“Your fathers have not improved as alphas over the years and were incredibly disliked. We met with the board this morning,” I explain. “Once I provided proof that we were the majority shareholders, they were all too happy to vote your fathers out. They still each own 10 percent of the company but Carnell Banking will not see another cent of profit until they sell.”
She bursts out laughing. “Oh, I wish I could have seen their faces when they found out.”
“Actually, you can. They’re on their way over,” Zachary says with a sly smile. “You have two options: you can stay here with the full view of the scene below. Alric would put his phone on speaker so you could hear the conversation. They wouldn’t need to know you were here and you can avoid any interaction with them. We know this might bring up complicated feelings, so we wanted to make sure you have an option where you could witness it without having to be a part of it.”
A mix of feelings swirls though her side of the bond so Hunter steps in. “It’s okay if you want or need to chill here with me and Zach while the chaoshappens on the floor.”
She takes a long drink. “What’s the option if I want to be part of it?”
Hunter’s devilish grin is ridiculous, and he leans forward conspiratorially. “You come down with us and you show those fuckers who’s boss. Literally.”
I wouldn’t blame her for staying here. It’s a lot to suddenly come face-to-face with parents who failed her in so many ways. But I also know she’s brave and bold, so none of us are surprised when she says, “Let’s go ruin their evening.”
“Oh, my dear, we’ll be ruining much more than that,” Zachary says with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Her perfect smile is wicked. “Perfect.”
Chapter 41
Alric
Pack Carnell stands as I approach. They look absurdly similar to each other, with thinning hair in shades of brown and sleazy smiles. Their suits are tailored, but it’s obvious they’ve spent years indulging in vices and each look a decade or two older than their age.
“You must be Alric Monroe, I’m Brett. This is Charles, Keith, and William. Congratulations on the success of your new app.”
“Thank you.” We shake hands and I can’t help myself, tightening my grip painfully, a fake smile firmly in place. Satisfaction blooms in my chest at the way he discreetly flexes his hand afterwards.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be here.” Brett’s eyes practically glow with greed. “I believe our companies have the potential for a very successful partnership.” He truly thinks we’re in the market to do business with them.
“Please have a seat. These are my business partners, Zachary Clark and Hunter Anderson.”
Once they are all seated, we step aside, finally revealing her. “And I believe you know our bonded omega, Madeline.”
Each of their oily smiles slides away, expressions ranging from guilt to anger, but all of them are speechless. Her petty pleasure at that is obvious in the bond.
I hold her hand as she sits in the lone chair, her pack at her back, standing over her like vengeful gods ready to enact her every command.
Charles swallows hard. “Linny, how—how have you been…”
“Well, I’m certainly better than Mom.”
Keith and Charles suddenly lose the ability to maintain eye contact with her.
Good, they should feel fucking terrible.
“That was extremely unfortunate,” Keith finally says, still staring at the floor. “We’re sorr?—”
“Is this why you brought us here?” Brett seethes. “To guilt us over shit that happened years ago? We had no control over finding a scent match, and you’re aware of the rules. Scent matches over everything.”
“Oh, I amveryaware of that,Brett,” Madeline spits out. “You were, however, in control of the years of emotional mistreatment and heat abuse, but I know there’s nothing I can say that will make you understand that. One would need a heart and basic human decency to comprehend the pain you caused my mother. You all showed time and time again that’s something you never possessed.”
William speaks for the first time, glaring at Madeline so hard I need to clench my fist to stop from punching the sucker. “She was lucky we even wanted her for as long as we did. She was terrible at being an omega. Not like you, though, looks like all the training we drilled into you got you far in this life.” Heglances up at us with a scowl. “A billion-dollar pack? You should bethankingus.”
There’s a sharp collective breath from us, but her side of the bond is strangely calm—unlike ours, which is filled with rage. I only need a single reason to launch myself across that table.
The feral alpha I connected to when she’d been taken is still lingering under the surface, eager for a chance to eradicate her enemies one by one.
“You did nothing but torment, neglect, and abandon your omega and your child. You don’t deserve my gratitude, nor will you ever receive it. After tonight, I will never think of you again.” She holds out her hand and I pass her the file. “I’ll be much too busy sitting on the board of Carnell Banking and Investments to dwell on the past.”
