Krysta's POV
The audacity of this man. Nathan thinks he can just waltz in here and claim me as his mate like I'm some prize to be won. If only he knew the truth about who I really am. If only he understood that the woman standing before him has spent years planning his death.
My revenge fantasy has always been crystal clear. Storm into my family's territory, reclaim what's rightfully mine, and watch the life drain from both Miller's and Nathan's eyes as I plunge a blade through their hearts. Then I'd stand over their corpses and declare myself the rightful heir, the last surviving member of my bloodline.
Maybe the details were a bit fuzzy, but the end result never wavered. I'm an Alpha female, bred for strength and power. The rage that's been simmering in my chest for nine long years will fuel me when the time comes. The memory of what they did to my brother, to my entire family, burns through my veins like liquid fire.
"So what's it going to be, Krystal?" Nathan's voice cuts through my thoughts. The way he emphasizes that fake name tells me he knows it's not real.
My eyes drift to Alpha Holt, the man who became my sanctuary when the world tried to destroy me. For nine years, he's been my shield, my protector, my second father.
"You know I'll stand and fight for you, Krystal," his voice carries that gentle strength I've come to depend on. I can see the determination in his weathered face, but I also see the truth he won't admit. He's past his prime. Nathan would tear him apart, and I can't let that happen.
When I turn back to Nathan, there's something smug in his expression, like he's already calculated my next move.
"Fine. I'll come with you. But when you leave..."
"We're leaving tonight," he cuts me off without hesitation.
Alpha Holt steps forward. "But the Alpha meeting..."
Nathan's predatory gaze never wavers from mine. "I wouldn't want my precious mate getting any ideas about running off in the next few days. Besides, I only came here to remind everyone down south that the north still controls everything that matters."
The arrogance in his voice makes my blood boil. I have to disguise my bitter laugh as a cough. My brother was the strongest Alpha the north had ever seen, and they murdered him for exactly that reason.
"Need some water, sweetheart?" Nathan's tone drips with false concern.
"I'd rather suffocate than accept anything from you," I snap back, letting my hatred color every word. Then I remember the poison I prepared for tonight's dinner, and an idea forms.
"Why don't you stay for the feast, Alpha? Alpha Holt's pack has worked incredibly hard preparing everything for tonight," I say, forcing sweetness into my voice.
Nathan's smile is all challenge and dark promise. "I'm sure I'd choke to death if I ate anything you had a hand in preparing."
"I'm not an Alpha," I whisper, maintaining my cover.
"Aren't you?" His eyes bore into mine like he can see straight through to my soul.
"She's clearly an omega, Alpha Nathan. You must be mistaken," Alpha Holt intervenes, still trying to protect me after all these years.
"You know, Alpha Holt, I had much more respect for you before today. How does a man with your experience fail to recognize the Alpha female standing right in front of him?"
Nathan's stare never breaks from mine, but I catch Alpha Holt's sharp look in my peripheral vision. For the first time, I wonder if maybe he's always known exactly what I am, and he's been hiding me deliberately.
"Leave him alone." My voice comes out as a growl. "He saved my life when no one else would. He gave me a home, a family, a future. If you truly care about me as your mate, that should mean something to you."
Something shifts in Nathan's expression, the arrogance melting into something almost tender. "You're absolutely right, Krystal. Alpha Holt, you have my eternal gratitude. Ask anything of me, and if it's within my power, I'll grant it."
I watch Alpha Holt start to speak, but Nathan raises his hand. "Your request must benefit you, Alpha, not my mate," he clarifies with a knowing smirk, as if he can predict that Alpha Holt would ask for my freedom. That's the kind of honorable man Alpha Holt is. The same kind of leader my father was, and my brother would have become if he hadn't been betrayed.
"Any worthy Alpha would help a defenseless pup found at their borders," Alpha Holt says carefully. I notice he omits the part about finding me half-dead, and again I wonder what he truly knows about my identity.
"Completely agree. Now, my mate seems ready to come with me peacefully, isn't that right, Krystal?" Nathan's words feel like a trap, using Alpha Holt's own nobility against me. He saved me when I needed it most, and now it's my turn to protect him.
I meet Alpha Holt's eyes, seeing the pain there. "Yes. That's correct."
His shoulders drop as if he's failed me somehow.
"Excellent. Go pack your belongings. I'll accompany you," Nathan says.
"That won't be necessary."
"Perhaps not, considering you understand what price Alpha Holt will pay if you try to run from me."
I step closer to him, probably foolishly, but my hatred demands it. "You'll never be half the man Alpha Holt is. Only cowards abuse their power the way you do."
I spin around and storm out before he can respond.
Back in my room, everything feels like it's crumbling around me.
'We'll escape from him, Krysta. I promise you that,' Sophia whispers in my mind.
You know we can't escape unless we kill him first, I tell her. I know she'll struggle with killing our mate, and without her full cooperation, I might not be strong enough to face Nathan and his wolf Warren.
Memories flood back of childhood days when I'd chase after my brother, Nathan, and Miller into the forest. I'd ride Warren's back when exhaustion finally claimed me. There was always something twisted about Miller, like he constantly needed to prove himself superior to Lance and Nathan since he wasn't a firstborn heir.
A knock interrupts my thoughts. Alpha Holt enters, scanning the room before focusing on me.
"You know I'll fight if you don't want to go."
I do know that, and I also know he'll die trying. He must know it too, but he's still willing to sacrifice himself for me.
"I'm sorry one little omega is causing so much trouble," I say, testing him.
His knowing eyes meet mine as he sits on the bed, patting the space beside him. When I join him, he gives me that familiar fatherly smile.
"Do you really think I don't know who you are, Krysta?"
My mouth falls open in shock.
"Alpha Nathan is right. No experienced Alpha would fail to recognize another Alpha. And honestly, did you think one little girl with a white wolf could cross my borders every night without my knowledge?"
"You never said anything."
His smile turns melancholy. "I knew your identity the moment you appeared. Your father and I were close friends. I sent warriors to investigate and was devastated to learn of the massacre. I knew whoever destroyed your family would hunt you down if they discovered you survived. So I protected your omega charade, but I've always known exactly who you are."
I throw my arms around the man who's been my guardian for so long. "Thank you."
"It was the least I could do for an old friend, though I'm not sure I've succeeded since you're leaving with your mate against your will."
"Not entirely against my will. I'm protecting my second father and my pack."
He reaches out to tuck my hair behind my ear. "You're just like your mother. She'd be incredibly proud of you. So would your father and brother."
I nod, hugging him tighter. "Don't reveal your identity to him. Not until you're certain you can trust him, Krysta. You'll need to find ways to let your wolf out secretly, because if he sees her..."
"He'll know immediately. I understand. Thank you for everything, Alpha."
"If you ever need sanctuary or a home, you're always welcome here, Krysta."
"I hope someday I can repay your kindness."
He smiles, hugging me one final time before leaving.
I gather my few belongings, steel my resolve, and head to the main hall. It's time to face my future and my family's betrayer.
Time to claim my revenge.