Welcome back to The Real Alphas of Nyros.
Renwick Lunaris just bled for the table. Meanwhile, forty-seven Alphas were now staring at the map like siblings watching their new stepdad sit in dad’s chair at Thanksgiving.
Nobody said anything. Everybody had thoughts.
WHOOSH.
The map responded. Lunaris territory lit up with a healthy glow.
Immediately, Darwin and Ironmaw shared a look that translated to "stepdad’s dick is smaller than dad’s." While ten other Alphas gave a knowing, satisfied nod because stepdad couldn’t throw a football as far as dad could.
The map said mid-tier. Renwick’s face said "I don’t work for the map. The map works for me."
The room got the message so hard it almost left a bruise.
One by one, the Alphas followed. Blood. Token. Slot.
The ritual was faster this time but the dick measuring remained intact. It had all the ceremony of a toll booth and all the tension of a locker room. Nobody said a word. Everybody was keeping score.
Every Alpha who out-glowed Renwick sat up straighter in their chairs. Benjamin matched Darwin’s glow exactly. Darwin looked at the map like it was a rigged paternity test.
The usual shit.
Damon: At least nobody’s crying this time.
Reed: Give it time. The night is young.
The map filled until forty-eight territories were glowing. Two dark holes remained for Stonehowl and Shadowfell. The visual told a story that every Alpha could read.
As soon as the last token seated, Ironmaw opened his mouth.
"Every man in this chamber heard your daughter’s voice somehow, Lunaris. She quoted a proverb and she did it through something that wasn’t a mindlink."
Every head turned to Renwick at this.
"That she did," Renwick said calmly.
"How?" Ironmaw pressed.
"Carefully."
"That’s not an answer."
"That’s the only one I have currently," Renwick replied. "If a girl quoting a proverb is what keeps you up at night, that sounds like a you problem. Priorities, gentlemen."
Benjamin Blackmoor finally spoke, the way the favorite child speaks at a family dinner: once, at the right moment, and everybody listens.
"We then heard a second voice narrate a negotiation between you and Stonehowl over your daughter’s life. But it cut off just as it was getting good. Did you get her back?"
The chamber leaned in.
This was the question everyone wanted answered because under the Alpha was a man who had a mother, a daughter, a sister, or a mate. Benjamin’s question didn’t land in their ears. It landed in their ribs, in the place where the people they’d burn the world for lived.
"Yes."
One word that landed heavier than every sentence before it. For a fraction of a second, the mask cracked and behind it was a man, not a king, not a chess player, just a father standing on the other side of almost. Then the crack sealed and the temperature in the room dropped back to Renwick. Whatever the room saw, he would make sure it was the last thing they’d get for free.

Reed: Darwin really can’t let that go.
Damon: It hurt his feelings. He picked the wrong side, then got out-glowed.

Reed: Dead. That is news.
Damon: One problem off the board. Nicholas killing her brother was never going to end well for anyone. The universe handled that one for us.
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