Chapter 77
Drake's POV
I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, adjusting my black silk tie with precise movements. Nothing could fix the damage done to my reputation at The Moonbleed Taproom two nights ago.
"Fucking Sarah," I muttered, gripping the cold marble edge of the sink. My knuckles turned white as I remembered how it all went down—her drunk, slurred voice exposing my Omega status to everyone. The looks of disgust. The whispers. The way Elowen's eyes widened with sudden understanding. Years of careful deception unraveled in seconds because that stupid bitch couldn't hold her liquor or keep her mouth shut.
I splashed cold water on my face and felt the droplets run down my neck. My skin felt hot with anger.
Tonight was Cindy Thornwood's post-wedding celebration at the Pack House. And I planned to make an appearance.
Most wolves would hide after being exposed like that. An Omega who had pretended to be an Alpha would typically retreat, possibly even leave town. But I didn't give a fuck about dignity anymore. I only cared about making those twins suffer.
"She should have been mine," I said to my reflection, watching my green eyes harden. The memory of Elowen nestled between those Thornwood twins made my stomach twist with rage. "She was mine until they interfered."
My phone buzzed on the counter. A message from Jessica, Elowen's mother.
Are you really going tonight? Isn't that risky?
I typed back quickly: I know what I'm doing. We need to move forward with the plan.
Jessica responded immediately: Be careful. Don't make things worse.
I laughed out loud. Worse? My reputation was destroyed, my position questioned, and Elowen—who should have strengthened my bloodline with her Beta genes—was now wearing both Thornwood brothers' marks on her neck. Things couldn't get much worse.
But they could get better. For me, at least.
I grabbed my car keys, hearing them jingle against my palm. Ragnar, my wolf spirit, stirred within me. Unlike most Omegas' wolf spirits, Ragnar was aggressive and ambitious—a contradiction that had fueled my deception for years.
They'll regret taking what's ours, Ragnar growled inside my head. The girl belongs with us.
"Yes," I agreed, sliding into my Mercedes. The leather seat felt cool against my back. "And tonight is just the beginning."
The drive to the Thornwood Pack House took twenty minutes. I cranked up the music to drown out my thoughts, but all I could see was Elowen's face. Her amber eyes. Her freckles scattered across her nose. The way she'd looked at me with disgust at the club.
As I pulled up to the sprawling mansion, I saw dozens of cars parked along the circular driveway. Lights illuminated the gardens where Pack members mingled in formal attire. The celebration was outdoors, taking advantage of the warm evening.
I parked and inhaled deeply. The night air carried scents of flowers, food, and the distinct musk of werewolves. I adjusted my jacket one last time and stepped out.
The moment my shoes touched the gravel pathway, heads turned. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. A wave of whispers spread through the crowd as I walked toward the main gathering. I spotted Alpha Austin standing with Luna Ella near a floral archway, their expressions darkening as they noticed me.
"Drake," Alpha Austin's voice carried across the lawn. "You weren't invited."
I approached with my hands slightly raised, feeling dozens of eyes burning into me. "I understand that, Alpha. I came to offer my congratulations to Cindy and... to apologize for recent events."
More whispers rippled through the crowd. I caught sight of Elowen standing between Casper and Cassian near a table loaded with food. Her face paled when she saw me. Casper's arm immediately circled her waist, his fingers digging possessively into her hip. Cassian's eyes narrowed, cold and dangerous.
"This is a Pack celebration," Alpha Austin said. I could smell his anger—sharp and metallic. "And after recent revelations, your status in this Pack is... questionable."
I nodded, forcing my face to look appropriately contrite. "I know. That's partly why I'm here—to acknowledge my mistakes publicly." I raised my voice slightly, addressing everyone now. "I've been dishonest about my designation. That was wrong. I should have trusted this Pack to accept me as I am."
Several older wolves shifted uncomfortably, the fabric of their formal clothes rustling. Traditional Packs rarely allowed Omegas any positions of influence. My deception had bypassed generations of prejudice.
"If I had been more honest, more worthy of someone like Elowen..." I let my eyes find her in the crowd, watching as she tensed under my gaze. Her scent—vanilla and honey—reached me even from this distance, now mixed with the pine and cold ore scents of the twins. "Things might have turned out differently."
Cassian stepped forward, his movements fluid and predatory. "You've said your piece. Now leave." His voice was quiet but carried a deadly edge that made several nearby wolves step back.
I ignored him, keeping my focus on Alpha Austin. "According to Pack law, any wolf may speak at celebrations if granted permission by the Alpha."
Alpha Austin's jaw tightened, a vein pulsing in his temple. But he nodded curtly. Even in his anger, he wouldn't break Pack traditions in front of everyone.
I moved further into the gathering, feeling the grass beneath my shoes. I stopped a few feet from Cassian, extending my hand in a gesture of reconciliation.
"For Elowen's sake," I said loudly, "we should put our differences aside." I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, but kept my expression calm.
Cassian stared at my outstretched hand. His face remained impassive except for the dangerous glint in his eyes. "How convenient that you suddenly care about what's best for her."
"I've always cared," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "Perhaps not in the way she needed, but I did."
Cassian didn't move to take my hand. Instead, he lifted his champagne flute in a mocking toast. "You've got a strange way of showing it."
The tension between us crackled like live wire. From the corner of my eye, I caught Elowen watching, her chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths—nervous, almost panicked. Perfect. Let her remember exactly what I’m capable of.
Then Casper slid his arm around her waist, murmuring something low in her ear, and steered her away from the crowd, guiding her toward the staircase that led to the second floor.
I clicked my tongue, irritation flaring.
Tch. How utterly boring.
After all, I had wanted her to stay—to watch me tear Cassian apart and humiliate him completely, right in front of her eyes.
I kept my hand extended, my expression earnest as I established a mind link directly with Cassian. Few knew I could do this outside of Pack bonds—it was a rare ability I'd kept hidden.
You think you've won, don't you? I projected into his mind. Taken my girl, humiliated me in public...
I saw the momentary shock in Cassian's eyes—he hadn't expected a mind link from me.
But you should have seen her when she was mine, I continued through our connection, my face maintaining its pleasant expression. I know Casper told you what really happened earlier between your whore and I! Tell me, when you kisssed her, did she still taste of my cock?
Cassian's fingers tightened around his champagne flute. His knuckles turned white. His eyes began shifting from their normal icy blue to amber. I wanted to make up the scenario he least wanted to hear, driving him to lose his sanity.
She sucks dick like a pro, I will miss that! I taunted. Has she let you fuck her ass yet? Damn, it’s amazing, even better when she tries to fight you, and you have to force her to submit!
"If you don't want those to be your last words," Cassian growled audibly, "I suggest you shut your mouth."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. No one else could hear what I was saying through our private link, but they could see Cassian's reaction.
I lowered my hand slowly, feigning confusion at his aggression. "I'm only trying to make peace—"
"Bullshit," Cassian snarled. His fingers were beginning to change shape, nails extending into claws. The transformation was subtle, but unmistakable to those who knew what to look for.
I took an involuntary step back, genuinely startled. This wasn't supposed to happen. Jessica had assured me that Cassian's wolf was under control—dampened by the herbs she'd been slipping into his drinks for weeks.
Luna Ella stepped forward gracefully, her lavender scent momentarily overpowering the tension in the air. "Elowen is a lovely girl," she said smoothly. "Both my sons recognize that fact."
I turned to Luna with practiced deference. "My apologies, honored Luna. I hope she brings your sons the happiness I failed to provide her."
Luna's gaze was penetrating, her smile never reaching her eyes. "I hope you won't bother Elowen."
"Of course." I bowed slightly, taking two steps backward before turning.
As I made my way through the crowd, I sensed Jessica's presence near the edge of the gathering. Her scent—similar to Elowen's but sharper, more bitter—reached me before I saw her. I didn't look in her direction, but opened a mind link as I walked toward the exit.
What are you doing? I demanded silently. You're going to get us exposed!
I'm doing what you paid me to do! she responded frantically. Breaking them apart, bringing back my daughter!
I paused by a flowering hedge, pretending to admire the blossoms while scanning the crowd. Jessica stood near the bar, her face carefully composed despite our heated exchange.
If you can't get her away from those boys, I warned through our link, you can forget about the future you want.