Page 124 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

"Sometimes running is the only strategic move," Ronan said quietly.

Darius pushed away from the bar, moving with predatory grace to stand before her. "We won't need to run," he said, his voice carrying the weight of absolute authority. "Because we will succeed. The Society has existed for centuries because no one has ever truly challenged their power structure. They've never faced an alliance like ours—three Alphas with resources that rival theirs, and an Omega with both the Vale legacy and the intelligence to wield it."

Despite herself, Serenity felt a flicker of hope ignite within her chest.

"Five days," she repeated, straightening her spine and meeting Darius's gaze unflinchingly. "Then we either have a pack bond that even the Society can't contest, or we're at war."

"Five days," Darius confirmed, something like approval flickering in his eyes. "And either way, the Society will never be the same after we're done with them."

Serenity felt something shift inside her—a quiet rearrangement of priorities, desires, fears. The sensation reminded her of watching market values realign after a major acquisition.

"I spent my entire life avoiding exactly this," she said, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions beneath. "Being an Omega in a world of Alphas. Being controlled by biological imperatives I never asked for."

Lucian's thumbs pressed into her arch, finding a particularly tender spot that made her wince.

"Sorry," he murmured, easing the pressure but not stopping. "These designer heels are weapons of torture. I've said it for years."

"Says the man who's never worn four-inch Louboutins to intimidate a boardroom full of Alphas," she retorted, then sighed. "But that's exactly my point. I've been fighting against what I am, using suppressants, building walls, orchestrating every interaction to maintain control."

Ronan leaned forward from his position in the leather armchair. "And now?"

Serenity looked at each of them in turn—Darius with his commanding presence by the bar, Ronan watchful and alert, Lucian at her feet, his amber eyes missing nothing.

"Now I need to embrace it," she said firmly. "Not just what I am, but who I am. A Vale. An Omega. The key piece in whatever this is between us." She gestured at the three of them. "If I keep fighting against my nature while trying to claim my inheritance, I'll fail at both."

Darius's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "That's what I've been waiting to hear."

"Don't look so smug," she shot back, but there was no real heat in her words. "I'm not surrendering my independence. I'm making a strategic choice. The Vale Empire needs the protection of all three of you. And you need my legitimacy, my inheritance, and apparently"—she gestured down at herself—"this Omega biology that's proving more powerful than I realized."

"Your inheritance gives us legal cover," Lucian added, shifting to her other foot. "But it's your mind that makes you truly dangerous, Serenity. The Society underestimates you because they see only the Omega, not the strategic genius."

"Their mistake," Ronan said with quiet satisfaction.

"So we're agreed," Darius said, setting down his whiskey glass. "Lucian handles the financial preparations. His team creates the paper trail that shields our operations behind Vale Enterprises, making it impossible to attack one without exposing the other."

Lucian nodded. "I'll have the documents ready by tomorrow afternoon. Offshore accounts, shell companies, everything aligned but with sufficient distance to provide plausible deniability if necessary."

"Ronan," Darius continued, "your security teams coordinate with mine. I want a unified defense grid covering all properties, with particular attention to the Vale estate where the bonding ceremony will take place."

"Already in progress," Ronan confirmed. "We've identified three potential infiltration points at the estate and addressed them. The remaining vulnerability is the staff."

"Replace them all," Serenity said firmly. "Anyone who worked for my father is suspect until proven otherwise. Bring in people we know are loyal to you three."

"And you?" Darius asked, fixing her with that penetrating gaze.

Serenity straightened. "I make my first public appearance as Marcus Vale's heir tomorrow. I meet with the board of Vale Enterprises, take control of the legitimate business operations, and begin the process of integrating our interests." She paused. "And I stop taking suppressants completely."

The air in the room seemed to thicken at her words. All three Alphas went very still.

"Are you certain?" Lucian asked carefully, his hands pausing on her foot.

"We don't have time for half measures," she replied. "If we're going to form a true pack bond, one that will withstand the Society's scrutiny, it needs to be based on genuine biological connection. Which means I need to let my Omega nature fully emerge."

Darius moved closer, his scent intensifying as he approached. "It will make the next few days... challenging."

"Everything about this situation is challenging," Serenity countered. "But I'm done hiding from what I am." She winced as Lucian hit another sore spot. "I'm the Omega you need me to be—strong enough to stand as your equal, strategic enough to navigate these waters, and Vale enough to bring legitimacy to everything we're building."

"When this is over," Ronan said quietly, "the Society won't just fear you as Marcus Vale's daughter. They'll fear you in your own right."

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