The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 118: Chapter 118

Derek POV:
“This hotel is more than just bricks and mortar, Mr. Thorne.” My voice was cold, hard.
“It’s the heart of our pack. It represents our strength. And we’re not selling.”
Alistair Thorne, the CEO of some big company, and his group of human suits—lawyers, accountants, security guards—looked at me like I was something gross they’d found on their shoes.
They were here to try and buy the Magnus Hotel.
They wanted to take advantage of the mess after my father’s death, to grab this valuable property for a cheap price.
They think they can scare us. They think we’re weak and desperate.
My wolf growled, his hackles rising.
They had no clue what it meant to be a Magnus, to be tied to this land, to the legacy that was in our blood.
“I understand you’re attached to this place, Mr. Magnus,”
Thorne said smoothly, his voice like a snake slithering through grass.
“But feelings don’t pay the bills. And this hotel… well, it’s seen better days.”
He gestured around the lobby, smirking. He pointed at the boarded-up windows, the scorch marks on the walls, the lingering scent of fear.
“This place needs a lot of work,” he said, his voice dripping with fake sympathy.
“Work that I doubt your… broken pack can handle. Why not let us take it off your hands? We’ll give you a good offer, a chance to start over, to forget about the… unpleasantness of the past few months.”
He thinks he can buy us. He thinks money can fix everything. He thinks he can waltz in here and steal our home.
My wolf growled, his claws wanting to come out, to remind this human that we were wolves, not sheep.
“You’re wrong, Mr. Thorne,” I said, my voice low and dangerous.
“We’re not selling. This hotel will be rebuilt. The Magnus pack will come back stronger than ever. We don’t need your… pity.”
Thorne’s smile faltered, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his face.
“You’re making a mistake, Mr. Magnus,” he said, his voice harder now.
“Don’t let emotions get in the way of business. This is a good deal for you, a chance to save something from your father’s… mess.”
“You have no right to talk about my father’s legacy,” I snarled, my wolf’s presence radiating out, a wave of power that made Thorne’s group step back.
They could sense the predator lurking beneath the surface. It scared them.
“This pack, this hotel… they’re mine now,” I continued, my voice like steel.
“And I’ll decide what happens to them. Not you. Or any human who thinks they can take advantage of us.”
Thorne’s eyes narrowed. The arrogance was gone now, replaced by a coldness that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Very well, Mr. Magnus,” he said smoothly.
“But don’t come begging to us when you fail. The world doesn’t care about sentimentality. It rewards those who are strong, who take action, who seize opportunities.”
He turned and walked out, his group scurrying after him like rats. I watched them go, my wolf snarling, his claws digging into the marble floor.
They’ll be back. They always come back. Like vultures, circling, waiting for us to weaken.
But they were wrong. We wouldn’t break.
We would rebuild. Stronger, more united than ever before.
“They’re gone,” Jarrett said, his voice a welcome relief.
He came and stood beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder. “Good riddance. Those humans have no respect for our ways.”
I nodded, grateful for his support. Jarrett, my uncle, had become my rock, my advisor.
He’d seen the darkness in Marcus, had tried to help him, but couldn't stop him.
He won’t let that happen to me. He won’t let the pack fall apart.
“We’ll rebuild, Derek,” Jarrett said, his voice strong and steady.
“We’ll honor Marcus, but we’ll do it our way. Rowan’s way. With compassion, with respect for everyone. With unity.”
“I know, Jarrett,” I said, feeling a little stronger with him by my side.
“But it’s… hard. The elders are resisting change. They’re still whispering their doubts. And Rowan… he’s not doing well. He’s still haunted by the past, burdened by being Alpha.”
Jarrett nodded thoughtfully.
“He’s young, Derek. And he’s been through a lot. Give him time. He’ll find his way. And Catrina… she’ll help him. She’s good, strong. She’ll help him lead the pack to a better future.”
I hoped he was right. I wanted to believe in Rowan, in Catrina, in their vision for the pack.
But the doubts lingered. Like shadows, waiting to jump out and poison my hope.
I needed a break from it all. From the packhouse, the elders, the constant pressure.
“I’m going to the city,” I told Jarrett, grabbing my keys.
“Need to pick up some supplies for the construction crew. And… I need to breathe. This place is getting to me.”
He chuckled, understanding in his eyes.
“Go on, Derek. Clear your head. We’ll handle things here. Just… be careful. The city isn’t safe for a wolf, especially a Magnus.”
I nodded. I knew he was right.
But I needed to escape, to lose myself in the human world for a while, to forget about being the Beta, the future Alpha, the one everyone was counting on.
The city lights were a blur as I drove. It felt strange, being back here.
I’d been spending so much time in the forest, in the packhouse, that the human world felt almost alien now.
I parked near the mall. I figured I’d grab a coffee, maybe some food, before heading back to the hotel.
The air inside the mall was thick with the smell of perfume and fried food and a thousand different human worries.
It made my wolf restless.
I walked through the crowds, my eyes scanning the faces.
I was looking for something familiar, a reminder of the human life I used to have, a life that felt so far away now.
And then I saw her.
Catrina.
She was standing by the fountain, her back to me.
She looked so small, lost in the sea of rushing humans.
They didn’t even notice her, couldn’t smell her omega scent, couldn’t sense the difference.
What is she doing here? She shouldn’t be alone. Not with…
My wolf growled, protectiveness surging through me. I hurried towards her, my eyes scanning the crowd. I was looking for any sign of danger, of the threat that had been hanging over us.
Something’s wrong. I can feel it.