Chapter 251

Chapter 251
Iris's POV

I tapped my pen against the desk, my mind still processing the details from the quarterly meeting I'd just wrapped up at Stone Industries. The company's financial projections looked promising, and the new design division was already showing potential. I was about to tackle the stack of reports waiting for my attention when a soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in," I called, straightening my posture.

K entered, his usually composed face carrying an unusual tension. My heart immediately picked up pace—K never looked worried unless something was seriously wrong.

"Ma'am, I have new information about the Northern European pack," he said in a low voice, carefully closing the door behind him.

I set my pen down, immediately switching mental gears. The Northern European wolves had connections to my mother's disappearance, my father's death, and that jade bracelet that had caused so much trouble. This was unfinished business—business that directly affected my family's safety.

"What news? What's happened?" My instincts told me this wasn't a routine update.

K sat down in the chair across from me, his posture rigid. "According to reliable intelligence, the Northern European pack is planning an attack. Their target is the Alpha credential in your possession."

My mind immediately flashed to images of Nathan and Emma, their tiny faces peaceful in sleep this morning. If the Northern Europeans were coming after me, would they target my children too? My chest tightened, and I realized I was gripping my pen so hard my knuckles had turned white.

"When do they plan to act? How many people? What's their plan?" I fired questions rapidly, trying to gather as much information as possible.

K's eyes remained fixed on mine. "According to intel, they're planning to move in three days. A team of about twenty. They intend to raid your residence directly. They believe the Alpha credential is hidden there."

I stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the seemingly peaceful cityscape of Moonshade Bay. The contrast between the tranquil view and the storm brewing in my mind couldn't have been starker.

"Apparently, the Beta in Northern Europe can't assume the Alpha position without the credential bracelet that fell into your possession recently," K explained. "The delay is causing instability within their ranks."

I turned back to face K, my brow furrowed. "The explanation sounds plausible, but something feels off. The Northern European pack has always operated with extreme secrecy. They wouldn't let intel like this leak so easily."

K shifted slightly in his chair, a subtle movement that caught my attention. His eyes, usually steady, flickered briefly away from mine.

"How reliable is your source?" I asked, watching him carefully.

K's discomfort became more apparent. He was rarely anything but composed, yet now he seemed... unsettled. "The source has requested absolute confidentiality," he said, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest. "But I can assure you, the information is reliable."

His reaction was unusual. K had always been my rock—calm, composed, methodical. Now he was displaying clear signs of nervousness.

"K, you know we can't afford mistakes with matters like this. If we're going to act, I need to know exactly how reliable this information is."

"I understand your concerns," K replied, his fingers still tapping against the armrest, betraying his internal struggle. "But the source explicitly requested their identity remain protected. Please trust me when I say this information is accurate."

I returned to my desk and sat down, resting my chin on my hand. K's behavior was definitely out of character, but I couldn't dismiss the information based solely on that. For safety's sake, I needed more evidence before deciding how to respond.

I studied K's earnest expression, thinking back over our years together. He'd been there during my darkest times, providing unwavering support when I needed it most. When my father died, when I struggled through my marriage with Sebastien, and especially during my divorce—K had always stood firmly in my corner.

I remembered how, during those painful weeks after Sebastien and I separated, K had quietly arranged additional security for me, never mentioning it until I discovered it by chance. His loyalty had never wavered.

"I recall you once telling me that in intelligence work, the transparency of sources is paramount," I said softly. "Now you're asking me to trust an unnamed source. That's not like you, K."

A flash of something complex crossed K's eyes before he lowered his gaze. "Ma'am, there are some things I simply can't elaborate on, but I give you my word—I would never do anything that would put you at risk."

The sincerity in his voice touched me. Despite my reservations, K had earned my trust over the years. He'd never led me astray before.

"Alright, K. I trust you." I nodded slowly. "But I hope you understand that for matters this serious, source reliability is critical."

K visibly relaxed. "Thank you for your trust, ma'am. I won't let you down."

"What do you suggest we do about this threat?" I pulled out my notebook, ready to document our plan.

K thought for a moment. "I believe we should inform Alpha Grey immediately."

I noticed K's mouth twitch almost imperceptibly when he mentioned Sebastien. He'd always been somewhat reserved about my reconciliation with Sebastien, though he'd never openly criticized it. Still, his suggestion was logical.

"The twins have just settled into their routine. I hate to disrupt that with this kind of threat," I sighed. "But safety comes first, of course."

Taking a deep breath, I reached for my phone and found Sebastien's number. I pressed dial, feeling a mix of anxiety about the threat and the familiar warmth that always surfaced when contacting him these days.

The call connected quickly. "Iris?" Sebastien's warm voice came through. "I was just about to call you. The twins did the most adorable thing earlier, I wanted to tell you about it..."

"Sebastien," I cut in gently, "I have an urgent situation we need to discuss." Despite my concern, I kept my voice steady.

His tone immediately shifted to alertness. "What's happened?" This quick transition from relaxed to vigilant was one of the qualities I'd always admired about him.

I concisely relayed what K had told me—the Northern European pack's planned attack, their probable target, and the possible timing. When I finished, I waited for his reaction.

After a brief silence, his deep voice returned, now low and serious. "How certain are you that this intelligence is reliable?"

I glanced at K, who was watching me intently. "To be honest, I can't be one hundred percent sure. K insists the source requires confidentiality, which is unusual. But given his track record, I'm inclined to trust him."

I could almost see Sebastien nodding on the other end of the line, processing the information with that focused intensity that was so characteristic of him.

The conversation with Sebastien was just beginning, but already I felt that familiar sense of partnership forming between us—the same dynamic that had made us such an effective team before everything fell apart. Despite the threat looming over us, I couldn't help but feel a certain comfort in facing it together.