Chapter 72\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Draven\u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
I slammed the report onto my desk and leaned back, my jaw tightening with rage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This made no sense.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The numbers were clean at first glance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It had my signature, clearly approved by me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking at the timestamp, it was accurate and perfectly timed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I flipped through the pages again, slower this time, trying to see if I missed anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I muttered. \u201cThis isn\u2019t possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Resource inflow from the eastern routes was higher than it should have been, while outflow from the northern stores was lower than it should have been.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On paper, it is balanced accurately. Nobody would notice that something was amiss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But in reality, something was wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The timing was off by days. I noticed small gaps in between expected deliveries and registers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Looking at it on the surface, it was easy to miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone was falsifying the pack\u2019s records.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And they knew exactly how to do it without raising alarms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked up sharply. Then I linked my beta and Gamma\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome down to my office right now, Rowan and Dominic\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A few moments later, the door opened. My Beta, Rowan, was already inside, leaning against the table with his arms crossed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Gamma slipped in behind him, looking at us with confusion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou wanted to see me, Alpha?\u201d Gamma Dominic asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cSit. Both of you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
They did.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell is going on?\u201d I asked, throwing the papers at him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:38 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 72\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan took the documents, he frowned as he skimmed the reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are signed off by the right people.\u201d He reported, \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the problem,\u201d I said. \u201cSomeone is falsifying reports. Whoever did this knew which signatures would never be questioned.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dominic picked up the papers and glanced through them as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is this possible?,\u201d he muttered. \u201cA lot of the shipments have been reported to have been delivered but the storehouse doesn\u2019t have anything stored\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled slowly. \u201cWhich means this has been happening for a while.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan stiffened. \u201cYou think it\u2019s internal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it is.\u201d I nodded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence stretched between us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut how do we find out who\u2019s behind the forgery?\u201d Rowan asked, his face looked complicated. \u201cThere are no CCTVs in the shipment or storehouse\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know how we are going to go about it but I want the person behind this ratted out soon\u201d I said, and they nodded.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Dominic cleared his throat. \u201cThere\u2019s something else.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at him. \u201cSay it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI received an invitation a little while ago\u201d Dominic stated, \u201cA formal invitation from the Leader of the Northern Region.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan glanced at me. \u201cA party?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Dominic said. \u201cHigh-ranking packs only. Every high-ranking member of the packs under the northern region is invited. It\u2019s selective.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned back, cold understanding settling in my chest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw clenched.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey expect us to attend, Draven\u201d Rowan continued. \u201cNot just us alone, every major Alpha\u2019s refusal would be noticed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked up slowly. \u201cSince when does the North host parties instead of councils to oversee the welfare of the packs?\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan\u2019s mouth twitched, debating whether to say what\u2019s on his mind or not.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know but Alpha Lord is planning something big.\u201d Rowan enclosed us, whispering. \u201cIt\u2019s a gossip\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:38 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 72\u00a0<\/p>\n
62\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
circulating the North but I think the Alpha Lord is capable of doing something big\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Gamma nodded. \u201cIt\u2019s a powerful move. Inviting the packs under the North to party while putting his plans in motion.. A socially powerful move, I have to give him his applause\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tapped my finger against the desk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd this is how it starts,\u201d Rowan muttered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen will you quit taking gossip seriously? Rowan\u201d I asked, irritated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Alpha Lord has been living and ruling the north peacefully since my father was Alpha.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why would he move to do something big now?\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all nonsense gossip.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan met my gaze. \u201cThat\u2019s not all, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised a brow. \u201cThere\u2019s always more with you. Just shut up and fish out who\u2019s responsible for the irregularities in the reports\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re moving pieces of our resources. And they think I won\u2019t notice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood, walking toward the window. \u201cAnd if I don\u2019t go?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Gamma answered quietly. \u201cThen you look like you\u2019re hiding something.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared out at the courtyard below, my reflection faint in the glass.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A party in the North, hosted by the Alpha lord himself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every Alpha watches every other Alpha, trying to weigh and compare.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It will be filled with tension and toast.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned back to face them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what if this is a trap?\u201d Dominic asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a chuckle. \u201cThen this is our chance to find out who set the trap\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, the three of us are going?\u201d Rowan frowned slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d I replied. \u201cAnd we\u2019ll go prepared.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My lips curved into a smile. \u201cBecause no one throws a party like this unless they\u2019re about to do something big.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I intended to know exactly what was going on in the North.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:38 Tue, Jan 20\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 72\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan hesitated. \u201cWhatever Liora? Do we tell her about what\u2019s going on?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t think of this at first. When he asked, I froze and picked up the reports.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glanced at the reports, and my frown deepened the more I looked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
62)\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet,\u201d I said. \u201cIf someone is manipulating pack resources, they\u2019re patient and careful. I don\u2019t want to cause panic, especially not in my household.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dominic nodded slowly. \u201cThen we go in blind?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d I said. \u201cWe go in there acting like nothing is amiss\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I straightened my collar, already thinking three steps ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRowan, you\u2019ll audit every supply route again but quietly this time. Use second signatures, and don\u2019t alert anyone, not even Liora.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rowan questioned. \u201cAnd if someone notices?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLet them,\u201d I replied. \u201cI want to see what they do\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to Dominoc. \u201cYou\u2019ll be in charge of security for the party. We can\u2019t be too careless when things aren\u2019t looking right\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dominic gave a grim smile. \u201cNothing escapes my eyes, Draven, don\u2019t worry\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d I smiled. \u201cThis is why I want you to handle it\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Someone is treating my pack like a chessboard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I hate losing at chess, because it\u2019s one of the things I was good at.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silvermoon will not be played with when I\u2019m still Alpha.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not on my watch!\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comment\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella\u2019s storytelling style is immersive and addictive\u2014perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shadows Follow Lonely Minds \u2014 Christopher Harris 72 Chapter 72\u00a0 \u2013Draven\u2013\u00a0 :\u00a0 I slammed the report onto my desk and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[80],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-nightshade-heir-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27317\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}