Free Web NovelChapter 96: Chapter 96 Blood Alliance
Zane’s POV
I stared at the receipt in my hand, frowning at the amount I’d just paid to those protestors outside Frostline Enterprises.
"She won’t get away with this,"I muttered, crumpling the receipt and tossing it into a nearby trash can as I stalked back to my car. "No one makes a fool of Zane Thorne, Alpha of the Stoneclaw Pack."
My wolf was restless inside me. *She smelled different. Stronger.*
I pushed the thought away.
Whatever game Sylvia was playing, it wouldn’t matter once I found Frostline’s weak spot and drove them into the ground.
They’d made too many enemies over the years—someone had to have the information I needed.By the time I stormed through the doors of my executive suite, I was ready to tear someone apart.
"What the hell is this garbage?"I snarled, flipping through the pathetic excuse for opposition research my team had compiled on Frostline. "Photos of their building? Public financial statements anyone could find online? This is useless!"
I swept the stack of documents off my desk, watching them scatter across the floor with grim satisfaction.
My assistant flinched but remained silent."Alpha , we’ll do better,"she mumbled, backing toward the door.
"Damn right you will,"I growled. "I want dirt. Real leverage. Something that will make Sylvia Frost come crawling back on her knees."
The door closed behind my assistant, leaving me alone with my frustration.
The gentle knock at my door interrupted my brooding.
"Zane? I brought you something."
Chloe’s sweet voice filtered through the door, and I felt my wolfsettle slightly. My True Mate. The one I’d chosen over Sylvia.
I straightened my tie and composed myself.
"Come in."
She entered with a bright smile, carrying a thermos. "I thought you might need some of my special chicken soup after your meeting today. You looked so tense when you left this morning."
I watched her glide across the room, studying her delicate movements.
She was everything an Alpha’s mate should be—gentle, nurturing, supportive.
Yet something felt hollow as she placed the thermos carefully on my desk, her eyes widening at the papers scattered across the floor.
"Oh, Zane,"she sighed, immediately kneeling to gather them. "Another difficult day?"
"It’s nothing,"I said, my voice deliberately controlled. "Just a minor setback with the Frostline matter."
Chloe straightened the papers with practiced efficiency, setting them on the edge of my desk. "I know how important this is to you, darling. Maybe I can help?"
I almost dismissed her offer—what could a sweet she-wolf possibly contribute to corporate warfare?—but My wolfnudged me to reconsider. Chloe was more observant than most gave her credit for.
"What do you have in mind?"I asked, letting her place her small hands on my shoulders, massaging away tension.
"Well,"she began, her voice taking on that breathless quality that usually signaled she wanted something, "I’ve been thinking about your approach. You’re looking for Frostline’s weaknesses, but maybe what you need is a strong ally who already knows their vulnerabilities."
I turned to face her, genuinely curious now. "Go on."
Her eyes lit up at my interest.
With delicate fingers, she sorted through the scattered reports, pulling out a folder on competing businesses. freёweɓnovel.com
"What about this one?"she asked, angling the paper toward me. "Northwestern Enterprises. They’ve gone head-to-head with Frostline on at least three major projects, right?"
I took it from her and gave it a quick scan.
"They’ve actually won one of those bids,"I muttered, my curiosity officially on alert. "And they damn near stole the other two."
I looked at her. Really looked at her.
For the first time today, something clicked.
"This is... actually useful,"I said, almost surprised by how much it was.
I glanced at her, a slow grin tugging at my mouth. "You’re brilliant, you know that?"
She preened under my praise, sidling closer. "That’s why you chose me, remember? I’m not just a pretty face."
I kissed her forehead absently, already thinking through the possibilities.
Perfect. A rival who’d already tasted victory against Sylvia would be eager for another opportunity.
Author’POV
"Zane?"Helena repeated, the name not immediately registering as her assistant explained the unexpected visitor.
"Yes, he’s the heir to Thorne Industries,"her assistant clarified. "He insists on meeting with you personally. Says he has something you’d definitely want."
That caught Helena’s interest. She rose from behind her desk, smoothing her designer skirt.
"He said that specifically?"she asked, arching a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
"His exact words, Ms. Blackwood. He’s waiting in the conference room right now."
Helena’s lips curved into a calculating smile. "Well, I’m certainly intrigued to see what this man thinks could possibly capture my attention."
She strode purposefully toward the conference room, her wolf sensing opportunity.
When she entered, she took the seat across from Zane without ceremony, studying him with predatory assessment.
"I hear you have something I might find... interesting?"she asked, cutting straight to the point.
Zane observed Helena’s composed demeanor, noting the ambition burning behind her innocent facade. He recognized a useful ally - someone as hungry for victory as he was.
"Indeed,"he replied with confidence. "I understand you and Frostline Enterprises have quite the competitive history."
Helena’s eyes flashed, a momentary betrayal of her careful control.
She recovered quickly, leaning back in her chair.
"That’s merely hearsay,"she replied coolly. "I wouldn’t confirm unsubstantiated rumors to someone I’ve just met."
Zane smiled, sliding several photos across the table - images of him and Sylvia together from months ago.
"Our mutual interest is her,"he said simply. "Sylvia Frost. My target and, I suspect, yours as well."
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend,"he continued, watching her reaction carefully. "I propose an alliance."
Helena’s eyes widened slightly as she studied the photos, but suspicion quickly replaced her initial interest.
"If you two were involved,"she said slowly, "why come to me now? What changed?"
Zane recognized her wariness and leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone.
"I’m here with nothing but sincere intentions, Ms. Blackwood. If you’re willing to trust me, we can work together to take down our common enemy."
He ummed with anticipation as he continued, "This could be the beginning of a very profitable partnership. Long-term, sustainable cooperation that benefits us both."
Helena studied him, weighing her options.
Caesar’s face flashed in her mind - Caesar, who had chosen Sylvia over her despite years of history between them.
If bringing down Sylvia meant working with this stranger, then so be it.
"Alright,"she finally said, extending her hand. "Partner. Don’t make me regret this."
Zane took her offered hand, his grip firm and confident. "I assure you, Ms. Blackwood, you won’t be disappointed. We have too much in common to fail."
"So,"she said, withdrawing her hand with professional coolness, "what’s your proposal? I need to see your commitment before we proceed."
Zane’s smile never faltered. "Your company and Frostline are direct competitors, which gives your words credibility in the market."
Helena raised an eyebrow. "Continue."
"It’s simple, really. Frostline values their reputation above all else. We apply external pressure through strategic moves in the market, while simultaneously undermining them from within. Once those dominoes start falling..."His smile turned predatory. "The rest becomes inevitable."
Helena considered his words carefully, her business mind analyzing the strategy.
"If that’s your plan, I’m in. Just tell me what you need from me."
As she listened to the details, Helena couldn’t help but feel a dark satisfaction.
How interesting that so many people seemed to have scores to settle with Sylvia Frost.
Perhaps the woman wasn’t as beloved as she pretended to be.
"I need one specific thing,"Zane said, moving closer.
Helena tensed immediately, her eyes narrowing. "Keep your distance. Just because we’re allies doesn’t mean I trust you completely."
Zane raised his hands in mock surrender, an amused smile playing on his lips. "Your caution is understandable. We’ve only just met. I wouldn’t expect blind faith."
"Exactly,"Helena replied curtly. "You can’t expect me to fully trust someone I barely know."
"Fair enough,"Zane conceded, stepping back. "I was simply going to suggest that your company release a strategic press statement about Frostline’s latest project. Then..."
As he outlined his plan in greater detail, Helena’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
This could actually work.
"Agreed,"she said decisively. "Let’s proceed exactly as you’ve outlined."
Their alliance sealed, both wolves felt the thrill of the hunt beginning.
