Chapter 65: Chapter 64

24 Hours Earlier…

The stale scent of tobacco hung in the air as I stepped into Alpha Drake’s office.

The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the flickering fireplace and a single desk lamp.

Alpha Drake leaned back in his chair, a predator sizing up his prey. His sharp blue eyes locked on me the moment I entered, the weight of his presence filling the room.

Drake was not a man to be trifled with; his reputation preceded him, and I could see why. His eyes were calculating, cold, and predatory—the eyes of a man who’d seen too much and survived it all.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d come,” he said, his voice low and measured, yet tinged with curiosity.

“I didn’t have a choice,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “You’re the only one who can help me.”

Drake’s lips curved into a slow smile. “And why would the soon-to-be beta of the Smith pack need my help?”

The words hung in the air, sharp as daggers. I forced myself to meet his gaze, the fury I’d been carrying for days simmering just beneath the surface.

“Damien killed my mother,” I said, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “He made it look like an accident, but I know the truth. I need justice.”

Drake leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. His interest was piqued now, like a wolf catching the scent of blood. “Justice, or revenge?”

“Does it matter?” I countered. “You offered me a place in your pack once. I’m here to accept—but only if you help me first.”

Drake nodded, seemingly satisfied with my resolve. “You’re in luck, Archer. We’ve been watching the Smiths for some time now. They’ve made more enemies than allies over the years, and their arrogance will be their downfall.”

“What’s the plan?” I asked, leaning forward.

Drake’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “We’ll wait until their family is in one place. Did you already know about the final date of your inauguration?”

“Yes, it’s going to be tomorrow.”

“That’s a perfect date. It’s public, crowded, and the perfect cover. My men will set up snipers. We take out Damien, and anyone who tries to interfere.”

My heart pounded at the audacity of it all, but I couldn’t falter now. “And Katrina?”

Drake’s eyes narrowed. “She’s your concern, not mine. I don’t involve myself with complications like love or sentimentality. You’ve got a plan to keep her safe?”

“I’ve already spoken to Lupus,” I said firmly. “He’ll keep her and my friends out of harm’s way. They won’t be anywhere near the crossfire.”

“Good,” Drake said. “Because if she becomes a liability, I won’t hesitate to remove her from the equation.”

I bristled at his words, but I held my tongue.

This wasn’t the time to let emotions cloud my judgment. Katrina would be safe—I’d ensured that.

Drake didn’t need to know more than that.

“And after?” I asked. “What happens when the dust settles?”

Drake’s smile returned, sharp and predatory. “You come with us. Join my pack as my Beta, as we discussed. You’ll be free from the Smiths and anyone else who thinks they own you. My pack’s got a lot of men who know what it’s like to be shackled by injustice. They’ll welcome you.”

I glanced around the room.

A few of Drake’s men lingered in the shadows, their gazes heavy and unyielding. Among them, I spotted a familiar face—a man I’d known from my time in prison.

A silent nod passed between us. Drake’s pack was made up of ex-convicts, men who’d been dealt a bad hand but survived anyway.

They’d fight for me, not because they owed me anything, but because they understood.

“It’s a risk,” I said finally. “A public hit like this? The fallout could be massive.”

Drake shrugged. “That’s the price of justice. Or vengeance. Whichever you prefer to call it. Are you in or not?”

I didn’t hesitate. “I’m in.”

Drake’s grin widened, and he reached across the table, extending a hand. I took it, sealing the deal with a firm shake.

Present Time…

“Where is she?!” I growled through the mind-link to Lupus, my panic threatening to choke me.

"Never mind. I see her already," I hissed aloud, spotting Katrina weaving through the sea of people, her face a mask of confusion and concern. My heart slammed against my ribcage. She wasn’t supposed to be here.

She was supposed to be safe.

“Archer! Let’s move!” one of the men barked, adjusting his black-and-white suit as he motioned for me to follow.

Reluctantly, I tore my eyes away from Katrina and fell into step with the group. My fingers clenched into fists as we approached Damien and his mother, both of whom stared at us with expressions that flickered between confusion and dread.

“What the hell is this?” Damien growled, his cocky bravado faltering when the men flanking me pulled out restraints.

“What…” his mother whispered, her voice shaking as she stepped back. Her eyes darted to me, searching for answers. “Archer, what is happening?”

But I didn’t answer. My expression hardened as black sacks were shoved over their heads and they were dragged toward the waiting van.

“You fucking traitor!” Damien roared, his voice muffled through the sack.

“My son… please, don’t do this to your mother,” she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

I clenched my jaw, my rage boiling over. “I’m not your fucking son, and you’re not my fucking mother! Your son killed my mom!”

The van sped through narrow streets until we reached the docks.

The salty tang of the sea air stung my nose as the men dragged Damien and his mother out, forcing them to their knees on the damp ground. The waves crashed behind us, a chilling backdrop to the scene unfolding.

“You killed my mom,” I snarled, my voice trembling with anger. “And you didn’t stop there—you framed me and threw me into that hellhole of a prison. Now, I’ll make sure everything your father built turns to ashes.”

“Please don’t do this!” Damien’s mother sobbed, tears streaming down her face. “There are civilians… innocent lives! You’ll destroy them all!”

I stepped closer, my hands trembling with barely contained rage.

“You should have thought of that when your son killed my mom—and a baby! And what did you do? You protected him. You pampered him like he was untouchable. Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Her cries filled the air, but my focus was unyielding—until I heard the voice I feared most.

“Archer, no! Don’t do this!” Katrina’s voice sliced through the chaos, freezing me in place.

I turned, my breath catching at the sight of her standing there. Behind her, Lupus was panting, his face contorted in guilt. “I tried, Archer. I swear I tried to stop her.”

For a moment, the world tilted off its axis. Katrina shouldn’t have been here. She was supposed to be far away from this nightmare.

That split second of hesitation cost me everything.

Damien moved like a snake, his hand darting to the concealed gun he’d been hiding. Before I could react, he fired. The silver bullet tore into my shoulder, the searing pain sending me to my knees.

“Archer!” Katrina screamed.

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay conscious. My trembling hand reached for the gun on the ground. Damien’s face twisted into a triumphant sneer as I raised the weapon, aiming it at him.

“NO!” Katrina’s voice rang out, her figure suddenly blocking my line of fire. The next moment happened in slow motion—a second shot rang out, and Katrina crumpled to the ground, blood blooming across her chest.

“No… no! Katrina!” My voice broke as I crawled to her side, ignoring the white-hot pain in my shoulder.

Her eyes fluttered open, her gaze soft despite the agony she must have felt. “You’re… not a murderer,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “You didn’t kill anyone…”

Tears streamed down my face as I cradled her. “No, Katrina. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

Behind me, chaos erupted. Lupus, his eyes glowing with fury, possessed one of the men and emptied a clip into Damien and his mother, their screams silenced in an instant.

“Archer, we need to get her to a hospital!” one of my friends shouted, snapping me out of my despair.

“There’s no time,” I rasped. “Where’s the nearest hospital?!”

“It’s about twenty minutes out—”

“That’s too far!” I growled, my voice cracking. “We need to—”

“Take one more step, and you’re out,” a cold voice interrupted.

I looked up to see Alpha Drake, his expression hard and unforgiving. “You walk away now, and you’re no longer one of us.”

I hesitated, torn between the life I’d been promised and the one I was about to lose.

“We have to go!” one of the men urged. “The Chancellor’s troops are already moving in. If they catch us, it’s over!”

My gaze flickered to Katrina, her face pale but resolute. I didn’t care about Drake, or the plan, or the chaos I’d unleashed.

All that mattered was her.

“Let’s go,” I whispered, scooping her into my arms.

And as I carried her toward the waiting car, I knew that my decision had sealed my fate.

Whatever came next—justice, revenge, or damnation—I’d chosen my side.