Chapter 52

I knew this was a make-or-break moment for not just the business, but for me personally. Either I went along with Alpha Kane's proposition, or Pinnacle would lose the Aetheria partnership—a partnership my brother and I had worked tirelessly to secure. Business was business, and putting aside the turmoil of emotions Darius's presence stirred within me, I had to admit that Nadir Technologies was a powerful ally. Their innovative software combined with Aetheria's hardware could create something revolutionary. I made my decision, pushing down the whimpers of my reluctant wolf. I forced a polite smile—one I'd perfected during three years of being Silver Creek's invisible Luna—and picked up one of the crystal wine glasses from the coffee table. "To our shared future," I said, raising my glass, my voice steadier than the racing of my heart. Alpha Kane and Darius joined in the toast. The liquid burned down my throat, but I maintained my composure. This was about power now, not pain. Once I pus