Page 1 of Unhinged Alphas

Chapter

One

THANE

Flakes of snow and ice swirling on the crisp mountain air sting my skin as I stand beside Wraith, our eyes fixed on the winding road leading up to the mansion. The anticipation is a taut wire stretched to the breaking point. We're waiting for the convoy, the key to this whole operation.

And everything hangs on pulling it off perfectly.

Hangs on a fucking serial killer I manage to keep leashed to my side only because he has a chip embedded in the base of his skull.

We are so fucked.

Inside, Valek is preparing for his role, donning the clothes of the financier he's set to impersonate.Even if he doesn't fuck us over intentionally, it's a risky move that hinges entirely on his ability to convincingly slip into the skin of another man.

A man we killed.

But if anyone can pull it off, it's Valek. The man is a chameleon, able to shift personas as easily as most people change clothes. I'm sure he's literally slipped into someone's skin at least once. Just as a treat. He's that kind of psycho.

That's how he got away with literal murder for so long.

Still, the unease coils in my gut like a cobra. Trusting Valek goes against every instinct I have, every hard-earned lesson that's been beaten into me over the years. He's a wildcard, loyal only to himself and his own twisted desires.

And those desires change depending on the fucking weather.

But what choice do I have?

This mission, this chance to infiltrate the heart of the rebel arms dealing network, is too crucial to let personal misgivings get in the way. So I grit my teeth and watch as Valek emerges from the mansion, transformed.

Gone is the brutal enforcer, the sadistic killerwho revels in drinking blood and devising creative ways to inflict pain. In his place stands a man of wealth and taste, all tailored lines and easy smiles. Even the way he moves is different, a languid grace that belies the unhinged violence lurking beneath the surface.

Impressive.

Disturbing.

He catches my eye, a flicker of that familiar dark amusement dancing in his gaze making it clear he can sense my unease. A silent taunt, a challenge. I can practically hear him purring in my ear.

Don't fuck this up, boss.

I clench my jaw, giving a minute nod in return.Likewise, asshole.

My brother shifts beside me, a low growl rumbling in his chest. I glance at him, taking in the tense set of his shoulders, the way his fingers twitch toward the combat knife at his belt. He's on edge, even more so than usual.

And I can't blame him. None of us have our masks on right now to prevent suspicion from the convoy. I'd assumed he would just growl at me and tell me no with every sign that exists, but instead, he said nothing and put on a tattered scarf instead. He keeps adjusting it, pulling it up higher to cover hisruined lower face every time it moves even an inch, anxiety rolling off him in waves.

And for once, he's not just on edge because someone might see his face.

It's because of her.

Ivy.

Her name whispers through my mind like a prayer, a talisman against the impending chaos. She's up there, sequestered away with Plague and Whiskey as her guardians. The suppressant should be masking her scent, keeping her hidden from any prying noses.

But the risk is still there, a constant nagging worry at the back of my skull. If they catch even the slightest whiff of her scent and realize there's an omega here—an omega who was very recently in heat—all bets are off.

And so is the mission.

Not a single one of us will prioritize Valek's cover over her.

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