Page 71 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

I waited twenty minutes, then started the engine. I drove probably ten miles an hour, slowing every time I felt a rattle. Pretty soon I was down to a slow pace, but Pack Lockwood’s house was within sight. The car started smoking again, so I pulled it off the road under a few trees in the shade. I was near the back of their house, but I could walk from here. Grabbing my purse, I started trudging through the waist high grass and bushes as I approached the mansion from the back. The guys were probably going to tease me mercilessly for it, but I didn’t care. Any extra time spent with them was well worth it.

Chapter 53

Liam

I felt like I’d been shot.

Dante had finally done it. He’d called us to the clubhouse, where we now sat stunned, looking at the evidence in front of us that he’d managed to find. Evidence that was about as confidential as it could get.Page after page, each one a directive from Celeste. They ranged from the innocuous to the slightly unethical, to much, much worse. I flipped through, reading until I couldn't bear to look anymore.

It was all true. All of it. Celeste, despite what we felt for her, had been and still was making decisions that hurt thousands of people.

“What are we going to do?” Vigo’s voice was weary, breaking the silence. Dante had been up for almost two days at this point, his body showing the pain, anger, and resignation he felt when he’d found the proof we hoped beyond hope wasn’t true - the order she gave at Arkala.

The emails were more than enough.

After her visit to the island where she seemed to do everything right, stopping the strike and potential revolt by implementing sweeping labor changes in front of the press, an order had been given. An order to take care of the individuals who led the strike - a massacre. Dante’s remaining family were among the victims. And now, we had evidence.

“We have to stop her.” I said, answering for Dante. He’d done enough. I had to do the hard part - admit that we needed to stop Celeste by any means necessary.

“We’ll show the evidence to Reginald. He knows who to trust on the board. Once he knows the truth, they can remove her.” We’d been secretly speaking with Reginald, one of the Harringday board members. We’d reached out to him long ago, knowing his reputation as someone who was willing to make changes for the betterment of the province. He’d been willing to listen, but shook his head at any hint that Celeste was doing anything unethical. “Show me proof, then we’ll speak.” He’d said.

He was the only one we trusted. But if he knew what she was up to, he could convince others on the board to oust Celeste, and another member would be recommended. Someone who would take over, stop the secret sabotage she was behind, and steer the company in the right direction.

“Not just Reginald, we have to tell theworld.” Dante said, looking at the floor. “Get it in the press. They need to know what happened.” Now that we had proof, the people of Arkala might finally get justice.

I thought out loud about what would happen to Celeste.

“She’ll face charges.” Vigo said, and I felt physical pain at the thought of how the world would turn on her. “And she should.”

“Prison for someone of her status won’t be nearly as bad as for anyone else. She’s an omega. She’ll go to a facility for omegas, and when she’s out…” I said, letting my voice falter.

“When she’s out, the world will shun her.” Dante said. That had always been his goal - to out Celeste’s crimes, show the world who she was, and get her out of power. But now, his words were hollow. Despite the proof of what she’d done, we all still felt for her. And the pain of caring for her, while knowing what evil she’d done, was a punishment I’d never wish on anyone.

“And we will be there for her when she’s done paying for her crimes.” I said resolutely. “She’s complicated. She has something wrong with her, clearly. And she needs help. We might be the only ones whowillhelp her, once it’s all said and done.”

I thought ahead about the future. She’d lose everything. Her company, her status, her social standing. Omegas didn’t have the same rights here. Her inheritance would be stripped from her to pay retribution. No decent pack would want her if she lost everything. Of course, she’d have to rely on a pack once that happened. And I was sure that many unscrupulous packs would be lining up to take her, make her into their slave just to survive.

But we wouldn’t let that happen. We wouldn’t give up on her. We’d have to find a way to heal her, but if that failed, we’d still support her. Even if it took the rest of our lives.

“You know she’ll be a pariah once this gets out.” Vigo warned, and Dante looked heartbroken and betrayed.

“We’ll be there for her. We can get her the treatment she needs. Maybe it will take years, or decades, or the rest of our lives. But we won’t let our mate be out on the streets with nothing. We’ll take care of her, even if it means she can’t ever have power again.” I said quietly.

I looked over at Dante, his emotions burning through our bond. He felt the instinctual care for Celeste, but it was overpowered by his rage and despair at what he’d found. The photos of what happened at Arkala were worse than anything I could imagine. Seeing the proof broke something in him. I almost wondered if it was better if we’d never found out she was our scent-match. This was all too much.

Then, our phones simultaneously pinged with a message. It was Celeste.

“Shit!” I cried, jumping up as I read it. The rest of the pack looked at their phones, and I felt their panic through the bond. “Get the car! She needs help!”

Chapter 54

Celeste

I walked around the backside of the estate, cursing as my shoes were marked up by the mud and brush that seemed to cover the land outside their vast estate. I was going to need a shower and some new clothes as soon as I got inside. Maybe one of the guys could rub my feet for me. I tried to keep myself busy imagining them caring for me as I pushed through the wild brush. Finally, I saw the back of their property. There was a wall, but I already knew the door to the side gate was usually unlocked during the day. I pushed it open and stumbled into the back patio. I sighed as I was finally able to walk on the mosaic tile, heading toward the pool to take off my shoes.

I passed the clubhouse, pausing to sit on a bench and catch my breath. For a moment I thought I was alone, but then heard Dante’s voice coming from inside. I smiled for a moment, wanting to get up and see if he’d be interested in a nice, long shower with me. But something made me freeze.

“...everything we’ve ever dreamed of finding. It’s all here.” Dante’s voice was serious, but held a hint of something else.

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