Chapter 61: Favors Owed
The Black Moon Pack members were stunned, their faces reflecting their outrage and shock. Ryder might be a servant, but he was one that their Luna had chosen for the first time, to have fun with.
Even though he wasn’t, their Black Moon Pack wouldn’t sell their own for any reason, and the pack’s collective growl reflected their displeasure.
Ryder, on the other hand, had a look of amusement dancing in his eyes as he stared at his Luna, waiting to hear her response. His expression was a mask of calm, but a hint of curiosity flickered beneath the surface.
Reana, meanwhile, seemed carved from ice, her face a serene mask that betrayed none of her emotions. Her eyes, however, told a different story, flashing with a warning that Alpha Killian would do well to heed.
But perhaps, the Alpha thought himself as her only hope, so he ignored her warning. "I believe this is a fair trade, don’t you, Luna?" Alpha Killian asked with a smile playing on his lips.
"Need I remind Alpha Killian that my pack had saved your asses earlier from the Nightwing monsters?" Reana’s voice was laced with a subtle venom, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gazed at the West Wood Pack’s leader. "I believe that puts us squarely in the realm of ’favors owed’, not ’debts to be paid’."
Alpha Killian’s expression transformed into one of feigned innocence, his brow furrowing in mock confusion. "What do you mean, Luna Reana?" he asked, his voice dripping with insincerity. "I’m merely proposing a mutually beneficial arrangement. The Nightwing attack was unfortunate. But I fail to see how that has any bearing on our current discussion."
"What I mean is, Alpha Killian, I could have demanded a payment for one of my own saving your pack, or stood there and watched how your pack is razed to the ground, then attacked what remains," Reana’s voice was steady, her words dripping with a quiet intensity. "But I chose not to. I chose to help you, to protect your pack, and this is how you repay me? By demanding one of my own?" Her eyes flashed with indignation, her tone icy.
Alpha Killian looked away, a faint flush rising to his cheeks as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Tension rising in the hall. When he finally spoke, his voice was laced with a hint of defensiveness. "Of course, I’m grateful for your help. I’m just trying to secure the best possible future for my pack, Luna Reana."