bChapter /b57

His face goes bpale/b.

I wasn’t going bto/b–11 mean, I would never–1”

b1 /bburst outughing, giving him a light p on the shoulder. “Rxb, /bI’m joking. Sort of”

He lets out a nervous chuckle, still unsure whether I’ll bite his head off if he so much as blinks wrong. He was clearly in love with my mate–and it’s obvious he isn’t over it yet.

I step back, nodding.

“You’ve got a lot to take in. But you’re not alone anymore, Caspian. But for now… rest. Heal. And prepare.”

You’re

the Alpha

now.

of

this pack. Of your pack. I’ll make the announcement soon.

He nods slowly, still stunned–but there’s something new in his eyes.

Purpose.

He might not believe it yet, but I see it.He was born to lead and now… he finally can.

The hospital air feels different when you’ve just changed someone’s life.

I step out of Caspian’s room, my palm still throbbing from the blood ritual. The hallway is quiet, still, and cold. Just ahead, the old doctor stands with his hands sped in front of him like he’s silently praying bI /bdon’t notice him.

But I do.

His back straightens the second our eyes meet.

“Alpha,” he says, lowering his gaze. “Is he…?”

I stop in front of him, arms crossed over my chest.

“He’ll live,” I reply. “More than that–he’ll lead.”

His eyes widen slightly, but he’s smart enough not to ask further questions. I start to walk past himb, /bthen pause a few stepster.

“I heard the Beta of the Red Night Pack was admitted here,” I say casually. “Where is he?”

The doctor hesitates, then gives a solemn nod. “Yes, Alpha. He copsed about a week ago. Said he could feel his mate’s pain… from the torture.”

My jaw ticks.

“Is that so…”

The doctor’s gaze drops to the floor. “Yes. He tried to reject her–said he couldn’t handle the pain of the bond,” he mutters, his voice tinged with disgust. “Thought that if he severed it, she’d suffer alone. Fortunately, she didn’t ept the rejection. So when the bond stayed intactb, /bhe passed out.”

Coward.

“Take me to him.”

The doctor nods quickly, wisely choosing not to speak again. He turns and leads the way, his footsteps brisk and tense. I follow in silence, the sound bof /bmy boots echoing. He’s nervous–I can smell it on him. Maybe it’s my aura, or maybe he simply knows that whatever’sing won’t be pleasant.

Chanter st.

We stop at a closed bdoor /bat the end of the bhall/b. I nce at it, then bturn /bback to bhim /b

Don’t follow bme /bin

bHe /bblinks bConfused/bb, /bb“/bAlphar

bIf /bbyou /bhear bscreaming/b” 1 add, slowly, “mind your business. Continue your duties.”

His beyes /bwiden slightly but he bows. b“/bYes, Alphab./bb” /b

Without another word, he turns and quickly disappears down the corridor like a man running from a ghost.

Smart man.

I push the door open and step inside.

The sharp scent of antiseptic hits me instantly–cold and suffocating. The room is dimly lit, a singlemp glowing weakly in the corner. On the bed lies ban /bolder man I recognize from the pack files–Kali’s adoptive father. Her mother’s mate.

The one who stood by while she was tortured..

He’s lying t on his back, breathing deep. Too deep. I know the sound of a fake sleep when I hear one.

I shut the door behind me. Loudly.

“I know you’re awake,” I say, voice sharp enough to slice through the silence.

A beat passes.

Then his eyes snap open. His gazends on me–and instantly, the color drains from his face. He pushes himself up with shaking handsb, /beyes wide with barely–contained fear.

“W–Who are you?” he croaks.

bI /bsmile–slow, cruel.

“I’m your worst nightmare.”

He freezes. The way his fingers twitch against the sheets tells me everything–he

“I’m here to make you pay,” I continue, taking ba /bfew slow steps forward, “for all

His head tilts slightly, confused.

..Mine? You mean-?”

“Kali,” I say, watching his soul leave his fucking body.

“Kali is your mate?” he whispers, horror dawning.

“Bingo.”

He flinches. “W–Who exactly are you?

exactly what I mean.

sins. For what you did to your mate. And for what you did to mine.”

“I already told you,” I say, my voice dark with amusement. “I’m your worst nightmare, Logan.”

Then I lean in, letting my power wash over himb.. /b

“I’m Alpha Jack. Alpha of the Blood Fang Packb./bb” /b

nerally chokes on alt bas /bhe scrambles bto /bbget /bbout /bof the bbed/bb, /bhis hands bslipping /bover the nket. He btumbles /bto the floorb, /bnding with ” loud thud, and bbegins /bbcrawling /bbtoward /bthe door like a damned cockroach.

Pathetic

b1 /bbstalk /btoward bhum /bslowlyb, /bnot rushing, not bothering to hide the predator in my steps. When I reach him, I grab his leg and yank him back in bone /bswift

bmove /b

bCRACK/bb. /b

He bscreams/b.

His leg bends the wrong way under my grip, and he howls, clutching at the shattered bone. “Please–Alpha–1 I’ve changed! I swear!”

I crouch beside him, eyes hard, unmoving.

b“/bYou’re a coward,” I hiss. “You beat your mate. Beat her daughter. You stood by while they were hurt. All to keep your precious Beta title.”

Tears stream down his face now. “I didn’t know–I didn’t-”

CRUNCH.

I m my boot down on his hand, snapping the fingers like dry twigs. His scream echoes through the room.

“That bhand /bwon’t be hurting anyone ever againb,/b” I growl.

He sobs. Tries to beg. But I’m not finished.

“You were supposed to protect them. To protect your mate. But instead, you turned your back on her. Rejected her so you wouldn’t feel her pain. You let Diana torture her. You let it happen.” My voice cracks with fury.

I draw my dagger, the silver gleaming under the pale light.

He sees it.

He shakes his head, bloodied lips trembling. “Please–no–please, I’ll do better–I’ll—”

“You don’t get to speak to her,” I say softly.

Then I shove the de into his mouth.

He gags.

And with one clean slice, I take his tongue. The scream that follows is wet and gurgling. He thrashesb, /bbody twitching, blood pouring from his mouth like a fountain of guilt.

I wipe the de on the sheet beside him. His sobs rattle in the silence, but I don’t care.

I stand looking down at the broken man on the floor, wishing I had done worse to my uncle than merely crippling one bof /bhis legs.

Now, this one will never walk again. Never hit again. Never speak to Kali. Nevery a finger on her mother.

Justice.

I let out a breath and roll my neck. Then I smirk–just a little–and step outb, /bleaving behind nothing but blood and ruin.

There’s no guilt.

Chapterst

Only bthe /bquiet satisfaction of a bpromise /bkept.