Chapter 133 133.The commander
Tabitha’s POV
“History leaves marks. Most of ours are carved into docks and patrol routes. Kaelara sits along a corridor that smugglers once used. Clearing that took years of coordination and a navy willing to stay and follow orders to heart.” Alpha Emery explains. “I’m lucky to have competent men in my base. Most of them were also born and raised on the island before they went to navy school and eventually got assigned here.”
Augustus hums. “You must’ve done a good job as the commander if they’re willing to follow your orders without complaints.”
“They understand the weight of our duty. Clearing patrol routes is essential not only for the sake of safety, but for the businesses and livelihood of other humble residents too.”
“Those patrol routes changed everything for us. Before that, shipping schedules were uncertain and mostly dangerous due to the presence of pirates. Now we can move freight without building losses into every contract,” Yoseff Beckett agrees.
“Fishermen sleep at night because they know who controls the waters. That security trickles down faster than people think,” Irina Beckett seconds her husband.
“So safety did not come after commerce. It came before it,” Augustus notes, raising an eyebrow.
“It had to. You cannot build trade on uncertainty, especially in an industry that relies on the seas. Investors flee when insurance premiums climb,” Alpha Emery says.
“Once the seas stabilized, land development followed. Hotels do not thrive if guests question whether they can leave the harbor safely,” Alpha Eliott says. “Now, look at what Kaelara has become. Although it’s far away from the mainland, it’s becoming more and more urbanized and industrialized.”
“But we always make sure to maintain the balance. We can’t destroy the natural beauty of the island in favor of the cheaper route to short-term success,” Luna Selene says.
An amused smile stretches across Augustus’ lips. “This whole island is a well-oiled machine. Really impressive.”
Reed groans beside me and taps his empty glass, requesting to get it refilled. One of the staff fills it to the brim with wine. Reed doesn’t even care that it’s not the same champagne he’s drinking earlier. He chugs the whole thing like it’s beer.
“I need more of this,” Reed mumbles while looking at the, yet again, empty glass. “So I can pass out and sleep this boring dinner off.”
I elbow him. Augustus and Andrew might not hear his sarcastic mumbles, but every other werewolves on this table can pretty much hear him! My suspicion is proven when Alpha Emery throws a sharp look at Reed while Eliott carries the conversation with Andrew’s dad.
Reed just shrugs, refusing to give any shits.
More foods pour out and I just busy myself in eating while I occasionally listen to the buzzing conversation of our parents. Jace was right, this dinner party is just an excuse for them to talk about business.
An hour stretches out and the staff finally brings out the dessert. I’m surprised Reed hasn’t dozed off yet with all the business talks happening on our table. I am enjoying my peach sorbet when their conversation piques my attention…
“Now…” Yoseff Beckett puts down his glance and gives Augustus a serious look. “I heard from Eliott that you’re planning to build a business venture here? Is that right?”
“News sure travels fast on this island.” Augustus laughs. “Yes. I saw the potential of Kaelara the moment I stepped foot in here, and hearing you talk about this place only solidified my resolve. I’ve recently acquired land from the esteemed Agracias family.” He raises his glass and nods at a balding man who is also seated on our table.
“Happy to do transactions with you,” the balding man says as he also raises his glass.
“You bought one of Ruben’s lands? Those plots are exposed and barren, with constant wind and no natural cover. What use do you have for something like that?” Alpha Emery asks.
“I am planning to build a renewable energy site there, wind turbines paired with a solar field, designed to generate steady power and feed it directly back into Kaelera’s grid,” Augustus answers.
Now, that makes Reed halt from chugging another glass of wine. Evren and Luca also appear to be either interested or bothered. Even Jace raises a brow as he turns to the old men talking.
“Windmills and solar panels? We already have those here,” Alpha Emery mutters matter-of-factly.
“Indeed,” Augustus says, smiling. “Just not like mine.”
“And is there a reason we should prefer your version of windmills?” Alpha Yoseff asks.
“I have refined the technology over years of private development, and I am confident the efficiency alone will speak for itself,” Augustus declares, laughing lightly. “I believe everyone at this table would appreciate what that kind of investment means for Kaelera’s future.”
The table goes quiet as glances pass between plates and glasses. Alpha Emery frowns and Alpha Yoseff tilts his head in thought. Luna Selene looks amused. Only Alpha Eliott and Luna Irina remain relaxed as if he already heard of this earlier.
“Eliott?” Alpha Yoseff calls to his fellow Alpha as if demanding explanation.
“I have already reviewed his plans and I like what he brings to the table,” Alpha Eliott says, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “It aligns with where Kaelara is headed.”
“I have already reviewed his plans,” Alpha Eliott admits, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. “I like what he is proposing, and I see room for growth that benefits the island.”
I turn to Andrew and the two of us exchange a knowing look. This is his dad’s investment that he talked about the other day. I guess it is bigger and much more of a big deal than I initially thought.
“I would be glad to walk you through the details when it suits you,” Augustus says. “This is a long term venture, and I value partners who think the same way.”
The three Alpha seem to communicate to each other without words—reminds me of how the brothers would often communicate like that as well.
After a few moments, Alpha Emery finally nods.
With that, Alpha Eliott turns his head toward Rhett. “Rhett… Why do you not take the younger ones to the cave and give us some space to talk?”
Rhett wipes his mouth and stands, gesturing toward Reed.
“That’s what I have been fucking waiting for,” Reed mumbles as he throws the napkin on the table and pushes back his chair while he rises.
The rest of the brothers stand with him. Jace takes my hand and gently tugs me up, and I follow, still trying to piece things together. Arthur, Melanie, Elsie, Evelyn, and the others around our age rise as well. Andrew hesitates until Alpha Eliott murmurs something to him, and then he stands too.
“Where are we going?” I ask Jace, disoriented.
“To the cave,” Jace says, winking.