A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter Sixty–Seven 

“lf we can request a forty per cent decrease to our alliance tax for just the next five years, I believe that this amount alone would allow us to grow exponentially,” the Alpha from the Red Star pack said. “You‘d easily see the missed returns back in full from the tax break, though I think easily more than full, once our annual revenue grew further. Currently, we have several plans in place for expanding our business interests, but we‘re just short of the funds required to implement.” 

Aleric took a moment to consider before finally replying. 

“I‘m happy to allow that,” he said, “but I would expect an increase of trade goods to come through the Winter Mist during that period of discount, something that would assist with both of our economies. In addition to that, I will also add the condition where, should you fail to increase your total gross income after ten years, the Winter Mist will reserve the right to claim the amount in missed taxes during the initial five year break period.” 

It had been going on like this the entire meeting. 

I was here, present and listening, but not overly attentive. Mostly I just sat and tried to tune out the occasional stares in my direction, focusing on literally anything else other than wondering what they were thinking internally about me. 

It was bad enough to be a woman in these meetings but now I was also suddenly unranked, unmated, underage and riddled with a multitude of rumours surrounding my whereabouts the last few months. Their minds would be swimming with a million questions, I was sure. 

Aleric had been handling the meeting fine; some would even say far better than what you‘d expect from others his age. But I hadn‘t said a word yet. I‘d told myself I wasn‘t going to get involved with participating since, at the end of the day, everything I did would be benefitting Tytus‘ reputation. Though I‘d be lying if I said I didn‘t feel a little bad since Aleric was the one here, not Tytus. Fortunately, there hadn‘t been anything worth involving myself in yet and there were barely any changes I‘d make to the plans he‘d proposed so far. 

“Anything else?” Aleric asked the group once dealings with the Red Star pack had concluded. 

A man spoke up then, seated to our right of the hall. He was an Alpha, I could feel that much, but he didn‘t speak with much authority. 

“Alpha heir Aleric, l‘d like to discuss a possible innovative business proposition for you to invest in,” he said, his eyes glancing at me for a split second in a way that made me uncomfortable. “Situated within the Silent Forest pack.” 

The mention of his pack brought recognition; this was Alpha Fredrick Jacobs. It made sense now why he‘d given off the little authority he did; his pack was bordered with where the human territory started. As such, their resources and room for expansion were minimal to prevent accidentally revealing our species‘ existence. 

But it was Alpha Fredrick‘s future reputation that bothered me most. I‘d heard a little about him in my past life... and it wasn‘t overly positive. 

“Speak,” Aleric said, gesturing a hand for him to proceed. 

“As you know,” he started, “our territory borders with a human town about five hours from here. We‘ve been forced to maintain the illusion of being a human district ever since our pack‘s origin, something which has hindered us in several areas; mainly our ability to protect ourselves and run our pack in a way some normally would. But, since taking over for my father some years ago, I‘ve begun to wonder whether we could use this to our advantage. Say... opening our land up for the humans. I‘m proposing we build 

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something close to the border in order to bring in their business, thereby boosting our own economy to trade in resources better.” 

...So this was where his rumours must have started. 

‘What business did you have in mind?” Aleric asked, not immediately shutting his suggestion down. 

I was curious, sure, but beginning trade with humans was dangerous. If one of them wandered onto a pack territory at the wrong time, like for example, during an attack, they could easily end up dead. The pack would immediately go under human investigation and navigating the aftermath could prove messy and risky. 

But then death was one thing, Goddess forbid they ever saw someone shift accidentally. 

Our species had deliberately alienated ourselves from them, even rejecting the majority of their more advanced technologies where possible, to ensure our continued secrecy. Their innovations were great and could prove beneficial for us in many areas, but the risk of exposure was far too high. Not to mention I‘d heard stories that most of their gadgets contained location tracking systems these days. To introduce a new advanced human technology to our world, it had to be both thoroughly screened and approved by a council of elder representatives made up from packs all over the country. These days, approval was very rare. 

To be fair though, I was sure the humans knew some of our towns existed to an extent, but we were probably considered gated off, old fashioned mountain folk in their eyes; estranged from many things the modern world had to offer. Or at least a lot of our territories were restricted to keep up that illusion. Places like the Winter Mist were luckier since we were far away enough from human civilisation, surrounded by packs on all sides, that we had the luxury to expand as large as we wanted without worrying whether humans would randomly stumble in. But somewhere like the Silent Forest pack would need to be constantly wary, trying to keep contact with humans to a minimum where possible. 

Which was one reason why I was so unsure about this deal. 

for some of our kind to mate individuals of theirs, but I knew opening the gate for humans to freely enter a werewolf territory would have irreversible effects. Once open, it would make it almost impossible to close again without human curiosity getting involved. And all

had no recollection of it personally. In the previous timeline, I was mostly involved with war and new political alliance tactics. The small packs that were already under the Winter Mist from the start were not my concern. Typically, Lunas had no direct involvement outside of their own packs at all, so it had been a struggle enough to be allowed access to the things

casino,” Alpha Fredrick said. “It would encourage visitors from all over to come and participate. The profits would be high and basically guaranteed, something that we would then reinvest in other businesses in the area. New businesses mean more money, which means higher gross income, meaning higher return for you via your alliance tax. And that‘s

the things to risk centuries of secrecy on, a casino would be at the bottom of the list of things worth pursuing. Not to mention that,

much did you require and at what percentage?” Aleric asked, sounding as

Chapier Sixty–Seven 

business, thereby boosting

his rumours must have started.

you have in mind?” Aleric asked, not immediately

trade with humans was dangerous. If one of them wandered onto a pack territory at the wrong time, like for example, during an attack, they could easily end up dead. The pack would immediately go under

forbid they ever saw someone shift

stories that most of their gadgets contained location

the humans knew some of our towns existed to an extent, but we were probably considered gated off, old fashioned mountain folk in their eyes; estranged from many things the modern world had to offer. Or at least a lot of our territories were restricted to keep up that illusion. Places like the Winter Mist were luckier since we were far away enough from human civilisation, surrounded by packs on all sides, that we had the luxury to expand as large as we wanted without worrying whether humans would randomly stumble in. But somewhere like

was so unsure about this

unheard of for some of our kind to mate individuals of theirs, but I knew opening the gate for humans to freely enter a werewolf territory would have irreversible effects. Once open, it would make it almost impossible

with war and new political alliance tactics. The small packs that were already

participate. The profits would be high and basically guaranteed, something that we would then reinvest in other businesses in the area. New businesses mean more money, which means higher gross

taking into account the equity investment returns for the

border. Of all the things to risk centuries of secrecy on, a casino would be at the bottom of the list of

much did you require and at what percentage?” Aleric asked, sounding as if he

Chapter Sixty–Seven 

ramifications this could have.

for a ten per cent equity

much do

his arm to stop him for

this just wasn‘t sitting right with me. Not for a casino and definitely not for Fredrick Jacobs, lest the

“If this pays off, we‘d be involved with one of the first territories to attempt something like this and, as he said, it

addiction and possible property value reductions as a result. What happens when some of their warriors stop being so productive or financially ruin themselves? That‘s going to cause chain reactions to their other avenues

was that Aleric should not be getting involved with this pack or its

“Aria… –” 

“This is not a good investment. If you want to become indirectly involved within

for a few moments before finally exhaling, nodding his head in

directing his attention back to Alpha

on for quite a while and was counting

flicked to me coldly, filled with

would be a difficult feat,” he said, his words like ice, “but I didn‘t anticipate

tensed up, leaning forward as if getting ready to make him regret his words. The insult to myself was

I said, pleading for Aleric to stand down. “He‘s not worth it.”

for yourself?” Alpha Fredrick stupidly continued. “Does

meeting for the first time that day. You could tell how

lot of time and energy into this proposition and this outcome is an unfortunate blow for you,” | said. “However, I would like to remind you that you are not in a position to be hurling insults at the people currently preventing your small pack‘s complete annihilation from your neighbouring territories. This alliance protects you, *We* protect you.”

Saintess,” he said, spitting the title distastefully. “You are as fragile as

Chapter Sixty Seven 

now and apparently have the wits of one too.”