Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Chapter 139

KLAUS

The secure line to Silver Moon territory connected on the third attempt, which told me either Matthew Morrison had screening protocols in place or he’d been fielding enough unexpected calls in the past forty–eight hours that he was developing selective answering habits. Both would have been reasonable responses to his current circumstances.

I was alone in the war room. Lucian and Bianca had gone to put Louis to bed together–a domestic ritual that had become important in ways that went beyond routine, especially in the past few days when Louis had been waking with nightmares and needed both of them present. Elijah had stepped out to coordinate with the expanded security team. Mikael was somewhere in the building running financial trace work.

Just me, the secure line, and the particular stillness of a room that had been full of urgent people for three days straight.

Matthew Morrison answered on the fourth ring.

“Alpha Morrison.” I kept my voice level, professional, the tone I’d developed over years of representing authority without performing it. “My name is Klaus Blackwood. I’m the Alpha King of BloodMoon City.”

The silence that followed was the specific silence of someone recalibrating rapidly.

“I’m aware of who you are,” he said finally. His voice was careful. Measured in the way of someone who’d learned to be careful, which was different from someone who’d always been careful. There was evidence of effort in it. “You approved our entry to your territory.”

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“I did.” I settled back in my chair, keeping my posture easy despite the tension running through everything I was managing. I’m calling about a matter that touches on that visit. I want to ask you something directly, and I want you to answer me honestly rather than trying to figure out what answer I’m looking for.”

A beat. “Alright.”

“Have you received a call in the past day or two from Thorne Lockwood? My Chief of Staff.”

The pause before his answer was approximately half a second longer than it would have been if the answer were no and he had nothing to think about.

“Yes,” Matthew said. “This morning. He replied to an email I’d sent apologizing for my behavior when we met outside Dr. Fisher’s office. He called to say the apology was unnecessary, that he understood I was a father protecting his son.” A brief pause. “He also asked about the assembly I’ve announced. Said he’d like to attend as an observer.”

“And you said?”

“I invited him.” Another pause, and I could hear the beginning of something shifting in his tone–not alarm yet, not suspicion, but the careful attention of someone who was starting to wonder why the Alpha King himself was calling to ask about his Chief of Staff’s communications. “He seemed–he was the one who approved our entry to BloodMoon City. He made it possible for Theo to get treatment that changed his life. I wasn’t going to turn away the person who’d done that for us.”

Of course he wasn’t. That was exactly why Thorne had established the connection the way he had–through genuine help, through the creation of real debt and real gratitude, so that when the moment came to leverage it, the leverage would be solid.

Fifteen years of careful preparation. Thorne hadn’t gotten where he was by being impatient.

“That makes sense,” I said, keeping my voice entirely neutral. No shift in register, no suggestion that anything about this answer was concerning. “I wanted to confirm the contact because Thorne mentioned he was considering attending, and I wanted to make sure he’d reached out through appropriate channels rather than bypassing protocol.” I let that sit for a moment, comfortable and bureaucratic. “Sometimes my staff takes initiative without full coordination. I appreciate that he made contact directly rather than assuming the invitation.”

Chapter 139

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“It wasn’t any trouble,” Matthew said. There was a question forming in his voice, I could hear it, but he hadn’t asked it yet. He was waiting to see whether I’d give him a reason to.

I wasn’t going to give him a reason. Not yet. Not in a way that would make him change his behavior before we were ready.

“Good.” I shifted slightly in my chair, keeping the conversation moving at the pace of routine administrative follow–up. “I also wanted to make a broader contact. Your stay in BloodMoon City was relatively brief, and I wasn’t able to meet with you in person while you were here–something I regret, and something I’d like to remedy. An Alpha whose son benefited from our medical resources is someone I should have made time to meet directly.”

“I appreciate that.” He was still careful. Still listening for what I wasn’t saying. “What does that look like, practically speaking?”

“I may attend the assembly myself. If you’re willing to have me.” I let the offer land naturally, as if it were a simple extension of the diplomatic relationship–building I’d mentioned. “I try to avoid imposing on neighboring pack leadership, but I’ve been making more of an effort recently to engage directly rather than through representatives.”

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