The meeting continued this way for another forty minutes. Diplomatic exchanges, occasional tense moments where I was forced to take a stance, and incremental progress towards a final agreement.
My assistant herded the remaining staff out efficiently, giving me the usual questioning look. One quick shake of my head let her know I wouldn't need her for this.
Even though my wolf was desperate not to - I still invited Joseph to stay behind. The older man's posture relaxed now that we were alone… finding himself more at ease with a 'rival' Alpha than a room with humans in it - even ones that knew our secret.
"I appreciate your support today, Kyrie. Not all young Alphas would honor arrangements made by predecessors they didn't particularly agree with."
A tight smile responds to this again. He said the same thing years ago.
"The former Alpha and I disagreed on many things, but he recognized your pack's right to prosperity, even if his reasons were complicated - and so do I."
