Chapter 5 - THE TREATY KANE NEVER READ
The Crimson-Silvercrest treaty contained eighty-seven pages.
Kane had read nine.
His advisers prepared a summary when he became Alpha.
The summary described military support, trade access, healing reserves, and a ceremonial marriage between heirs.
It omitted the cost of dishonor.
If either heir rejected the other based on weakness, disability, infertility, appearance, scent, or absence of supernatural manifestation, the rejecting territory lost treaty protections for seven years.
The clause had been written after a former Alpha abandoned his injured mate and attempted to keep her family’s army.
Kane called the penalty archaic.
High Arbiter Voss disagreed.
“You wanted Silvercrest’s resources without accepting that its heir possessed dignity before proving power.”
Kane looked toward Darius.
“You hid this from me.”
“I wanted to know the man you became when knowledge did not force honor.”
“You risked the territory.”
“No. You did.”
Crimson’s healing shipments stopped immediately.
Border defenses remained for thirty days while civilians prepared.
Trade agreements entered emergency review.
The territory would not be abandoned to raiders because of one Alpha’s failure. Aurelia insisted on that.
“I will not punish children for their ruler’s arrogance,” she said.
Instead, the tribunal placed Crimson under temporary protection administered jointly by elected ward leaders and neutral commanders.
Kane lost unilateral military control.
He also lost access to the Alpha treasury pending audit.
The investigation revealed payments from Lucian Vale hidden across defense accounts.
Kane had not authorized most of them.
He had ignored enough financial reports to make theft easy.
I had seen the same pattern in other powerful families.
Leaders believed fraud required active villainy.
Often it required only vanity and unread documents.
Kane requested a private meeting.
I agreed with a tribunal witness present.
He stood across from me inside the council library.
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I believed Scarlett was my mate.”
“You believed what made you feel desired.”
His expression tightened.
“I had reasons.”
“Everyone does.”
“I was raised to distrust Sterling power.”
“You did not know I had any.”
“That is not what I meant.”
“It is exactly the point.”
He had not rejected me because I seemed too powerful.
He rejected me because I appeared powerless.
“I could restore the engagement,” he said.
I almost laughed.
“You still think the treaty is the relationship.”
“Our territories need stability.”
“Then become a stable leader without marrying someone you insulted.”
“I was deceived.”
“You were arrogant.”
He looked away.
“Can both be true?”
“Yes.”
That answer hurt him more than a complete condemnation.
Being deceived did not erase the character flaw that made the deception comfortable.
Before leaving, Kane asked:
“Was there ever a chance you would have chosen me?”
“Yes.”
He looked up.
May you like
“Before the boutique.”
The door closed behind me.
