Page 7 of Hunt

The large oak door to Alessio’s study looms over me like the entrance to hell itself. How many times have I hovered in this exact spot, praying to any god that exists that Alessio might be in a good mood today.

I remember the very last time I stood here—one year ago when I had the world at my fingertips and freedom on the tip ofmy tongue. Little did I know that freedom is an illusion that only Alessio De Luca has complete and utter control of.

Taking a deep breath, I square my shoulders and knock softly, only for the door to swing open almost immediately. I pull black with wide eyes before narrowing them again. Two men stand at the threshold, beckoning me inside. Alpha Liam and Alpha Marco.

Alessio sits at his familiar oak desk, this time devoid of anything but a single manilla file in the center of it. He’s looking straight at me, hard enough that I feel like shriveling down into a little pile of ash.

I force myself to breathe evenly and to keep a neutral, serene expression on my face. Alessio can smell weakness from a mile away, but he won't get the satisfaction of seeing it.

“Do you remember what I said to you the last time you stood in this office?” his voice trickles through the room like a deep, rushing river. “I distinctly remember asking you to not let me down.” He leans back in his massive chair, clasping his hands together in front of him. “Care to tell me why you could not follow those simple instructions?”

“Apologies, Alpha.” Bowing my head, I force my eyes to stay lowered. I hate the feeling of submitting to this fucker, but I need to play it safe until I get my bearings and figure out if the guys are safe, and where Mama is.

He snorts. “Have I taught you nothing?” He stands. Straightening his tie, he circles his desk slowly. Sometimes I forget how massive Alessio really is. He towers over me as he comes closer. “You are in a unique position here. You have betrayed your pack, and any rights you might have had to follow in my footstep?—”

I hiss, cutting him off and raising my eyes to his. “Following in your footsteps? How did you expect that to happen when you were selling me the Carbones? We had a deal, Aleesio. I thoughtyour whole thing was all about making deals? Just not with me, right? You did the same to me as you did to my sist?—”

The look in his eyes stops me from completing that sentence. Alessio has a silent rage inside of him. It’s why he’s the leader of my mama’s mates. They defer to him automatically. What we says, is law.

“Marrying into the Carbone pack was crucial for our alliance. I saw you as an opportunity to gain a foothold and have someone on the inside.” I furrow my brow, confused as fuck. He lets out a tired sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I know this is all hard to understand right now, but the older alphas of the Carbone pack were too unruly. Our partnership with Black Pharmaceuticals was meant to keep them in line and remind them who was in charge. I was supposed to hold fifty percent ownership and you would take my place on the board. But thanks to you and those fucking boys, everything has been ruined.”

I pull back, blinking at him in shock. “And you couldn’t have disclosed your little plan before you sent me there? You made it seem like you were actually giving me one free year before I became your slave.”

"Slave..." he growls, disgust and disappointment evident on his face. "After all I've provided for you,thisis how you repay me? I've given you riches, influence, guidance, and far more freedom than any omega should ever receive. Yet here you are, an ungrateful little child."

Alpha Liam's voice breaks our stare off, and I turn to face him. "We invested so much into your training for a reason." His eyes narrow as they bore into mine. "You were meant to be our weapon, but you couldn't resist acting on your own impulses."

“What now then? What’s the point of forcing me to come back here? Are you going to sell me off like you sold my Rosa?”

Liam's grin grows even wider. "You’ll be resuming your training; it'll be as if you never left. When the time is right, we will choosewhoandifyou will marry, but for now, you are to return to your usual assignments. If you cooperate, then we should have no problems. If you refuse, then we’ll kill the Carbone alphas, and force you to watch. Or maybe, we’ll have you pull the trigger yourself."

I clench my fists at my sides, fingernails digging into my palms as I fight the urge to lash out at Liam. The thought of the Carbone alphas,myalphas, being hurt because of me is unbearable. But I know I have to tread carefully. One wrong move and Alessio won't hesitate to follow through.

"I understand," I say through gritted teeth, hating how small and powerless my voice sounds. "I'll do as you ask."

Alessio regards me coolly, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his lips, as if he can see right through my subdued act. "Good girl," he purrs condescendingly. "I'm glad we have an understanding. You may go now."

I give a stiff nod and turn on my heel, barely restraining myself from sprinting out of the suffocating study. Once in the hallway, I let out a shaky breath. My mind races as I make my way back to my room, pieces of Alessio's revelations clicking into place like a sickening puzzle.

All this time, I thought I was just a pawn to be married off, but it seems Alessio had grander machinations in mind for me. The weight of it settles heavily on my shoulders. I was meant to be their weapon, their inside agent in the Carbone pack. And I played right into their hands by running away. Now I'm trapped again, with no idea what horrors they have in store for me or the men I left behind.

Back in my room, I pace restlessly, my mind a whirlwind of fear and frustration. How could I have been so naive to think I could ever truly escape Alessio's clutches? That one year offreedom was just an illusion, a cruel trick to lull me into a false sense of security.

Taking a deep breath, I steel myself, locking away the pain. I can't afford to wallow in self-pity or regret. If I want to protect the guys and find a way out of this mess, I need to be smart. I need to play along with Alessio's game, bide my time, and look for any opportunity to turn the tables.

It won't be easy. Alessio is as cunning as a fox and twice as ruthless. He'll be watching my every move, waiting for me to slip up. But I have to try. For the sake of the Carbone alphas, for Mama, for myself

CHAPTER 4

SILAS

The East Coastis a different breed of affluent, and I already hate it. The air tastes wrong, and a sinister cloud hovers over us as we step off the plane and onto the tarmac where a limousine waits with open doors and guards at every corner.

Grimacing, I pull my coat tighter against me, straightening my shoulders and running a gloved hand through my white blonde hair, making sure not a strand is out of place. I curse myself internally for fidgeting, but old habits never really do die.

Since stepping foot into the pack house again, I felt as if a thousand showers would never be enough to wipe the blood off of my hands. I feel dirty even now, despite the pressed suit and shining leather shoes. I look the part I’m attempting to play, but I sure as fuck don’t feel it.

Sometimes I can still feel the remnants of bruising under my skin, or cuts along my jaw. I wake in the mornings, not knowing where I am and cringing at the hint of footsteps in the distance on the off chance that Giles decided to come back for more. It often takes the feel of Bella’s soft kisses or sultry voice next tome to remind me that Giles isn’t around to make my life hell anymore.

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