The Luna they betrayed became Untouchable

Chapter 39: Chapter 39

"Is it true? Did the Supreme Alpha actually make that deal with the rogues?"

"Two First Houses were involved. Two. He couldn’t possibly have—"

One of them stepped forward. "General, we deserve an explanation. If those reports are true, then the Supreme Alpha—"

"Alpha, that’s enough." Ashira said, standing before the three panicked-looking Alphas. This wasn’t how she’d planned to spend her morning. "You will remember where you are standing," Ashira cut in sharply. "And more importantly, whose pack you are standing in."

The Alpha’s jaw tightened. Clearly that wasn’t the answer they wanted.

Ashira’s gaze moved across all three of them. "You are Alphas. Act like it. Take your questions back to your packs and wait for an official statement."

The three Alphas exchanged uneasy glances before finally turning away. With muttered words, they stiffly walked out of the pack house.

Ashira watched them go, her expression grim. Then she turned and strode toward Lucien’s study.

The Beta was already there while Lucien stood behind his desk, staring at a report in his hands.

He didn’t look up. "Close the door."

She did, sharing a look with the Beta who looked just as grim. She shut the door, but none of them spoke.

Lucien’s eyes moved slowly across the parchment again, as though there might be some mistake buried between the lines.

There wasn’t.

"Alpha..." the Beta began.

Lucien lowered the report, pinching his brows. "How did this get out?" he asked.

The Beta shook his head. "I don’t know. The information was sealed."

"Then how does the entire realm suddenly know about it?"

The Beta’s expression tightened. "That is what we’re trying to determine."

Ashira stepped closer to the desk. "How bad is it?"

Lucien handed her the parchment to read. Ashira scanned the papers, her eyes narrowing further with every line. The deal. The rogues. The two First Houses named outright, no ambiguity nor room for denial. How could this have gotten out? The deal with the rogues was supposed to be sealed. Only a handful of people knew about it.

She lowered it slowly. "This isn’t just a leak. This is practically everything. Dates, terms, signatures. Someone didn’t just hear about the deal. They had access to it."

"Which is impossible," the Beta, Marcus, said. "Only three people knew the full terms. You, me, and the Alpha."

Lucien said nothing. His jaw was locked so tightly that a muscle jumped under his cheek.

"Three Alphas have already demanded answers this morning. Two more sent messengers before dawn." Marcus paused. "I’m afraid this will shake their trust in you and the First Houses, Alpha."

Lucien ran his hand through his hair. He stood up and walked toward the window. Who could have done this?

Just as he pondered over it, the door creaked open and the head maid stepped in, head lowered. She moved toward Ashira and whispered in her ears.

Ashira stiffened on hearing what she had to say, then she dismissed her. She cleared her throat and stepped forward. "Alpha, I’m afraid there’s even more bad news."

Beta Marcus looked even more grim. "More bad news?"

"Speak."

Ashira hesitated slightly. "The First Houses financial index has dropped."

Lucien turned slowly from the window, his face hardening by the second. "By how much?"

Ashira swallowed. "Two billion silvers."

For the first time that morning, something flickered across Lucien’s face.

Beta Marcus straightened. "Two billion?" he exclaimed.

"From twenty billion to eighteen." Ashira nodded. "Ten Alphas have already withdrawn portions of their holdings. Some of them are calling their investments into question, and all of this is happening because of the report."

Marcus moved toward the desk, his eyes narrowing. "That was fast."

"They’re afraid," Ashira said. "If the Supreme Alpha was willing to make a secret arrangement with rogues once, they’re wondering what else has been kept from them."

Lucien’s jaw tightened. "Cowards," he spat out.

"Investors," Marcus corrected quietly. "And frightened investors don’t wait for certainty. They move before everyone else does."

Lucien shot him a look, but the Beta didn’t back down. "The First Houses are built on trust, Alpha. That trust starts breaking, the money will follow."

Ashira folded her arms. "This is preposterous. They are withdrawing their holdings based on an unverified report."

"An unverified report containing dates, terms, and signatures," Marcus reminded her.

Ashira’s mouth tightened while Lucien picked up the parchment again.

His eyes moved over the words. Someone had wanted this exposed. Whoever had done it had made certain there was enough evidence that denying it would look like desperation.

Then Ashira spoke. "My Lord..."

Lucien looked up, his brow raised.

"I have a suspicion." She stated, licking her lips. "Could this be the work of that vile woman from yesterday?"

Marcus frowned. "What woman?"

"Evelyn Valemont."

At the mention of her name, Lucien’s brows lifted slightly.

Ashira continued. "She stood in this very pack yesterday and threatened the Supreme Alpha to his face. She gave you a twenty-four-hour ultimatum."

Marcus stared at her. "You think she somehow uncovered a four-year-old secret overnight?"

Ashira looked him in the eye. "I think her twenty-four hours expired the same time this—" she pointed at the papers "—was sent out."

Marcus shook his head. He’d seen the woman. While she was feisty, sharp-mouthed with words that could cut one’s soul, she wasn’t some genius or spiritual being who could uncover a secret like this.

Marcus frowned. "How could a mere woman have gotten information like this?"

Lucien’s eyes remained fixed on the papers. That was the question. For the first time since Evelyn had walked out of his office, he found himself wondering whether he had made a serious mistake.

He had underestimated her. Badly.

"Get me the latest financial report," he said.

Ashira glanced toward him. "Alpha?"

"Now," he ordered, and she nodded, walking out the door.

Marcus remained where he was. "Alpha..." he began.

Lucien looked at him.

"Whatever your feelings toward Evelyn Valemont are, this is the time to let them go."

Lucien’s expression turned cold, but Marcus continued. "If she can truly uncover something like this in less than a day, then she isn’t someone we can afford to keep provoking. She’s a leech, and sometimes, leeches can be overlooked."

Lucien’s jaw hardened. "Not her. I have overlooked her once. I won’t do it a second time."

"Alpha..."

"Four years ago, that woman stormed into my office like a wild dog, breaking my meeting and stomping her feet, disregarding my authority. She pointed her fingers at me and proceeded to berate me in front of all the powerful Alphas in the realm."

"She called me a coward who watched innocent people die because I lacked the will to help." Lucien’s voice was low, yet Marcus could still hear the anger in it. "That day, I had refused Kael Ashbourne’s request for aid. He’d broken a treaty. I wasn’t willing to spend my warriors cleaning up his father’s mistakes for him."

Marcus said nothing, watching him carefully.

"She told the entire room that a ruler who lets his people die when he has the power to stop it isn’t worthy of the title." Lucien’s jaw tightened. "Then she told me my people would never love me. Only fear me."

"Alpha..." Marcus called again, but Lucien shook his head.

"Even yesterday, she had crossed a line." At this, Marcus looked away because he had heard it too.

"I don’t forgive that," Lucien said. "I don’t forget it, either."

For a moment, Marcus said nothing, weighing whether to press further.

"With respect, Alpha," he said finally, "you speak of her the way a man speaks of an old wound he keeps reopening himself. If she truly did this—uncovered something buried this deeply and moved fast enough to release it the exact hour her ultimatum expired—then whatever she is, she isn’t someone worth this much of your attention out of spite." He paused. "You’re bleeding coin to prove a point to a woman who’s already made her point far more efficiently than you have."

Lucien’s eyes flashed, though he said nothing.

The door opened before he could respond, Ashira striding back in with a fresh report already in hand, her face grimmer than before.

"My Lord." She set it before him without preamble. "It’s worse."

Lucien’s jaw tightened as he scanned it.

"Three more Alphas withdrew within the last hour," Ashira said. "One of them was Cedric of Yellowstone."

Marcus’s brows lifted sharply. "Cedric has never once questioned the First Houses in twenty years."

"He’s questioning it now." Ashira’s arms crossed tight over her chest. "The statement needs to go out today, Alpha. Every hour we wait, more of them decide the smartest move is to move first and ask questions later."

Lucien set the report down slowly, then he looked toward Ashira. "Prepare a statement."

She straightened. "What kind?"

"An absolute denial."

Ashira waited.

"State that the reports circulating throughout the realm are false. The Supreme Alpha has never betrayed the First Houses, and my loyalty to them remains unquestionable."

"And the signatures?" she asked.

"Forged."

Marcus looked at him sharply. "Alpha..."

"I said deny it," Lucien growled.

Ashira nodded. "It will be released within the hour."

She turned toward the door but was stopped. "General," he called, and she turned to face him. "Have the financial advisors monitor every withdrawal."

"Yes, my Lord." With that, she stepped out of the room.

"And Marcus?"

"Yes, Alpha."

Lucien’s gaze hardened. "Find out who leaked this."

Marcus nodded slowly. "We will."

The door closed behind Ashira. Lucien remained by the desk, staring at the report.

Four years ago, Evelyn had walked into his office and challenged him. Yesterday, she’d done it again.

And now—she had somehow gotten her hands on a secret that should have been buried forever.

His eyes narrowed. For the first time, Lucien wasn’t wondering whether Evelyn was dangerous.

He was wondering how dangerous she actually was.

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