this clause here is interesting. It’s an old provision from the original alliance agreement, but it’s never been invoked. If we apply it to the current dispute—”
“That provision is outdated,” Violet says quietly.
Everyone turns to look at her.
She doesn’t flinch. Just meets Ryker’s gaze steadily. “The treaty was amended twelve years ago. Section 4.7 supersedes that clause entirely.”
Silence.
Ryker blinks. “I—Are you sure?”
“Positive.” She pulls out her tablet, and her fingers move quickly across the screen. “The amendment is in the archives. I can pull it up if you’d like to verify.”
A slow smile spreads across Ryker’s face. “No need. You’re absolutely right.” He addresses the room, but his eyes stay on her. “I apologize for the oversight. Good catch.”
Violet nods once and looks back down at her notes.
But Ryker isn’t done.
“I’m impressed,” he says, his tone warm. “How long have you been working in this division?”
“Two weeks.”
His eyebrows rise. “Two weeks, and you already know the treaty amendments better than I do?” He laughs. “That’s remarkable.”
“Can we continue?” I cut him off, my voice sharp.
Ryker glances at me with a hint of a grin still on his lips, then nods and returns to his presentation. But he keeps finding excuses to direct questions toward Violet. Asking her opinion. Complimenting her insights. Drawing her into the discussion.
And she responds. Professionally. Politely. Her answers are precise and thoughtful, demonstrating intelligence that makes my chest ache.
My wolf preens with pride I try to ignore. I grip the edge of the table hard enough that the wood groans.
The meeting drags on. Every minute is torture. With every smile Ryker gives Violet, with every answer she provides, I feel my control slipping another notch.
Finally, we reach the end.
“That covers everything,” I say, my voice tight. “Meeting adjourned.”
People gather their things. Papers shuffle. Chairs scrape.
I organize my own materials with deliberate slowness. Normally, I’m the first one out, but today, my hands take their time with documents that are already perfectly aligned.
