Page 16 of Season's Greetings
Claudia was volatile—not violent, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t throw accusations far and wide. Daniel had spent days trying to anticipate her reaction and prepare counters to her grievances.
And Matthew?
Matthew had beenseething. That was the only word Daniel could think of to describe his bond mate’s current state. Not that seeing fire in his eyes wasn’t a turn-on—but his omega was fired up and ready to face his ex.
That’s not to say he wasn’t anxious. Matthew had all but worn a groove in the carpet with his pacing. Even now, Daniel could see the tension in his shoulders—and Claudia hadn’t even arrived yet.
The sound of raised voices drifted down the hall.
Daniel and Grady looked over at Matthew, then back at each other.
“You planning on hanging around for this? Or…”
“Oh, I’m not going anywhere. Where else can I see a showdown like this? I intend to stay right here, lend my moral support—and keep score.”
Grady’s shit-eating grin took a little of the edge off his teasing words. Deep down, Daniel appreciated his brother giving up his time to support them—even if it was under the guise of entertainment.
“Wonderful. I’m so glad we could oblige.”
Rolling his eyes at the younger bear, Daniel stepped closer and muttered under his breath.
“Please keep a close eye on Matthew. I know helookslike he’s handling this okay, but…”
“I know, I know. It’s a lot. And the stakes couldn’t be higher. Don’t worry, bro—I’ve got your back.”
“Okay then. Better show the shrew in.”
Daniel rolled his shoulders back and stood to full height, ready to meet the female alpha head-on. He’d dressed carefully that morning in a deep charcoal suit and a ‘power’ tie—a shade or two lighter than the blue of his shirt. The overall effect gave him an air of quiet sophistication.
The door flung open, and Ms. Claudia Hamilton of the Silverspire Collective strutted in on designer heels. A cloud of perfume enveloped them as she passed. Her legal team scurried in after her.
In some ways, it was obvious why Matthew’s parents might havecompromisedby selecting the silver fox shifter. Physically, she wasn’t hideous. In fact, she could’ve passed for a member of Daniel’s own family—their features were so similar.
But where Daniel had a soft center and a gruff exterior, Claudia was the opposite.
She was politically ambitious and would steamroll anyone who got in her way.
Daniel had faced fiercer alphas than her—but the bitterness in her gaze left him cold.
Forcing a politeness he didn’t feel, Daniel tried his best to be courteous.
“Thank you for joining us today, Ms. Hamilton…”
“Let’s dispense with the niceties. We all know why we’re here.”
Wow. Just wow.
Daniel met her indifference with an intense look of his own.
“As you wish. We’re waiting for just one more attendee to arrive. I’d usually offer you something to drink—tea or coffee—but I’ll forgo those on this occasion,” he said, voice clipped and edged with disdain.
When they’d contacted the lorekeeper—a bookish-looking avian shifter named Keiran Holt—he’d warned them he had a tendency to be late.
It seemed that today he was running true to form.
The room was thick with tension and overwhelming hormones by the time there was a knock on the door. It was a miracle no one had lost control.
Then a tall, silver-haired shifter entered, wrapped in a worn coat lined with faded ritual threads.
