Omega Overcomes Mate's Plot

I clutched the documents tightly against my chest as I stood outside Carter's luxury apartment door. My heart hammered against my ribs, but my resolve remained unshaken. After what I'd overheard at The Midnight Den, there was no turning back.

I'd spent the entire night rehearsing what I would say, how I would remain calm when confronted with his lies. My wolf paced restlessly within me, no longer whimpering but growling with a newfound anger that matched my own.

*We deserve the truth*, she snarled. *We deserve respect.*

I knocked firmly on the door, refusing to show the fear that had become my constant companion these past months.

Carter opened the door, his expression shifting from surprise to calculated warmth. "Adele? What a pleasant surprise." He glanced at the papers in my hands, his smile faltering for just a fraction of a second.

"I need to talk to you," I said, pushing past him into the apartment. The luxury surroundings mocked me—another lie in a web of deception.

"Of course, little omega." He closed the door behind me, his tone dripping with false concern. "What's troubling you?"

I thrust the documents toward him. "These. And what I heard last night at The Midnight Den."

His face remained impassive as he took the papers. "You misunderstood a business discussion, Adele. These are simply protective measures."

"Protective?" My voice shook with barely contained rage. "I heard you and Felicity talking about Victor taking me as payment. About breaking me completely."

Carter's laugh was cold, nothing like the warm sound I'd fallen in love with. "You're being dramatic. Victor is a business associate who's been... patient with my debts."

"Debts you've never explained," I pressed, stepping closer. "Debts that somehow require me to sell my mother's land for pennies."

Something dangerous flashed in his eyes. "You don't understand the pressure I'm under. These rogues aren't the type to make idle threats."

"Then tell me the truth!" I demanded, my voice rising. "For once, stop treating me like I'm stupid."

The mask slipped completely then. Carter straightened to his full height, his Beta aura flaring as his eyes hardened into cold amber.

"You want the truth?" he snarled, his voice shifting to the commanding tone I'd never heard him use before. "The truth is that you're nothing but a rogue Omega who should be grateful I'm protecting you at all."

I stumbled back, shocked by the sudden change. "Carter?"

"Did you really think someone like you could be worthy of a Beta?" He circled me slowly, his movements predatory. "Your Alpha blood is diluted, worthless. You should be thankful I've allowed you to serve me this long."

My wolf howled in outrage, clawing to break free from the chains of submission I'd forged through months of humiliation.

"The territory sale isn't optional," he continued, looming over me. "Sign it today, or I'll make sure Victor gets what he wants early."

---

The Midnight Den's pulsing music matched the throbbing in my head as I balanced a tray of drinks. One day. That's all the time Carter had given me to make my decision.

"Omega!" A harsh voice cut through the noise. "Over here."

I turned to see Felicity Young surrounded by a group of wolves bearing the Shadowridge Pack insignia on their jackets. Gammas, by the looks of them—mid-ranking wolves who outranked me in Carter's twisted hierarchy.

"Look who it is," Felicity called loudly as I approached their table. "The broken Alpha's daughter, serving her betters."

The wolves laughed, their eyes raking over me with contempt.

"I heard she actually thought Martinez would keep her," one of them sneered, loud enough for nearby tables to hear. "As if a Beta would ever mark damaged goods."

Felicity's perfectly manicured hand reached out to touch my tray, deliberately knocking over a glass. "Oops," she said with mock innocence. "Clumsy little omega."

The liquid splashed across my uniform, marking me with a stain that matched the humiliation burning in my chest.

"Some females need to learn submission the hard way," another Gamma said, his voice carrying to surrounding tables. "Maybe that's what's best for broken wolves who don't know their place."

I kept my eyes downcast, my knuckles white around the tray. Inside, my wolf thrashed wildly, demanding release, demanding retribution.

*Soon*, I promised her silently as Felicity's laughter rang in my ears. *Very soon.*