He sneezes.
"High Alpha, I hope the banquet meets your expectations." Halloway joins us at the railing, champagne still in hand. "We pride ourselves on balancing traditional pack values with modern amenities."
I incline my head. "Interesting priorities."
He chuckles as if I've made a joke. "Evolution is necessary for survival, wouldn't you agree? Even for wolves."
Something clicks into place as I consider his words, and I turn to survey the room through the giant glass doors.
Chapter fifteen
Caine: Banquet (III)
CAINE
Elizabeth and Marsh stand out starkly among the crowd of Fiddleback wolves. Both appear to be in their mid-twenties at most, though I would bet every last penny of my pack's treasury Marsh is no older than twenty. The rest of the pack members present are significantly older, most well into middle age or beyond.
No young adults. No adolescents. And, I recall, no hint of children in the territory.
Even the most formal events typically include a range of ages—the entire pack hierarchy represented from pups to elders. Yet here, there's a clear generational gap.
"Your pack seems... mature," I comment, interrupting whatever Halloway was saying about their investment portfolio.
He pauses, the champagne halfway to his lips. "I beg your pardon?"
I gesture subtly toward the gathering. "No pups. Few young adults."
Something flickers across his face as he grows tense. "Ah." He sets down his glass with careful precision. "We're selective about our growth. Quality over quantity, as they say."
"An unusual approach for wolves. Especially for a pack so intent on survival, as you say."
"Times change, High Alpha. We've found careful expansion allows us better integration with the human world." His smile returns to his face, but it's hollow. "Our younger members are quite valuable. Elizabeth and Marsh represent the future direction of our pack."
"Just them?"
"There are others, of course." His tone remains light, but his scent sharpens with something acidic. "Many are traveling or occupied with responsibilities elsewhere. We don't keep our members caged, after all."
Jack-Eye shifts beside me, his attention fixed on Halloway with calculated intensity.
"And your mating ceremonies?" I press. "Elizabeth mentioned hosting them here, but there seems to be a lack of candidates."
His eyes flicker to the gardens. "Yes, well, not all mate young. Much like you, High Alpha."
"When was your last mated pair?"
His smile tightens. "As I've explained, we focus on compatibility rather than quantity."
Elizabeth appears, her heels clicking as she whispers something in Halloway's ear. Even with my enhanced hearing, I can't make out the words.
Fenris's ears flick.Me neither.
The Fiddleback Alpha's expression darkens before smoothing into neutrality once again. "If you'll excuse me, High Alpha. A small administrative matter requires my attention. Please, enjoy the banquet. I believe it's about time to be seated for our meal. We'll speak privately afterward as promised."
My phone buzzes, and I glance at the image sent. Yet another angle of a sleeping Grace.
Jack-Eye peers over my shoulder, and I elbow him back.
"Wait—is that what they just sent you?"
