Nebulous 3

It was certainly not a good day for Jaxon Rolf Forsythe—Alpha of the Gardeno Pack. There was a mountain of tasks and issues to deal with that day, both company and pack related.

Jaxon arrived at the office in the morning to be greeted by a pile of financial reports and partnership agreements. His desk was cluttered, but what caught his eye were the first quarter sales reports and a new investment proposal from overseas partners.

Jaxon studied the documents carefully before speaking to his secretary, Odile Elliot. "Set up a meeting with the board next week. I want to discuss the expansion plans."

"Understood, sir," Odile replied promptly. She glanced down at the tablet in her hand before continuing, "There's some bad news regarding the wheat shipment to Asia. Pacific Ocean Freight is running into delays. Their ship is being held at the port of Singapore for a security inspection. If this isn't resolved soon, it could seriously affect our relations with our partners in Japan and South Korea.

Jaxon took the latest report Odile had handed him. "How long is the delay?"

Odile replied, "The worst estimate is about two weeks."

"Two weeks?" Jaxon repeated reflexively, his eyes widening. He threw the report on the desk. "Do they think our time is a game?" He shook his head. "It can't be, Odile. Wheat is Gardeno AgroCorp's most important commodity. We can't afford to lose two weeks. All our partners will turn to other suppliers."

"We can't replace them, sir. It would cause logistical chaos," Odile replied uneasily. She understood Jaxon's reaction. As CEO of the Gardeno Group, a conglomerate with interests in agriculture, real estate and technology, Jaxon would never take a risk that could jeopardise their long-standing partnership. "But I've already contacted Blue Horizon Shipping. They have the same route and guarantee our shipment will arrive on time, but the cost is 15% higher".

Jaxon fell silent, his mind racing as he quickly calculated the risks and costs. "Higher costs will reduce our margins in the Asian market, but unfortunately we don't have a choice."

"Exactly, sir," Odile nodded, agreeing with Jaxon's reasoning. "On the other hand, we should also remember the new agreement with Globe Agritech, which requires an increase in wheat shipping capacity to Europe next month. If the Asian shipment is disrupted, we can temporarily shift our focus there. However, we still need to resolve this issue quickly.”

"This is about reputation. If we're two weeks late, we'll look weak in the eyes of our Asian partners." Jaxon's index finger tapped rhythmically on the desk. "On the other hand, if we shift our priority to Europe, we could use our relationship with Globe Agritech to cover the losses." He paused for a moment before muttering, "We need to act decisively."

Odile understood Jaxon's intention. "I can arrange a meeting with Blue Horizon tomorrow morning to negotiate a lower rate, if you agree."

"Do it," Jaxon said firmly. But he didn't forget the most important part. "Also, contact our legal team. I want a review of the contract with Pacific Ocean Freight. If they let us down again, we'll make the change permanent."

Odile noted his instructions on her tablet. "There's something else you should know, sir. The international wheat price has dropped 3% after the surplus reports from Canada. This could affect our profit expectations."

Jaxon held his breath. It turned out that the shipping delay wasn't the only bad news of the day. There was also news of falling international wheat prices, hedging with futures contracts done by several other major companies, and obstacles to plans to expand wheat fields in Argentina.

Jaxon's head throbbed. The three issues were more than enough to make him feel overwhelmed, but ironically, the burden didn't stop there. No sooner had he arrived at the Palace than more bad news awaited him.

"Their guards have managed to detect our drone, Alpha. So—"

Jaxon growled. "So, you're telling me we've failed again, Lars?"

"Yes, Alpha," Lars Antonio Bennett, commander of the Gardeno Pack warriors, replied with his head bowed. "I've failed again, but at least we managed to get some footage."

Jaxon crossed his arms. Then he said, "Play it."

Damian Myers, the Beta of the Gardeno Pack, quickly obeyed Jaxon's command and played the video captured by the reconnaissance unit.

The dark, still night of the Echora Forest filled the laptop screen with silence and stillness. Everything was almost pitch black, as if there was nothing there—only large trees and undergrowth.

A moment later, something caught Jaxon's attention. He noticed an unusual rustling behind the bushes, followed by a brief glimpse of a silhouette that disappeared into the darkness.

Jaxon's right hand moved to the desk; fingers tightly interlocked. His index finger then tapped the surface. "Who is it?"

"I don't know yet, Alpha, but the Scouting Unit is already investigating," Lars replied, explaining the follow-up measures he had taken. "I'm sure it's one of the Zyranos Pack's spies, assigned to monitor our movements at the border."

Lars' reasoning made sense, and Jaxon seemed to agree. "You have to remember one thing, Lars. The pack has been patient for over twenty years. We must find a weakness in the Zyranos Pack and settle this long-standing grudge."

Lars nodded. "I understand, Alpha."

"They will pay for all the suffering we've endured," Jaxon vowed, clenching his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. "We will crush them." But there was one thing he was most determined to do. "I will repay the lives of my parents with the lives of the entire Zyranos Pack."

This time Lars said nothing. He remained silent, fully understanding the deep-seated resentment and anger that had festered in Jaxon's heart for years.

Jaxon wanted nothing more than to destroy the Zyranos Pack. His wish was the same every day—to see the Zyranos Pack suffer the same devastation he had felt when Aretha Velroth, the former Luna of the Zyranos Pack, killed his parents, Zara Calveris and Gustavo Cole Forsythe, before his very eyes.

Suffering paid for suffering. Tears paid for tears. Life paid for life.

Jaxon would end it all. Only then would he be free of the torment that had plagued him for so long, and all the nightmares that haunted his sleep would finally disappear.

The ringing of his phone pulled Jaxon out of the memories of the past. He blinked and realised that Lars had already left, leaving him alone with Damian.

Jaxon grabbed his phone and took a deep breath before answering the call. "Hello, Aunt Cordelia."

"Hello, Jaxon," Cordelia Lynn Forsythe, Gustavo's younger sister, replied, her voice filled with concern. "What's wrong with you, dear? You sound different."

Jaxon closed his eyes dramatically for a moment and ran a hand through his hair as he replied, "It's nothing, Aunt. I'm fine. There's nothing to worry about. Maybe I'm just a little tired."

Cordelia asked, "You're not lying to me, are you?"

"Not at all, Auntie," Jaxon replied, shaking his head, always amazed at Cordelia's instincts. "There are some problems at work, so I've been very busy today."

Cordelia let out a long sigh. "I understand. I'll have Thomas check your vitamins later. You need to take care of your health and..." She paused briefly before continuing, "...don't stress yourself, Jaxon. I know your responsibilities are heavy, but as your aunt, I beg you to rest. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

Jaxon was taken aback for a moment. It felt as if a bitter lump had formed in his throat. "Thank you, Auntie. I love you."

"I love you too, Jaxon. I love you so much.”

The call ended and Jaxon exhaled heavily. Everything was a mess now. He was exhausted from the unexpected problems at work, his emotions unstable after Lars' reconnaissance efforts had failed. The day had gone completely wrong.

Jaxon stood up. "Maybe Aunt Cordelia was right. I need some rest," he said, moving towards the door. To Damian he added, "Let's go."

Damian followed closely. "Where would you like to go, Alpha?"

A place immediately came to Jaxon's mind. He replied, "Lustre Lounge."

The journey to the Lustre Lounge didn't take long. Since Gardeno Palace, located in the West Zyron district of Gravendale City, had a direct route that cut down on travel time, they arrived quickly.

Jaxon was greeted warmly by the club manager. He was escorted to the VVIP room where he could enjoy a drink.

He closed his eyes and tried to calm down and relax. He wanted to rest, just as Cordelia had suggested. But once again something unexpected happened.

Damian received a phone call. His expression changed as he listened to the information, and then he spoke carefully to Jaxon. "Alpha, there's a problem at Portego."

"Portego?" Jaxon's eyes snapped open, his forehead furrowed. "What's happened to our wheat fields?"

Damian couldn't give an immediate answer. "I'll look into it immediately, Alpha."

"Let me know immediately."

Damian nodded. "Understood, Alpha."

As Damian left, Jaxon massaged his temples and growled in frustration. All he had wanted was a moment's peace and now another problem had arisen. He could only hope it wasn't serious.

He downed his last glass and decided it was time to rest. Leaving the VVIP room, Jaxon made his way to the lift that would take him to his private suite.

The lift stopped and Jaxon walked down the long, quiet corridor.

When he reached the door to his suite, Jaxon pulled out his wallet and retrieved the access card. But just as he was about to place it on the scanner, he heard the sound of the lift behind him.

Jaxon turned instinctively, his eyes landing on the lift door that had just opened, revealing a woman staggering out. Confusion washed over him. There was only one suite on that floor and he was sure he hadn't called for a woman to accompany him.

Jaxon's expression hardened. He reached into his jacket pocket for his mobile phone to contact the club manager. "Can't I have a peaceful night's rest?"

Jaxon's irritation was cut short. His fingers stopped reaching for the phone as his gaze fixed on the woman who was slowly but surely approaching him.

The distance between them was shrinking. Now Jaxon could clearly see the attractive woman in a knee-length red dress. She smiled at him as she smoothed her wavy blonde hair.

"Oh! So, you're here already."

Jaxon blinked, stunned for a second, struggling to believe what he was seeing. "You?" he asked, confused and shocked. "Emory Abernathy?"

Emory's smile widened. "You know my name. So..." Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Jaxon's neck. "...how about we go inside now?" One of her hands gripped Jaxon's, and the access card reader confirmed the keycard. "I'm exhausted."

Jaxon growled softly. His mouth tightened, ready to curse and push Emory away. But to his surprise, it was Emory who acted first, pushing him into the suite.

They entered. The door closed behind them. Emory didn't stop there, quickly tugging at Jaxon's tie. Then she kissed him.

*