His voice echoes through the hall, that same smooth, commanding tone that had whispered filthy things in my ear last night. "It is of great delight to have you here, people of Ironfang." I can't breathe. My hands clench into fists, nails digging into my palms. Alpha Devon Warner. The bastard who framed my father, killed my brother, ruined everything—and I let him fuck me. My chest felt heavy, it felt like I couldn't breathe.
Brielle's grip tightens on my arm. "Irene, what's wrong? You're shaking."
I shove her hand off. "Nothing. Just… Just shut up."
Devon continues, his icy gray eyes scanning the crowd like he owns us all. And he does now, doesn't he? "Today marks a new era. The Ironfang and Silvercrest Packs are merging under one banner—mine. As your new Alpha, I promise strength, unity, and prosperity for those who pledge loyalty."
The Omegas murmur in excitement, some clapping. I want to vomit. After all father had done to this ungrateful weak bastards? He literally gave them shelter, a job, adequate meals and training sessions, something the previous refused stubbornly to do. Now, they toss him away like he didn't exist and welcome the very man that had not only threatened the Pack but also accused their Alpha falsely? And what? Loyalty? To him? The man who tore my family apart. My mind flashes back to his hands pinning my wrists, his hand wrapped around my throat, his thumb dipped into my mouth, mouth on my neck, biting down hard. He had whispered during the curse of penetration, "I want to fuck you into next year, just like this, baby."
My throat tightened. I really let this man have sex with me…
He leans into the podium, hands resting on it, his rolex coming into view. They were signs but even if I figured out, it was already too late. He flashed a charming smile that makes a few girls sigh. "I've heard the whispers. Change is hard. But resist, and you'll find out how swift my justice can be. Embrace it, and Ironfang—now Ironcrest—will rise stronger than ever."
More applause. Brielle whispers, "He sounds fair. He's hot, too."
I whip my head toward her, tears burning my eyes. "Fair? He's a murderer. A liar. He destroyed my life."
She blinks. "Irene—"
"Save it." I can't stand here anymore. I feel violated. He really had his way, didn't he? He did it to humiliate me, didn't he? After all those vows to kill him the minute I see him, I end up on his bed instead, beneath him, letting him pound into me.
My legs move on their own, pushing through the crowd toward the side door. Heart pounding, tears stinging my eyes. How could I have been so stupid? Sneaking out of his cabin like a thief, leaving my panties behind. His laugh echoes in my head: "Smart girl." No, I was an idiot.
I reach the door, hand on the handle. Just slip out. Disappear.
But then his voice pauses mid-sentence. I glance back—stupid mistake. Our eyes lock. Those gray eyes, obsessive, intense, boring into me like they did last night when he thrust deeper. "Look at me when I fuck you," he'd commanded. My knees weaken. He doesn't break the stare, even as he resumes speaking. "Questions? Speak now."
I shove the door open and bolt outside, trembling. The cold air hits me, but it doesn't cool the fire in my veins. I lean against the wall, gasping. Memories flood: his fingers inside me, curling just right. "Do you trust me?" he'd asked. Trust? I'd moaned no. Now I want to claw his eyes out.
Footsteps approach from inside, but I don't wait. I run down the path, back toward the Omega quarters. Tears blur my vision. How do I undermine him? Free my father? When just seeing him makes my body betray me?
By the time I burst into Brielle's house, I'm a mess. I slam the door, slide down it, hugging my knees.
Brielle rushes in moments later. "Irene! What happened? You vanished during the speech."
I wipe my eyes furiously. "Nothing. The announcement... it pissed me off."
She kneels beside me. "That merger thing? Yeah, it's big. Alpha Devon seems serious about it."
"Don't say his name." My voice snaps like a whip.
She flinches. "Okay, okay. But you look like you saw a ghost. Talk to me."
I stand up, pacing. "What's there to talk about? He's taking over, and everyone's just clapping like sheep. My father's rotting in prison because of him, and now he's our Alpha? I won't let it stand."
Brielle grabs my arm. "Irene, slow down. You're trembling. Sit."
I yank away. "I don't need to sit. I need a plan. Gideon—can I meet Gideon? He will reports to me still, right? He can help."
She frowns. "Gideon's at the Pack house, you saw him at the podium, handling the transition. But you can't just storm in there."
"Watch me." I head for the door, but she blocks it.
"No. You're not thinking straight. What really happened in there? You were fine until... until the Alpha stepped up."
I glare at her. "Fine? I was never fine. That monster killed my brother, framed my father. And now he's charming everyone with his bullshit speech."
She crosses her arms. "He didn't seem like a monster. Cool, actually. Charming. The way he smiled—"
"Shut up!"" I shove past her, but she grabs my shawl. It slips, revealing the hickeys.
Her eyes widened. "Irene... those marks. From last night?"
I snatch the shawl back, wrapping it tight. "None of your business."
"Wait—did something happen at the party? With... oh Goddess, was it someone from Silvercrest?"
I freeze. "Drop it, Brielle."
She steps closer. "The stranger. You said he was hot, mysterious. And now you're freaking out over Alpha Devon. Irene, tell me it's not—"
"It's not!" I lie, my voice cracking. But the memories hit again: his body pressing me into the bed, thrusting slow then hard. "My sweet angel," he'd murmured after. Angel? I'm his enemy and I'll soon proof it.
Brielle's face softens. "Okay, fine. But you're scaring me. Let's think this through. To free your father, you need allies. Not rushing into stupid risks."
I sink onto the bed. "Allies. Yeah. Gideon first. He hates Devon too, deep down."
She nods. "He does. But Devon's got the power now. That merger? Ironcrest? It means his warriors are everywhere."
"I don't care. I'll undermine him from the inside. Pretend to play along, gather info."
Brielle sits beside me. "And if he notices? He's smart, Irene. Calculating."
I scoff. "Smart? He's a brute in a suit. Charming on the surface, but I know the real him." Do I? The way he'd asked if I trusted him, almost gentle. No—stop. Hatred only.
A knock at the door. We both jump. Brielle opens it—Jasper, her brother, breathless.
"Alpha Devon wants all Omegas back at the hall. Says he has more to say."
I stand. "Tell him to fuck off."
Jasper blinks. "Irene, you can't—"
Brielle pulls him inside. "She's not going back. Say she's sick."
He hesitates. "But he specifically asked about the girl who left early. Described you—ginger red hair, shawl."
My blood runs cold. He spotted me, alright. That obsessive stare.
Brielle glances at me. "See? He's noticing."
I clench my jaw. "Good. Let him come find me. I'll spit in his face."
Jasper shakes his head. "You're crazy. He's not someone to mess with."
"Neither am I." But inside, I'm shaking. Memories: his hand on my thigh, spreading me open. "You feel perfect," he'd groaned.
No. Focus. Hatred.
Brielle shoos Jasper out. "Go. We'll handle it."
Once he's gone, she turns to me. "Okay, plan time. Call Gideon here?"
I nod. "Yeah. Send a message. Tell him it's urgent."
She grabs a scrap of paper, scribbles, and slips out.
Alone, I pace again. How do I face Devon? Act like nothing happened? But he knows. That eye contact, of course he recognized me.
The door creaks open but it's not Brielle. Gideon steps in, face grim.
"Irene. What the hell? You bolted from the announcement."
I rush to him, pulling him to a corner where no one hears our conversation. "Gideon, it's him. The stranger I met from a party last night—it's Devon."
His brow furrowed. "What?"
"I slept with him." My voice trembled. "Without knowing. And now he's our Alpha."
Gideon grabs my shoulders. "Slow down. You did what?"
Tears spill. "I hate him, Gideon. More than ever. I feel humiliated. But my body... it remembers."
He pulls me into a hug. "Okay, breathe. We undermine him quietly. I have access to files. We'll find proof your father was framed."
I pull back. "Yes. Start there. And the attacks. Are Silvercrest rogues still hitting us?"
He nods. "Even after the merger. Devon's pissed, but it weakens him."
"Good. Use that."
Brielle returns. "Message sent—wait, Gideon's here?"
He nods. "We're planning.""
She joins us. "Count me in. What first?"
I wipe my face. "Gather intel. Devon moves to the penthouse tomorrow. I'll watch his patterns."
Gideon frowns. "Careful. He's obsessive. If he knows about last night…"
Brielle frowns. "Last night…?"
"He does." I say. That stare. Possessive.
"Then stay low."
I shake my head. "No. I get close. Pretend to be his loyal Omega. Then strike."
Brielle gasps. "Irene, that's reckless."
"It's necessary." Hatred fuels me. Charming bastard won't see it coming. My revenge just burned times hundred hotter in my chest after finding out he was the man that I slept with the previous night.
Gideon sighs. "Fine. But one wrong move…"
"I know."
No. I'll make him pay for thinking it was okay to humiliate me like this.
We talk details—contacts, weak points. By night, a plan forms. Free Father. Undermine Devon.
As they leave my room in Brielle's house, Brielle hugs me. "Get some rest."
I nod, but sleep? With him in my head?
I lie down, staring at the ceiling. Hatred boils.
Tomorrow, war begins.