By nightfall, the packhouse felt less like a fortress and more like a sinking ship. The perimeter lights were completely dead, plunged into darkness after the regional power grid operators abruptly severed their contracts. Emergency generators hummed loudly in the basement, providing only dim, flick

The Obsidian Pack's annual Spring Gala was supposed to be a triumphant celebration of Kaelen's rising empire. Instead, it had become a desperate, sweating, panicked attempt to secure emergency investors.

The grand ballroom of the packhouse was decorated in lavish gold and black, with crystal chand

The heavy doors of Kaelen's private office slammed shut, cutting off the frantic murmurs of the gala outside.

Kaelen paced behind his massive mahogany desk, his chest heaving, his composure completely shattered. Seraphina stood in the center of the room, entirely relaxed, while Caspian assumed a g