Matthew pov

　　A light knock on my bedroom door interrupts my concentration as I tie the dark red tie in front of the mirror. Damn, I hate wearing formal clothes! "It's open, come in!" I call out loudly as I continue tying. I hear the door open and my beta Liam's presence appears. My second in command is wearing a navy blue blazer, a black shirt, and a tie pulled towards a blue, two shades lighter. Liam's blond hair is shorter, just above his ears. The choice of clothes accentuates the bluish colors of his eyes well.

　　"Sir, many of the alphas from other wolf packs have already arrived and are waiting in the conference room," Beta Liam informs me with a firm and serious voice. He holds a golden clipboard in his hand, and I notice the nervousness in my beta.

　　"And the other guests? How's the party going?" I inquire as I assess my appearance in the mirror. My suit was tailor-made for this occasion, a light suit with red cufflinks with the initials of my wolf pack, a dark cotton shirt to contrast with the jacket, and a red tie. My hair is neat, and my beard is close to my face.

　　"Everything is going according to plan, sir. Most people are inside the hall, having fun and chatting," Liam replies as his eyes scan the clipboard he carries.

　　"And Charlotte? Where is she?" I ask with a slight concern. My younger sister was crazy about this party, more excited than I was, I would say. She chose the rustic-modern theme, not sure if it was possible for a party to have that theme, but it's what Charlotte wanted.

　　"She's with Tiffany and Roger, sir. They're keeping an eye on her," Liam explains. Tiffany is an incredible omega, always acting as Charlotte's babysitter because she knows about my sister's powers.

　　"Great! Then everything is indeed perfect, huh?" I comment with a hint of humor, and Liam nods. "How I detest birthday parties, Liam!"

　　I've never been a big fan of birthdays, especially my own. However, it was the only favorable occasion for all the alphas to gather and discuss alliances.

　　"I know, sir. But it will be just for a few hours, and the menu is divine, there are Dutch pies, your favorites," Liam announces with a more cheerful tone, and I let out a short laugh.

　　"Enduring hours of parties with treacherous and greedy alphas to try to unify power, because of some Dutch pies. No one said being an alpha involved in this kind of situation," I respond humorously.

　　Liam also laughs at the comment and nods. I check myself in the mirror once more before heading downstairs to the conference room. My beta Liam accompanies me with firm and synchronized steps.

　　"Which alphas are present?" I ask as we walk down the wide hallway.

　　"Moonshadow Pack, Direwolf Pack, Lone Mountain Pack, and some other alphas from smaller wolf packs that are already under our protection agreement, sir," Liam explains as we arrive in front of the thick closed door of the conference room.

　　"Great, let's do this!" I declare before entering.

　　The conference room carries a mixed atmosphere of tension and camaraderie. The tension is much more palpable with the Moonshadow Pack after the last confrontation; I notice that only alpha Tim Davis is actually present, not his jerk son, Michael.

　　How did the moon goddess allow Emma to be destined to be that jerk's mate? In the first crisis that occurred, he rejected her and even tried to take her away by force, a complete jerk.

　　I sit at the head of the wooden table, and we all exchange greetings. Every meeting in recent times ends in exchanges of barbs and an alliance increasingly close to being broken.

　　"You know, Alpha Matthew... I've had my concerns about your wolf pack in recent months," Alpha Tim Davis speaks up seriously. My eyes harden in his direction. I know what he intends to do with this conversation, and I've already prepared for it.

　　"Really? And for what reason, Alpha Tim?" I ask with false interest, crossing my arms on the table.

　　"Sheltering a fugitive accused of murder, starting a fight with the heir of my wolf pack. Besides, I heard about your search for allies in the covens of wizards. It's as if you're preparing for something, a war perhaps," Alpha Tim says with a disdainful tone.

　　I adjust my posture. I clench my jaw before responding to him. Emma wants Ava's entrance to be memorable, and I don't mind her doing it at the party, since I couldn't care less about my birthday. However, the jerk alpha Tim Davis's provocation about Emma makes my blood boil.

　　"And I will continue to shelter any werewolf who is unjustly accused. I also have concerns about your wolf pack, Alpha Tim. After all, how you conducted a sloppy investigation into the supposed murder of your daughter. Having no other suspects, thinking that a weapon placed in a car that wasn't even used at the scene is enough to arrest a young woman who clearly didn't do it, is very careless. Just like your leadership and in relation to your son. Michael invaded my territory demanding Emma as if she were his. First, Emma is not an object to be claimed, and second, he has already rejected her. He had no right. I only did what was rightfully mine, to defend my wolf pack," I respond firmly.