12. River

Your friends have given up on you. My father is happier than I’ve seen him in ages as he enters my room. Hes dressed in his usual suit, his hair perfectly coiffed, his beard neatly trimmed. He looks every bit the picture of an alpha wolf.

Confident. Powerful. In control.

I dont know what youre talking about. I turn away from him and look between the cracks in the boards over my window.

Dont play dumb with me, River. His smile drops, and his voice hardens. I know you were with them when you ran away. And I know they came here looking for you.

They were here? Looking for me? I didnt ask them to come. I barely know them. They dont owe me anything.

On that, they seem to agree with you. My father smiles again, proud of himself. Because theyre gone. They left without you.

I swallow hard as I try to hide the pain I feel at his words. I know its stupid, and I shouldnt be surprised. But...it hurts.

Its for the best. My father’s voice softens slightly. You know that, dont you? You know you cant leave. Not with your wedding so close.

Im not marrying him. I suck in a deep breath and face my father. I wont.

You will. His eyes narrow at me. You dont have a choice. For the sake of our pack, for everyone in it, you will do this, River. End of discussion.

I swallow the lump in my throat as I meet his gaze.

You wouldnt condemn everyone youve ever known, would you? He tilts his head slightly, employing his usual guilt tactics. You want to be responsible for their deaths?

I think you’re being dramatic.

If you dont marry him, if you dont solidify this alliance, then youre condemning us all to death.

I hesitate, not sure what to say. Is it really that dire? Were stronger than weve ever been.

Not strong enough. My father slips his hands into his pockets, leveling me with his gaze. We either join the northern pack or they absorb our territory. By force.

But, why? Why now? Why was I the only one able to save us? Weve never had any problems with them in the past.

Hunting grounds are becoming crowded. Their pack has prospered, gained strength. Theyve got resources that far outpace our own. If we want to continue our peaceful existence, our only option is to merge with them as equals.

At first, I believe him because the northern pack is ruthless. They have a reputation as relentless fighters. But as he continues talking, something isnt quite adding up for me. Something that finally clicks in my brain. You could just surrender to them. Step down as Alpha, recognize their leadership, and let them have what they want.” I cock my head and look at him in a whole new light. “But this way, by marrying me off, you get to maintain your power. Eventually, my mate will become Alpha, but your legacy will continue through my pups. You dont care about the pack at all. All you care about is your bloodline. Your power. Thats why youre doing this. Not because of some threat from the north. Because you want to keep your position.

Believe what you want, River. My father looks away, his calm demeanor utterly unchanged with my accusation. If hating me is what you need, then so be it. Like it or not, however, these are the terms of the alliance we negotiated. You will comply with them, or our pack will suffer. It’s as simple as that.

I clench my jaw as I glare at him. I hate him. I hate him more than Ive ever hated anyone in my life.

Ill be back in the morning to escort you to the ceremony. My father turns to leave, uninterested in anything else I have to say. I suggest you spend the time until then getting your emotions under control. I wont have you embarrassing me in front of the northern pack.

I watch him leave, my heart pounding in my chest. This can’t happen. I cant let him win. I have to find a way out of this.

Looking around my room, I desperately search for something, anything that might help me escape. But theres nothing. The window is boarded up, the door is locked, and my father has the key.

Im trapped.

I sink to the floor and bury my face in my hands. Tears burn my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

My thoughts drift to Devon, Kyle, and Frankie. Did they really come for me? Even if they were forced to leave, the fact that they came all this way makes my heart tighten with emotion. Why would they go out of their way for me? Im just some outsider. A random omega they picked up on the side of the road.

But they came for me. They tried to save me.

I cant give up. I cant let them down.

Pacing the room, my mind races as I try to come up with a plan. I have to be smart about this. I cant just rush into something and hope for the best.

I have to think. I have to be strategic.

If Id just stayed with Devon this morning instead of trying to leave town, maybe none of this wouldve happened. Maybe I couldve avoided this nightmare.

Or maybe Devon wouldve gotten killed trying to protect me...

Shit.

It feels like no matter what path I take, I’ll still lose. Maybe I should just accept my fate. Maybe thats all my life was ever meant to be. A sacrifice so that others can have a peaceful life.

No way. I’m not just gonna lie down and let my father do my bidding. That’s not the kind of person I am. Despite all the bullshit going on right now, despite the fact that my father seems to have lost his fucking mind, he didn’t raise me to be a quitter. He raised me to take charge of my life, to make things happen and to put things into motion.

I might resent him now, but there was a time when that wasn’t the case. There was a time when I wanted to be just like him. Before he turned cold and distant and…selfish.

He might’ve forgotten what it was like to be that person, but I haven’t. I haven’t forgotten about the father I once adored. And I’m not gonna lie down and cower before the tyrant who’s taken his place.

I may be an omega, but I’m the son of an Alpha who’s been leading our pack for decades. I’m capable of changing my fate. That’s what he taught me all those years ago, and that’s what I still believe to this day. I’m not a defeatist. I’m not a child who can be put in a corner and told to accept the decisions being made on my behalf.

I have agency.

I look toward the bedroom door with a newfound determination. There will be an opening, and there will be an opportunity.

I just need to be ready to take advantage of it.