Chapter 55: Chapter 55
"Knight Industries funds the pack’s operations," Christian explained in the elevator. "As Luna, you need to understand the business side."
The executive team was waiting in the boardroom.
Christian’s CFO, Robert Chen, and Head of Security, Diana Torres, immediately showed respect—they were pack members.
But the human executives barely acknowledged me.
The VP of Operations, James Mitchell, actually smirked.
Christian’s jaw tightened, but I touched his arm. I could handle this.
"Sophie’s position in this company has changed; she will be joining our strategic planning sessions," Christian said firmly.
James rolled his eyes.
The meeting started, discussing a major real estate deal with Hartley Corporation.
I listened, and my empathic senses started screaming.
The Hartley representatives were lying. Hiding something. The deal was wrong.
But this was my first business meeting. Should I speak up? Undermine Christian in front of his team?
I stayed quiet.
After the meeting, I pulled Christian aside. "Something’s wrong with that deal. The Hartley people were deceptive."
"Sophie." Christian’s voice was gentle. "I’ve been negotiating this for months. Everything’s been verified by lawyers."
"But I felt—"
"Your empathic abilities are incredible with wolves. But human business dealings are different."
I felt my hackles rise. "You think I’m wrong."
"I think you’re not familiar with corporate negotiations yet."
We stared at each other, tension crackling between us.
Our first real disagreement.
"Fine," I said. "But when this deal goes south, remember I warned you."
I turned and walked away, ignoring Christian calling my name.
I found Diana in the security office.
"I need your help investigating Hartley Corporation," I said.
Diana raised an eyebrow. "Did the Alpha approve this?"
"I’m not asking as the Alpha’s mate. I’m asking as someone who knows when people are lying."
Diana studied me for a long moment. Then nodded. "Let’s see what we can find."
We spent hours digging through records. Public filings. Buried lawsuits. Financial statements.
And I found it.
Hartley Corporation had a pattern. Making lucrative deals that later collapsed, leaving partners financially devastated. Fraud covered up through shell companies and settlements.
They were scammers. And Christian was about to give them millions.
I burst into Christian’s office without knocking, spreading documents across his desk.
"Look at this. Hartley’s done this before—multiple times. They’re going to take our money and disappear."
Christian was defensive at first. "Sophie, I’ve done my due diligence—"
"Then do more!" I pointed at the evidence. "I’m not wrong about this. Trust me."
Christian’s expression shifted as he reviewed my research. From defensive to shocked to grudgingly impressed.
"You’re right," he said finally. "Damn it, you’re right."
"I told you—"
"I should have trusted your instincts from the beginning." He stood and pulled me close. "I’m sorry."
Christian called an emergency meeting, confronted Hartley with my evidence, and withdrew from the deal.
The Hartley representatives tried to bluster and threaten, but Christian’s lawyers shut them down.
I’d just saved Knight Industries millions.
James Mitchell approached me after. "I owe you an apology. That was... impressive. VP of Strategic Development. We could use your insights."
Christian offered me the role formally that afternoon.
"Luna duties plus a corporate job?" I hesitated. "That’s a lot."
"Luna leadership includes managing pack finances. Knight Industries is central to our economic stability."
He had a point.
"Okay," I agreed. "But I’m doing this my way."
"I wouldn’t want it any other way."
My first week involved meeting potential business partners.
And discovering that human businessmen were just as sexist as traditional wolves.
They directed questions to Christian. Interrupted me when I spoke. Made condescending remarks about my appearance.
One investor literally told Christian to "leave business to the men and keep the pretty lady at home."
I had to physically restrain my wolf from surfacing.
After that meeting, Christian sent a company-wide memo: Sophie has full authority to make decisions. Anyone who disrespects her loses our business.
Then Christian started actively deferring to me in meetings, making it clear we were equal partners.
It was... hot, honestly. Watching Christian share power when every Alpha instinct told him to dominate.
Later on, I discovered Knight Industries had a contract with Blackwood Enterprises—Vanessa’s family company.
The contract was lucrative but gave the Blackwoods leverage against the pack.
"We need to terminate this," I told the board.
Robert argued we couldn’t afford the financial loss.
James said it looked petty after my conflict with Vanessa.
"This isn’t about Vanessa," I said firmly. "It’s about not giving potential enemies access to our operations."
The board was divided.
Christian sided with me, overruling their objections.
Marcus Blackwood, Vanessa’s father, retaliated by spreading rumors that Knight Industries was unstable.
Several clients backed away from deals.
I felt guilty. My recommendation had damaged the company’s reputation.
But Christian stood firm. "The pack’s security is worth more than any contract."
So I developed a strategic response. Met with clients personally. I used my empathic abilities to address their concerns directly.
Turned the crisis into an opportunity to strengthen Knight Industries’ reputation for integrity.
I also found new partnerships to replace the Blackwood revenue.
By the end of my week I’d earned the executive team’s genuine respect.
James asked my advice on negotiations.
Robert invited me to co-present at an investor conference.
Diana wanted me to train the security team.
I’d carved out my own professional identity.
That night, Christian and I talked about how our partnership had evolved.
"I struggled with letting you lead," Christian admitted. "My Alpha instincts wanted to control everything."
"And now?"
"Now I’ve learned that sharing power hasn’t diminished my strength." He pulled me close. "It’s made us both more effective."
I kissed him. "We’re creating a new model. Setting an example for Shadow Ridge’s future."
"Together," he agreed.
And I believed it.
We were building something real. Something lasting.
Something worth fighting for.
