Page 9 of Unhinged Alphas

Chapter

Three

VALEK

Istep out of the mansion with Thane, Wraith, and Plague flanking me after a night of restless sleep and trading watches. Whiskey is inside, keeping an eye on Ivy.

This is it.

The moment of truth.

I force my features into a neutral expression, the easy smile of a gracious host sliding into place like a well-worn mask. Nikolai and his men are already gathered by their vehicles, loading up the last of their gear. They turn as we approach, assessing, calculating.

"Prytel," Nikolai calls out, a grin splitting his scarred face. "I must thank you again for your hospitality. It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

I incline my head, the picture of polite gratitude. "The pleasure was all mine," I assure him, the words rolling off my tongue with practiced ease. "I hope this is the beginning of a long and profitable partnership."

Nikolai nods, clapping me on the shoulder with a familiarity that sets my teeth on edge. "As do I, my friend. As do I."

He bought it.

I wasn’t sure last night. But the deception held, and we're one step closer to infiltrating their operation. Even as the thought crosses my mind, though, Nikolai's expression shifts, turning serious.

"There's something else," he says, his voice low as he pulls me aside, out of earshot of the other Ghosts. "Something I wasn't going to mention until I had the chance to feel you out."

I tense, every muscle coiling tight.

But Nikolai doesn't accuse, doesn't pull a weapon and demand answers. Instead, he leans in closer, his breath hot against my ear. "As a fellow countryman, I feel I owe you a warning," he murmurs. "The Council... they've been edging into our line of business. And not in a good way."

Confusion flickers through me, chased by a growing sense of unease. The Council, involved inthe black market? They're supposed to be the ones fighting against the criminals, not joining their ranks.

On second thought… every asshole in power is a hypocrite, so that makes enough sense.

"What do you mean?" I ask, keeping my voice carefully neutral. "The arms deals?"

Nikolai shakes his head, a humorless chuckle escaping him. "Among other things," he says cryptically. "Omegas included."

I stare at him in shock before the mask slips back into place.

Omegas?

The Council is trading inomegas?

It was one thing when we found out they knew about the atrocities of the Refinement Center, but that's all perfectly legal in their fucked up little utopia. Actively participating in the very thing they used to justify stripping the freedom from everyone within the so-called protection of Capital City?

Now that would make one hell of a headline.

Assuming Nikolai is telling the truth, of course. Perhaps it’s a test to see how I react.

"You're sure about this?" I ask, arching an eyebrow.

Nikolai's eyes narrow. My heart rate kicks up anotch, but I keep my expression neutral, waiting. Better to not act like I'm kissing his ass if I want my act to be believable.

He nods. "One of my contacts was approached by a Council member. Wanted to start shipping omegas into Reinmich."

Those greedy little sons of bitches.

He's telling the truth. I can sense it.

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