Chapter 5

Orion

“Are you sure this is the right decision?” Jaxon, my beta, asked me as soon as I stepped out of the room. He had remained behind at the pack because we didn’t know how this meeting would go. I had worked so many years to get this far, but someone just had to ruin my plans.

Fuck you, Lucienne Nightingale.

“He doesn’t suspect anything,” I said, my voice steady. Heading towards my room, which is next to hers. Now that I have thought about it. I should have put her in one room downstairs.

“Well, you were supposed to marry the first-born daughter—His favorite. Not her,” he points over his shoulder towards the room where I just dropped Rory Nigthingale.

“I know. But she was the only one who was available,” I retorted, heading into my room. I feel my wolf stir, and there’s a growl but no words.

“What happened to Lucienne?” he asked, following me behind.

“The fuck should I know?” I growled,

He scoffs, pausing on the threshold of my bedroom. “Please tell me you’re joking,” he continued, his voice laced with disbelief and concern. “Please tell me you didn’t look at her and decide you wanted her.”  

“I didn’t. I saw an opportunity and took it.”

“That’s not what Darius told me.” He beckoned, walking into my room. I pulled off the mask, threw it on the table, then stretched my neck, which felt stiff from all the sitting. Jax has known me since we were kids; he knows that I never do anything without reason, but when I saw those eyes staring at me, something in me ignited. Something I thought was dead stirred.

“Well, whatever Darius told you. It happened,” I snapped, getting irritated with his constant reminders of what my duty is.

He eyes me, still not convinced by what I just said.

“Orion, Man—”

“Get out, Jax. It’s been a long night,” I growled, pulling off my boots, then waited for him to leave. Jax is my best friend, and I would give my life just as I know he would do the same for me, but I can’t have him questioning this decision.

If Lucienne wasn’t good enough, then I would take her. Someone needed to pay at the end of the day.

I walked towards the bar and poured myself two fingers of scotch. I plopped down on the couch, nursing my glass.

I don’t know what happened, but when I stepped into Night Wing, my wolf started stirring. Urging me to get there on time. When I arrived, his ears pecked up, darting around.

I didn’t understand why he did that until I saw her. Her ginger hair, covering half her face, was covered in mud.

My chest tightened seeing how scared those green eyes looked at me. Her eyes roamed around my face like she was looking for something. Could it be—no? It’s not possible.

I know my face is disgusting to look at, but when she looked at me, I felt something in me I have never felt before. Something stirred, and now I can’t stop thinking of her face.

I knew why he wanted us to go there. I don’t understand why, of all people, he chose her. So, without wasting any time, I decided I wanted her. I shouldn’t have settled for her, but when I saw the fear in Nightingale’s eyes. I knew I picked the right daughter—the one who would be used as my weapon in this.

When I offered him the money and alliance he desperately wanted, he didn’t even blink or bother to go through the documents he had sent over for me to look at. I picked up the documents on the table and lifted them to the light. It was the perfect trade, but was it worth it?

I hoped it was worth it, and my gut was right. Otherwise, I might have paid fifty million to Nightingale for nothing.

I threw back the documents, then downed my whiskey. It had to be worth it.

She had to be worth it. Otherwise, I was going to rip out her fucking heart with my own hands. But I have never been wrong. It’s what has kept me alive for so long.

I threw my head back, closing my eyes for a bit of quiet. I was coming for everything Adrian Nightingale held dear, and I will stand there, watching it burn to the ground.