Page 148 of Chained By the Alpha
“What did you find?”
“He’s been embezzling funds from the council. And there’s more, he rigged the council votes to secure his position as second in command. It should have been Greyson’s spot.”
“How certain are we about this?”
“Solid. Maya managed to download everything. We’ve got documents, transfers to hidden accounts belonging to rogues, and evidence of vote tampering. All linking back to Samuel, even voice recordings. Dane has been a busy man.”
“So, Dane has been blackmailing him with this, too? That’s why he’s pushing Lydia and the others into these alliances?”
“Exactly. Samuel’s been under Dane’s control to keep his secrets from coming out. If this gets exposed, he could lose his rank on the council, and his pack might revolt.”
“I’ll make sure our team is ready to move as soon as you give the go-ahead. Anything else on your mind?”
“Keep an extra watch on Cleo. With what we’re about to stir up, Dane might become unpredictable. We can’t afford to let our guard down. How was she?”
“Maya said she looked okay, shaken, but she couldn’t exactly approach her to ask.”
I swallow thickly.
I knew her father would hand her to Dane; I knew he’d do anything to save himself. It just sucks Cleo is being hurt once again by the man who raised her, and tomorrow, I amabout to destroy her with everything we have gathered from the computer and what Greyson already had.
All this shows Dane’s true colors, his leverage over not just her father but Samuel as well. The implications are staggering, a web of blackmail and deceit that spans years.
“Everything’s ready,”Vance confirms.“We’re coming to get you.”
I cut the link, focusing back on the men, who watch me with a predator’s interest.
“Thinking of your next move?” one man taunts.
“Just counting down the minutes,” I reply. Suddenly, a surge of panic through the bond snaps my attention inward.
Cleo. Something is wrong.
I’ve kept her blocked out to spare her the pain, but this is different. It’s raw and terrifying, and it’s coming from her.
I feel through the bond, desperate for any hint of her situation.
No response, just escalating fear. My heart races, not just for me but for her. Dane’s men don’t notice my distraction, too caught up in their false victory as I hang limp from the chains still while they discuss wanting a break.
“Vance, something’s wrong with Cleo,”I mindlink.“Check on her.”
“No, it’ll blow our cover,”he replies, though I can hear the tension in his voice.
I grit my teeth, rage building.“Fuck the plans,”I growl internally, feeling Zarek stir within, ready to tear through anyone or anything.“If they hurt her...”
Vance hesitates.“I’ll call Maya. She’s still there keeping an eye out.”
Cleo’s fear doesn’t abate; it worsens. And when it does, it’s like a switch flips inside me. No more waiting, no more hiding.
“Fuck this,” I snarl internally.
The heavy door slams shut as they swap out. This lot tired of beating the living daylights out of me. The echo reverberates through the old council chambers like a prelude to the storm that is about to erupt as four new men step in. The room’s stale air carries the scent of rust and dried blood, reminders of the cruelty these walls have witnessed and my body.
Zarek presses against my skin, and my vision changes as it switches to my wolf’s vision. “The others tired already?” I ask, weighing up my chances with this refreshed lot mentally, while Zarek sends his rage through the bond to Cleo, trying to get her to fight whatever has her so petrified.
“Big talk for a mutt in chains,” one sneers, stepping closer. “You won’t be so smug when we’re done with you.”
“Boss wants you to remember this night, not long before your mate is married, and our pack owns the city,” another one chuckles darkly, rolling his shoulders in preparation.
