Page 17 of And Omega Makes Four
"Yeah, I do." I can’t deny the draw I’ve felt to River since we first met. "I don't know what it is either. But I feel like we're meant to be with him. Like he's meant to be with us. Part of our pack."
Kyle meets my gaze and holds it in the mirror. "So, we're gonna get him back. No matter what it takes."
Fuck yeah! "No matter what it takes."
I just hope we're not making a promise we can't keep.
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. He's 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 don't know what you're talking about." I turn away from him and look between the cracks in the boards over my window.
"Don't 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 didn't ask them to come. I barely know them. They don't owe me anything."
"On that, they seem to agree with you." My father smiles again, proud of himself. "Because they're gone. They left without you."
I swallow hard as I try to hide the pain I feel at his words. I know it's stupid, and I shouldn't be surprised. But...it hurts.
"It's for the best." My father’s voice softens slightly. "You know that, don't you? You know you can't leave. Not with your wedding so close."
"I'm not marrying him." I suck in a deep breath and face my father. "I won't."
"You will." His eyes narrow at me. "You don't 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 wouldn't condemn everyone you've 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 don't marry him, if you don't solidify this alliance, then you're condemning us all to death."
I hesitate, not sure what to say. "Is it really that dire? We're stronger than we've 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? "We've never had any problems with them in the past."
"Hunting grounds are becoming crowded. Their pack has prospered, gained strength. They've 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 isn't 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 don't care about the pack at all. All you care about is your bloodline. Your power. That's why you're 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 I've ever hated anyone in my life.
"I'll 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 won't 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 can't 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 there's nothing. The window is boarded up, the door is locked, and my father has the key.
