The Luna they betrayed became Untouchable

Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Two hours later, Lucien sat at the head of the table surrounded by the Alphas of the First Houses.

Fifteen powerful men who had once looked at him with nothing but respect. Today, however, there was something different in the room.

Lucien noticed it immediately. Some whispered among themselves. Others sat with their arms folded, their expressions guarded. A few kept glancing toward the documents in front of them, as though they were calculating something they did not want him to see.

Lucien’s jaw tightened. He hated the sight.

"Gentlemen, you have all heard about the situation at the Celestial border."

No one answered.

"The delays are temporary," Lucien continued. "Alpha Cassian has increased inspections because of irregularities within foreign trade entering his realm. I am already working to resolve the matter."

One of the Alphas shifted in his seat. "How long will it take?"

"That depends on the Celestial Realm."

"And if they don’t resolve it soon?" another asked.

Lucien’s expression hardened. "They will."

"But our shipments are already sitting at the border. My merchants have lost two contracts since yesterday."

A second Alpha leaned forward. "Mine have lost four."

Lucien raised his hand as they all began to mumble. "I understand the inconvenience—"

"Inconvenience?" An Alpha cut him off. "With all respect, Alpha Lucien, my losses are approaching three million silvers. And that is just after one day. If this continues for another week, I won’t be able to cover the losses from my own treasury."

A murmur moved through the room, and Lucien looked around the table. That was what he had feared.

Fear of losing money. And when wealthy men became afraid of losing money, loyalty became very fragile.

"We will not be discussing hypothetical losses," Lucien said coldly. "The route will reopen."

"When?"

The question came from the other side of the table. Lucien’s eyes snapped toward the speaker.

The Alpha held his gaze. "When will the route reopen, Alpha Lucien?"

Lucien’s fingers tightened underneath the table. "I said we are handling it."

"With respect," the Alpha replied, "that is not an answer."

The room went silent at the Alpha’s tone.

Marcus shifted beside Lucien while Lucien slowly leaned forward. "You seem to be forgetting who you are speaking to." He looked around the table. "Do I need to remind each of you just what it is I have done for you and what you owe me?"

They all went silent, shuffling awkwardly and uncomfortably in their seats. Lucien leaned back. "The situation is being handled. The reports are false, the First Houses is far from losing its power and authority, and I am far from being incapable."

"Those Alphas whose contracts will be expiring soon, I have taken the initiative to draft up new contracts." He said just as Ashira began to place the contracts in front of the said Alphas. "You will sign and we will—"

"Is the Supreme Alpha trying to hold us back even though we clearly aren’t getting what we deserve?"

The words landed harder than Lucien expected. He slowly looked at the Alpha who had spoken.

"What did you say?"

The Alpha did not shrink back this time. "I said, is the Supreme Alpha trying to hold us back when we clearly aren’t getting what we deserve?"

Lucien’s nostrils flared. "You are receiving exactly what you are entitled to receive."

"Are we?" Another Alpha spoke up. "Because my goods are sitting at a border I cannot cross, my merchants are losing contracts, and I’m being asked to sign another agreement tying my treasury to the First Houses for another five years."

"That is because the situation is temporary."

"But you cannot tell us when it will end."

Lucien’s jaw tightened. "We are discussing a delay of a few days, not the collapse of the First Houses."

One of the Alphas looked down at the contract before him. "Perhaps not yet."

Lucien’s gaze snapped toward him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

The Alpha slowly raised his eyes. "It means that perhaps we should begin considering what happens if this isn’t resolved."

Marcus shifted beside Lucien.

The room had changed, and Lucien could feel it. These men had always feared disappointing him, and now they were questioning him.

That was a line that had never been crossed before.

"Let me make something very clear," Lucien said, his voice low. "The First Houses were built because I made them possible. Every one of your packs has benefited from the network I created. You have all earned more under my system than you would have earned alone."

"We know that," one of them replied.

"Then remember it." He gritted out stiffly.

"We do remember it, Alpha Lucien. That is why we’re asking questions now."

Lucien’s expression darkened. "What questions?"

The Alpha looked around the table before finally saying what everyone else had been thinking. "Is the First Houses still capable of protecting our interests?"

"My concern is not your authority, Alpha Lucien. My concern is my treasury."

Lucien’s fingers curled under the table. He could handle rebellion. He could handle threats. He could even handle an Alpha challenging his authority.

But this was different. They weren’t challenging his strength.

They were questioning his usefulness.

Marcus leaned toward him and whispered, "Alpha, perhaps we should adjourn and—"

"I call that these contracts be put on hold until this issue has been resolved," the Alpha said, and others nodded, murmuring in agreement. "We have to return to our various packs, Supreme Alpha, but we hope this situation is resolved soon." With that, he stood up, bowed, and walked out of the room.

Lucien sat there, jaw clenched so hard a vein popped in his head. One by one, each Alpha left the office, leaving behind their contracts.

"Alpha—" The last Alpha called, and Lucien looked up. It was Alpha Cedric of Yellowstone Pack.

"I truly sympathise with the situation at hand, but I must say, until the situation is resolved, half these men won’t sign another contract—not when a better option is available."

Lucien’s brows furrowed, just as Marcus and Ashira paused behind him.

"Speak clearly."

"The Valemont estate and Bloodmoon pack have found a way around it, and they’ve poached several of the Alphas—even me. Their offer is good enough, and I fear the others will take it if this isn’t resolved."

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