Chapter 116
“You had a choice,” Soren cuts in sharply. “You could’ve paid your debt when it was due initially. Instead, we’re here.”
Rhett’s pack has always controlled the major export lines through the southern ports. They m
ove everything–raw materials, food supplies, even technology for trade. It’s how they’ve survived, despite Rhett’s terrible leadership since taking over from his late father. And my father, Alpha Jefferson of the Blackwood Pack, has always worked alongside Rhett’s pack. His pack deals in luxury goods, rare commodities, making him one of the wealthiest Alphas in the region. I grew up surrounded by that wealth, never realizing the extent of my father until I was due to take over.
And now, I’m here, stuck in the middle of a conflict I never wanted to be part of.
“I already paid the fines Jefferson was hit with because of the raids,” Rhett says, and I can hear the exhaustion in his voice. “It’s settled, we’ve come to an agreement already I told you this last time.”
“Settled?” Soren’s voice is full of disbelief. “You think paying the fines is enough? You crossed a line. The council’s demanding retribution. I vouched for you, Rhett. I gave my word that you would make this right, and then you pulled a stunt like that, drawing the human council’s attention.”
I feel sick. Soren vouched for him? If the council wants retribution… Soren’s hands are tied, or he would risk a war between our kind and the humans.
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“How exactly do you plan to make this right?” Soren asks, his
voice hard.
“I…” Rhett falters, then speaks again, more quietly. “I had a plan. The pack member who stole the money once caught she’ll be handed back to Jefferson for punishment, though I know now the council probably won’t accept that.” Rhett
states.
My breath catches in my throat. Me. He’s talking about me. And he’s lying through his teeth.
“Handing her over doesn’t fix what you’ve done,” Soren replies. “You raided his boats. You attacked his livelihood. Now you’re trying to placate him with some bargain? A thief isn’t going to solve this, Rhett.”
“His daughter is the one who stole from me,” Rhett says, his voice heavy with the weight of the revelation.
My knees nearly buckle beneath me. His daughter. And now, Rhett’s using that to try and patch up his mess with my father. I thought my father hated Rhett because he was vicious, that they clashed over the usual Alpha conflicts. But now I realize it was always about power, money, and the ports they control. And I, caught in the middle, had no idea. It also makes me wonder if this was Rhett’s intention all along it clearly didn’t want me as a mate, which now makes me wonder if he only convinced me to stay with him to use me over my father.
“Jefferson’s daughter?” Soren sounds surprised, and I can hear the wheels turning in his head. “This is why he’s so enraged.”
Rhett doesn’t add anything to his statement, and I feel the cold sweat forming at the back of my neck. I’m the reason for
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all of this. If Soren knew… if he realized that I’m the thief who started this chain of events, everything would collapse. I swallow hard, fear coursing through me like ice in my veins. I need to get out of here, need to think, but I can’t move. My ass feels glued to the chair as I listen to their voices.
“You can’t keep playing both sides, Rhett,” Soren says, his tone dangerous. “You need to settle this. I can’t keep covering for you. And if Jefferson comes for you, I won’t intervene. He wants your pack dissolved. And frankly, at this point, I’m inclined to agree.”
Rhett doesn’t respond immediately, but when he does, his voice is flat. “I’m handling it. I just need more time.”
Soren’s reply is quick, cutting. “You’re out of time.” I bite my lip hard enough to taste blood. And now, I’m more terrified than ever. If Soren finds out… no, I can’t think about that. I can’t tell him. Not now. Not when I know he’s been protecting Rhett. I never knew how deep his involvement went. I thought this was just about resolving a pack dispute, but it’s so much
more.
