The cracked leather binding of the century-old land registry disintegrated between my fingers.
I traced the blood-red wax seal stamped into the bottom of the deed. A coiled serpent wrapped around a double-edged sword. The original, untouched coat of arms of the Scarlet lineage.
"The signatures." Realization settled within me. "This isn't a regional trade permit. It's a royal land grant issued by the original High Council before Silver Crest even existed as a recognized pack. Alexander's grandfather leased the Northern Border from mine."
A quiet rustle of cloth broke the silence behind me.
I turned, expecting to find Diego leaning over the table as usual. Instead, he was standing near the doorway, unbuttoning his tactical tunic and tossing it carelessly onto a leather settee. He looke
