Chapter 87

**The Price of Peace**

There was enough tension in the meeting room to choke on. On either side of the room, warriors from both packs stood with their hands by their weapons and suspicious eyes. Magnus sat at the long wooden table opposite Kai, his face unreadable. Violence was roiling in the air, and I knew that this flimsy attempt at diplomacy would end in bloodshed if we didn't proceed with caution.

I steadied myself by taking a deep breath before I spoke. "We're here to find a way forward, not to fight." My voice broke through the sharp glares and murmurs. "Our shared goal is to survive. Let's pretend to be that way.

Magnus chuckled quietly. "Survival looks different depending on which side of the table you're sitting on, Luna."

Kai's jaw tensed next to me, but before he could react, I put a hand on his arm. "Then let's make sure we're sitting on the same side."

The room froze. Magnus looked at me, his eyes glimmering with amusement. "Go on."

I spoke steadily as I leaned forward. "It's unacceptable that you offered land in return for warriors. Both of us are aware that ceding land is about more than just resources. It has to do with power. You might want more land tomorrow if we give it up today."

Magnus said, "You're not wrong," with a slight curl to his lips. "And what do you propose instead?"

Kai tightened his hold on the table's edge, but he said nothing, so I took the initiative.

"We create a joint defense pact," I replied. "A real partnership. Your warriors fight with ours, but you have access to our training programs, healers, and resources instead of land. Both packs gain without losing their independence.

Magnus's ranks began to murmur softly. Freya, his Beta, was a scarred woman who leaned in to whisper something to him. Magnus turned back to me after giving me a small nod.

"And how do I know this alliance won't crumble the moment your enemy is defeated?" Magnus asked, looking intently.

I said, "Because we make it binding," looking him in the eyes. Alphas made a blood pact. An unbreakable promise of safety.

Kai stiffened next to me, and I could tell what was on his mind. The spirits of our ancestors enforced a blood pact, which was more than just a symbolic gesture. It would be disastrous to break it.

Magnus's forehead raised. "You would bind your future to mine in such a way?"

I paused just a little before nodding. "If it means saving both our people, yes."

Magnus's face broke into a slow smile that stopped short of his eyes. "You’re bolder than I expected, Luna."

At last, Kai spoke in a firm yet low voice. "It will be on equal terms if we do this. No shady transactions, no ulterior motives. We fight together.

Magnus bowed his head. "Agreed."

The room's tension changed, softening slightly but not completely. The fighters' hands remained hovering close to their weapons, but they were a little more relaxed.

Freya rose and pointed to the middle of the space. "Then let the pact be sealed in blood."

Magnus and Kai rolled up their sleeves and walked to the center. Between them, the silver edge of a ceremonial dagger shone.

However, just as they were about to cut, the door exploded.

A scout with a pale face dashed in. "Alphas! We're having trouble.

Kai made a sudden turn. "What is it?"

The scout took a deep breath. "The adversary Alpha is already in motion. This is the direction his army is marching.

A shiver went down my back.

Magnus scowled. "How many?"

When the scout said, "More than we expected," "Hundreds. Before sunset, they will overrun us if we don't take quick action.

The atmosphere in the room changed from one of tense negotiation to one of quick action.

The conversation was over. We were on the verge of war.