Page 102 of Knot Their Arrangement

His eyes glimmer with dangerous amusement while his triumphant smirk promises consequences these men can't begin to imagine.

Water drips from his perfectly styled hair, but even the rain seems afraid to disturb his composed demeanor. He stands like a man who knows exactly how much power he holds – not just his own considerable strength, but the weight of law and criminal enterprise behind him.

He presses something on a device in his hand, the small movement carrying more threat than their drawn weapons.

The sigh he lets out is purely theatrical, followed by a disapproving click of his tongue that somehow manages to make these armed men shift uncomfortably.

"On all the nights where I'm forced to patrol, you lot just have to be around terrorizing the public," he drawls, his head tilting to one side as his eyes narrow dangerously.

The movement is smooth, predatory, reminiscent of a snake preparing to strike.

"More specifically, terrorizing MY pack brother and OUR Omega."

The emphasis he places on those possessive words rings through the forest like gunshots.

Each syllable carries weight, authority, and most importantly, promise. These men thought they were conducting a simple snatch-and-grab operation. Instead, they've stumbled into the territory of powers they can't comprehend.

The silence that follows carries more tension than any standoff I've experienced, and I've been in plenty.

Even the rain seems to fall harder as if nature itself recognizes the gravity of this moment. These men thought they were apex predators, but they're about to learn they're merely prey in a game they didn't know they were playing.

Because while I might be known for my speed and violence, Ezekiel's reputation for methodical destruction far exceeds mine.

He's the kind of man who doesn't just kill you – he erases every trace of your existence, makes it so you never were. When he tilts his head like that, when his eyes narrow with that particular gleam – that's when the real monsters in our city know to run.

But these idiots just stand there, guns trained on someone they don't yet realize is their executioner. They don't understand that every second they keep their weapons aimed at him is another way he'll make them suffer before the end.

Their last mistake.

"Your information is false," the leader declares with the confidence of a man who doesn't realize he's already dead. "We did our research last night before the hunt. Everything was verified."

Ezekiel's smile grows sharper, more predatory.

Rain continues to drip from his coat as he takes a casual step forward, making several of the men adjust their aim nervously.

"Good on you for doing your research," he says, voice dripping with condescension. "But if you weren't aware, the forms regarding the official claim for our sweet royal omega princess were submitted early this morning. At 12:30 to be exact, at Cardinal's."

The precision in his timing makes the men shift uncomfortably. Ezekiel has always had a gift for delivering information like a weapon, each fact another bullet in his arsenal.

"Intriguing enough to be notified while I'm on duty that the very Omega my pack brothers Castellano and Blackthorn had made a very clear statement and submission was theirs," he continues, building his case with methodical precision. "was the same Omega that was suddenly kidnapped by her abusive ex who she rejected at the altar and decided the onset of her being chosen by a pack worthy of keeping her safe was a triggering factor for him to do a lovely suicide mission to bring her here as bait to lure you dumbshits out."

The summary hits like a series of precise strikes.

I feel Trouble stir in my arms, her head turning slowly to study Ezekiel. Though the mask hides her expression, I notice how she inhales deeply, taking in his scent.

The subtle movement tells me she recognizes him from their earlier encounter – the encounter I'd witnessed through surveillance after Damon tasked me with tracking down the Omega who'd caught Ezekiel's attention.

No wonder Damon's jealous.

Watching her reaction to Ezekiel's presence, I understand completely.

There's something magnetic about him, especially when he's in his element like this. The way he commands attention while appearing completely at ease, how he wields information like others wield weapons – it's a kind of power that draws people in.

"You're trying to say this was set up?" the talkative one to the leader's right demands, his voice carrying a note of panic. He's starting to realize just how deep of a hole they've dug themselves into.

Ezekiel sighs dramatically, shrugging his shoulders in a gesture that somehow makes his expensive coat seem even more impressive despite being soaked through.

"If you wish to call it that, sure." His casual tone belies the deadly seriousness in his eyes. "I mean, it would seem like that if you look at this in the eyes of a judge while reviewing all the evidence submitted by the very man you're dealing business with."

---