Page 83 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

The realization settled in her chest like a stone. She had exchanged one prison for another—Marcus Vale's legacy for the protective custody of three alphas who each had their own agenda for her.

Serenity wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly feeling cold despite the ambient temperature. She had spent her entire life fighting for independence, building her consulting business, creating a life separate from her believed heritage. Now, in a cruel twist of fate, her true heritage had stripped that independence away.

"You look troubled." Lucian stood in the doorway, his lean frame casting a long shadow.

"Just thinking," she replied, not turning from the window.

"About escaping?" His tone was light, but his words hit their mark.

Serenity pivoted slowly to face him. "Would you stop me if I tried?"

His eyes, those piercing blue orbs that seemed to see straight through her carefully constructed walls, held hers steadily. "We wouldn't have to. The people hunting you would do that for us."

"So I'm meant to trade one form of captivity for another? At least with my father's enemies, I know exactly what they want." She couldn't keep the bitterness from her voice.

Lucian's expression softened fractionally. "We're not your jailers, Serenity."

"No? Then what are you?" She crossed the room, standing closer to him than strictly necessary, a challenge in her posture. "My protectors? My partners? My potential mates?" The last word hung in the air between them.

"We can be whatever you need us to be," he answered carefully.

That's the problem, she thought.I don't know what I need anymore.

"I need space," she said finally. "Time to process everything."

Lucian nodded, stepping back. "Of course. The common area is down the main staircase when you're ready. We'll be waiting."

Left alone, Serenity paced the perimeter of her room, mind racing. The tour had revealed more than just the physical layout of her new residence; it had shown her glimpses of the men who now controlled her fate.

Lucian with his books and precision, the calculating strategist who seemed to plan ten moves ahead. Darius with his unexpected artistic passions hidden beneath the perfect businessman exterior. Ronan with his straightforward approach that concealed surprising depths.

Each alpha was dangerous in his own way. Each wanted something from her.

And her omega biology, damn it to hell, responded to all three of them.

She hadn't anticipated that complication—the way her pulse quickened when Lucian's eyes lingered on her, the warmth that spread through her when Darius's hand had briefly touchedher back guiding her through his wing, the primal response to Ronan's raw alpha presence.

Focus, Serenity, she chided herself.They're tools, not potential mates. Use them to secure your position, then establish independence.

But would independence even be possible now? The Vale empire wasn't something she could simply walk away from. The enemies her father had made wouldn't forget she existed. And the omega designation that society viewed as a weakness wasn't something she could change.

Serenity caught her reflection in the ornate mirror mounted on the wall. Golden eyes with those distinctive red flecks—Vale eyes—stared back at her. She had her father's coloring but her mother's features. A living reminder of a forbidden union between alpha and omega that had resulted in her existence.

She straightened her shoulders. If her parents had defied convention once, she could do the same now.

With renewed determination, Serenity left her suite and made her way down the imposing staircase to the main floor. The common area wasn't difficult to find—she simply followed the low murmur of male voices engaged in what sounded like a heated but controlled debate.

The room fell silent as she entered. All three alphas looked up simultaneously, their expressions shifting subtly. Darius rose to his feet in a smooth movement, ever the gentleman. Lucian's eyes tracked her as she moved into the room. Ronan remained seated but his posture changed, becoming more alert.

"Gentlemen," she greeted them, adopting the cool professional tone she'd used in countless business meetings. "I believe we have matters to discuss."

She took a seat in an armchair positioned to face all three of them, crossing her legs and settling in with deliberateease. The move was calculated—establishing herself as an equal participant rather than a subject for their protection.

"First," she continued before any of them could speak, "I want to clarify our arrangement. While I appreciate the security concerns, I won't be treated as a prisoner or a ward. I am the Vale heir, and that comes with certain expectations."

The alphas exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them that spoke of a long-established dynamic. Serenity observed the interplay with keen interest. Understanding the bonds between these men would be crucial to navigating their world.

"No one's treating you as a prisoner," Ronan said, his deep voice rumbling through the room. "But you need to understand the reality of your situation. There are at least three major syndicates who want you dead, not to mention the smaller players looking to make a name for themselves."

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