Chapter 170
Lynette's POV
Drake called back an hour later.
We were still in Kael's living room. Elara sat on the couch, arms wrapped around herself. She hadn't said much since we'd figured out Rezar was building an army. Just sat there, staring at nothing.
Kael put the phone on speaker.
"I have news," Drake said. "There's been chatter in the underground networks. Something big. An auction."
My spine straightened. Kael leaned forward.
"What kind of auction?" His voice was controlled, but I heard the edge underneath.
"High-level only. Invitation-only event on a yacht in international waters. Three days from now." Papers rustled on Drake's end. "The guest list reads like a who's who of the supernatural underworld. Pack leaders. Rogues with serious connections. And—"
"Rezar," I said.
"We believe so," Drake confirmed. "Our sources say he's been promising his new followers 'resources.' This auction might be where he's planning to deliver."
I watched Kael's jaw tighten. His fingers drummed once against his thigh, then stilled.
"Get me an invitation," Kael said.
"Already working on it. Should have it by tonight."
Kael ended the call and turned to me. Those amber eyes were sharp, calculating.
"I need to see what he's planning," Kael said. "Whatever Rezar's offering at that auction—that's the key to understanding how he's controlling the rogues."
My heart kicked hard against my ribs. A chance to get close to Rezar. To see his operation from the inside.
But also—a trap.
"That's dangerous," Elara said. Her voice was quiet but firm. "You can't just walk into—"
"I'm not asking permission," Kael said. Not harsh. Just final. He looked at me. "But I need someone I can trust. Someone who can handle themselves if things go wrong."
The way he said it made something in my chest tighten.
"I'll go," I said.
Elara stood up fast. "Lynette, no. This is—you can't—"
"I can." I stood too, facing her. "Elara, this is our chance to figure out what Rezar's doing. To stop him before he comes after us."
"Or it's a chance for him to kill you!" Her voice cracked. "You just got back. I just—we just—"
She didn't finish. I could see it in her face—the fear of losing me again.
I crossed to her, putting my hands on her shoulders. "Hey. Look at me."
She did. Her eyes were shiny.
"I'm not going alone," I said. "Kael will be there."
"That's supposed to make me feel better?"
Kael cleared his throat. "For what it's worth—I won't let anything happen to her."
Elara stared at him. Then: "You better not."
"I want to come with you," Elara said, turning back to me. "Both of you. I can help. I can—"
"No." Kael's voice was firm. "The auction has strict entry requirements. Limited guests. Bringing an extra person would raise red flags we can't afford."
"He's right," I said. The betrayal on her face hurt. "Elara, I need you here. If something goes wrong—if we don't come back in three days—you need to contact Drake. Get Mom and Dad somewhere safe. Okay?"
Her throat worked. "You're asking me to just... wait? While you walk into danger?"
"I'm asking you to be our failsafe," I said. "That's not nothing. That's everything."
She looked between us. Her hands were shaking.
"Three days," she finally said. "If you're not back in three days, I'm coming after you. I don't care what Kael says about 'entry requirements.'"
"Deal," I said.
---
The next morning, I was up before dawn.
Couldn't sleep. My mind kept running through scenarios. Rezar at an auction. What would he be buying? Selling?
I needed to move.
The Pinehollow Pack training grounds were empty at 5 AM. Perfect.
I started with a run. Twenty laps around the perimeter. My legs burned, my lungs ached, but it felt good. Like I was back in my own skin.
After the run, I moved to the combat ring. Shadow boxing. Testing my reflexes. My reach.
I dropped into a fighting stance and started working through combinations. Jab-cross-hook. Slip-counter-uppercut. Muscle memory from twenty years in the North.
I threw a roundhouse kick. The air whistled.
"Impressive."
I spun, dropping back into a defensive stance.
Mira stood at the edge of the ring, arms crossed.
"How long have you been watching?" I asked.
"Long enough." She stepped closer. "Those techniques. Where did you learn them?"
My jaw tightened. "Survived in the forests up north. Had to figure things out."
"That's not standard pack training."
"Wasn't part of a pack."
We stared at each other. I could feel her wolf pressing against mine—testing. Measuring.
Finally, Mira's mouth quirked. Almost a smile. "Kael was right about you."
"Right about what?"
"That you're stronger than you look." She paused. "He told me to watch over you. Make sure you stay safe."
"I know."
"But after watching you just now?" Her eyes were approving. "I think you'll do just fine."
---
By mid-morning, I was back at Kael's place. Drake had come through.
Two invitation cards lay on the coffee table. They were made of actual gold—thin sheets of hammered metal, engraved with intricate symbols. At the center of each: a wolf's head biting down on a crescent moon.
"The Lupine Exchange," Kael said, picking up one of the cards. "It's a platform that facilitates transactions in the supernatural world. Mostly wolves."
I lifted the other card. Heavy. Cold.
"What kind of transactions?"
"Anything you can't get through normal channels. Information. Weapons. Services." His mouth tightened.
I studied the invitation. The date was engraved at the bottom: three days from now. Location: international waters, coordinates to be provided twelve hours before departure.
"The yacht is called the Dark Tide," Kael said. "We board at midnight."
"And Rezar will be there."
"Most likely." He looked at me. "Are you sure about this?"
I thought about Elara. About my parents. About the rogues Rezar was collecting.
My hands were shaking. I pressed them flat against my thighs.
"I'm terrified," I said honestly. "But I'm going anyway."
Kael's expression shifted. Something like respect flickered in his eyes.
He set the invitation down and turned to look out the window. His shoulders were tense.
"I've spent my whole life being groomed to take over this territory," he said quietly. "To maintain order. To follow the rules my father set. To keep everything... stable."
I waited.
"But watching you?" He turned back to face me. "The way you're willing to break every rule if it means protecting your family? The way you choose what's worth fighting for and then fight like hell?"
His eyes met mine.
"That's what a real Alpha does," he said. "Not maintaining the status quo. But choosing your battles. And committing to them completely."
My throat was tight.
"I respect that," Kael said simply. "I respect you."
We stood there for a moment. The invitation cards between us.
"There are rules," Kael said, his voice shifting back to practical. "Strict ones. No weapons allowed on board. No firearms, no blades, nothing that could be used as contraband. Everything has to be surrendered to the organizers when you board. If you don't comply, you don't get on the ship."