Sacrificed To The Triplet Alpha Kings

*Six hours later*

The sun had set by the time they reached Ravenspire.

Nicholas shifted back to human form at the edge of the city and pulled on the clothes they had stashed in a bag tied around Kael’s neck. Sebastian did the same, both of them dressing quickly in the shadows of an alley that smelled like garbage and old magic.

Ravenspire was not like other cities.

It sprawled across the eastern edge of the territories like a wound that had never quite healed, all dark stone buildings and narrow twisting streets lit by lanterns that burned with green-tinged flames. The supernatural population here outnumbered humans ten to one, and the humans who did live here knew better than to ask questions about the things they saw in the shadows.

It was exactly the kind of place a supernatural broker would call home.

”Where’s Silas’s office?” Sebastian asked, shaking out his shoulders as the last of the shift aches faded.

Nicholas pulled out the address Mara had given them, a piece of paper with coordinates written in her precise handwriting. ”East district. Near the old market.”

They walked through the city in silence, drawing stares from the few people still on the streets at this hour. Two wolves this far from pack territory, both of them radiating Alpha power, it was unusual enough to be noteworthy.

Nicholas ignored the stares and focused on navigating the maze of streets until they found the building they were looking for.

It was older than most of the structures around it, three stories of dark brick with windows that reflected the green lamplight in strange angles. The door was unmarked but Nicholas could feel the wards humming around it, powerful enough to keep out anyone Silas did not want inside.

”This is it,” Nicholas said.

Sebastian looked up at the building and his jaw tightened. ”Let’s hope Mara was right about him having the information we need.”

”She was.” Nicholas did not know how he knew that, but he did. Mara would not have sent them here unless she was certain. ”Come on.”

He pushed open the door and they stepped inside.

***

The inside of Silas Greythorne’s building was nothing like Nicholas expected.

He had been prepared for something dark and ominous, shadowy corners, flickering candles, the kind of theatrical supernatural aesthetic that brokers usually cultivated to intimidate their clients. Instead, he found himself standing in what looked like an upscale art gallery.

The floors were polished white marble. The walls were covered in expensive artwork, paintings and sculptures that probably cost more than most people made in a year. Soft lighting came from fixtures that looked like they belonged in a museum. Everything was clean, modern, and completely at odds with the grimy exterior of the building.

”Well,” Sebastian said quietly beside him. ”This is unexpected.”

A door opened at the far end of the room and a woman stepped through, tall, elegant, with dark skin and silver hair pulled back in a severe bun. She wore a tailored suit that probably cost a fortune and moved with the kind of precision that suggested she was used to being obeyed without question.

”Alpha Nicholas Blackwood,” she said, her voice cool and professional. ”Alpha Sebastian Blackwood. Mr. Greythorne has been expecting you.”

Nicholas felt Kael stir at the back of his mind. She had known they were coming. Which meant Silas had been tracking them since they entered the city. Possibly longer.

”This way, please,” the woman continued, gesturing toward the door she had come through.

Nicholas and Sebastian exchanged a glance and then followed her down a hallway that was just as pristine as the entrance room. More artwork on the walls. More expensive fixtures. Everything designed to project wealth and power and absolute control.

The woman stopped at a set of double doors and pushed them open.

”Mr. Greythorne will see you now.”

She stepped aside and Nicholas walked into the office beyond.

The room was massive, easily twice the size of Nicholas’s own office back at the estate. Floor-to-ceiling windows dominated one wall, offering a view of Ravenspire’s glittering lights spread out below. The furniture was all dark wood and leather, arranged around a desk that looked like it had been carved from a single piece of black marble.

And behind that desk sat Silas Greythorne.

He was not what Nicholas expected either.

Most supernatural brokers Nicholas had dealt with were old ancient creatures who had accumulated power and knowledge over centuries. Silas looked like he was in his early forties at most, with dark hair threaded with silver at the temples and sharp features that suggested mixed heritage. He wore an expensive suit that fit him perfectly and his eyes....pale grey, almost colorless, tracked Nicholas and Sebastian with the kind of predatory assessment usually reserved for wolves.

”Alpha Blackwood,” Silas said, his voice smooth and cultured. ”And Alpha Blackwood. How delightful to finally meet you both.” He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk. ”Please. Sit.”

Nicholas remained standing. ”You know why we’re here.”

”Of course I do.” Silas leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers under his chin. ”The entire supernatural community knows about your family’s curse. Three Alpha brothers cursed by the Moon Goddess herself to go feral unless they find their true mate. Quite dramatic, really.”

”We’re not here for commentary,” Sebastian said, his voice hard. ”We’re here for information.”

”Information about the witch who consulted with your father seven years ago,” Silas finished. ”The one who gave you the initial prophecy about the curse for your generation?, Yes, I’m aware. Mara was very thorough in her correspondence.”

Nicholas felt a spike of irritation. ”You’ve spoken to Mara?”

”She reached out this morning to confirm you would be coming.” Silas smiled slightly. ”She’s always been efficient. I appreciated working with your father, and I appreciate working with her now.”

”Then you know we need to find that witch,” Nicholas said. ”Urgently.”

”I do.” Silas’s pale eyes shifted between them. ”The question is, what are you willing to pay for that information?”