Chapter 120: Surprise Package
**Nicholas's POV**
The rising sun bathed the pack gates in a golden glow as I stood ramrod straight, eyes scanning the path ahead for any sign of the approaching vehicle. Today was the day the 'package' arrived. A shifter delivery man, I was expecting.
Behind me, a line of trusted faces – Isaac, Gayle, Layla, Clifford, and some of our strongest warriors – stood resolute. The distant rumble of an engine shattered the morning silence, growing louder until a lone jeep materialized on the dusty road. A plume of red earth erupted as it braked to a halt just outside the gates.
A frown creased my brow. No one emerged.
"Open the door," I barked at the unseen driver.
Seconds ticked by, agonizingly slow before a car door creaked open. The crunch of footsteps on gravel followed. I tensed, muscles coiled like a predator ready to spring.
A figure emerged from the dust cloud, and the breath caught in my throat. Alpha Percival, the leader of the Silvermoon Pack, stood there, older than I remembered. Time had etched deeper lines on his face since our last encounter.
But Percival wasn't alone. A young man, a mirror image of his father, stood beside him. And a teenage girl, clutching the young man's hand, triggered a flicker of recognition. An image flashed in my mind.
"Sara Douglas?"
The girl curtseyed awkwardly, seeking behind Alpha Percival's son, who I presumed to be Quinn, renowned for his strength and heir to the Silvermoon pack.
Confusion knotted my brow. What in the moon was going on here?
"Alpha Percival," I addressed him directly, "what brings you and your kin to my pack?"
Instead of answering, the Alpha gestured towards the jeep with a grim expression. "I've come to deliver your package," he said.
Shock rippled through my ranks. Then, realization dawned on me. This was the man on the phone. The voice that answered the number Florence had given me.
"Let's discuss this inside," I said, my voice tight, "Follow me."
"Let's take this inside," I offered, my voice strained. I turned and headed towards my vehicle, the other warriors holding their positions until Percival and his group entered their car and followed suit.
We entered the cool confines of the castle, leaving the warriors behind. Percival, his son, and Sara trailing close behind, followed me into my office. The door swung shut with a thud.
Leaving the warriors behind, I led Percival, his son, and Sara into my office. With a thud, the door shut behind us.
My gaze flickered to the teenage girl. "Why don't you join Layla outside for a moment?" I suggested, gesturing towards Layla whose smile radiates warmth.
The girl shot a wary look at Quinn, her grip tightening on his hand. The gesture spoke volumes about her distrust.
Percival's son finally spoke, gently ruffling the girl's hair. "Go on," he reassured her. "They're safe. You can trust them."
With a final hesitant glance in my direction, the girl relinquished her hold on Quinn and followed Layla out.
"What can we offer you all?" Layla’s cheerful voice filled the room. "Perhaps some food or maybe a movie? We're happy to do both!"
I offered Gayle a curt nod, and she discreetly ushered Layla and the girl out of the office.
Once the door closed, leaving only myself, Clifford, Percival, and his son seated on the couch, I clasped my hands together and leaned forward.
"Alpha Percival, your presence here is a surprise, to say the least. Especially considering you're delivering evidence gathered by a fugitive – Veilios. You're well aware of the risks involved in aiding a wanted criminal"
Percival nodded, his face stoic and cold, "Alpha Nicholas, I know what I am doing the moment I let Florence inside my pack. Even though I didn't participate or aid her in any plans she had, I know the consequences of my actions''
Before I could reply, Quinn piped up. "Where is Florence? Dont tell me you put her in the dungeon! She didn't deserve it"
It was Percival's son, stepping forward with a brashness that reminded me uncomfortably of myself at his age.
Percival shot him a warning look. "Sit down, Quinn"
“But Dad—”
“Quinn”
With a clenched fist, Quinn sat down, brows deeply pinched together.
I sighed, “To answer your question, yes, Florence was locked in the dungeon”
With a clenched fist and a scowl, Quinn reluctantly complied.
"Yes," I sighed, addressing Quinn's question, "Florence is currently confined to the dungeon."
His defiance flared again as he shot up, fists clenched. "You rotten—"
Percival, his voice low and dangerous, cut him off with a forceful push back onto the couch. "Mind your behavior, boy. We are in the presence of the Alpha King."
Quinn hesitated, before finally dropping his head and exiting the room. The sound of the door shutting echoed in the room.
“You have a courageous son,” I said, half amused by the character of the next alpha of the Silvermoon Pack.
"I apologize for his outburst," Percival said. "He and Florence share a strong bond."
My brow arched in curiosity. "Is that the reason for accepting her into your pack? Because of your son?"
Percival met my gaze steadily. "Yes. She saved his life. In return..." He paused, his expression turning serious. "I offered her a few years of refuge, the best I could manage under the circumstances."
I understood the gravity of his words. Florence's life remained in jeopardy as long as Keith Caldwell lived and her existence was known.
"By the way, was that Sara Douglas earlier? The lone survivor of the Swiftmane Pack attack," I redirected the conversation.
"Yes,"
"I'm relieved she was under your care."
"That's thanks to Florence. She knew my son was in the nearest human town in the Swiftman pack, so she guided the girl to him and asked him to bring her to my pack."
"We managed to capture that part," I responded.
"I'm aware, Alpha Nicholas since your team sought access to our pack."
Surprise flickered across my face. He met my gaze seriously until he placed the weighty briefcase on my desk. The worn leather caught the afternoon light.