Page 15 of Knot Heirs: Serenity's Reign

Not wise enough,Serenity thought, remembering her mother's funeral. The way her father had stood apart from the other mourners, his face carved from stone.

Victor returned to his seat, leaning forward with his hands steepled. "Which brings us to your current predicament, Ms. Vale. Your father is dead. Your mother is gone. You are an unmated Omega with no Alpha protection, suddenly in possession of an empire worth billions—an empire many would kill to control."

His gaze was steady, almost sympathetic, which made his next words all the more chilling.

"Without Society recognition and an Alpha protector, you have two paths before you. First, you can renounce your claim to the Vale holdings, in which case they will be divided among those with competing interests—resulting in bloodshed I cannot even begin to quantify."

Serenity felt her heart hammering against her ribs. "And the second option?"

"You will be remanded to the rehabilitation islands until a suitable Alpha claims you." He delivered this like a weather report—factual, unavoidable.

"Rehabilitation islands?" Serenity repeated, though she knew exactly what they were. Every Omega did. The boogeyman used to frighten young girls into compliance.

"Specialized facilities in international waters, beyond the reach of conventional law," Victor explained with clinical detachment. "Omegas are taught their proper place in society. Discipline is... rigorous. Most emerge after a few years with a much clearer understanding of their role."

Glorified prisons,Serenity thought, bile rising in her throat.Torture centers designed to break an Omega's will.

"And those who don't 'emerge with understanding'?" she asked, her voice hard.

Victor shrugged one elegant shoulder. "Some Omegas are unfortunately too willful for their own good. They remain in rehabilitation indefinitely. For their own protection, of course."

Serenity fought to keep her breathing even as rage coursed through her veins. "Of course," she echoed, her tone dripping with contempt. "Can't have Omegas thinking they're actual people with rights."

A flash of irritation crossed Victor's face. "Your father's influence has clearly sheltered you from reality, Ms. Vale. In our world, an Omega without an Alpha is like a ship without a rudder—directionless, vulnerable to every passing storm. The rehabilitation islands exist because alternatives are far worse."

"Worse than imprisonment and torture?" Serenity challenged.

"Death," Victor replied simply. "Or worse than death. The underground markets for unmated Omegas are...extensive. Your father understood this. It's why he kept you hidden."

Serenity felt cold sweat forming at the base of her neck. Despite her knowledge, despite her preparations, the clinical way Victor laid out her vulnerability struck a primal nerve.

"So those are my options?" she asked, fighting to keep her voice steady. "Give up my birthright or be imprisoned until I accept some Alpha's claim?"

Victor's smile didn't reach his eyes. "You misunderstand, Ms. Vale. There is no scenario where you personally control the Vale empire. That simply isn't how our world works."

Victor stood, circling the desk with predatory grace. "What we propose instead is something Marcus himself established years ago as a contingency. Something called 'The Claiming.'"

Serenity stiffened. The Claiming. She'd heard whispers of this term in dark corners of finance meetings, coded referencesin encrypted files she'd intercepted. She'd assumed it was just another underground auction for illegal goods. Never once had she connected it to her father's empire—to herself.

"I see you recognize the term," Victor noted, his eyes sharp.

"Vaguely," she admitted, deciding honesty served her better than feigned ignorance. "Details would be helpful."

Victor clasped his hands behind his back. "The Claiming is a competition. Marcus designed it as a way to ensure that should anything happen to him, his empire would pass to not just any Alpha, but one worthy of his legacy. And worthy of his only heir."

The implication hung in the air like a guillotine blade.

"So I'm what—a prize to be won?" Serenity kept her voice level even as her stomach churned.

"You are the heir to an empire worth billions, Ms. Vale. An empire built on blood and cunning. Your father wasn't a fool; he knew an unmated Omega couldn't hold it alone. The Claiming ensures you get the strongest possible Alpha as your mate and protector, and the empire gets a leader who can maintain its standing."

A muscle in Serenity's jaw twitched. "And the rules of this... competition?"

Victor gestured to one of his aides, who stepped forward with a leather-bound portfolio. "Five Alphas. Five challenges. The tests involve strategic thinking, business acumen, physical prowess, leadership ability, and finally—compatibility with you."

"Compatibility," Serenity repeated flatly. "Meaning my opinion actually matters in this archaic ritual?"

"To an extent," Victor admitted, unperturbed by her tone. "The final challenge requires the Alpha to form a connection with you. After all, a reluctant Omega makes for an unstable empire. Your father recognized that much, at least."

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