Chapter 40

Raymond announced the news at breakfast, his voice carrying the casual authority of someone accustomed to having his decisions accepted without question.

"I've arranged a diplomatic visit to the Swift River Pack," he declared, buttering his toast with meticulous precision. "We leave in three days to discuss alliance terms."

"Swift River is traditionally wary of outsiders," Elder Morris observed. "Their acceptance of a formal visit is quite an achievement."

Raymond nodded, his expression smug. "A testament to our pack's growing influence." His eyes flicked to Giana, a prideful smile playing at his lips. "I'll be taking both Luna Aurora and Delta Giana with me."

A ripple of surprise moved through those gathered at the table. Elder Morris frowned. "It's unusual to bring someone beyond Alpha and Luna to formal negotiations. Perhaps even potentially offensive to the host pack."

"Times are changing," Raymond replied dismissively. "And Giana's insights into rogue territories will be invaluable during boundary discussions."

I maintained my composure, though internally my mind raced with implications. Swift River was our most powerful neighboring pack, their alliance critical to our territorial security. Having Giana present during sensitive negotiations was not just unusual—it was potentially dangerous, particularly given what we knew of her suspicious activities.

"Of course, Alpha," I responded smoothly. "I'll begin preparations immediately."

Later that morning, I visited my storage closet "office" to gather the ceremonial items required for formal pack visits. To my dismay, I discovered my Luna regalia in disarray.

The traditional silver circlet worn during alliance ceremonies had been bent almost beyond recognition. The diplomatic seal bearing our pack's crest had a crack running through the center. My formal robes had suspicious stains that hadn't been there when last stored.

The systematic damage was too targeted to be coincidental. Without proper regalia, my authority as Luna would be visibly diminished during the negotiations—another calculated move to undermine my position.

A soft knock at the door interrupted my assessment of the damage. Luna Elena entered, closing the door quietly behind her.

"I thought you might need assistance with preparations," she said, her knowing gaze taking in the ruined ceremonial items. Without commenting on the obvious sabotage, she placed a wooden box on the table. "These belonged to me during my early years as Luna. I believe they will serve you well."

Inside lay an exquisite silver circlet more elaborate than my own, ceremonial robes of midnight blue embroidered with ancient pack symbols, and a diplomatic seal identical to the damaged one but crafted of pure silver rather than the traditional bronze.

"Luna Elena, I can't accept—"

"You can and you will," she interrupted firmly. "The Swift River visit is not merely a diplomatic formality, Aurora. It's a test—of Raymond's leadership, of our pack's unity, and of your resilience."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of her warning. "Thank you."

"Be vigilant," she cautioned. "And remember—Swift River's Alpha was a close friend of Marcus in their youth. His loyalty to traditional pack structure runs deep."

Her subtle message was clear: Swift River might prove an ally against whatever Giana was planning.

That evening, while collecting reference materials from the archive for the trip, I heard voices from a rarely used corridor—one muffled, the other immediately recognizable as Giana's.

"Everything is proceeding as planned," she was saying, her voice entirely devoid of the soft, vulnerable quality she affected around Raymond. "The Swift River visit provides perfect opportunity. The arrangements have been made."

I pressed myself against the wall, straining to hear more.

"Raymond remains oblivious," she continued. "The Luna, however, has become problematic. She's been investigating, gathering evidence. Her elimination may need to be accelerated."

My blood ran cold at the casual discussion of my "elimination."

The other voice responded, too low for me to make out clearly, but something in the cadence seemed familiar.

"Three days," Giana confirmed. "Be prepared for the signal."

I slipped away silently, heart pounding. I needed to find Kane immediately.

I located him in the training yards, supervising security drills with younger pack members. When he saw my expression, he dismissed the trainees without explanation and led me to a private corner.

"What's happened?" he asked, voice low with concern.

I relayed Giana's conversation, emphasizing her mention of "arrangements" and the timetable coinciding with our Swift River visit.

"The voice she was speaking with," I finished. "I couldn't place it at first, but now I'm certain—it belonged to a rogue I saw her meeting with at the border."

Kane's expression darkened. "This confirms our suspicions of outside coordination."

"We need to stop the visit," I urged. "It's too dangerous."

He shook his head grimly. "Raymond would never cancel based on what he'd see as mere suspicion. But I have contacts in Swift River territory—former security allies. I can arrange discreet monitoring."

"You mean to follow us?" I asked, concerned for his safety.

"At a distance," he confirmed. "I'll need to leave tonight to establish position before—"

"How very cozy," Raymond's cold voice interrupted from behind us.

We turned to find him watching, his posture rigid with barely contained anger. "Private conversations in shadowy corners. How often does this happen, I wonder?"

"This is pack business," I replied firmly, refusing to be intimidated. "Security concerns regarding our Swift River visit."

"Of course," Raymond's voice dripped with skepticism. "Security. Is that what you call these intimate little meetings?"

Kane stepped forward. "Your Luna raised legitimate concerns about potential threats during the journey. I was advising appropriate precautions."

"My Luna?" Raymond's laugh held no humor. "Interesting choice of words from a man who can't keep his eyes—or apparently his hands—off another man's wife."

My patience snapped. "That's rich coming from you, Raymond. At least Kane respects me enough to listen when I speak, rather than dismissing me in favor of his mistress."

Raymond's eyes widened at my unprecedented defiance. "You forget yourself, Luna."

"No, you forget yourself, Alpha," I countered, stepping closer. "You've neglected your duties to our pack, compromised our security, and undermined my position systematically. If anyone has broken faith, it's you."

His face flushed with rage. "You dare—"

"Oh, there you all are!"

Giana's voice cut through our confrontation like a blade. She approached with her practiced air of innocent concern, though I didn't miss the calculating assessment in her eyes as she took in our positions.

"Is everything alright?" she asked, placing a restraining hand on Raymond's arm. "We shouldn't argue before such an important diplomatic mission."

Her performance was flawless—the peace-making mediator, the voice of reason and unity. Raymond's posture immediately softened at her touch.

"You're right," he agreed, though his eyes remained cold as they met mine. "We should focus on the Swift River negotiations."

The morning of our departure dawned clear and cold. As I supervised the loading of our ceremonial gifts and diplomatic materials, I noticed Giana lingering near my carefully packed luggage. When she thought no one was watching, she slipped something small into the side pocket of my diplomatic case.

I waited until she left before examining the item—a small vial of dark liquid nestled among my personal effects. I couldn't identify the contents, but given Giana's behavior, it seemed unlikely to be harmless.

I disposed of the vial carefully, then repacked everything, adding the special precautions Kane had provided—thread placed strategically across seams that would break if tampered with, specialized paper that would change color if exposed to common poisons, and a tiny transmitter that would allow him to track our location.

As our caravan prepared to depart, I caught sight of Luna Elena watching from an upper window, her expression grave with concern. Our eyes met briefly, her slight nod conveying what words could not—be careful, be vigilant, remember your training.

Raymond helped Giana into the lead vehicle with ostentatious care, then gestured impatiently for me to take my place in the second car—another break with tradition that would be immediately noticed by our hosts.

As we pulled away from the pack house, I felt the weight of what lay ahead. This wasn't merely a diplomatic mission—it was rapidly becoming a dangerous game of strategy and survival, with stakes far higher than my pride or position.

Whatever Giana had planned for Swift River territory, I would need every ounce of my Luna training to navigate the dangers ahead—not just for myself, but for the entire pack she seemed determined to undermine.