Cade's POV
The big wooden door slammed shut behind me like thunder. My father stood by the window backing me. I didn't need to see his face to know he was angry. I could feel it in the air.
"Sit down," Alpha Marcus said without turning.
I didn't move. "Dad, I can explain.."
"Sit. Down."
The Alpha command in his voice made my legs move. I dropped on the leather chair in front of his large desk. My wolf shaking inside me.
Dad finally turned around. His face was hard like stone, but his eyes were burning with anger I had never seen before.
"Twenty-four hours," he said, quiet and cold. "That's all it took for you to ruin everything I've worked for."
"I didn't ruin anything."
He laughed, but it sounded bitter. "Didn't you? Alpha Sterling called me. He's threatening to break our alliance because his daughter feels disrespected."
My stomach twisted. "Victoria knew the marriage was for the pack. She doesn't care about me."
"She cares about respect!" Dad slammed his fist on the desk. "And you've shown her none!"
I flinched but kept looking at him. "I never promised to love her."
"Love?" He spat the word like it was bitter. "This isn't about love. It's about survival, Cade. Our pack's survival."
He came around the desk and stood in front of me. Up close, I could see the gray in his hair and the tired lines on his face. When did he start looking so old?
"Do you even know what happens if the Sterling alliance falls apart?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"The Northern Packs will see us weak. They'll attack our borders. Without Sterling's warriors, we're outnumbered, three to one."
Fear crawled through me. "It won't come to that."
"It already has. Alpha Sterling is pulling his men. He says he can't trust a pack led by someone who breaks promises."
"I only promised the wedding."
"You're the future Alpha!" Dad grabbed my shoulders hard. "Everything you do matters. Every choice you make puts lives at risk."
I tried to stand, but he held me in place.
"That Omega girl has to go," he said.
"Her name is Ember."
"I don't care what her name is. She's putting everything we've built in danger."
Anger rose inside me. "She's not hurting anyone."
"She's hurting you!" His voice echoed through the room. "Two days ago, you were Focused and Ready to lead. Now you're acting like some lovesick fool over a nobody."
"She's not just some girl."
"She's nothing! No family. No power. She can't help the pack."
I stood up so fast my chair hit the ground. "Not everything is about power!"
"When you're an Alpha, it is!"
We stared at each other. For the first time, I didn't just see my father as the strong Alpha. I saw fear in him.
"You're scared," I said.
His face went stiff. "What did you say?"
"You're scared the alliance will fall. You're scared of the Northern Packs. You're scared I won't be the Alpha you want."
"I'm scared you'll choose some girl over your duty."
"What if I do?"
The words hung between us. Dad's face turned pale, then red.
"Then you're not the son I raised."
The words hit me like a punch. "Dad..."
"I gave you everything," he said, his voice rough. "I taught you to lead. To protect this pack."
"I know."
"Do you? Because right now, you're ready to throw it all away. For what? A few nights with an omega who means nothing?"
"She means everything," I said before I could stop myself.
Silence filled the room. Dad looked at me like he didn't recognize me.
"Everything?" he repeated.
I nodded. "Yes."
"Then you're a fool."
He walked back to the window. For a moment, he looked tired. Like a man carrying the world.
"I won't let you destroy this pack," he said.
"I'm not trying to destroy anything."
"Your choices say otherwise." He turned around. "The wedding happens tomorrow night. You will marry Victoria. And you will forget about that omega."
"I can't forget her."
"You will. Because tonight, you're going to end it."
My heart stopped. "What?"
"You heard me. Tonight, you go to her cabin. Tell her it's over. Forever."
"No."
"It's not a request, Cade. It's an order from your Alpha."
I felt the weight of his power pressing down on me. "I won't hurt her like that."
"You'll hurt her more if you don't."
"What do you mean?"
Dad's eyes went cold again. "Alpha Sterling isn't the only one angry. Some elders think the omega is using supernatural powers to control you."
"That's nonsense."
"Is it? You've never acted like this. Some say she's casted a spell on you."
Cold spread through my chest. "And what do they plan to do?"
"They want her checked. If they find proof…"
He didn't need to finish. I knew what they'd do to an omega accused of using supernatural influence.
"She's innocent."
"I know that and you know that also. But scared people don't listen."
"Then protect her."
"I am. By keeping her away from you."
I felt trapped. "There has to be another way."
"There is," he said. "End it cleanly. Tonight. Tell her it meant nothing, you were just having fun. She'll be hurt, but she'll be alive."
"I can't do that."
"You have to. If you don't…"
He stopped. Something dangerous flashed in his eyes.
"If I don't, what?" I asked.
"The pack elders are meeting tomorrow morning. They'll vote either to banish her or..."
"They can't do it without a proof."
"They think they have proof. An omega who somehow gets the future Alpha wrapped around her finger? That's enough for them."
My fists clenched. "I won't let them hurt her."
"Then end it."
He went to his desk and pulled out a folder. "These are the patrol plans for tomorrow. Every road, every exit out of town will be watched. If she runs, she'll be caught."
"You planned this."
"I planned for everything. That's what an Alpha does."
He threw the folder at my feet. "Choose. End it tonight, or watch them tear her apart tomorrow."
I looked down at the papers. My vision blurred with anger and fear.
"You want me to break her heart to save her life."
"I want you to be the Alpha this pack needs."
"And if I say no?"
His face turned completely cold. He spoke so soft I almost didn't hear.
"Then I'll end her myself."
The words struck me still. I looked at the man who raised me, and saw a stranger.
"You'd kill her?"
"I'll do what I must to protect this pack. Even from you."
The room turned around me. This couldn't be real. My father was threatening to kill the girl I love.
"You have until midnight," he said, sitting back down like nothing had happened. "After that, she's not my problem."
I stumbled to the door.
"Cade."
I paused.
"I love you, son. But I love this pack more. Don't make me choose."
I walked out without answering, leaving him alone with his fears.
Outside, I leaned against the wall and tried to breathe. My phone rang.
Looking forward to tonight. Ember
My hands shook as I stared at her message. Tonight, I would have to look into her beautiful green eyes… and break her.
Or my father would do worse.
Either way, something in Ember would die tonight. her heart, or her body.
And I didn't know how to stop it.