Chapter 44

Alaric’s POV The room was dimly lit, casting shadows over the faces of the gathered men, but that was intentional. I wanted the tension thick, the stakes apparent to everyone seated around the long, polished table. The neutral meeting location, an old mansion off the beaten path, was chosen to ensure no one could claim an advantage of home turf. Guiseppe sat near the head of the table, his expression stormy as he scanned the faces of everyone gathered. Key allies lined the sides, watching in uneasy silence as we prepared to lay bare the betrayal that had snaked its way into our circle.