Omega Bound Chapter 279

Thane

Arriving to our territory is bittersweet. Fate knows I’m glad we are all back here, but damn, if the fact that we don’t have Eric and still have the aftermath of it all to deal with sits heavy. One thing at a time, I keep telling myself. We will find him. Our family will be safe.

I have a feeling that the Triad Group is certain that I will not be back in time and lose my right to challenge. A last-minute attempt for Eric to grab the Alpha title. Which would mean that he survived the power surge from Ayla, doesn’t know I have a new title, and is probably on his way to the pack, if not already. He could have made it back, but is too injured from the blast to fight.

We never investigated a tie from Triad to Eric because Eric wasn’t on our radar. Kian worked with the Triad Group, which is apparently tied to Eric, who is tied to Stevens and the ring. All pathetic excuses for Alphas and a disgrace to our kind. All part of the poison to control she-wolves and elevate themselves higher than everybody.

Now, I have to decide if we wait and let Triad think they have control and see if they draw Eric out, or if they are just massacred and we kill Eric whenever he shows.

I’m leaning more toward option two.

I focus on the mind-link, and the guard’s thoughts filter in with precise clarity: Alpha… Triad knows you’re back in the territory. They’re waiting at the ceremony grounds for the challenge, just as you requested. I nod, even though he can’t see me.

I sit in the backseat, Ayla curled against me, asleep. Her breath is even, soft, and steady. One hand drifts through her hair, running along the strands, untangling knots from battle and tucking them behind her ear, careful not to wake her. My wolf hums beneath the surface, restless. He wants her back in our home....his den. Safe and tucked in.

After a long moment, I tilt her chin gently, brushing a finger across her jaw. “Little Wolf,” I murmur, voice low. Her eyes flutter open, still heavy with sleep. “We’re close. I’m going to meet with the Triad group… Alpha challenge. I need you awake for this.” My hand lingers on her shoulder. Ayla stirs fully now, blinking against the dim light, and her hand immediately drifts to her belly, cradling it protectively. Her other hand pushes lightly against my chest, a mix of caution and affection. “Are you sure? It’s… It’s late. We just...” She pauses, eyes softening as they meet mine. “I know you have to, but… promise me you’ll be careful?” I brush a thumb over her knuckles, “I always am,” I murmur.

“For you. For us.” She lets out a soft breath and nods, tightening her hand around her belly for reassurance.

I push my voice through the link to our convoy. *"I’m heading to the ceremony grounds for the Alpha challenge. Cyrus goes with me. Everyone else, get home, clean, rest, and recover. Relieve the borders. Resume normal rotations at dawn. I need volunteers who feel sharp enough to handle rotations on Nikolai in the dungeon. He stays sedated until I say otherwise. If he stirs, deal with him, but do not finish him. He belongs to me. Anyone who crosses that line answers to me. Stay on edge. Every sense open. The next call could be war. An invasion could hit at any moment. Do not falter. Do not hesitate.”* I close the link as we drive to the grounds.

One after another steps up for guard duty of Nikolai, and I have never felt more proud of my pack. Despite the chaos and carnage, despite the exhaustion and hunger they just went through, they understand what needs to be done and are working together to make it happen.

The SUV stops at the edge of the ceremony grounds. Cyrus’s vehicle rolls in behind, Raven pressed close in the backseat, guards already moving to form a tight perimeter. They circle my SUV, silent and alert, eyes scanning every shadow. I give Ayla a reassuring kiss and step out as the guards circle our SUV to guard their Luna.

Across the clearing, three figures stand rigid: Sam Crawford, Miles Northstar, and Ben Sutton. The Triad Group stares, calculating, but a flicker of unease crosses their faces as they register my new height, my broader shoulders, the strength coiled in every step. A small number of pack members linger at the edges, their attention torn between the Triad and the undeniable force radiating from me.

Cyrus and Raven fall into step beside me naturally, their presence a tether as I let the power settle in my chest and hum through my limbs. We step forward, mud and blood clinging to every inch of us, eyes sharp and unyielding. Death incarnate.

They challenged me without knowing the depth of what I am now, and that mistake will cost them. The Alpha challenge begins tonight, and they will feel the full measure of the Alpha of Alphas.

I step forward, letting my presence roll over them like a tide. My boots crunch on the gravel, but all eyes are on me, drawn to the height, the breadth, the power I carry now. “I know who you are,” I growl, every word laced with authority and barely restrained fury. “You’re part of the trafficking ring we just destroyed....every last chain, every life stolen, every bit of blood spilled, you helped make it happen.” The silence stretches, my aura pressing outward, sharp and undeniable.

“We intended to challenge you for the title of Alpha,” Miles speaks up first. My eyes cut quickly, and I notice him swallow hard.

“You did challenge me. Three on one as it appears.” I laugh at the audacity.

“We didn’t know you had changed....you are the Alpha of Alphas now,” Ben interjects.

“I am the Alpha of Alphas now. You placed the challenge after I had accepted my new title.” I growl in annoyance that they are still breathing.

“Yes, but we are challenging for the Alpha title of Midnight, not the Alpha of Alphas,” Ben says as he glares at Cyrus. Cyrus puckers his lips at him, and I roll my eyes.

“I haven’t stepped down as Alpha of Midnight, but if you are so scared, I will allow you to fight Cyrus. He’s next in line for the title. If you do not recognize me as Alpha, then you must recognize him.” I gesture toward Cyrus as Raven hangs off his shoulder, smiling.

“Fine. We will accept those terms, and we will fight him for the title of Alpha of Midnight.” Sam smirks at Cyrus. These three are absolutely insane if they think they can beat Cyrus in a fight to the death, even if he is outnumbered. I don’t even care what the law states. I’d never sit by and let him get overtaken. There isn’t a scenario where I wouldn’t step in or where these three actually win a fight against either of us.

“OR....” Cyrus holds his hand up, “Now hear me out.....I could remind Thane that one of you put your hands on his mate when he was in your shitty bar.” Cyrus' words fade as red descends my vision and Ronan forces a shift.