Dominic’s POV
20
I left the hospital with reluctance, my wolf fighting my every step away from her. The drive to Sterling Group headquarters gave me time to process everything–Reba’s pregnancy, theplications of a hybrid child, the continuing threat from whoever had orchestrated Jason’s murder.
By the time I reached my office, I’dpartmentalized my thoughts sufficiently to focus on the immediate threats. Emily y was waiting in my office, her typically stoic expression revealing nothing
“Report,” I said, settling behind my desk.
“We’ve confirmed Hurst pressured several people in debt to him to participate in the n to abduct Sofia and threaten Reba,” she said efficiently. “Most were desperate gamblers who owed him significant amounts. They’ve provided written statements in exchange for leniency.”
1 drummed my fingers on the polished mahogany surface. “And the co–conspirators will receive leniency?”
Emily’s expression hardened slightly. “You said to obtain the information by any means necessary. I made promises.”
“They chose betrayal,” I said coldly. “They’ll face consequences.”
Emily nodded, unsurprised by my decision. “There’s more. William Moretti has requested a formal meeting regarding his Delta position application. He’s waiting in conference room three.”
My lip curled involuntarily. William. The man who had betrayed Reba, who had imed her as his mate for five years while maintaining a rtionship with another woman. The father of <b>her </b>pain, if not directly of her brother
death<b>. </b>
“Send him in,” I said, my voice deceptively calm.
Minutester, William strode into my office with the confident bearing of someone who believed in his own importance. He’d dressed carefully in an expensive charcoal suit, his deep gold hair perfectly styled. If I hadn’t been able to smell the anxiety beneath his cologne, I might have believed his confident <b>facade</b>.
“Mr. Sterling,” he greeted me with a slight bow of his head–respectful, but not submissive. “Thank you for seeing <ol><li>me<b>. </b></li></ol>
I didn’t <b>stand</b>, didn’t offer my hand. “William. I understand <b>you’re </b>here about the Delta position.”
He ced a leather portfolio on my desk, opening it to <b>reveal </b>immactely prepared documents. “My aplishments and qualifications,” he exined. “As you can see, my performance in both the business sector and pack duties has been exemry.”
I flipped through the pages without really seeing them. “Impressive,” I said tly. “Tell me, how is your rtionship with Dn Hurst?”
The question caught him off guard. I saw <b>his </bposure slip for just a fraction of a second before he recovered. “Hurst? I barely know him. We’ve crossed <b>paths </b>at business events, nothing more.”
I reached into my desk drawer and withdrew a man envelope, sliding several photographs across the desk. They showed <b>William </b>and Dn meeting at a private club, heads bent together in conversation.
“These were taken three weeks ago,” I said, watching his reaction closely. “You appear quite familiar for barely knowing each other.”
William adjusted his tinum cufflinks, a nervous tell. A business meeting. Nothing significant.”
The scent of his fear intensified, a <b>sour </b>note cutting through his expensive cologne. My wolf stirred, sensing weakness<b>, </b>sensing lies.
“William,” I said, <b>leaning </b>forward, “let’s not waste time. Dn Hurst orchestrated an attack on Reba Brown and attempted to kidnap <b>Sofia </b>Rodriguez. He’s also connected to the murder of Reba’s brother.”
William’s face paled slightly. I had <b>nothing </b>to do with any of that. Hurst approached me about a potential investment opportunity. That’s all.”
I studied him silently for a long moment, letting the <b>pressure </b>build. “The Delta position requires absolute loyalty to the pack and its Alpha. It requires integrity.” I tapped the photographs. “Secret meetings with known enemies of the pack show neither.”
His expression hardened, “With all due <b>respect</b>, Alpha Sterling, my private business dealings have nothing to do with my <b>qualifications</b>. And Dn Hurst wasn’t a known enemy until very recently.”
I stood <b>slowly</b>, walking around my desk to tower over him. “Every aspect of your life reflects on the pack, William. As for Hurst…” I reached for my phone, bringing up a text message and showing it to him. The message<b>, </b>recovered from William’s own deletedmunications, showed him introducing Jason Brown to Dn Hurst for a “financial opportunity.”
William’s <b>pulse </b>visibly jumped in his throat. “That–that’s not what it looks like.”
“Exin it to me, then, I said, my voice dangerously soft.
“I didn’t know <b>what </b>Hurst was nning.” William insisted, hisposure cracking further. “Yes, I introduced Reba’s brother to him. Jason needed money, Hurst offered gambling opportunities. That’s all I knew.”
“You introduced a human with a gambling problem to a predatory lender known for violence, and you expect me <b>to </b>believe you didn’t anticipate the consequences?” My control was slipping, anger bleeding into my voice.
William took a step back. “This is absurd. I had nothing to do with what happened to Jason
Brown!TM
Chapter 166.
国
I moved closer, forcing him to retreat until his back hit the wall. “Let me be perfectly <b>clear</b>, William, You used Reba for years, iming her as your mate while carrying on with Olivia. When Reba rightfully rejected you, you orchestrated a series of events designed to hurt her.”
“That’s not true!” he snarled, anger finally overtaking fear. “It was her fault! Five years I gave her, and she refused the mate bond! She humiliated me in front of everyone!”
There it was the truth behind his carefully constructed facade. My wolf surged forward, eager for retribution.
“You bastard,” I growled, my voice deepening as partial transformation began. “You dare me her? After your betrayal<b>?</b><b>” </b>
.
William’s eyes widened <b>as </b>he registered the change in me–the lengthening of my canines. He made a desperate lunge for the door, but I was <b>faster</b>.
I caught him by the throat, lifting him until his feet barely touched the ground. “Reba Brown is my mate,” I snarled. “The mother of my <b>child</b>. And you–you caused her pain.”
Terror flooded <b>his </b>scent as the reality of his situation dawned on him. “Please,” he gasped. “I didn’t know about the baby–I swear I didn’t mean for <b>anyone </b>to die-
But it was toote for pleas. My transformation wasplete now, Alpha power radiating from me in waves that made the lesser wolf cower. This wasn’t just pack justice; this was primal, the elimination of a threat to my mate and offspring.
“<b>The </b><b>Silver </b>Moon Shadow Pack renders judgment,” I growled, the formal words of pack justice falling from lips now partially transformed.
William’s struggles ceased in that moment, recognition and resignation flooding his features. He knew what wasing–knew that by packw, his actions warranted death.
I didn’t prolong it. One swift movement, and it was done. William Moretti, who had caused Reba so much pain, who had yed a role in her brother’s death through his connection with Hurst, <b>was </b>gone.
I stepped back, my breathing heavy as I fought to <b>regain </b>control of my wolf. The rush of Alpha power gradually receded, my features returning to human form. I looked down at what remained of William with cold detachment.
<b>I </b>reached for my phone, calling Marcus. “Clean–up <b>in </b>my office,” I said simply. “And prepare the formal announcement that William Moretti has been removed from the pack.”
Contract to the Alpha