Watch Me Win, Alpha

Jimson stammered, “I was–checking for injuries. You were

bleeding, and I thought-”

“You weren’t trying to help,” I cut in. “You were excited”

The words hung in the air like poison. Jimson’s lips clamped

shut. He looked around, as if begging someone–anyone–to

come to his defense, but no one moved. Not even Jess.

Neil Green’s voice came through Gai’s phone, crisp and

commanding. “I think the truth is clear now!”

The crowd instinctively straightened. Even Alexander’s jaw

tensed slightly as he turned toward the sound.

“Alexander,” Neil said, “you know what to do. Handle it

properly. Call the authorities if you must. But show no mercy to

anyone who betrays our pack like this.”

Jimson collapsed to the floor like a broken puppet.

“Also,” Neil continued, his voice softer, “Miss Olivia. You’ve

shown incredible bravery and wit in an impossible situation. Consider this your formal welcome to the Green Group.”

My mouth parted slightly. He knew. He had figured it out–I

didn’t have a recorder. It was all a bluff. But he played along, not

exposing me, not questioning me. Just like that, he pulled me

into the circle. Into safety.

“Thank you, Alpha,” I whispered toward the phone.

After hanging up the phone, the tension that had been holding

my body together gave way. I couldn’t stay upright any longer. My knees buckled, and before I hit the floor, I fell into someone’s

arms–warm, strong, safe. Sandalwood. Familiar.

Alexander.

wanted to disappear into that

collapse, take

Just cry. Just

voice. Distant at first, but it

through everything.

“Olivia?”

Was this

It was

tried to convince myself it was a

I blacked

એક મર્યા

tall windows and painted warm golden squares

propped up.

at the ceiling, hoping that everything had

dream.

then I turned

And I saw him.

Ethan.

the chair next to the

me as if

gazes

forward.

“Olivia-”

I jerked back instinctively.

for my forehead. “Let me check

me,”

froze, hand hovering

here?” I demanded, my voice cold

You have no

came as soon as I heard.” he said softly, dropping to his

know I was wrong,

should never have-”

want to hear another word. “You’re

to

because I want

rolled my eyes and looked away.

Ethan. We’re done. You were done

me. The moment you broke every

made.”

mean to hurt you,” he

“You’re my Luna.