A Warrior's Second Chance (Faye and Alexander) novel Chapter 521

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Chapter 520

SILVER HOLLOW

JASON

I felt as though I had lived through an entire week in the space of a few hours.

Everywhere I turned, there was another report waiting for me.

Another estimate.

Another update.

Another reminder of just how much Silver Hollow had lost.

I dropped into my chair and exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand across my face before reaching for the nearest document. I barely made it halfway through the first page before another knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” I said.

The door opened, and two members of my council stepped inside.

Jace entered first, carrying a folder beneath one arm. Owen followed a step behind him with several documents in his hands. They greeted me respectfully before taking the seats opposite my desk.

Neither of them looked particularly hopeful.

I couldn’t blame them.

I probably looked worse.

For a few moments, none of us spoke. The office settled into a heavy silence as each of us seemed to wait for someone else to begin.

Eventually, I broke it.

“I appreciate both of you coming on such short notice,” I said.

Jace gave a small nod.

“There wasn’t much chance either of us would be busy with anything else today,” Jace said.

His attempt at lightening the mood failed almost immediately.

Chapter 520

None of us smiled.

Owen placed his documents neatly on the desk before looking at me.

Owen said, “I assume this meeting is about both the missing shipments and last night’s

explosion.”

“It is,” I replied.

I leaned back in my chair and looked between them.

“I’ll save both of you the trouble of asking,” I said.

They waited.

“I still don’t have answers,” I told them.

Neither man looked surprised.

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“I’ve spoken with the investigators,” I continued. “I’ve reviewed every report they’ve submitted so far. I’ve questioned wolves connected to the supply routes. I’ve questioned wolves connected to the depot. I’ve reviewed patrol assignments and security records.”

I shook my head.

“Nothing,” I added.

Jace frowned.

“Nothing at all?” Jace asked.

“Nothing useful,” I replied.

I pushed one of the reports toward them.

“The investigators believe the explosion was deliberate.”

Owen looked down at the document.

Owen said, “That much is obvious.”

“It is,” I agreed. “What isn’t obvious is who did it.”

Jace opened the folder he had brought with him and slid a page onto my desk.

“I’ve also reviewed the security reports from the surrounding patrol units,” Jace said.

I picked it up.

Chapter 520

“There are no sightings?” I asked.

Jace shook his head.

Jace replied, “None that help us.”

I skimmed through the report before setting it aside again.

Another dead end.

Owen cleared his throat.

Owen said, “The financial implications are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.”

“I know,” I replied.

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Owen continued, “The missing shipments alone placed pressure on our trade agreements.”

He paused.

“Now we’ve lost our primary supply depot.”

He didn’t need to continue.

I already knew what came next.

Replacing the depot would cost an enormous amount.

Replacing everything inside it would cost even more.

The interruption to our supply chain would affect not only us but every pack that depended on our deliveries.

And that was before considering our reputation.

Trust was difficult to earn.

Painfully easy to lose.

Jace leaned forward slightly.

Jace said, “The warriors are becoming restless.”

I looked at him.

“They’ve noticed something is wrong.”

“I’m aware,” I replied.

Chapter 520

Jace continued, “They’re asking questions.”

“So is everyone else,” I said.

Jace nodded once.

Jace said, “I’ve managed to keep speculation under control for now.”

“For now,” I repeated quietly.

He didn’t argue.

Because he knew as well as I did that rumors never stayed contained for long.

Sooner or later, every wolf in Silver Hollow would know about the explosion.

If they didn’t already.

Owen folded his hands together.

Owen said, “We need a way forward.”

I almost laughed.

“I was hoping one of you would tell me what that way is,” I admitted.

The admission hung in the room.

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have said something like that.

As Alpha, I was expected to provide direction.

To make decisions.

To reassure everyone else that things remained under control.

But pretending I had all the answers would accomplish nothing.

Not anymore.

Not when every lead ended exactly where it had begun.

Jace exchanged a brief glance with Owen before speaking.

Jace said, “We could suspend all outgoing shipments temporarily.”

Owen immediately frowned.

Owen replied, “That would protect what remains.”

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Chapter 520

Jace nodded once.

Owen continued, “It would also cripple our trade.”

Jace said, “It would prevent another convoy from disappearing.”

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“It would,” Owen admitted. “But it would also send a message to every neighboring Alpha that Silver Hollow can no longer fulfill its obligations.”

Neither option sounded appealing.

I rested my elbows on the desk.

“If we continue trading, we risk losing more,” I said.

I looked at Owen.

“If we stop trading, we weaken ourselves.”

Owen nodded.

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