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Home / MM Romance / ICE- The Alpha’s Unwanted OMEGA / Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

All Chapters of ICE- The Alpha’s Unwanted OMEGA: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

87 Chapters

31

“Do you know how his father actually met his end?” Charlie scoffed, swirling his wine. “Ethan tore the life from him.”The admiration on Chloe’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a pale mask of horror.“I can't be a hundred percent certain, but my sources are nearly positive,” Charlie continued. “I never disclosed it because we were on decent terms before. I figured his utility to the Kingdom outweighed his sins.”Chloe felt a primal chill race through her limbs. It took an eternity before her trembling hand could bring the glass to her lips.“He might be a force of nature, but he’s a broken one. You shouldn't worship a monster like that. If you were to ever bond with him, I’d be constantly checking the scent of the air for your safety,” Charlie said, calmly cutting into his steak.“I’m sure he had a justification… I don't believe he’s a mindless rogue…” Chloe mumbled. “I’ve spent years at his side; I know his scent like my own.”Charlie chuckled at her naivety. “There was a rogue

32

"I'm truly grateful for the proposition, Mr. Whitaker, but I have no plans to abandon Silvercrest Holdings in this cycle. As long as the Alpha doesn't exile me from the den, I’m staying exactly where I am.""And why is that?" Charlie asked, his brow furrowing in genuine confusion."You might as well ask Chloe why she refuses to leave the ranks.""She stays because she’s pathologically obsessed with Ethan Carter. Don't tell me you’ve developed a crush on the boss too?!" Charlie let out a sharp, mocking bark of laughter."I have an affinity for him, yes, but it’s rooted in profound respect," I answered with total sincerity. "The rumors always focus on his lethal temperament, but a wolf has many layers. Someone who never bares a submissive grin isn't necessarily a monster, and someone who wags their tail at everyone isn't necessarily a saint.""Is that a jab at my character?" Charlie questioned."Not at all," I replied smoothly. "There's no subtext. You are a formidable Alpha in your own

33

I let out a harsh, cold chuckle. "Would you be this composed if your own parents had said that about your birth?""I would offer them my thanks if they had never brought me into this world," he answered flatly. "Not every soul finds joy in being born into this kingdom, Collins."I narrowed my eyes. He didn't wish to exist? How was that possible? Ethan’s mother practically worshipped him, he sat atop a mountain of wealth, and half the territory treated him like the sun around which they orbited. Why was he so shrouded in pessimism? What kind of darkness had he survived?"Are you suffering from a mental fog?" I asked, my clinical training kicking in despite my anger. "There are treatments for that kind of depressive state. If your mind is sick, you should consult a specialist immediately."The tension in Ethan’s face softened ever so slightly. "If being 'sick' is what it takes to make you focus your attention on me, then by all means, treat me like a patient."It was nearing the witchin

34

The weight of the day’s trek through the shopping spires settled into my muscles, leaving me more drained than famished. I slumped back in the cafe chair, looking at the CFO.“Don’t pull me into these pack politics again, Mr. Dawson. I’m only humoring this request once to ensure the Alpha’s birthday doesn't pass in total silence.”There were nearly thirty bundles scattered around us—provisions, high-end gear, and specialized mountain equipment. A prickle of unease danced along my spine. I shouldn't have been so pliable. However, as the image of Ethan Carter flickered in my mind, the sharp edges of his hostility seemed less jagged than they had a few sunrises ago.My temples began to throb with a dull rhythm.Tyler took a slow pull of his espresso, then leaned in with a casual air. “Understood. Your assistance today was invaluable, Collins. Truly. By the way, have you sent a final refusal to Charlie Whitaker regarding that partnership proposal?”“Not yet,” I replied, my voice low. “He

35

Ethan looked momentarily caught off guard, his expression shifting to one of stiff unease. “Tyler purchased it.” After a beat of silence, he added, “I reviewed the cost. It was a bargain-bin item. No one else in the shop wanted such a common trinket, so I brought it back for you.”I had been mentally preparing a sophisticated rejection, but his words left me completely speechless. He was giving it to me because it was so cheap and undesirable that no one else would touch it?Fine. If he wanted to play it that way, I’d take the 'trash.'“Join me for dinner,” Ethan called out as he continued down the stairs.I wanted to snap a refusal, but my feet followed him before my mind could intervene. Perhaps it was the weight of the necklace in my hand—a physical anchor to him.We took our places at the long, stone dining table. Once Patricia had finished setting the platters, she bowed and left us to the silence. I picked at my venison, eating with agonizing slowness. Ethan had been the one to

36

At the morning feast the next day, I found myself tracing the lines of Ethan’s face with a deliberate, lingering intensity. The more I studied the dark arch of his brows, the predatory smolder in his eyes, and the lethal curve of his mouth, the more his raw magnetism seemed to pull at my senses. I thought back to Isabella’s teasing words from the night before, and I began to entertain the dangerous idea that a face that striking could truly act as a shroud for a man's deepest cruelties.Ethan ignored my blatant scrutiny, keeping his focus on his coffee until he finally spoke. "Are you free of obligations this evening?"My pulse gave a sharp, erratic skip against my ribs. Was the Alpha actually extending a personal invitation? "I believe my schedule is clear," I murmured, dropping my gaze and taking a small, tentative bite of my sourdough."I’ll dispatch the driver to collect you from the tech labs late this afternoon.""Where exactly are we heading?""You'll understand the destination

37

Isabella: [Don’t buy into the act, Collins! Ethan Carter is the one hunting for Parker Tech! It’s been Ethan all along!]I felt the buzz against my thigh and subtly checked the screen. My heart constricted into a tight, painful knot. I looked up, my gaze turning like ice as it landed on Tyler. "Did you inform Ethan of your 'interest' in my legacy?"Tyler’s warm facade didn't flicker. "I did. I sought his counsel as a mentor, and he agreed the infrastructure was worth the investment. As I mentioned, I’ve been hunting for a foothold since I finished my training."Another text vibrated. Isabella: [He’s spinning a web! He’s just Ethan’s puppet!]The pressure in my chest was becoming unbearable. I decided to push Tyler to the breaking point. "Did you truly secure the funding from your family elders? Do they have an opening for a summit tomorrow? I’d like to speak with the Dawson patriarch directly."Tyler’s composure finally cracked, his face going pale. "I... I secured a private loan! I d

38

Isabella was almost swayed by the sheer, ridiculous confidence in his voice."Ethan treats his mate with more protection than the rest of the pack combined. Wouldn't your heart melt if a wolf was willing to sacrifice a mountain of wealth just to clear your family’s debts?" Tyler asked, his eyes searching hers.Isabella gave a slow nod, then shook her head. "In theory, yes. But Collins isn't a wolf who can be bought or fooled. I’m certain he has a damn good reason for this level of fury. I’m not abandoning him."Tyler let out a frustrated growl and buried his face in his hands.Isabella gripped his bicep, her voice firm. "As my partner, your loyalty belongs to my circle! They’re like a predatory Alpha and a healer pup. Why on earth are you feeling sympathy for the big, bad wolf?"Tyler was left utterly speechless."I’m starving. Let’s actually eat!" Isabella said, yanking him back toward the warmth of the restaurant.I had directed the transport to my father’s old lodge where my mother

39

"He isn't the monster you’ve painted him as, Collins," Natalie said, catching my wrist. "The rain is turning into a deluge. Do you truly feel no empathy for him at all?""What about empathy for me?" I asked, setting the tea down with a sharp click. "He’s never treated me with an ounce of respect. Not for a single sunrise.""You both come from such different territories. It’s natural for an Alpha of his standing to be guarded and distant," Natalie argued. "Forget the shadows of his past. Look at who he is standing before you tonight, and who he could become with you..."I arched my brow, genuinely confused. "Why are you defending him? Do you honestly believe he’ll suddenly find the heart to let me keep my pups?"Natalie fell into a heavy silence."I’m sure he has his scars regarding family," he said after a long pause. "But the fact that he is willing to swallow his pride and stand in the mud to seek your favor is a sign that he values you more than his own dignity."I covered my ears,

40

Right as the tension reached a boiling point, the pack’s physician descended from the upper level of the Carter den."How’s the Alpha holding up, Doc?" Tyler asked, his voice strained with an unusual gravity."The fever remains locked in his system," Dr. Daniel Harris replied, his expression grim. "If his internal temperature doesn't drop soon, he’s at high risk for a severe lung infection. I’ve already detected early signs of congestion. I advised moving him to the central medical facility, but he refuses to leave the territory.""We can't just let him burn out," Patricia Bennett said, her voice trembling as she clutched her apron. "I’ll try to reach Master Collins again. Master Ethan has never respected anyone's word but his."Tyler’s brow furrowed into a deep V. He turned on his heel and moved toward the exit.Brandon Hayes trailed close behind him, his footsteps heavy on the stone floor. "What if the line remains dead, Tyler?""I'm going to track him down myself," Tyler said, his

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