82 Feeling Giddy 1

82 Feeling Giddy 1
There was no way Mathias could be a mole. Despite our personal differences, his friendship with my father was genuine. Their rivalry, I realized, had only ever been professional—stemming from the competition to become Boss. That was something I could relate to all too well.

“I understand, Mathias,” I said finally, my voice low but firm. “Thank you for telling me this.”

He nodded, squeezing my shoulder briefly before stepping away. 

As I stood there, I resolved that once this mission was over, I would make things right with my father. He deserved that much. But for now, I had to keep moving forward. There was no room for error, and no turning back.

I scanned the room, a restless energy prickling under my skin. Teressa and Bruce were nowhere to be seen, and it gnawed at me. What was it with the Wyatts and their uncanny talent for attracting Alpha females? It wasn’t the usual dynamic. 

Alpha males typically gravitated toward omegas females—there was a balance in that. But Bruce? He’d make Teressahappy if they were genuine about their feelings. Of that, I was sure.

Steeling myself, I called everyone to attention. The chatter and movement ceased, and all eyes turned toward me. The weight of their expectation was heavy, but it fueled my resolve.

“This is only temporary,” I began, my voice steady but tinged with urgency. “The longer we stay here, the harder it will be to reclaim our home, our order, our country. We need to understand this cult, uncover their leaders, and prepare to take the fight to them.” A ripple of agreement moved through the room, the gravity of my words sinking in.

“Let’s organize ourselves. Pool our resources. Two weeks—that’s all the time we need. It’s not much, I know, and it won’t be easy. Finding people who don’t want to be found never is. But we must. Our lives, our families’ lives, everything depends on it.” My voice caught slightly at the end, but it only made my words more real. They nodded, forming groups, the murmurs of cooperation filling the air. Relief bloomed in me. At least they were united.

A sudden mental link cut through my thoughts. It was Olsen. His tone was crisp, yet tinged with concern.

“Alpha, there’s commotion outside the packhouse. A woman named Linda—claims to be Tevin Wyatt’s wife—is trying to force her way in.”

The name hit me like a slap of cold water. I scanned the room until I found Tevin. Why hadn’t Olsen linked him directly? Perhaps it was easier for him to inform me.

“Tevin,” I called, and he turned to me with that quiet respect the Wyatt brothers always seemed to hold. Despite their high status, they never faltered in their loyalty, and I appreciated that deeply.

“Who is Linda?” I asked. At once, his smile vanished, replaced by a dark scowl. Interesting.

“She’s outside, demanding to get in,” I informed him. “You’ll need to handle it.” He gave a curt nod, his movements swift as he made his way toward the entrance.

Curiosity got the better of me. The tension in Tevin’s expression and the sudden appearance of this woman—it was too tantalizing to ignore. Feeling playful, I drifted toward the entrance, careful to stay out of sight but close enough to listen.

“What do you want, Linda?” Tevin’s voice was steady but carried an edge. “Your sigma isn’t good enough anymore?” The question was pointed, and I gathered she must have left him for another man, a sigma.

“I married you. Claimed you. We had a child together, and yet you left me. You didn’t even tell me in person—just left a pathetic note about not wanting our son tied to my father’s legacy of a debtor, a disgrace. Why now? Why are you doing this when I’ve moved on, when I’ve healed?” his words tumbled out with ease, each word cutting and cold.

“I’m with someone else now, Linda,” Tevin continued, his tone remarkably calm, even gentle. “It’s serious. I’ve done everything I could for you. I bought you a house, set up a trust fund for Derek, and send you money every month. What more do you want from me?”

“I don’t want the money!” she cried. “I want you. I love you, Tevin. I never stopped. I’ve left Duke. I want us to try again.”

He sighed, the weight of her words palpable. “But I don’t want you anymore. You erased my mark, Linda. You said I was a mistake. Did you think I didn’t feel that rejection? That pain? I mourned us. I endured it until I could finally move on. I’ve found someone now—someone who deserves me, who I deserve. My heart belongs to her.”

Her sobs grew louder, and though I couldn’t see his face, I could hear the finality in his tone. He wouldn’t waver. Despite everything she’d done, he had still supported her and their child. Tevin was a better man than most. I doubted he was truly seeing someone—more likely, he was guarding his heart. Who could blame him? Linda’s betrayal had scarred him deeply.

Satisfied that the drama was resolved, I turned back toward the hallway, intending to regroup with the others. But just as I rounded a corner, I froze. Bruce and Teressa emerged from a nearby room, disheveled and flushed. Bruce’s hair was a mess, and Teressa adjusted her dress, her face pink and radiant. The sight made me smirk, though I quickly stepped away to give them their privacy.

Back in the main room, a wave of melancholy hit me like a punch to the gut. I realized with sharp clarity why I was so engrossed in everyone else’s business. I missed Emma. If she were here, I wouldn’t feel this restless, this unmoored. She would have grounded me, given me purpose.

With a heavy sigh, I decided to call it a day. There was nothing more for me to do here tonight. All I could do was wait—wait for my father’s call, for news of his mission, for some semblance of direction in this uncertain time. Everything depended on the success of his plans, and I could only hope it would be enough to pull us through.