Emilia’s POVThe walk back to the pack house was much different than walking to the pack hospital. Marcus seems more upbeat. As we are walking, he points out the different businesses and the shops, while making sure to tell me who works where and their significance to the pack.“As an Omega in the pack, you will be making your own living. The Omegas each receive a paycheck and they are pleased to do what they want with it. Your pay is based on what area you are in. You are going to be working in the kitchen and filling in as a housekeeper when it is needed. Each Omega has a schedule, so you will not be working seven days a week, but you can always choose to pick up extra shifts if you want.”I stare at him in shock. “What do you mean we get a paycheck? Do you mean I will get my own money? Why would you pay me? Aren’t I nothing but the pack’s slave?” I ask him in bewilderment. That’s unheard of. Omegas are considered the pack’s slaves. Their reward for the work they do is being able to

Emilia’s POV“I’m sorry,” I stammer as I back away from the door. “I got lost; it won’t happen again, Alpha.” My voice is quiet as I move away from the door. The door closes and I hear Marcus say something angrily to Alpha Kade.I turn to leave, hoping I can find the kitchen if I go the opposite way. I hear the footsteps catching up to me as I get back to my room. A hand gently grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop. I turn and come face-to-face with Beta Marcus. “I’m sorry, Beta. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything between you and Alpha Kade.” I keep my voice quiet and calm, hoping he doesn’t realize how much the look in the Alpha’s eyes bothered me. Marcus gives me a wide smile and chuckles. “No need to be sorry, Emilia. You interrupting actually caused me to win the little sparring match with the Alpha. It takes a lot for me to win with him, but you distracted him enough I was able to knock him to the ground. No early morning training for me for the next month! I just have to focus

Alpha Kade’s POV“You didn’t tell me you were going to be going to that pack.” “And I didn’t need to. It wasn’t necessary for you to know I had to go there. It’s part of the plan, dad. If you want to bring them down, we need someone there on the inside to report to us. If I send a few of my warriors, then I will have men there I trust.”Christian Marks stares at me from his seat across from me. I can hear the lecture coming already. I knew it was a risk to go there, but the pack is hiding something. Did I really want to sign a damn treaty with the goddamn bastard who nearly destroyed my family? Hell no I didn’t, but I had to. My dad rolls his eyes and lets out a sigh. "I hope you know what you're doing with this, Kade." He drops off talking and we sit in silence while I wait for him to continue. I know he has more to say, especially with the reason we are waiting here. I hear movement from down the hall, and I get ready to open the door when his voice stops me. "Kade, what about th

Beta Marcus POV I can’t stop the anger from coursing through me at the scene we walked into. I told Christian I didn’t like leaving them alone. I know how Kade has been since Leila died and his anger…it isn’t something I would willingly fuck with. And yet…here we are. Christian didn’t think he would really hurt her, but he did. The moment I heard the slap, we both rushed into the room. And shockingly, she was still standing. I could tell her hurt her, but she was doing everything in her power to stop herself from showing how much he hurt her. I wait until we are clear from the Alpha’s office before I start talking to her to make sure she’s okay. “Emilia,” I say softly. “I am sorry about the Alpha. He has a lot going on and is under a lot of pressure.” She turns to face me, and I note the sadness on her face. “It’s fine,” she says quietly. “No need to apologize for him or stick up for him. I am used to this kind of behavior from Alphas and other ranked members. He doesn’t be

Alpha Kade’s POV “—you don’t know!” I raise my voice again at my dad as he tells me to just try and give the Omega a chance. I thought I was doing a good thing by letting her come here. Not only would it keep Marcus happy, since he hates to see people mistreated—it’s just the way he is, but also because she intrigued me. There is something about her that draws me to her. I’m not going to lie to myself and say that I didn’t feel a connection to her, some sort of familiarity. But, as an Alpha, my pack’s protector, and leader, I can’t allow myself to fully rely on those emotions and feelings. I have to make sure I am doing what’s best for all of them. And I need to get revenge for her. And my mom. They didn’t deserve for it to happen to them, and I swore on my life I would protect her. Then, I failed her. I have made it my life’s mission to avenge her. I can’t do that if I don’t question the motives of everyone around me, especially anyone that isn’t pack. My office door busts ope