Page 118 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

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PLAYFUL PACK GAMES

~RONAN~

Back in the bedroom, Ronan winced as he shifted to a more comfortable position. His ribs protested, but his pride hurt worse. The sounds of laughter and running water drifted from the adjoining bathroom, fueling his determination.

"Enjoy it while it lasts," he muttered, reaching for his phone. His fingers flew across the screen, pulling up his contacts.

A smirk formed on his bruised face as he composed a text. If they thought leaving him out would go unanswered, they didn't know him very well. As an Alpha who'd clawed his way up from nothing, he never let a challenge go unmet.

"Two can certainly play this game," he mused, green eyes glinting with mischief. "But three is a better number... and four?" He chuckled, wincing as his ribs protested. "Four might just be perfect chaos."

The sound of Serenity's laughter filtered through the door, followed by a deeper rumble that could only be Darius. Ronan's jaw tightened momentarily before relaxing into another calculating smile.

"They think they've got her figured out," he said to himself, sending the text with a satisfied tap. "But our little Omega has depths they haven't even begun to explore."

He set his phone down, leaning back against the headboard. Patience wasn't his strongest virtue, but for this revenge, he'd wait. The payoff would be worth it—seeing their faces when they realized he'd outmaneuvered them despite being sidelined.

"Round one to them," Ronan conceded, closing his eyes and listening to the distant sounds of pleasure that should have included him. "But the game's just beginning."

~SERENITY~

Wrapped in a plush towel,Serenity padded back into the bedroom, her skin flushed and her damp hair leaving trails of water down her shoulders. The steamy encounter in the shower had left her feeling both satisfied and strangely powerful, a sensation she was still getting used to.

Ronan lounged on the bed, his expression suspiciously innocent as he scrolled through his phone. "Had fun?" he asked without looking up.

"Don't pout, it's unbecoming of an Alpha," she teased, approaching the dresser to find clean clothes. "Besides, I can still smell the jealousy on you from here."

"Me? Jealous?" Ronan scoffed, finally meeting her eyes with a glint that made her pause. "I'm just conserving my energy, sweetheart."

Serenity raised an eyebrow. "For what exactly?"

"For when I'm healed and can remind all of you who's really in charge here," he replied, the corner of his mouth lifting in that infuriating half-smile that made her stomach flip.

Lucian strolled in behind her, a towel slung low on his hips. "Big talk from the man who can barely sit up without wincing."

"I've done more with worse injuries," Ronan shot back.

Serenity shook her head, finding herself smiling despite the absurdity of her situation. Three Alpha males, a drug empire she'd inherited, and enemies lurking at every corner—yet here she was, feeling more at home than she had in years.

"What are you thinking about?" Darius asked, appearing in the doorway in nothing but boxer briefs, his dark eyes studying her with unnerving perception.

"Just... processing," she replied, pulling a soft sweater over her head. "Yesterday I was worried about being kidnapped or killed, and today I'm refereeing Alpha posturing contests after shower sex. My life has become remarkably unpredictable."

"Regrets?" Lucian asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

Serenity considered this, feeling the weight of their attention. "No," she finally said. "Strangely enough, no."

She moved to the window, looking out at the sprawling estate grounds. Somewhere beyond those trees were people who wanted her dead, wanted to take what was hers—her father's legacy, her newfound power, her very life.

"I should be terrified," she said softly. "Any rational person would be."

"You've never struck me as particularly rational," Ronan observed drily.

She turned, giving him a pointed look. "Says the man who got himself beaten half to death protecting me."

"I had it under control," he muttered.

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