Page 27 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

Of course.

Serenity sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing. She pulled a small notebook from her purse and began jotting down observations in a shorthand of her own creation—a habit from her consulting days that had served her well.

"Five Alphas," she whispered to herself. "Darius knows something. Warning about father's killers... connected tosomeone here even though I know the truth. Was he blackmailed into doing the deed? Set up?" She tapped her pen against the paper. "24-hour head start. Cameras likely in common areas, not bedrooms due to privacy laws for Omegas."

She sketched a rough map of what she'd seen of the facility, marking potential exits and blind spots. The eastern stairwell had fewer cameras. The kitchen staff changed shifts at 11 PM, according to the schedule posted in the hallway.

"I need transportation, cash, and a new identity," she murmured, mentally cataloging her resources. The Swiss account her father had left her couldn't be accessed without triggering alerts, but she had emergency funds hidden in three cities, including one cache in Detroit itself.

"I don't need to get far—just far enough to regroup and?—"

A soft click interrupted her thoughts. Serenity froze, her muscles tensing as a section of the wood paneling on the far wall slid open. Her hand instinctively reached for the letter opener she'd pocketed from the common room downstairs—not much of a weapon, but better than nothing.

Elena Blackwood stepped through the opening, her movements fluid and silent.

Unlike the Alphas downstairs with their domineering presences, Elena's Beta status gave her an understated quality that made her easy to underestimate—a quality Serenity knew better than to dismiss.

"Ms. Vale," Elena said, her voice low and controlled. She wore a tailored black suit that emphasized her athletic build, her dark hair pulled back in a severe ponytail. "We don't have much time."

Serenity didn't lower the letter opener. "Interesting. The head of my father's security detail decides to pay a visit through a secret passage I didn't know existed. Should I be flattered or alarmed?"

A ghost of a smile touched Elena's lips.

"Both would be appropriate." She glanced at Serenity's notebook. "Your escape plan won't work. The Society has contingencies for every scenario you're considering."

"And yet here you are, using a route that bypasses their security." Serenity raised an eyebrow. "Care to share how many more of these little passages exist?"

"Enough," Elena replied, moving further into the room but maintaining a respectful distance. "Your father had this house modified years ago. The Society thinks they know all its secrets." Her eyes, sharp and assessing, met Serenity's. "They don't."

Serenity felt a flicker of something dangerous — hope. She tamped it down, her experiences have taught her that hope was often just the precursor to disappointment.

"What do you want, Elena?"

"To offer you an alliance." Elena reached into her jacket and Serenity tensed, but the Beta only withdrew a small data drive. "And to give you information about your father that changes everything you think you know."

"My father is dead. Why come to me now?"

"Because his killers are in this house," Elena said flatly. "And they believe you're just a naive Omega who inherited a business you don't understand. They have no idea what Marcus was grooming you for."

Grooming me for when I was barely in his life?

It’s comical to think about how his demise triggered my reign like it’s truly important to this world of cunning bloodshed and endless cruelty.

Serenity's pulse quickened.

"And what was that, exactly?"

"To take his place." Elena's expression remained impassive. "Your father knew what you were capable of long before you presented as an Omega. He saw something in you thattranscended biology—a mind that could rebuild his empire, but better. Cleaner."

Yeah right. Build an empire I’ve only touched the surface of? What do I get doing any of this?

"You expect me to believe my father—who I barely knew—had some grand plan for me?" Serenity scoffed. "The man couldn't be bothered to acknowledge me for most of my life."

"He kept you hidden to protect you." Elena took a step closer, her intensity surprising. "Those MBA programs? The financial consulting firm that 'happened' to have contracts with shell companies tied to Vale Enterprises? None of that was a coincidence. Your entire career has been preparation."

Serenity's mind whirled with implications.

"Prove it."

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