Page 29 of Alpha’s Fake Marriage

I exchanged a knowing glance with James, silently acknowledging the evasiveness of Brian’s response. It was clear that he wasn’t going to divulge any information willingly.

“Enough games, Brian,” James said, his voice tinged with frustration. “We know you’ve been in contact with them. What’s your angle?”

Brian’s expression hardened, his gaze turning icy. “My angle? Maybe I’m just looking out for the pack’s best interests, James. Something you should try sometime.”

The jab struck a nerve, but James remained composed, refusing to be drawn into Brian’s provocations. He had to be used to it by now—this was a constant problem for him—which made it even stranger that he continued to keep him around. I wouldn’t.

Instead, James leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing growl. “Don’t play coy with me, Brian. You know the consequences of betraying the pack. Now, start talking before things get ugly.”

Brian’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features before he masked it with defiance once more. It was clear that getting any information out of him would be an uphill battle, but we were prepared to persevere, no matter the cost. We had no choice. We needed to know the depths of what we were up against.

As James delved deeper into the interrogation, the tension in the room grew palpable, like a storm brewing on the horizon. Brian’s façade of indifference began to crack under the weightof James’s probing questions, revealing glimpses of simmering anger beneath the surface.

“Tell me, Brian,” James’s voice cut through the charged atmosphere, his words laced with a steely resolve, “what do you hope to gain by aligning yourself with the Bratva? Power? Wealth? Or are you just trying to settle an old score?”

Brian’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides as he shot James a venomous glare. “You don’t know anything about me, James. Don’t pretend like you do.”

James’s expression remained impassive, his gaze unwavering as he pressed on, undeterred by Brian’s attempts to deflect the conversation. “I know more than you think, Brian. I know about your past, your ambitions, and the lengths you’ll go to achieve them. We were all there for the Ring of Rasputin incident, or have you forgotten?”

A flicker of uncertainty flashed across Brian’s features, swiftly replaced by a mask of defiance as he spat out his response. “You think you can judge me, James? You’re no better than the rest of us. Just a wolf trying to survive in this world.”

James’s eyes narrowed, a glimmer of steel entering his voice as he leaned in closer, his words cutting like a knife. “I may not be perfect, Brian, but I’ve never betrayed my pack. I’ve never put my own interests above everyone’s. Can you say the same?”

Brian’s façade crumbled, his composure shattering like glass as he erupted in a fit of rage. “How dare you question my loyalty! You think you’re so high and mighty, James, but you’re just as flawed as the rest of us. Don’t pretend like you’re any different!”

The air crackled with tension as Brian’s outburst echoed through the room, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air. But James remained steadfast, unmoved by Brian’s attempts to deflect blame. It was clear that this confrontation was far from over, and that the truth would only be revealed through perseverance and determination.

As the interrogation intensified, James’s relentless questioning seemed to chip away at Brian’s composure, pushing him closer to the edge with each passing moment. I watched from the sidelines, my heart pounding with anticipation, knowing that the outcome of this confrontation could have far reaching consequences for their pack.

With calculated precision, James struck a nerve, his words honed like a blade as he probed into Brian’s psyche. The tension in the room reached a boiling point as Brian’s façade finally crumbled, revealing the raw vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior.

“You think you can break me, James?” Brian’s voice trembled with barely contained rage, his eyes ablaze with a fierce defiance. “You think you can make me talk? Well, guess what? I’ve already spilled everything to our enemies. They know everything, thanks to me. And yes, maybe I will get power or money for it. I don’t care. What I do care about is getting away from this shit hole of a town. You might not want anything more with your life, but I do.”

My blood ran cold at Brian’s revelation, a chill creeping down my spine as the gravity of the situation sank in. Our worst fears had been realized—Brian had betrayed us, jeopardizing the safety of our pack and exposing us to untold dangers.

James’s expression hardened, his jaw set in a steely resolve as he met Brian’s gaze head on. “You’ve made a grave mistake, Brian,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “But mark my words—you will face the consequences of your actions. And when that day comes, there will be no mercy for traitors like you. For now, you are to be locked up so that you can not cause any more trouble. Then… exile.”

The weight of James’s words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the room as the gravity of Brian’s betrayal settled over us like a suffocating shroud. For me, it was a soberingreminder of the fragility of trust and the ever present threat of betrayal in our world. But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, one thing remained clear—we would stand together as a pack, united in the face of adversity, ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Brian’s fate was sealed with the necessary decision for exile, I couldn’t suppress the wave of relief that washed over me. Though the situation was far from resolved, removing Brian from our midst felt like a crucial step towards restoring stability and ensuring the safety of our pack.

The Blackpaws took Brian away, and with the meeting adjourned and the pack dispersing to prepare for the Bratva, my mind raced with thoughts of Irina. Despite the pressing urgency of the situation, she remained at the forefront of my thoughts, her safety and well-being paramount in my mind.

Rushing through the dimly lit streets of the town, my footsteps echoed against the pavement as I made my way to Irina’s home. With each passing moment, my apprehension grew, fueled by the uncertainty of what awaited me.

As I reached her doorstep, I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts before knocking firmly on the door. The seconds stretched into eternity as I waited for her to answer, the anticipation building with each passing heartbeat.

When the door finally swung open, I was met with the sight of Irina’s familiar face. A rush of relief flooded through me at the sight of her unharmed. Without hesitation, I enveloped her in a tight embrace, my arms offering solace and reassurance in the midst of uncertainty.

“Irina,” I breathed, my voice tinged with relief. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

I embraced her hard, but couldn’t help finishing that sentence silently.

For now.

Because we all knew what was next…

FIFTEEN

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