The Silver Ridge delegation went still, hardly daring to believe what they were hearing. It was more than they'd hoped for. More than they'd dreamed possible.
Which meant the price would be astronomical. And they were expected to pay.
"In exchange for what?" Richard asked warily, every survival instinct he possessed screaming that offers this generous always came with strings. Heavy, choking strings that would bind them for generations.
"A treaty," Kade said simply. "Formal alliance between Nightshade and Silver Ridge. Your pack becomes a protectorate under my authority. You maintain autonomy in internal affairs, but external relations, defense, and major economic decisions go through me."
The room seemed to tilt.
"You want us to become a vassal pack," Alistair said, his voice tight with barely controlled anger.
