Auctioned Mates Revenge
Chapter 58

Matt's POV

Grace seemed nervous. I didn't know what it meant for her to return to Frost Pelt, or what remained of Frost Pelt, but I knew the lack of expression on her face was a trained response. I watched her, searching for some sign of what she was thinking. She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes, "You must have made quite the deal. Who are you going to be meeting with?"

I glanced at Renda who was looking out the window. It was purposeful. There was a secret between them involving Frost Pelt. Maybe Renda had already found out Grace's story. Maybe I was reading too much into it, but I considered Grace's question. There was something in the way she phrased it that told me she didn't plan to be there.

"We're meeting with the master distiller."

She nodded, sitting back in her seat, "It'll be cold. I don't know if either of you is prepared for how cold it will be."

"No worries. The master distiller is also the deputy of exports for the pack. He and his assistant will be meeting us soon after we land. I've already made arrangements for something to be brought for us."

She nodded, "Seems like you have it all covered. What... are you hoping to get out of this?"

I set my jaw. There was a secret in her eyes. Renda wouldn't look at me.

"A good deal on whiskey, of course... Then, there's Teagan to deal with."

"Teagan?"

"She went to school with Ben," I sighed. "While she's not the most annoying of Ben's old friends, she has a... way about her that's always been unsettling."

She hated Sonia, but I always felt like it was because she wanted to take her place. Aside from Mordecai, she was the only other person Ben would trust enough to tell anything of importance to, but she didn't control enough territory to be considered a real confidant.

"I'm presenting you both as assistants. You were taken from Frost Pelt. I can only imagine that Teagan had something to do with it."

Whether that had something to do with Ben's movements against Fluorite or not, I had no idea, but I was sure I'd be able to figure it out.

Grace's eyes narrowed, "You... likely aren't wrong."

"That means anyone who is still alive and able to continue their lives from Frost Pelt was likely in on it as well or being kept for some other reason."

She paled and looked away, "Other reason?"

I nodded as my phone began to ring and we started to take off. I didn't recognize the number, but I knew it was from Midnight.

With any luck, it was Caleb Dawson calling me about my imports in the future.

I put the call on speaker.

"This is Matt Wallber."

"Matt," Caleb's voice came through clear and almost joyful. "Glad I could get a hold of you! You have a minute?"

Grace smirked and pulled out paper as Renda turned back to rejoin the conversation.

"Of course. What can I do for you?"

"Ah, it's not what you can do for me, but what I can do for you! I have a few of your parcels at the border. It's usually better form to give me a heads up if you plan on importing things, but I understand you're new to Midnight. No worries."

Lucas scoffed at him and I almost did too. Did he really think I was stupid? I suppose I could play along just this once. It might be good to understand what he was after. Knowing that Justin had ties with Skyfall, and therefore Ben, meant that it was very possible that Caleb was either in league with Justin or would soon be in league with him.

He had been in league with Felix, helping him get trafficked people over the border and out of sight. IF he was half smart, his line was tapped and he was expecting me to be dumb enough to admit to something he could hold over my head. Idiot.

I smirked, "I didn't realize that a few beds and approved recreational drugs would flag an import audit. My apologies."

A moment passed and the man seemed stumped. I almost laughed. How Caleb thought he could try to hustle me was beyond me.

"That's... all? You realize that if anything else is found during the random checks..."

"Well, of course, that's not all. I'm planning to set up a residence, furnish an apartment complex, and open a club. That's just what's arriving today."

"Ah, well, what else should I be on the lookout for."

"I'm expecting soap, general bathroom supplies, and bar needs for the club, but I didn't think that would flag it either."

Grace covered her mouth, barely smothering a snicker. Renda looked outright pained from holding in her laughter.

"Oh..."

"But since I have you on the line, I suppose I can ask you a few other questions about a few other things I'm planning on importing for the club." "Oh?" His voice seemed hopeful.

"Yes, I'm in the process of procuring a contract with another recreational drug maker. The delivery that should be arriving are from Devereaux, but I'm hoping to get a contract with Blooming Vibes as well." "Ah, well, the way I hear it, Blooming Vibes is going out of business soon...

"I've heard that as well, but as I understand it, even a fire sale import will pass through the same border checks, right?"

"Well... yes."

"I'm on my way to procure an alcohol deal. I'll be sure to let you know if I manage to get a contract."

"Right. And... there's nothing else?"

I hummed pretending to think about it, "No. Not at the moment, but you'll be the first to know."

"Well... since it's your first few imports, I'll need to inspect it all. That could take a while."

I grinned, "Please, take your time. They should all have Warhammer customs tags to make it a bit easier. I'll do my best to make sure future imports have a similar standard of clearance." "R-Right, well thank you."

"No, thank you for keeping Midnight's borders secure," I said. "I'm sure Alpha Mordecai appreciates all of your hard work."

"... well, I'll let you get on with your day. Thank you for your time."

"Thank you."

I hung up and cackled, imagining how frustrated he was. What he didn't know is that all of my calls were taped and saved. If at any time he tried to actually extort me over the phone, I'd have it as evidence. "Well, he'll be reeling about that for a while," Grace said. "Expect all of your imports to be screened."

"I do," he grinned, "But as I said, the Warhammer border stamp will keep him from being able to hold it up for long."

Even if he held it for a week, I wasn't expecting to open without everything in place. Mordecai would put pressure on Caleb to pass whatever I wanted through if he took too long, and if that call had been on Mordecai's orders, he'd soon realize that there was nothing underhanded about what I was importing anyway.

They'd both be pissed off, and that suited my purposes. They'd have a good amount of time to stew before we returned from Frost Pelt anyway.

But they weren't my main concern.

What Grace and Renda were hiding from me concerned me. It was good that they'd found a sense of camaraderie as it seemed we'd be a team for quite some time, but as I was sure it was related to Frost Melt, I needed to know.

We landed on the turf a few hours later. Grace had fallen asleep during the flight as had Renda. As soon as we came to a stop, Grace's eyes popped open as if she had sensed that we had landed. She sat up and leaned around Renda to look out the window into the snow-covered distance towards the mountains.

She seemed nervous before taking a deep breath.

"Grace," I said. She glanced at me. "If there's something I should know, now would be the time."

Her lips twitched, "Renda's going to freak out about all the snow."

She looked at me, "I hope you got her the thickest coat you could manage."

I stood, "Very well."

Renda groaned a little and sat up before staring outside. Her eyes brightened and she leaned towards the window.

"Is... that snow?"

I chuckled, "Yes. Lots of it."

"And mountains?" she asked in awe.

Grace smiled and pointed towards the peak, "We're going up there. That's where Frost Pelt is."

The attendant came to us with a stack of boxes. I grinned and took them from her.

"Thank you. Is our lodging set up?"

She nodded, "You'll be staying at the master distiller's home in old Frost Pelt... apparently, it's a custom."

I looked at Grace who hadn't turned from the window, pointing out other parts of the mountain. I felt her trying to ignore me looking at her and smiling.

This was going to be an interesting trip.