My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 345

Chapter 345: Chapter 345 PRIVATE AUDIENCE

KIERAN’S POV

The ballroom carried on with its polished rhythm as though the corridors beyond it had not just hummed with threats and poisoned invitations.

Music softened into an anticipatory lull. Laughter rose and fell in curated waves. Servers moved like synchronized dancers, clearing glasses and adjusting centerpieces as the master of ceremonies prepared to call the room to order.

Sera and I had separated ten minutes ago.

She stood between Maya and Ethan, posture relaxed, smile genuine instead of strategic. With them, there was no performance—just comfort, familiarity, and ease.

What I wouldn’t give to be in that space right now.

Instead, I stood with two Alphas near the central staircase, discussing moonstone trade quotas and mineral transport routes while my gaze tracked the subtle shifts of the ballroom.

Vidar, I noticed, was absent.

Either he hadn’t reentered the main hall yet, or he’d left.

Or the snake was lurking around somewhere else, eavesdropping. Either way, I had eyes on him, ready to report to me if he so much as breathed wrong.

“Alpha.”

Gavin’s voice cut in low at my shoulder, all business.

I didn’t turn. “Report.”

“Beta Gunnar of the Iron Hollow Pack has requested a private audience.”

It took a beat for the name to register.

Iron Hollow—a small mining pack in the northern borderlands. Inconsequential. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have given them a second thought.

Except that according to our intel, Jack Draven was last sighted in Iron Hollow pack before we lost his trail.

“When?” I asked.

“Now,” Gavin replied. “He seems...eager.”

I glanced once more across the room.

As if she could feel my gaze, Sera looked up and our eyes locked briefly.

I gave her the faintest nod.

Fine?

She replied with the smallest lift of her chin.

Fine.

She wasn’t a damsel in distress, I reassured myself. I could let her out of my sight for a couple of moments.

I turned back to Gavin. “Stay here, and hold the fort. I’ll be back before the host’s speech.”

He inclined his head.

I slipped from the ballroom through a side corridor, the music fading behind me.

***

Beta Gunnar was waiting in one of the private reception suites reserved for small delegations.

When I entered, he nearly knocked over the decanter in his haste to stand.

“Alpha Blackthorne,” he spluttered, nervous energy radiating off him in uneven waves.

I arched a brow, studying him. He was shorter than I expected. Broad but soft around the edges. Dark hair thinning at the temples.

“You requested a meeting,” I said evenly.

“Yes. Yes, of course.” He swallowed, smoothing his jacket with trembling fingers. “It’s an honor, truly. I didn’t anticipate that you would be so gracious—”

“Let’s cut to the chase,” I cut in.

His prepared speech died mid-breath.

“Rogue Jack Draven,” I said, stepping closer, gaze sharp. “His last known location was your pack.”

Gunnar’s eyes widened.

“I—yes,” he admitted quickly. “He did. He was.”

“What did he want?”

Gunnar exhaled shakily. “Shelter. Supplies.”

“And you gave it to him—a rogue who was cast out for violating a sacred common law.”

His jaw tightened defensively. "We are not a powerful pack, Alpha Blackthorne. We mine iron; we don’t command legions. Refusing the son of Silverpine’s Alpha could bring trouble we cannot fend off. We had to grant him shelter, or risk retribution."

I watched him carefully, but there was nothing deceptive in his aura. Just discomfort and a grudgingly satisfying tinge of fear.

“Tell me about his visit,” I commanded.

“He was...audacious,” Gunnar said carefully. “Demanding access to our best guest quarters. Throwing out commands as though he still held rank.”

Yep, that sounded like Jack.

“And what can you tell me about his visit? His plans? His rogue network?”

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