bChapter /bb65 /b

Owen’s bPOV /b

The news hit le a thunderp, Ganon locked up in jail. How did it spread so fast? The Direstone back had barely even processed it, but within minutes, it felt like the whole town knew I wasn’t the least bit shocked: Things always moved quickly around bera

The Disc house, of course, wasn’t immune to the chas1.

I could feel the heat from the kitchen even before I stepped through the door, Corta’s shrill voice cut through the air as entered, her anger so thick it almest made the walls sweat. The moment she saw me, she didn’t hold back

“What are we gonna do now?” she screeched, her fists shaking. “We threw twenty thousand at Garmon to get Owen that position, and no–now he’s in ja?! We’re just throwing money down the drai

Her face was flushed, her eyes wild with panic, and before I could even open my mouth, she grabbed the nearest

ot pot of tea. A sing?e, enraged swipe, and it sshed across the maid’s face. The ceramic pot followed, smashing into the wall with a deafeningeark.

Ruwan didn’t finch, but I could see the frustration simmering just beneath the surface. The pressure was mounting–financial pressure, political pressure. Hell, the whole damn family was on the edge.

“You know, I was against this from the start,” Ruvan muttered, running a hand through his thinning hair. “Bribing Gamon was never going to work. And now, what do we have? Nothing.”

“Nothing!” Co’s voice cracked with fury, “You’re worried about your damn watch? I told you we shouldn’t have thrown Mi away. You were the one who said we should give up on her, and look where that got us. Now, not just our daughter’s future but our son’s is on the line, tool”

Ruvan mmed his fist on the table, knocking a ss to the floor. “Enough! If you yell at me one more time, is

bThe /bwords died in his throat as Co byanked /bthe tablecloth off, sending dishes crashing to the floor. Her breath was ragged, and the anger in her yes could have started a fire.

“The only one who doesn’t see the big picture here is you, Ruvan. We should’ve fought for Mi! But no–you gave up on her, said she was finished, and now look at us!” Her voice cracked, a sickening realization settling between us.

He sucked in a breath, his chest rising and falling like a man drowning in water. After a long, painful silence, he rubbed his face, his anger dating

“Alright, alright,” Ruvan grumbled, rubbing his temples. “Maybe it’s too soon to assign me. But we need to fix this. Now. We need a n.”

“An?” Co scoffed, hands on her hips. “What n? Do you even know what the hell you’re talking babout/b, Ruvan?”

“I think we should go back to Mi…b” /bhe trailed off, his voice unsteady.

Co’s eyes shed. “Back to her? After everything she’s been through? You’re out of your mind. She’s in the slums now, scrubbing toilets for a living. She couldn’t even get Alpha Thome to look her way when she was a damn princess! You think he’s gonna help her now?”

“Stop talking about her like that!” Ruvan snapped, his voice raw. “It’s not like we have many options. We have to go to Owen first. He’s the one who came up with this mess. He needs to fix it.”

Co stormed toward the door, her eyes zing ine. We’ll go to him. Let’s bsee /bwhat he’s got to say about this disaster.”

We found Owen in the gym, lifting weights like nothing was wrong. He didn’t even pause when we barged in.

b“/bOwen, what the hell are you doing?” Co screamed. “Garron’s in jail! The whole world is about to implodeb!/b”

Owen didn’t even flinch. He btossed /bthe towel around his neck, bwiping /bhis face like it was a normal Tuesday, “I know, Mom. Rx. There’s no need to panic. It’s all under controlb./b”

Chapter b65 /b

Iexchanged a look with Co. “What do you mean, under control?” Lasked, stepping closer. “Do you have a

Owen grinned, clearly enjoying the chaos. “Yeah, I’ve got a bn/b. Garron may be in jail, but guess who became Gamma abar him?

“Who?” bCo /band I asked in undsenb. /b

*Triss.” Owen said, leaning back with a smig smile, “His father’s apprentice, She’s Gamma now

Ca blinked, speechless. “Awoman?”

I couldn’t hide bmy /bbscoff/b. “Alpha Thorne is out of his mind if he thinks a woman can lead the army”

But Owen wasn’t deterred. He leaned in, eyes sparkling with newfound excitement. “This is perfect for me. With Garron nut, I can finally the to the top Triss? She’s weak. She doesn’t have the strength to lead. She’s traple, I get the power I deserve now.”

Ruvan and Coria exchanged a nced. The idea seemed to have caught their attention. Co put a hand to her chin, considering it. “So, you’ve put a shot with her?”

Owen shrugged, nonchnt, “A couple of encounters. I’ve even bpunched /bher during training, just to prove how ‘manly‘

I rolled my eyes. “You really think hitting a woman will impress her?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Owen said, brushing past me. “Women love strength. And ifI can show her I’m the strongest, I’ll be in charge.”

Corta pped her hands, excitement bubbling up inside her. “Alright, let’s go meet this Triss. We’ll bring cookies. You know, to sweeten the deal.”

Owen frowned. “You don’t need to bring cookies, Mom. Trust me, I’ve got this.”

bBut /bshe wasn’t hearing it. “Trust me, son. You need all the bhelp /byou can get.”

We headed out to the training field, where Owen led us to Triss’s office. He pushed the door open without knocking, barging in like he owned the ce

Inside, Triss and ra were huddled around a map, deep in discussion, Co fraze when she saw ra, her eyes wide with shock. “What’s she doin here?” Co hissed, pointing ba /bfinger at ra.

ra raised an eyebrow, unphased. “This is the Gamma’s office. I’m ba /bGamma, so yeah, I’m allowed here. What’s your

Triss shot Owen a bcold/b, steely look, her voice clipped. “What do you want?”

excuseb?/bb” /b

Owen didn’t hesitate. “I want to propose a partnership,” he bsaid/b, stepping forward with confidence. 111 fight for you, make sure you get the power you deserve. You might be weak, but be your strength.”

ra burst outughing.

“What the hell is so funny?” Co demanded, her eyes shing,

ra wiped a tear from her eye. “You really think Triss is weaker than you, Owen? Is that what you believe?”

Owen crossed his arms, rolling his eyes. “Of course, Imean, you’re both women, right? You’ve got to be weaker”

Triss’s beyes /bnarrowed to slits. I thought she might p him apart right there, but ra was quicker, stepping in front of he

“Alright, Owen,” ra said, cracking her knuckles. “bLet’s /bput your theory to the test.” She tossed her sleeves up, grinning. “A one–on–one Right here. Right now. The loser doesps. On their knees, Barking like a dog”

Owen stood frozen for a split second before he shot back, “You’re on.”