Page 121 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

Serenity felt her stomach tighten. "What do you mean?"

"The traditional thirty-day claim period is being... reinterpreted." Lucian's jaw tightened. "They're arguing that since you've been claimed by three Alphas, the bonding should be completed sooner to avoid 'destabilizing influences' in the community."

"That's bullshit," Ronan growled, a flare of aggression spiking his scent.

"It's politics," Lucian corrected coolly. "And unfortunately, politics we can't simply shoot our way out of. They're pushing for the pack bond to be finalized within days, not weeks."

Serenity felt her pulse quicken. "They can't just change the rules like that."

"They are the rules, princess," Lucian replied, his amber eyes fixed on her with unnerving intensity. "And they're demanding proof of a completed bond—all three of us—or they'll declare the claim null and void."

"And then what?" Serenity asked, though the sinking feeling in her chest suggested she already knew.

"Then they auction you off to the highest bidder," Lucian stated flatly. "After eliminating the three of us for challenging their authority."

Serenity swallowed hard, her mind racing through possibilities. "How long do we have?"

"Five days," Lucian replied, his photographic memory no doubt recalling the exact wording of whatever communication he'd received. "They've scheduled a formal gathering where our completed bond will be verified by their representatives."

The weight of it all pressed down on Serenity's shoulders. Five days to secure financial protections, finalize a pack bond with three Alphas, and prepare to face a society that clearly wanted her under their control—not her own.

"Then we work faster," she said, drawing herself up to her full height of 5'4". "We have the advantage they don't expect."

"And what's that?" Ronan asked, green eyes narrowed.

Serenity smiled, a cold, calculated expression that would have made Marcus Vale proud. "They think I'm just a scared little Omega who stumbled into power. They have no idea what I'm capable of when someone threatens what's mine."

Darius rose from his seat, his imposing 6'4" frame casting a long shadow across the living room as he moved toward the bar. The clink of crystal decanters punctuated the heavy silence that had fallen over the room. Each movement was precise, controlled—the actions of a man accustomed to operating under pressure.

"Five days," he repeated, his voice a low rumble. "The Society is forcing our hand deliberately."

Serenity watched him pour amber liquid into four tumblers, her golden eyes tracking his methodical movements. The red flecks in her irises seemed more pronounced under the dim lighting, a visual echo of the anger simmering just beneath her composed exterior.

"They're confident we can't formalize everything in time," she said. "Especially with the constant attempts on Ronan's life complicating matters."

Lucian leaned forward, his amber eyes gleaming with dangerous intelligence. "This isn't just about claiming you anymore. They're threatened by what we represent together—a new power structure outside their control."

"Then perhaps," Darius said, distributing the drinks with deliberate care, "it's time we eliminate the threat entirely."

Serenity accepted the glass, her fingertips brushing against Darius's momentarily. Even that brief contact sent a ripple of awareness through her Omega senses. "What exactly are you suggesting?"

"A complete dismantling of the Society's leadership structure." Darius remained standing, commanding the room's attention without effort. "Not defensively responding to their moves—but a coordinated offensive strike against every level of their organization."

"You want to take down the entire Alpha Society?" Ronan's voice carried equal parts disbelief and intrigue.

"I want to reconstruct it," Darius corrected, his gray eyes hard as steel. "The Society serves a purpose in maintaining order among packs, but its current leadership has become corrupt. They've forgotten they exist to serve the packs, not to control them."

Serenity took a measured sip of her drink, letting the burn of alcohol settle in her stomach as she considered his words. "You're talking about a coup."

"I'm talking about a recalibration," Darius replied, the corner of his mouth lifting in a predatory smile. "The Castellanos control the East Coast. Lucian oversees the financial networks. Ronan has connections throughout the Midwest. And now, with the Vale empire at your disposal, Serenity, we control the largest distribution network in North America."

"Combined forces," Lucian murmured, amber eyes lighting with calculation. "Strategically deployed against key Society members and their assets simultaneously."

"It's not just about brute force," Darius continued, pacing now with contained energy. "We target their financial holdings, their territories, their supply chains. We cut off their resources while revealing their corruption to the regional pack leaders who've been manipulated for decades."

Serenity felt her heartbeat quicken, fear and exhilaration mixing in equal measure. "This is why they're rushing the deadline. They must suspect we're capable of this."

"They know what each of us can do individually," Darius agreed. "But they haven't accounted for what we can accomplish together—particularly with your financial expertise directing our combined resources, Serenity."

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