Page 49 of All That We Keep
"Hey, what the fuck are you talking about?" Gerald demands, his voice carrying over the crowd noise.
"You accused my Alpha of embezzlement with minimal proof in an impromptu board meeting," I reply calmly, making sure the microphone picks up every word. "You were prepared to hold a vote to determine whether I was fit to run a company I own outright. You treated my pack like criminals based on fabricated evidence."
"Let's take this conversation offline," Gerald says, clearly recognizing that this public confrontation isn't going to end well for him.
"No, you didn't afford my Alpha that basic decency, so I'm not extending it to you," I reply firmly. "I've never actually needed your money, but it proved useful for making Starfalls what it is today. However, after this release, we're going in a completely different direction."
The shock rippling through the crowd is palpable as people process what I'm saying. Some of the employees look thrilled at the prospect of creative freedom, while others seem worried about financial stability. But this is the right choice for ourfuture, and I know Luther will support me once he understands the full plan.
I raise my glass again, addressing the broader party rather than just the board members who are still staring at me in disbelief. "However, right now I have probably the biggest announcement of my entire life."
"Even bigger than having twin babies?" someone calls out from the crowd, and laughter ripples through the room.
"Yeah, even bigger than that," I reply with a grin. "I wanted to bring my Omega out here so I could ask him a very important question."
That's when I spot Ward in the crowd, his eyes scanning frantically as he searches for Luca among the faces. He's still scratched up and bruised from when my Alpha nearly killed him, one eye nearly swollen shut. There's another suspicious figure near him, someone I don't recognize but who's clearly working with him based on their positioning and behavior. I almost snort with laughter at how stupid Ward must be to think I'd actually bring Luca and our newborn babies to a public event when we knew he was still a threat.
I turn and nod to Luther, who's been waiting near the side of the stage for exactly this signal. He makes a subtle gesture, and suddenly the atmosphere in the room changes completely.
"FBI, everyone down, hands on your head!" The command echoes through the venue as heavily armed agents in tactical gear rush forward from strategic positions around the room.
Chaos erupts as party guests drop to the floor, some screaming in confusion while others try to understand what's happening. In the midst of the pandemonium, I watch with satisfaction as multiple agents converge on Ward and his accomplice.
"No, they have my Omega!" Ward shouts desperately, still trying to maintain his delusion of ownership even as handcuffsclick around his wrists. "You don't understand, he belongs to me!"
I can't resist throwing my middle finger up at Ward as the agents drag him toward the exit. His face contorts with rage when he sees the gesture. "You bastard!" he screams. "You think this is over?"
"I don't know why you thought you could ever take my Omega," I call back, making sure everyone in the room can hear. "He literally has my Alphas' bites and my Gamma's bite on his shoulder. He chose us, and we chose him. That's how pack bonds actually work."
I pull out my phone and start playing a snippet of the recording Luther made earlier, Ward's voice clearly admitting to buying Luca and orchestrating the entire trafficking scheme. The sound quality is perfect, every word clearly audible as Ward incriminates himself beyond any possibility of legal defense.
One of the FBI agents approaches me as the recording finishes. "I'm going to need a copy of that as part of our investigation. Well done, Mr. Keller."
"Mr. Keller is my Alpha," I correct with a smile. "It's just Blake."
"Well then,just Blake, excellent work," the agent replies. "I'll leave you to your party. Seems like you've got a lot to celebrate."
I turn back to the crowd, many of whom are still picking themselves up off the floor and trying to process what just happened. "Hey, sorry about that interruption," I announce into the microphone, chuckling nervously. "I just had to help catch an evil bastard who's been terrorizing my Omega for the past three years."
Cautious laughter ripples through the crowd, the kind of nervous but relieved laughter that comes after extreme tension breaks. The massive jumbotron screen behind me suddenly flickers to life, and Luca's radiant face appears, his expressionglowing with joy and exhaustion as he cradles our beautiful baby boys. The sight of him, safe at home with our children, makes my chest tight with overwhelming love and gratitude.
"Hi, cupcake," I say, turning to face the screen so he can see me clearly.
Luca blushes that adorable way he always does when I use his pet name in front of other people. "Hi, bear."
The entire crowd seems to melt at the sweetness of our interaction, soft "aww" sounds rippling through the room as people witness genuine affection and intimacy.
"I've been meaning to ask you a question," I begin, my voice carrying all the love and certainty I feel. "Since the day I met you, since the day I saw you in that diner looking lost and scared, since the day I brought you home, since the day I made you mine, since the day you accepted my Alphas and my Gamma, since the day you told me that regardless of who I am or what I need or what I choose to become, I will always be yours and you will always be mine."
Luca's eyes shine with tears of happiness, and I can see him trembling slightly with emotion. "What is it, bear?"
I drop to one knee on the stage, pulling the small velvet box from my jacket pocket as gasps of excitement echo through the crowd. "The one question I've been meaning to ask you is: Will you marry me?"
"Oh my gosh, yes!" Luca's response is immediate, his voice carrying clearly through the sound system. "Yes, absolutely, of course yes!"
On the screen, I can see Grayson standing beside Luca, his own face radiant with happiness. "Baby, sweetheart, be careful," he warns gently. "You're going to drop the babies."
Everyone starts laughing as Luca carefully hands Samuel to Grayson, who slides the engagement ring onto Luca's finger. Thering fits perfectly, the diamond catching the light as Luca holds his hand up to the camera.
