Chapter 0430

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but inside, my mind raced. This footage was invaluable. With it, the Council could not ignore Alvin’s crimes.

David leaned back, a smug look on his face. “Of course, I could give you this evidence, even testify before the Council for you. But we have a history, don’t we?”

My eyes narrowed. “If you expect me to sleep with you in exchange for—”

“Nothing like that, I assure you, Alpha Hannah,” David interrupted, raising his hand. “All I ask is for land. If you give me that sweet little chunk of your northern land bordering Darkmoon and Silvermoon, then I will help you. And perhaps we can put everything else behind us as well.”

I knew the land David meant; Darkmoon had coveted it for years. My father had always wanted it as well. But Alvin was also the last threat to my daughter that I knew of. This evidence in David's possession could be the key to putting him behind bars, where he could harm no one but himself.

I turned to Viona, speaking softly. “What do you think?”

She frowned, considering. Her eyes darted between me and David, weighing our options. “The evidence is highly valuable, and having him testify would be a huge boon,” she whispered. “But giving land to David might make him think he can ask for more in the future… It’s a dangerous precedent.”

I nodded, my mind whirling with possibilities and potential consequences. The land David wanted wasn’t crucial to Silvermoon—it was merely a large swathe of forest—but the thought of giving any part of my territory to him after what he’d done made my skin crawl.

And yet, the chance to finally bring Alvin to justice…

Finally, I turned back to David. “Here is my offer. As a one-time thing, I’ll give you the land you want, and even a little extra, on one condition: you never ask to expand your borders into Silvermoon territory again. This is it, David. One deal, and then we’re done.”

David’s eyes lit up at the mention of extra land, but he remained silent, waiting for me to continue.

“And there’s one more thing,” I added, my voice firm. “You leave Jen alone. Clear her criminal record in Darkmoon and don’t try to come for her. She is a member of Silvermoon now, rehabilitating herself, and no longer drug dealing. She gets a clean slate. Understood?”

David leaned in to confer with his Beta, their whispers too low for me to hear.

After a moment that felt like an eternity, he straightened and nodded. “Very well. I’ll take the offer. It seems we both get what we want.”

Relief washed over me, but I kept my expression neutral. I couldn’t let him see how much this meant to me. “Good. We’ll have our lawyers draw up the paperwork. I want everything in writing, notarized, and binding before the trial in a month.”

David stood, offering a thin smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He extended his hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, I took it. It was all I could do to resist the urge to hit him again.

When he released my hand, his smile widened. He snapped his fingers, and his security team rose as one, brushing past me like a cold wind.

“See you at the trial, Alpha Hannah,” David called over his shoulder before leaving the lounge.

Only after he was gone did I allow myself to sink into the chair. And despite my shock, my wariness… I couldn’t help but smile.