Semua Bab Rise Of The Betrayed Omega : Bab 21 - Bab 30

**Stella's POV** My heart screams to go get my pups now... I want to storm Black River Pack and take Maya and Noah away from Cole before he can poison them any further against me. But my head knows Shawn is right. If we go in recklessly, we could lose everything. Cole is a fan favorite with the high council. We could lose against him and he could make it so I never get my pups back. "Shawn's right," I finally say, my voice barely above a whisper. "We need to be smart about this. For Maya and Noah's sake." Victor closes his eyes, clearly fighting his instincts. When he opens them again, there's resignation mixed with steel. "Fine. We do it smart." He looks at Shawn. "But I want a plan. A good one. And I want it fast." "Understood." Shawn pulls out his phone. "I'll contact our legal team immediately. We'll need documentation of the rejection, witnesses to the abuse, evidence that Cole is an unfit parent—" "I can provide all of that," I say quickly. "The rejection wound

**Shawn's POV** I smell her sweet intoxicating arousal the moment it happens. My wolf—who's been dormant when it comes to sex for months, barely interested in any she wolf—suddenly surges to attention. 'Mate,' he growls. 'I want her.' 'Not mate,' I tell him firmly. 'This is just physical response to her arousal. Nothing more.' But my wolf doesn't care about logic. I've been celibate for months. And now Stella is standing in front of me, her back against the desk, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her cheeks are flushed. Her pupils are dilated. Her lips are parted. And her scent— Goddess help me, her scent is driving me insane. She just confessed she's only ever been with one man. A man who made her feel broken. Who couldn't satisfy her. And now she's wondering what it would be like with someone else. The wolf in me wants to show her. Wants to prove that what she experienced with Cole wasn't normal or right. I brace my hands on the desk on either side of her,

**Stella's POV** Shawn moves to my father's desk, pulling my father's laptop toward him. His fingers fly over the keyboard with practiced ease. "All packs use a standard banking system for their financial management. Security is decent, but not impenetrable. I'm sure I can get into Cole's system without any trouble." I watch, fascinated, as he works the computer. "You're hacking into his accounts?" Patricia asks, sounding both impressed and concerned. "I'm accessing information that should be public record for pack finances," Shawn says smoothly. "The High Council requires all packs to maintain transparent financial records. If Cole's been hiding his, that's on him." More typing and then Shawn's eyes light up with something that might be satisfaction. "Got it." He turns the laptop screen so we can all see clearly. I see multiple offshore accounts. Transfers to shell companies. Payments to mysterious recipients that have no business connection to the pack. "Is that—"

**Stella's POV** I force myself to breathe and think how best he needs me to play the fake girlfriend. I lean into him, trying to look natural even though my heart is racing. "Yes," I manage, surprised by how steady my voice sounds. "They do." Vanessa's perfectly made-up face hardens. Her eyes narrow as she looks between us, clearly trying to find the lie. "How... quaint." The word drips with condescension. "When and where did you two meet?" There's a beat of silence. I can feel Shawn's fingers flex against my hip. I better step up. "That's private," I say, lifting my chin and channeling that confidence the lingerie gave me earlier. Vanessa's smile doesn't reach her eyes. "Of course it is." She turns her attention back to Shawn, essentially dismissing me. "Shawn, when you get tired of playing house with this... Omega... you know where to find me." The emphasis on "omega" is designed to cut and make me feel inadequate. And it works. But before I can respond, Shawn

**Stella's POV** A few minutes later, I'm calm enough to notice the restaurant interior is even more breathtaking than the reception area. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow over tables draped in pristine white linens. Each place setting features more silverware than I've ever seen at one meal. The other diners are all dressed impeccably—suits, designer dresses, jewelry that catches the light. I feel every eye on us as we're led to a private room with the VIP sign on top of the door. Or maybe I'm just paranoid after what happened at the entrance. Once in the VIP dining room, Victor pulls out my chair before the server can, a gesture that's both protective and gentle. Shawn takes the seat across from me, his dark eyes unreadable. "Wine?" Victor asks, already signaling the sommelier. "I—yes. Thank you." The sommelier appears with a bottle that probably costs thousands. He pours a small amount for Victor to taste, receives an approving nod, and fills our glasses