Ares POV

　　"Let's dig in and savor the flavors," I declared, offering Justin a reassuring smile before eating my meal.

　　Without so much as a glance in anyone's direction, the weighty silence hanging in the air gnawed at my nerves. Meeting Blaire's gaze, I found her staring back at me, her eye twitching slightly, a telltale sign of her inner turmoil.

　　"I never imagined my scheme would unfold in such a manner," she confessed, her voice laced with frustration as she drew a deep breath to steady herself.

　　"You should go ahead and eat. I've had my fill," I asserted firmly, dabbing at my mouth with a tissue.

　　Justin observed our exchange with an uneasy expression before hesitantly beginning to eat his meal.

　　Blaire looked at me with a hopeful expression, her eyes searching for approval. "Do you like it? You only eat the food I made..." she murmured.

　　Realization dawned on me. So that's why she was so invested in my opinion.

　　"Yes, I do," I replied, offering her a reassuring smile.

　　Her face lit up with joy. "Well, I'm glad to hear that!" she exclaimed happily, eagerly digging into her meal.

　　As I sipped on a glass of juice, a sense of contentment washed over me, filling me up.

　　Suddenly, a notification flashed on my screen, signaling a message from my spy, Zyril. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of waiting.

　　Glancing discreetly at Blaire, who was still smiling as she enjoyed her meal, I seized the opportunity to discreetly open the message.

　　"Dana is indeed in Sun Flower's Pack, but I don't know what kind of relationship she has with the Alpha. It seems like she was saved."

　　I felt as though the world had shifted on its axis upon seeing her name. Dana. The mere mention of her name stole my breath away. She was alive. Contrary to my fears and the haunting dreams that tormented me, she had survived. Yet, instead of relief, an overwhelming sense of unease washed over me as I realized she was now within the territory of the man who coveted everything I possessed.

　　"Anyway, later, dad will-"

　　"I have to leave immediately," I declared, rising from my seat with a sense of urgency, intending to speak with Patrick.

　　Blaire's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "But it's still early, and don't you think we should spend more time together? You should get to know Justin better-"

　　"I've gotten to know him well enough," I interjected firmly. "You seem comfortable with him, so I trust you're safe in his presence," I added without hesitation.

　　"She's safe with me, yes," Justin whispered.

　　Meeting Blaire's eyes with a reassuring smile, I whispered, "And that's settled," before swiftly making my way out of the room.

　　As I hurried through the lobby, intent on leaving the pack house, I was taken aback to find Hernando, Blaire's father, standing in the entryway.

　　Accompanied by his beta, Newt, Hernando's early arrival caught me off guard; not even my beta and gamma were aware of his impending visit. The bustling activity in the pack house ground to a halt as everyone paused to pay their respects with bowed heads.

　　Without a word directed towards me, Hernando acknowledged the deferential gestures with a nod before proceeding inside. Suppressing a surge of frustration, I clenched my jaw and followed in his wake.

　　"Where shall we speak?" Hernando inquired once we were inside, prompting me to power off my phone.

　　"In the conference room, Hernando," I replied tersely, leading the way to our destination.

　　In the conference room, the tension was palpable as Hernando, his beta Newt, Ander, Drake, and I sat, with Hernando and I positioned opposite each other.

　　"Blaire is unaware of my unexpected visit," Hernando remarked, a chuckle punctuating his statement.

　　Returning his laughter with a wry smile, I remarked, "Well, she's occupied with her best friend-"

　　"I'm aware," Hernando interjected, cutting off my response.

　　"Is there something specific you need?" I inquired, attempting to steer the conversation forward.

　　"This isn't about personal matters, Alpha Ares," Newt interjected with a steely gaze, indicating a more serious purpose behind their visit.

　　"You never disclosed the ongoing tension with the Sun Flower Pack," Hernando remarked, his tone carrying a weight of seriousness. "I had considered leveraging their resources. They're formidable rivals, and their Alpha could pose a challenge to you."

　　"I have no interest in such endeavors," I replied firmly, unmoved by Newt's incredulous reaction.

　　"Explain your connection with them," Hernando commanded, his tone brooking no argument.

　　"In the past, there were hostilities between our families," I explained, recalling the turbulent history. "My parents clashed with theirs, resulting in casualties on both sides. Their current Alpha harbors grievances from that era and seeks retribution, but I refuse to entertain the notion of reconciliation. Accepting them would betray the legacy of my predecessors and undermine my position as Alpha."

　　"An enemy remains an enemy," I declared with conviction. "Regardless of my feelings towards my parents, their allies will remain steadfast, and their adversaries will be mine as well. Bathel, their Alpha, is a manipulative adversary who seeks to orchestrate my downfall through his petty schemes," I asserted vehemently, my hand striking the table with force.

　　"I fear neither Bathel nor the Sun Flower Pack," I proclaimed defiantly, my resolve unwavering in the face of their perceived threats.

　　Hernando's laughter broke the tension in the room, his amusement evident as he addressed me. "Calm down, Alpha Ares, I understand your perspective. While many packs may wish for your downfall, the Sun Flower Pack is not to be underestimated," he remarked, a smirk playing on his lips.

　　"I am well aware," I murmured, my voice tinged with resignation. I had no desire to continue speaking.

　　"But I know how to handle Bathel," I continued in a hushed tone, determined to assert my control over the situation.

　　"He's been playing these childish games since our youth, sending letters and little else. Yet, I am privy to his weaknesses and how he once sought an alliance through desperate measures," I confided, revealing my strategy to counter his tactics.

　　"He believes his autonomy makes him superior, simply because he governs his pack independently from mine," I scoffed derisively.