Mated to My Fiancé’s Alpha King Brother

153 Chapter 153

Damien’s POV

The smoke still hung heavy in the air as we stood over the ruins of what had been the largest rogue stronghold in three counties.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” Marcus shouted, pumping his fist in the air. Around us, warriors cheered and howled their victory to the dark sky.

I should have felt triumphant. Should have felt that rush of satisfaction that came with a job well done. We’d just dealt the rogues the

biggest blow they’d taken in decades..

But all I felt was empty.

“Alpha!” Tyler jogged over, his face flushed with adrenaline. “The perimeter sweep is clean. No survivors. No escapees this time.”

“Good. My voice came out flat, emotionless. “Casualties on our side?”

“Minor injuries only. Jake twisted his ankle, but he’s walking it off.”

I nodded, my eyes scanning the destruction we’d left behind. Three buildings reduced to ash and rubble. Enough weapons confiscated to arm a small army. Intelligence gathered that would help us track down the smaller cells.

It was everything I’d wanted. Everything I’d planned for.

So why did it feel like nothing at all?

“We did it, Alpha!” Jake appeared at my shoulder, grinning despite the blood trickling from a cut on his forehead. “Those bastards won’t

be threatening anyone for a long time.”

“Years,” Marcus agreed, wipin

soot from his face. “This was their main supply depot, their communications hub, their fucking headquarters. It’ll take them years to rebuild this kind of operation.”

The warriors around us were still celebrating, sharing war stories and slapping each other on the back. They’d fought well tonight. They deserved to feel proud.

“Good work, everyone,” I called out,

voice carrying across the clearing. “Clean up and head home. We’ll debrief in the morning.”

As the team began packing up equipment and tending to the minor wounded, I found myself staring at the smoldering ruins again.

*This is a good start,* I thought grimly. *But it’s not enough.*

The real targets were still out there. The rogue leader who’d ordered Sera’s capture. Valerie, that treacherous bitch who’d betrayed her

own sister and helped them torture my mate.

They were still breathing. Still free. Still unpunished for what they’d done to her.

I realized with cold clarity. *Not until she sees them suffer. Not until she watches them

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“Damien?”

turned to find Riley approaching, her expression unreadable in the dim light. She looked smaller than usual in her tactical gear,

to underestimate her. She’d fought as fiercely

out there,” I said. “Your team handled the

at the celebrating warriors, then back

in her tone made my stomach

of trees away from the main group. I followed her,

overhear, Riley stopped and turned to face me. Even in the darkness,

set

her arms. “Time to stop bullshitting

“What?”

voice was steady but sharp. “Where is

blood turned to ice. “Where’s

up a hand, cutting me off. “Don’t you dare

her, my mind racing. How much did

you’re talking about,”

a happy sound. “Right. That’s why I haven’t seen her in

Fuck.

“Riley-”

“She’s my best friend.

my hand through my hair, ash and smoke making my scalp itch. Around us, the sounds of the cleanup

distant. Unreal.

you

started suspecting about days ago. The engagement party was the last time anyone saw her,

answer.

dropped to a whisper. “She really left. She

not what you think,”

unshed tears. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like

disappeared

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214

came out fierce, protective. “She’s hurting. She’s been through

Riley stepped closer, her voice rising. “She decided parenting was too

lost her wolf!” The words exploded out of me before I could stop

went dead

voice barely above a whisper. “When they captured her.

pathways. Ayla’s

silence that followed was deafening. Riley stared at me with

she breathed. “She left

not good enough anymore. Because she thinks we’d be better off

words.