"Alright, we’ll follow your suggestion. Thank you," Addison said.
"Princess, there’s no need to thank me," Alpha Hue replied. "We’re only doing what we must to ensure our hard work doesn’t go to waste. These grains, the crops, the animals, they are the lifeblood of this territory. If we lose them, then all our sweat and toil will have been in vain."
As he spoke, his gaze swept over the granary before he gently guided Addison toward a more secluded corner. It was quieter there, away from the clamor of men hauling sacks and crates.
With their heightened hearing, even the muffled grunts and murmurs carried easily to their ears, and Alpha Hue knew they needed a space where they could focus solely on their conversation.
"Alpha Hue, your foresight in purchasing so many magic crates year after year has been an immense help, especially since most of the cost came from your pack’s own funds. The Royal Family is truly grateful," Addison said, dipping into a graceful curtsey.
"Please rest assured, His Majesty will see that such foresight, so crucial in this time of crisis, does not go unrewarded."
Alpha Hue nearly tripped over his own feet in flustered haste, waving his hands as if to stop her. The unexpected show of respect from a princess left him both shy and overwhelmed.
"Princess, please," Alpha Hue said with a light laugh as he steadied her. "This is nothing more than my duty to my people. Just think of it as me looking after my own interests."
Though he joked, Addison was genuinely grateful. Thanks to Alpha Hue’s foresight and preparedness, she hadn’t needed to bring any magic crates with her when she came to the West.
Instead, the crates from the Royal Capital were lent to other packs that couldn’t afford them in the past. Those packs rented them and repaid the debt with extra tribute at the end of every harvest season.
This arrangement allowed the Royal Capital to gather more supplies from the West, reserves that the Royal Family could draw on in times of crisis aside from their own needs. Much of the support sent to the South and North came from these tributes.
By purchasing his own magic crates, Alpha Hue had lessened the financial burden on the Royal Family. After all, magic crates were too expensive, yet the Golden Hue Pack still managed to give not only the required tributes of grain each year, along with the taxes, but he still managed to give more than any other pack in the West.
But Addison wasn’t merely speaking grandly to pacify Alpha Hue. His foresight and preparation truly made a difference, because of him, they could transport the supplies efficiently and save nearly everything stored in the granaries, ensuring little to no loss.
Rewarding such diligence was not only fair but wise. With proper recognition and support, Alpha Hue could continue expanding and strengthening his territory. In the long run, both he and the Royal Capital would benefit, making the reward less a gift and more an investment.
After their pleasantries, Addison immediately got to the point. "Actually, Alpha Hue, I came here to confirm the exact number of people in your pack, along with their age brackets. That way, we can properly arrange the transport and determine how many from the young, the elderly, and the young adults can be sent along with the supplies each journey."


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