The main living room of the Wolf Mark HQ was nothing short of striking.
The space had been renovated with understated elegance—masculine, bold, and steeped in power. The floor was polished obsidian marble, reflecting the warm glow of strategically placed lighting fixtures embedded in the high ceiling. The walls were painted a deep ash-gray, accented by black wood panels and subtle silver inlays that shimmered faintly when the light shifted.
A large fireplace made of black stone stood at the far end, its flames low but steady, casting golden shadows across the floor. Above it hung a framed abstract painting—jagged and chaotic in its brushstrokes, a stark contrast to the otherwise meticulous space.
In the center of the room were two long black leather sofas, placed opposite one another with a heavy wooden table between them. On either end of this arrangement were two sleek single armchairs—one for Kael, and one for Rin.
As both groups filed into the room, their footsteps echoing faintly against the marble, no one spoke. There was tension, yes—but it was not hostile. It was the crackling energy of two forces meeting face-to-face for the first time, each measuring the other.
Kael motioned to the right.
"Please," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "Make yourselves comfortable."
Rin gave a polite nod and moved toward the single-seater across from Kael. He sat gracefully, posture elegant and alert. His team took their places on the long couch beside him—Lucas on one end, followed by Ari, Kanji, Tobi, and Suri.
On the opposite couch sat the Wolf Marks. Jax, Milo, Nico, Talon, and Kade sat beside him, while Rowan remained standing behind Kael.
The silence stretched a moment longer.
Then Kael leaned forward slightly, his eyes locked on Rin. "Since this is the first time both of our teams are meeting in full, I suggest we start with introductions. We may be allies soon, but that means nothing without knowing the hands we're shaking."
The room shifted subtly—tension melting into something cooler, analytical. All eyes turned to Kael.
"I'm Kael Vescari. Alpha. Leader of the Wolf Marks."
His voice rang with quiet authority—measured, precise, and absolute.
One by one, the others beside him began to speak.
"Jax, Alpha, the enforcer," Jax said while looking at Rin, who didn't show any reaction.
"Milo, Omega, Hacker."
"Nico, Beta, Logistics in charge."
"Talon, Alpha, Information Gatherer."
" Kade, Alpha, Assassin."
"Rowan, Beta, Stratagist."
With this, the Wolf Mark finishes their introduction, waiting for the Crimson Vultures to introduce themselves.
Across the sofa, the Vultures remained still, collected. Unlike the Wolf Marks, they didn't show surprise or confusion—they had expected these names and faces. They have the information on all the people in front of them, but it was still a bit shocking for them to see them in person, especially Kael Vescari.
Rin slowly uncrossed his legs and spoke with calm elegance, voice smooth but clear.
"Rin Asano. Btea. Leader of the Crimson Vultures."
Then the others followed, one by one.
"Lucas, Alpha, the second-in-command."
"Ari, Alpha, Information gatherer."
Talon looked at Ari and raised an eyebrow.
"Kanji, Alpha, Combat specialist."
That earned a subtle side-eye from Jax, impressed.
"Tobi, Beta, Hacker." He looked at Milo while saying that because she was also a hacker.
"Suri, Beta, Interogattor."
Now that the last name had been spoken, the room breathed again. It was like something shifted—two shadows circling, now aware of the other's depth. Names meant accountability. Introductions meant intention.
Kael tapped the edge of the table lightly.
"Well," he said with a faint smirk. "Looks like we're all acquainted now."
As soon as Kael finished speaking, a young male servant entered the living room, bowing respectfully. "Sir. Dinner is ready."
Kael looked up and gave a small nod. "Understood."
Kael stood. "Let's continue at the dining table."
Unlike the Crimson Vultures' headquarters, where only the core members moved freely and no outsiders were present, the Wolf Marks' base was much more lively. Servants bustled through quiet corridors, their movements rehearsed and professional. There was a rhythm to the chaos, like a hive of well-trained bees.
Through a set of tall doors, the group entered the expansive dining room, its aesthetic matching the rest of the estate: sharp elegance and muted power. The long, obsidian dining table gleamed under a soft, golden light. A silver runner traced the center, broken only by tall black vases filled with white lilies. The walls held minimalist art, and the faint scent of roasted spices drifted from the far end.
Kael moved to the head of the table, Rin to the opposite end—an instinctive mirroring of rank and mutual respect.
The others took their seats along the sides—Jax quickly sat next to Rin, followed by Talon, Nico, Rowan, and Kade, with Milo sitting beside Kael at the end. On the opposite side, Lucas sat next to Rin, then Ari, Kanji, Suri, and finally Tobi, who took the seat beside Kael.
Chairs slid back, cutlery was arranged, and crystal glasses filled with water and wine as the servants worked in practiced silence.
Then came the dishes—slow-roasted meats, fragrant rice, glazed vegetables, soft breads. But no one moved for the food immediately. There was an unspoken formality, a shared wariness.
Kael was the first to speak, his tone calm and measured.
"I appreciate your presence tonight. I hope we have a pleasant time as allies." He raised the wine glass while looking toward Rin.
Rin met his gaze across the long table. "Likewise." He also raised his glass.
Others also raised their glass and drank the wine.
Jax finally reached for a serving spoon, prompting the others to begin eating as well. Even then, the clinking of silverware was subdued, controlled.
Ari offered a polite comment. "Your estate is… larger than I expected."
Kael glanced at him briefly. "It suits our current needs."
Servants continued to refill glasses and offer dishes, moving between the chairs without making a sound.
The quiet continued for several long moments—an unspoken agreement to eat without pushing too deep, too soon.
The last course was cleared, the plates taken away by the silent procession of servants. No one had overeaten—each movement, each gesture, still laced with underlying tension. It was a dinner of courtesy, not comfort.
Kael stood first, adjusting the cuff of his dark shirt.
"This way," he said, his voice steady.
The groups followed him back to the living room. The atmosphere remained as composed as it had been before—same seats, same spacing, same air of careful neutrality.
Once seated again, Kael leaned back into the single sofa, his fingers loosely interlocked.
Rin, at ease but sharp as ever, looked at him across the room.
"If we're going to destroy the Ash Fangs," Rin began, his voice calm but steady, "we need to know who they are. Their players. Their structure."
"We've been trying," Kael replied. "But we couldn't. We only know of a few."
Rin turned to Suri and gave a subtle nod.
Without a word, Suri pulled out a slim black folder that he had with him since he got out of the car.
He stood, walked across the room, and handed it directly to Kael.
Kael looked at it warily, then opened the folder.
Inside were documents, photos, names, phone numbers, aliases, and locations. Profiles of Ash Fang members—core and peripheral. Their operations. Their fronts. Even surveillance shots of some men Kael had only heard of in whispers.
He stared down at the pages, the weight of it sinking in.
"How…?" Kael looked up, eyes sharper now. "Where did you get this?"
Before Rin could speak, Tobi leaned forward slightly, voice dry. "We didn't get it easy. Took weeks of crawling through filth and burning bridges."
Milo leaned forward slightly from her seat, a frown forming. "We tried chasing Ash Fang before. Got nothing but dead ends."
Rin finally spoke again, voice quieter this time—more deliberate. "You couldn't find them because they didn't want to be found. But we know where to listen."
Kael slowly closed the folder, but kept his hand resting on top of it. "Why give this to us?"
Rin held his gaze.
"Consider it an alliance gift," he said. "Proof that we're not here to play power games. If we're to win this war, we share everything."
Kael studied him for a long moment.
Once the Ash Fang files had been handed over, the tone in the room shifted.
Not exactly relaxed—they weren't there yet—but something loosened. The space between them, though still marked by unspoken boundaries, began to feel more like a table than a battlefield.
Kael tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair, eyes scanning a page again before closing the file entirely. "With this… we can finally hit something solid. Their smuggling routes, the safehouses."
"They're using two of the ports in the west district," Lucas added, voice clipped. "Hidden behind a fake fishing company. We've confirmed at least two shipments per week."
Talon frowned. "They've been slipping under our radar the whole time."
Everyone in the Wolf Marks has dark faces after all they have been trying so hard to find something related to Ash Fangs, but couldn't get their hands on anything. But it also makes them relieved that it was a good choice to ally with the Crimson Vultures. If they can get their hands on the core members of Ash Fangs, that means they have more up their sleeves.
Rin stood first.
"It's late," he said, straightening his coat. "We've shared what we came to offer."
Kael rose with him. "And I'll make sure you don't regret joining forces with us."
Rin nodded, then turned to his team. "Let's go."
Lucas was already by the door. Others followed quietly.
Kael walked them to the door, stopping just before crossing the threshold.
"I'll contact you if we find any leads," he said.
Rin stepped into the night, pausing just long enough to reply.
"We'll also contact you if we find anything."
Then the Crimson Vultures were gone—into the night, into the shadows.
The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Kael looked down at the file still in his hand, deep in thought.