Chapter 246: Chapter 0246

•SADIE•

We reached Crimson Ridge just after sunrise, and my father wasted no time calling the pack together in the main hall.

I stood near the back with Cole beside me, still exhausted from the run through the forest, still unsettled from everything my father had admitted at the cabin. I hadn't decided yet whether to say anything about the call he'd made, or wait until I understood exactly what he'd set in motion.

"My people," my father announced, standing at the front of the hall. "I have news worth celebrating during a difficult time for our family."

The hall quieted, warriors and pack members turning their attention toward him.

"My son, Cole, has been named Beta of Goldenmane Court," he continued. "Earned entirely on his own, without my name attached to it, without a single favor called in on his behalf. He walked into that pack as a stranger and rose through their ranks because of his own strength and discipline."

Murmurs of approval spread through the crowd. I felt my jaw tighten.

"This proves what I have believed about my son for a long time," my father continued. "That he is ready to lead Crimson Ridge when the time comes. Effective from today, Cole is named the next Alpha of this pack."

The hall erupted into applause. I stood frozen, watching my brother accept nods and handshakes from warriors twice his age, none of them questioning how convenient it was that his announcement came the same morning we'd fled our old lives behind us.

I waited until the meeting ended and the hall emptied before I found my father near his study. "We need to talk," I said, closing the door behind me.

"There's nothing to discuss," he answered, not looking up from the papers on his desk.

"Cole earned his position at Goldenmane Court because of me," I replied, my voice shaking with anger I'd been holding since the meeting started. "You know that. I'm the one who arranged for him to be placed there in the first place, back when I still thought it would help this family. I am the one who convinced Damon that Cole could be trusted."

He finally looked up at me. "That's not how I remember it."

"It won't change the truth," I answered. "I did the work, Dad. I made the connections. I earned the right to be considered for Alpha, not pushed aside because I'm pregnant."

He set his pen down. "You want to be Alpha?"

"Yes," I answered. "And before you tell me it's impossible because I'm a woman, you should know the child I'm carrying isn't Damon's."

His expression didn't change right away, but something behind his eyes sharpened.

"My son's father is Killian," I continued. "Alpha Holland's son. Which means my child has more right to Crimson Ridge's future than anyone standing in that hall today, including Cole."

I expected something. Surprise, maybe. Even anger directed somewhere useful. What I got instead was disappointment carved so deeply into his face that it stole the breath from my lungs.

"You slept with Alpha Holland's son while married to Damon?" he scoffed. "You broke your vows, Sadie. You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing here demanding a title because of it."

"Ashamed?" I repeated, my voice cracking. "Damon whipped his own sister with his bare hands in front of an entire pack. Damon helped orchestrate a war that got innocent people killed. And you're telling me I should be ashamed?"

"This conversation is over," he replied, standing and gathering his papers.

"Dad—"

"I said it's over," he answered, walking past me toward the door. "I have a pack to run, and you should be resting instead of picking fights you can't win."

He left without looking back, and I stood there alone in his study, my hands curled into fists at my sides, my whole body shaking.

I found Cole waiting for me in the hallway outside, leaning against the wall with a smile that made my skin crawl.

"Heard you paid Dad a visit," he muttered. "You never cease to amaze me, sister. Even after our father's speech, you're still trying to sabotage me."

"Get out of my way," I answered.

"Conspiring behind my back so he'd make you Alpha instead," he continued. "You know that this is my birthright as his son. I've worked my ass off to earn this title."

"This isn't a game, Cole."

"No," he agreed, still smiling. "It's not. And I won." He tilted his head, studying me for a moment. "You know, if you'd just been patient, maybe he would've considered you eventually. But you had to go and get pregnant by another Alpha's son while married to Damon. That's not exactly Alpha material, is it?"

"You don't know anything about what I've sacrificed for this family," I replied.

"I know enough," he answered, pushing off the wall. "I'm the next Alpha, Sadie. Get used to hearing that." He walked past me, laughing under his breath as he disappeared down the corridor.

I stood there until the sound of his footsteps faded completely, my chest tight with something I hadn't let myself feel in years.

I pulled out my phone once I was sure I was alone and called someone. He picked up on the second ring.

"It's me," I murmured. "My father is back in Crimson Ridge."

"I heard."

"He named Cole the next Alpha," I continued. "In front of the entire pack. After everything I've done to hold this family together, after everything I gave up to keep us standing."

"I'm sorry, Sadie."

"I don't want your sympathy," I replied. "I want him gone. As soon as possible. Before he has the chance to consolidate anything further."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Are you sure?" he asked.

I looked down the empty hallway, thinking about every year I'd spent making myself smaller so the men in my life could take credit for what I'd built with my own hands.

"I've never been more sure of anything," I answered. "Kill him as I instructed you a few days ago. I want my father dead."