Page 9 of The Alpha's Auctioned Pregnant Mate

As they entered the grand hall, the buzz of conversation died down, and all eyes turned to them. Articus could feel the weight of their gazes, assessing, judging. It was a familiar feeling, but here, in this unfamiliar territory, it felt more intense.

Cassius led Articus to the center of the room, where a group of imposing figures stood. He recognized them immediately from Cassius's descriptions.

Aleksander Einar was the first to step forward. He was a mountain of a man with steel-gray hair and eyes that seemed to bore right through you. His handshake was firm enough to crush bones, but Articus returned it with equal strength.

"So, this is the famous White Wolf," he rumbled, his accent thick. "We've heard much about you, even on this side of the mountain."

Articus inclined his head slightly. "All good things, I hope?"

Aleksander's laugh was like gravel. "That depends on who you ask, I suppose. But any wolf who can keep the peace on your side of the mountain for as long as you have... well, that earns respect in my book."

Before Articus could respond, a silky voice cut through the air. "Now, now, Aleksander. Don't hog our esteemed guest all to yourself."

Selena Nightshade glided forward, every movement graceful and calculated. Her beauty was undeniable, but there was a sharpness to her eyes that put Articus on guard.

"Alpha Articus," she purred, extending her hand. "What a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I must say, the rumors don't do you justice."

Articus took her hand, but instead of kissing it as she clearly expected, he shook it firmly. "The pleasure is mine, Alpha Nightshade. I look forward to learning more about your... information-gathering techniques."

A flash of surprise crossed her face, quickly replaced by an amused smirk. "Careful what you wish for, White Wolf. Knowledge can be a dangerous thing in our world."

"Bah!" A booming voice interrupted. "Enough with the cryptic talk. Let's speak plainly!"

Ragnar Stormborn pushed his way forward, his wild red hair and beard making him look more like a Viking than a werewolf. He clapped Articus on the shoulder with enough force to stagger a lesser wolf.

"Welcome to the Dark Side, Articus!" he grinned. "Don't let these sneaky bastards scare you off. We're not all doom and gloom here."

Articus couldn't help but grin back. Ragnar's enthusiasm was infectious. "I'm glad to hear it. I was beginning to worry I'd need eyes in the back of my head."

"Oh, you do," Ragnar laughed. "But that's half the fun, isn't it?"

As the conversation flowed, Articus found himself drawn into the complex web of alliances and rivalries that defined the politics of the Dark Side. It was a far cry from the relatively straightforward dealings he was used to back home, but he found himself rising to the challenge.

Aleksander quizzed him on his pack's security measures, his questions pointed and specific. Articus answered carefully, giving enough information to satisfy without revealing any vulnerabilities.

Selena, meanwhile, seemed more interested in the personal aspects of his life. "No mate yet, Alpha Articus?" she asked, her tone deceptively casual. "A strong wolf like yourself must have no shortage of suitors."

Articus laughed, deflecting the question. "I'm afraid my pack keeps me too busy for much of a personal life. But I'm sure the right wolf will come along when the time is right."

Ragnar interjected with a hearty guffaw. "Or maybe you just haven't looked on the right side of the mountain, eh? Our she-wolves have a bit more bite to them—might be just what you need!"

The conversation continued in this vein for some time, a delicate dance of probing questions and carefully measured responses. Articus found himself enjoying the challenge, even as he remained acutely aware of the potential consequences of a misstep.

As the night wore on and the ceremony approached, Cassius managed to pull Articus aside for a moment. "You're holding your own well," he murmured, approval evident in his voice. "But don't let your guard down. The real tests are yet to come."

Articus nodded, understanding the weight of his words. "I'll be ready," he assured him.

Just then, a hush fell over the room as an elderly wolf entered. His presence commanded respect, and even the most boisterous conversations died down.

"That's Elder Greymane," Cassius whispered. "He'll be officiating the ceremony."

As the Elder began to speak, calling for the gathering to commence, Cassius turned to Articus with a small smile.

"One last thing before we get swept up in all this," he said quietly.

"What's that?" Articus asked, curious about his sudden change in demeanor.

"How about we grab a beer after all this is over? I think we could both use one."

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