Chapter 66: Chapter 66: New Leadership
“Are you absolutely certain about this?” Edmund asked, his voice barely above a whisper as we walked down the corridor.
I glanced at him and Juliet, both of whom had been silent since I’d explained what I needed from them. The morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors.
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t,” I replied, pushing open the heavy oak door that led to the agricultural division’s main office.
The moment we stepped inside, I heard Edmund’s sharp intake of breath. Juliet stopped walking entirely, her eyes wide as she took in the scene before us.
“This is...” Juliet trailed off, moving toward the wall of monitors displaying real-time crop data.
“Incredible,” Edmund finished, running his fingers along the edge of a sophisticated weather tracking system.
I watched their reactions with satisfaction. The agricultural office at Blackmoon was equipped with technology that most packs could only dream of. Advanced irrigation controls, soil analysis equipment, and automated harvesting systems lined the walls.
“The equipment here is more advanced than anything we had at Moonveil,” Edmund said, his voice filled with awe.
“Much more,” I agreed, leading them toward the large windows that overlooked the fields.
Below us, workers moved through the crops with practiced efficiency. However, even from this distance, it was obvious that the fields weren’t operating at full capacity. Large sections remained untended, and several pieces of machinery sat idle.
“What’s the situation?” Juliet asked, pressing her face against the glass.
“Some of the workers aren’t happy that my father passed the pack leadership to me,” I explained, keeping my voice level. “They’re expressing their displeasure by refusing to work. Frankly, I believe they’re mere sheep unknowingly carrying out someone else’s wishes.”
Edmund frowned. “That’s incredibly shortsighted of them.”
“It gets worse,” I continued. “Blackmoon is trying to secure a contract with the Silverclaw Pack that requires us to increase crop production significantly. If we don’t meet those quotas, we’ll lose one of our most profitable partnerships.”
“And with the reduced workforce...” Juliet began.
“Exactly.” I turned away from the window to face them both. “Which is why I need you two to take over as the leaders of the agricultural team.”
Edmund and Juliet exchanged glances. I could see the uncertainty in their expressions, but at the same time, they looked excited.
“We’ve never managed a team this large,” Edmund admitted.
“But we know agriculture,” Juliet added quickly. “And we know how to maximize crop yields with limited resources. We did it at Moonveil for years.”
“Not to mention, Silverclaw had bought from Moonveil for such a long time that we know exactly what they want,” Edmund finished.
“That’s exactly why I need you,” I said. “Back in Moonveil, we were scarce on resources. Efficiency was maximized. We don’t have the same problem here, but your knowledge back then can still be translated into work here.”
Edmund straightened his shoulders. “We can do this.”
“I’m happy to hear it,” I said. “In that case, we can start with this—”
Before I could officially show them the first steps, the office door slammed open. Two men strode in, their faces dark with anger. I recognized them immediately from the personnel files I’d reviewed earlier. Harold and Nelson, the current agricultural team leaders.
“What the hell is this supposed to mean?” Harold demanded, waving a piece of paper in the air.
Nelson crossed his arms over his chest. “We heard rumors that you were planning to replace us.”
“Those aren’t rumors,” I said calmly. “They’re facts.”
Harold’s face turned red. “You can’t just waltz in here and fire us!”
“Actually, I can,” I replied. “I’m the Luna of this pack. But I’m not firing you. I’m reassigning you.”
“To what?” Nelson spat.
“Field work,” I said simply. “You’ll report to Edmund and Juliet starting tomorrow.”
“Like hell we will!” Harold stepped closer, his fists clenched. “We’ve been running this operation for five years!”
“And we’re grateful for your contribution, but statistics show that you’re not able to maintain that sort of performance,” I countered. “Especially in the last month. Would you like to explain how productivity declined so drastically in a few short weeks?”
“This is insane,” Nelson said, shaking his head. “You’re replacing experienced pack members with outsiders!”
“I’m replacing ineffective leaders with competent ones,” I corrected.
Harold turned to address the group of workers who had gathered in the doorway, drawn by the raised voices. “Do you see what’s happening here?” he called out. “She’s bringing in strangers to take our jobs!”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. I could see uncertainty and concern spreading across their faces.
“First it’s us,” Nelson continued, playing to the audience. “But mark my words, she has a plan to replace everyone in Blackmoon with people from other packs!”
The murmurs grew louder, more agitated.
“That’s not true,” I said firmly, but my voice was drowned out by Harold’s continued ranting.
“She doesn’t care about Blackmoon!” he shouted. “She’s only been here five minutes, and she’s already destroying everything we’ve built!”
Several workers nodded in agreement. I could feel the situation spiraling out of control.
“Maybe productivity hasn’t even gone down! You’re just making excuses to bring in your friends!”
I felt my patience wearing thin. These men were actively sabotaging their own pack’s success out of spite and wounded pride.
Juliet stepped forward, her voice clear and strong. “I understand your concerns, but—”
“Nobody asked you!” Harold interrupted, his face twisted with rage.
“Harold, that’s enough,” I said sharply.
“No, it’s not enough!” he roared. “I’m sick of listening to this nonsense!”
He wheeled around to face Juliet again, his movements aggressive and threatening.
“You need to stay out of pack business that doesn’t concern you,” he snarled.
Juliet lifted her chin defiantly. “This does concern me. I’m about to become part of this team.”
“Over my dead body,” Harold growled.
He raised his hand and shoved Juliet hard in the shoulder.
