Page 30 of The Alpha's Pretend Mate

“I believe we still have land to discuss,” Marcus said, his voice smooth but firm.

Aleksander nodded, leaning forward. "Yes, the land," he began, tracing a finger along the worn edges of the map Marcus produced, marking out the Crimson Oak territory. "As we discussed, the eastern portion of your land will be ceded to us in exchange for financial compensation."

“I take it you’ve brought what we agreed upon?” Marcus asked, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Aleksander slid a matching black briefcase to him. “Every cent,” he said evenly. “Plus, the compensation for the mineral rights.”

Marcus’s grin widened as he opened the briefcase, revealing stacks of cash neatly bundled inside. His fingers skimmed over the money, counting the stacks with precision. After a moment, he closed the case with a loud snap and leaned back in his chair.

"Well, well, gentlemen," Marcus said, his voice heavy with satisfaction. "It seems like you've held up your end of the bargain."

Aleksander remained stoic, unbothered by Marcus’s obvious glee. “We always do.”

Marcus chuckled, clearly enjoying the tension. He flicked open a small tablet sitting beside him. “Here’s the deed to the eastern land. Once the funds are confirmed, I’ll transmit it electronically to your Pack’s records, and the land will officially be yours.”

Aleksander didn’t hesitate, pulling out his own tablet. He tapped a few commands, sending the funds directly into Marcus’s account. The briefcases of cash were a show, but the real deal was handled electronically, like all high-stakes transactions between Packs.

Marcus’s tablet pinged with a notification, and his smirk widened as he confirmed the deposit. “Well, boys, it looks like we’re done here. Pleasure doing business with you.”

Aleksander’s voice was ice-cold. “We’ll expect the land to be vacated within the week. Any delays, and we’ll have a problem.”

Marcus leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. “Oh, I wouldn’t dream of delaying such a lucrative deal. You’ll have your land, Aleksander.”

Cassius’s gaze sharpened as Marcus slid a paper across the table. “Here’s your ceremonial deed. You know, for tradition’s sake. The real one’s being processed as we speak.”

Aleksander didn’t take his eyes off Marcus as he reached for the document, his fingers brushing the thick parchment. “I trust we won’t have any further issues?”

Marcus stood up slowly, his hulking frame casting a shadow across the table. “Oh, I’m sure our paths will cross again, Aleksander. And when they do, I’ll be ready.”

With that, Marcus grabbed the briefcase of cash and handed it to one of his Pack members, who briskly strode out the door.

Cassius exhaled sharply, breaking the silence. “That went about as well as I expected.”

Aleksander stood, folding the deed and slipping it into his coat. “Agreed. But for now, we’ve gained what we came for. Let’s make sure the territory transfer goes through without any surprises.”

“Looks like everything went smoothly,” Articus said, his voice low but carrying the weight of an Alpha. He approached Cassius, his hand resting on the small of Wren’s back. She glanced up at Cassius, her expression cautious but curious.

“For now,” Cassius replied, his gaze shifting briefly to Wren before returning to Articus. “But I don’t trust Marcus. He’ll play his cards when it suits him.”

Wren’s voice was soft but steady. “People from the Dark Side don’t often have the luxury of waiting for the perfect moment. We take what we can when we can.” There was no bitterness in her tone, just a quiet understanding of how the world worked on the other side of the mountains.

Cassius regarded her with a slight nod. “True enough. But now that you’re here…” He trailed off, his meaning clear. Wren wasn’t just any rogue; she was now tied to the Light side, bound by her connection to Articus and their unborn child.

Her fingers tightened slightly on Articus’s arm as if reminding herself of her new reality. “It’s different, being there,” she admitted. “I’m still adjusting.”

“You’ll adjust,” Rowan’s deep voice cut in as he and Xander approached. The two Alphas had been lingering nearby, listening. Rowan’s tall frame loomed, his brown eyes piercing yet warm as he addressed Wren.

Xander, as silent as ever, offered only a brief nod of acknowledgment, his black eyes sharp and unreadable.

A commotion near the entrance drew Cassius's attention. He instinctively pulled Alysa closer, scanning the room for potential threats. It was just a minor disagreement between two beta wolves, quickly settled, but Cassius's protective stance didn't go unnoticed.

"My, my," Selena Nightshade's silky voice drifted over. "Aren't we the possessive Alpha? Better watch out, Alysa. He might never let you out of his sight."

Alysa laughed, the sound slightly strained. "Oh, I don't mind. It's nice to feel so… cherished."

The word sent a jolt through Cassius.

Cherished.

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