The courtyard of Barduff Castle was filled with warriors and carriages as the castle's enormous doors creaked open. It flapped in the evening breeze, the White Dawn Pack's banner with the symbol of a silver wolf against a midnight sky.
Leah observed the arrival with silent interest while standing at one of the balcony railings. Though she had never met him, she had heard of Marcus Irving, the Alpha of White Dawn, strong and prominent. His reputation for keen business sense and unrelenting desire preceded him. Trade was not the only reason he had come to Barduff.
Beta Samuel accompanied Jacob down the castle steps, his face inscrutable. Knowing Marcus was a guy not to be taken lightly, he had been cautious in his preparation for this meeting.
The door opened as the lead carriage stopped, and Marcus got out. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and had sharp blue eyes that confidently examined the courtyard. Wearing a silver-embroidered cloak and dark leather, he exuded the confidence of a guy who was always in charge.
Marcus said, "Alpha Jacob Barduff," his booming voice echoing around the room. "It has been a long time."
Jacob nodded curtly. "Alpha Marcus. Greetings from Barduff Castle. I hope your trip went well.
Marcus grinned. "As seamless as possible when traversing disputed territory. It's impossible to predict where an ambush will occur.
The veiled remark made Samuel stiffen a little, but Jacob stayed calm. "You are our visitor. We have made accommodations for you and your group. At the evening meal, we can talk about trade-related topics.
Marcus's eyes strayed from Jacob to Leah, who was still standing on the balcony. He glanced back to Jacob when his face changed and something unreadable went through his eyes. "I look forward to it."
Leah observed the conversation with a peculiar uneasiness. She wasn't sure why, but something about Marcus's presence made her uneasy. She couldn't get rid of the thought that this visit would alter more than just economic agreements as the visitors were escorted inside.
She was unaware that Marcus Irving was already aiming for something or someone considerably more valuable than business.