Chapter 17

ELIZA’S POV "What is going on here?!" The commanding voice filled up the room, making us freeze in our tracks but still turn to see who stood there. It was Alexander. He stood in the doorway, his broad shoulders filling the frame. His grey eyes, sharp as steel, took in the scene before him – Derek's aggressive stance, my defensive position, Lily's reddened wrist, and the scattered documents between us. His gaze held authority, the kind that made even the most dominant wolves yield. A gaze that made even me stop in my tracks. "I asked a question," Alexander's voice dropped lower, more dangerous as he looked between us. "Would someone care to explain why a simple property settlement meeting has devolved into this?" The air had thickened with authority the moment Alexander entered the room. My wolf stirred, releasing a pleased rumble deep in my chest at his arrival. I hadn't expected him here at Crescent Moon Pack, but I couldn't deny the sudden feeling of security his presence brought. "This doesn't concern you, Alexander," Derek growled, though his voice wavered slightly. "This is between me and my ex-mate." "Former mate," Alexander corrected sharply, not giving me the chance to speak up for myself. “And refer to me as General Alexander. Don't forget who you’re speaking to.” Alexander warned Derek. Derek and Maya's earlier bravado crumbled under Alexander's penetrating stare. They stood straight and slunk back to their seats without protest, their previous aggression dissolving into tense silence. They knew who they stood before and if they weren't going to respect me, they were as hell sure to respect Alexander. I watched as Alexander took command of the room, his movements deliberate and assured as he settled to stand at the head of the table. "Now that the tension has been relieved, let's get back to the matter at hand. I believe that we're here for the property settlement. Will there be any problem with continuing?" Alexander asked, his eyes trained on Derek and Maya, daring them to speak up against him. His words placed the auditor to the side as he just stood watching the scene unfold. Maya shifted in her seat. "We just think the demands are unreasonable. If we could…" "I don't believe I was addressing you," Alexander cut in smoothly, making Maya shrink further into her chair. I fought the urge to smile, liking the fact that Maya was shut down immediately. When they didn't say another word, Alexander continued. "Very well. Let's move on." He said, allowing the rest of us to settle down. Alexander picked up one of the documents on the table and looked through it. He went through each document Lily presented with royal precision, his fingers trailing over columns of numbers and legal clauses. He paid particular attention to the records of the $5 million investment, his expression revealing nothing as he studied the figures. I watched him intently wondering what might have been going through his mind as he read those files. "These numbers are quite interesting," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "Particularly this investment in the pack's infrastructure." "I can explain—" Derek started but was cut off. "I'm sure you can," Alexander replied coldly. "Just as I'm sure you can explain how pack funds were diverted to personal expenses during the same period." Alexander didn't let me think much about that statement because the next thing he did was speak. "According to the Lycan Marriage Law, Article 7, Section 2," he began, each word measured and firm as he sent a glare Derek's way, "given Alpha Derek's documented infidelity during the marriage and Eliza's substantial financial contributions to the pack, he is required to compensate her with $3 million. This sum must be paid within one month." He ended, dropping the document in his hands onto the table. The color drained from Derek's face and he abruptly stood up from his seat, his nose flaring in disbelief. "That's impossible! I can't produce that kind of money. The sum alone..." "Failure to comply will result in the freezing of all pack assets." Alexander's calm interruption cut through Derek's protest like a blade. "You can't do that!" Maya burst out, then immediately regretted speaking as Alexander's attention turned to her. "I assure you, I can and I will. Would you like me to demonstrate?" He asked them in a threatening tone. The threat of frozen assets silenced Derek instantly. In the corner, Maya had shrunk into herself, her usual haughty demeanor nowhere to be seen. My wolf chuckled at their defeat, though I was still processing the substantial settlement amount. It was a huge settlement and even though I thought that I did deserve it, I didn't think that Alexander would award me with it. Yet I found my attention repeatedly drawn to Alexander. Something about his presence soothed my wolf in an unfamiliar way. She purred, feeling his presence calm her. I caught myself stealing glances at him as he signed the final documents, wondering if he had come specifically for me. He passed the document to me to sign. "Your signature here, Eliza," he said softly, his tone markedly different from how he'd addressed the others. An act that I accepted wholeheartedly as I put my signature on the papers before turning it over to Derek with a smirk on my face. Derek glared at me, his lips curving downward but when he glanced at Alexander's domineering figure, he moved forward and took the documents out of my hands. He paused for a second, sweat dripping down his brow as he contemplated whether to sign the document or not but in the end he caved, putting his signature down on the paper. "A wise choice," Alexander commented dryly. With that done, Alexander took the documents and handed it over to the financial auditor for him to make the necessary arrangements. The auditor left, leaving most of the people in the room shocked by what had just happened. I breathed out, ready to leave when Alexander called out to me. "Eliza." His voice purred my name. "Yes?" I answered, giving him all my attention. "About the food donation proposal we discussed," He said as he produced another set of documents, spreading them across the table, disrupting my train of thought. "I believe we can finalize the details today. That is if you're up for it?" I leaned forward eagerly, pushing aside my distracting thoughts about Alexander. "Yes, and I wanted to discuss the possibility of skilled workers to assist with rebuilding efforts in my pack." I bring up, wanting to take advantage of the opportunity. "Consider it done," Alexander replied without hesitation, already noting the additional request in the agreement. "Your pack's wellbeing is a priority. My priority." I looked up at him, shocked that he had accounted for that without me even asking. His immediate willingness to help sent a wave of warmth through my chest. Just who and what was this man?!