Chapter 103: Blackwood Triplets Will Be Attending This Year
Smaller packs. Neutral territories. Allies and rivals alike, all converging on Shadowmere for the Yearly Alphas Summit. Each arrival brought new warriors. New scents. New energy to the compound.
And with each arrival came the subtle undercurrent of politics.
Luke stood in the central courtyard, watching as the fourth delegation settled into their assigned quarters. His mind was tracking everything, which alphas seemed friendly, which seemed hostile, which seemed primarily focused on their own pack’s interests.
Garrett had taught him well. A beta’s job wasn’t just logistics; it was intelligence gathering. Every conversation, every observation, every subtle shift in power dynamics could matter.
He spotted a warrior from the Blackpaw pack watching the Nightfall warriors with too much interest. He made a mental note to mention it to Garrett.
In the east wing of the compound, Dora was orchestrating the omega work assignments with practiced efficiency.
"Emma, take your team to guest quarters seven through twelve," she said, pointing toward the east corridor. "Everything needs to be spotless. Fresh linens, clean bathrooms, organized storage."
"Yes, Dora," Emma said, gathering her team and moving quickly.
Cole was directing another group toward the main hall. "Make sure the tables are arranged exactly as specified. We can’t have any excuse for complaints about logistics."
The omegas moved with purpose. They’d been working at this increased pace for two weeks, and while the exhaustion was visible on their faces, so was their determination. The extra wages had motivated them to work harder than they probably ever had before.
Lilith was part of Emma’s team, working on guest quarters. She moved methodically through the rooms, cleaning surfaces, checking details, ensuring everything was perfect. Her body was running on fumes, she was barely sleeping because of the dreams, barely eating because of stress and exhaustion, but the thought of the extra money kept her moving.
Four thousand dollars. Her mother’s survival. The possibility was becoming more real with each shift she completed.
Emma noticed Lilith pause while cleaning one of the bathrooms, her hand stilling on the sink. She was staring at nothing, her expression distant.
"Lilith?" Emma called softly. "Are you okay?"
Lilith’s eyes refocused. She looked at Emma and forced a smile.
"Fine," she said. "Just tired."
Emma wanted to push, wanted to express her concern, but she knew Lilith wouldn’t accept it. Instead, she simply squeezed her shoulder briefly and moved on.
***
By late afternoon, the compound was humming with activity.
More delegations had arrived throughout the day. The guest quarters were nearly all occupied. Warriors from different packs were establishing their own territorial spaces within the compound. The natural hierarchy was emerging, alpha families claiming the best locations, smaller packs settling for less prominent areas.
Luke moved through it all with calm authority, greeting alphas, solving logistical problems, ensuring that Shadowmere’s reputation for organization remained intact.
He was directing a group of warriors to adjust the positioning of security posts when one of the arriving alphas....a mid-tier alpha named Damien from the Eastern territories....approached him.
"Your pack has prepared well," Damien said, his tone suggesting respect.
"Thank you, Alpha," Luke replied. "We’ve worked hard to ensure the Summit will be successful."
"It shows," Damien said. He paused, then: "I hear the Blackwood triplets will be attending this year. That’s unusual for them."
Luke kept his expression neutral. "The Supreme Council’s decision to host the Summit here drew interest from many pack leaders."
"Or perhaps there’s something specific about Shadowmere that drew their interest," Damien said thoughtfully. He didn’t push further, simply nodded and continued on.
But the comment stuck with Luke. He made another mental note to discuss it with Garrett.
***
The evening brought a temporary lull in activity.
The arriving alphas and their delegations were settling into their quarters. Dinner was being prepared. Warriors from different packs were establishing informal hierarchies in the common spaces, who could sit where, who had authority in what areas, the subtle power dynamics that governed multi-pack gatherings.
***
Dora released the omegas from their work duties for the evening.
"Rest," she told them. "Eat. You’ve done good work today. Tomorrow will be even busier with more arrivals expected. I need you functional."
The omegas dispersed toward the communal eating areas. Lilith moved with them, her body aching, her mind foggy with exhaustion.
Emma sat beside her at the evening meal.
"You need to rest tonight," Emma said quietly. "Real rest. Not just lying in your bed staring at the ceiling."
"I’ll try," Lilith said, though she knew that rest was impossible for her. The dreams would come the moment she closed her eyes. The connection would pull at her. The ache would consume her.
But she didn’t say that to Emma.
***
Later that night, Garrett and Luke met in Garrett’s office.
"Status?" Garrett asked.
"Four major delegations arrived today," Luke reported. "The Nightfall territories, Blackpaw, Eastern territories, and the Northern territories. At least a dozen smaller packs are expected tomorrow. We’re on track to have everyone settled by the evening before the Summit opens."
"Any concerns?" Garrett asked.
"Nothing major," Luke said. "But I noticed some of the arriving alphas seem more interested in observing Shadowmere than in participating in typical Summit politics. It’s subtle, but present."
Garrett nodded slowly. "The Supreme Council’s choice to host here has drawn attention. Packs that normally wouldn’t care about us are now assessing us more carefully."
"There’s something else," Luke said. He hesitated, then: "One of the alphas mentioned the Blackwood triplets attending. Asked if that was unusual. I don’t think it was a random question."
The office fell silent.
"The letter said they would attend," Garrett said. "But they haven’t arrived yet."
"No," Luke confirmed. "But they’re expected within the next day or two. Before the Summit officially opens."
Garrett stood and walked to the window, looking out at the compound below. The courtyards were quieter now, with most warriors settled in for the evening. But the energy was different than it had been before the delegations arrived. The compound felt charged. Anticipatory.
"We’re prepared for their arrival," Garrett said quietly. "Whatever they intend, we’re as ready as we can be."
But even as he said it, doubt lingered.
