The Alpha's Gamble - Chapter 44: Chapter 44
You are reading The Alpha's Gamble, Chapter 44: Chapter 44. Read more chapters of The Alpha's Gamble.
“With all due respect, Volokov, I know what the deal was that we made, but she is nowhere near ready to fight in the Ember Ring.”
Was anyone going to explain to me what that Ring was that they were talking about? I felt far out of the loop, like this was some kind of secret club that minors weren’t allowed into. I guess that goes for all clubs, but you know what I mean.
“And you, Alpha Reed, know what it means to seek justice for your men. The girl will fight, and if you will not have it, then I’ll take her life instead.”
Jack’s face was flaming red, his oval eyes filled with a million thoughts that spun in his head, and Logan stood in the same spot where he’d been the entire meeting. But he was looking at Jack with a brimming rage that pushed quick to the surface. Why was he mad at his father? It was his own Dumb idea to go to the bar in the first place. We don’t fuck with Russians, that’s the one thing we’re spooked into understanding as pups. All of us were the same on that front, no matter the rank or pack. Everyone was told the same horror stories and warned to stay far away. And yet that moron ran straight into the beast’s den and expected what? A slap on the wrist and a handshake? This was the resolve, and I was on board with it. Even if I don’t know what it is.
“I implore you to see reason. She’s only a child. Children don’t fight in the Ember Ring,” Jack said gruffly. Volokov turned his boulder-sized head and challenged the Alpha’s gaze, while Jack rose from his chair to match his stance. “And yet they slaughter without mercy? If she can kill, she can fight.” “She didn’t kill. I did,” Noah said from beside me. “Yes, you did. But she hit first. She started it, and now she will end it. That is my final call.” “Volokov-” Jack was cut off by my mother stepping forward and clearing her throat.
“It’s fine. Maddie knows what she has done, and if I’ve raised her right, she will want to make it right.” Huh. Jack turned halfway and grabbed my mother’s hand, removing it from his arm and pulling it down. “She will be killed, Clara.” “She’s a strong girl. She’ll do just fine. Repercussions for bad behavior are a natural law; one we must abide.” She is standing right here. Why are they talking like I’m not in the room with them?
“I have said that I will do it, and I expect everyone to respect my decision.” I turned to Jack. “Especially since it was you who gave him the option to choose my fate.” Jack’s eyes sank in a way I hadn’t seen on a man in a long time—not since a few days before my father left us. Weak men have always disgusted me, especially when they were at fault for the misery they caused. He couldn’t honestly be bothered by Volokov’s demand after putting the gun in his hand in the first place. The Russians weren’t known for their merciful vengeance.
“I will fight in whatever this Ember Ring is. We’ve already shaken on it.” Volokov bowed his head and walked to the door. He turned around, and a shiver shot down my spine when our eyes locked. “I will pray for you. It was a short life you lived. It’s unfortunate you’re surrounded by people who don’t care about that.” He wasn’t entirely wrong there. A smile crept onto his lips, and then he left. Watching his back, I heard his parting words clearly: “But it will be a good show.” He chuckled and disappeared around the corner.
You’d think that was the end of it and we’d all head to bed and get some sleep. But as it turns out, his leaving only allowed the others to unleash their barely contained rage, and all hell broke loose in seconds.
“The Ember Ring? Is this a fucking joke?” Logan spat, staring at his father. “She’s not doing it! The only reason she threw that fucking punch was to save my ass. She’s not getting in the ring!” So he did know about the knife. I wouldn’t have guessed it. “Madeline will be fine,” my mother chimed in. “It’s the Ember Ring, Clara. No one is ever fine after a fight there.” Jack’s tone was harsh and sharp, but she wasn’t bothered. “Well then, maybe she shouldn’t have gone there and made a fool of this pack.” That’s what this was about. I embarrassed her.
“You sat there and said nothing!” Logan’s voice rose, spit flying from his mouth. “You’re pathetic. It’s one thing that we’re taught to fear those things, but for you, an Alpha and a leader, not to make more of an effort to save someone you claim to care so damn much about is embarrassing.” “Logan, that is not how you-” My mother was cut off by Logan’s continued venom. “You’re nothing. You’re no one. If there was ever a doubt in my mind about the kind of man you are, there’s not anymore. I’m sure you would’ve thrown your own sons into the ring to stop a fight with the Russians.” Logan’s words pierced Jack’s heart in a painfully obvious display. “I’ve never liked you, but I’ve never been embarrassed by you, until just now.”
If I listened closely, I think I could hear Jack’s heart break from his son’s words. Were they true? Or was he just mad? But Jack didn’t say anything.
“And you,” Logan turned to my mother. “Do you think you’re anything more than the latest whore on his arm? Do you think you’re viewed by the pack as a leader?” He laughed menacingly, eyes psychotic as he shook his head. “You’re the laughingstock of this pack. Whenever you leave, the whispers commence, and they all wonder: how in the world can a lowlife like Clara Torrance be standing next to the Alpha? They thought he had taste, but you proved them wrong. They all say it, they whisper it, quietly and out of reach, but it’s on everyone’s minds, all the time, wondering when this pack became such an embarrassment. It wasn’t when my brother and I pulled our stunts, no,” he said, making a tsk sound with his tongue as he walked closer. “It was when you entered the mansion, fucked my dad, and let yourself believe you were anything more than a lonesome, mentally ill bitch.”
“That’s enough, Logan.” When Noah spoke, Logan pressed his lips together, and my mother’s face was pale as snow. Even the blush couldn’t bring color to that face now. Her eyes were drained of life and light, and she stared at Logan like he was the reaper coming for her soul.
Was anyone going to explain to me what that Ring was that they were talking about? I felt far out of the loop, like this was some kind of secret club that minors weren’t allowed into. I guess that goes for all clubs, but you know what I mean.
“And you, Alpha Reed, know what it means to seek justice for your men. The girl will fight, and if you will not have it, then I’ll take her life instead.”
Jack’s face was flaming red, his oval eyes filled with a million thoughts that spun in his head, and Logan stood in the same spot where he’d been the entire meeting. But he was looking at Jack with a brimming rage that pushed quick to the surface. Why was he mad at his father? It was his own Dumb idea to go to the bar in the first place. We don’t fuck with Russians, that’s the one thing we’re spooked into understanding as pups. All of us were the same on that front, no matter the rank or pack. Everyone was told the same horror stories and warned to stay far away. And yet that moron ran straight into the beast’s den and expected what? A slap on the wrist and a handshake? This was the resolve, and I was on board with it. Even if I don’t know what it is.
“I implore you to see reason. She’s only a child. Children don’t fight in the Ember Ring,” Jack said gruffly. Volokov turned his boulder-sized head and challenged the Alpha’s gaze, while Jack rose from his chair to match his stance. “And yet they slaughter without mercy? If she can kill, she can fight.” “She didn’t kill. I did,” Noah said from beside me. “Yes, you did. But she hit first. She started it, and now she will end it. That is my final call.” “Volokov-” Jack was cut off by my mother stepping forward and clearing her throat.
“It’s fine. Maddie knows what she has done, and if I’ve raised her right, she will want to make it right.” Huh. Jack turned halfway and grabbed my mother’s hand, removing it from his arm and pulling it down. “She will be killed, Clara.” “She’s a strong girl. She’ll do just fine. Repercussions for bad behavior are a natural law; one we must abide.” She is standing right here. Why are they talking like I’m not in the room with them?
“I have said that I will do it, and I expect everyone to respect my decision.” I turned to Jack. “Especially since it was you who gave him the option to choose my fate.” Jack’s eyes sank in a way I hadn’t seen on a man in a long time—not since a few days before my father left us. Weak men have always disgusted me, especially when they were at fault for the misery they caused. He couldn’t honestly be bothered by Volokov’s demand after putting the gun in his hand in the first place. The Russians weren’t known for their merciful vengeance.
“I will fight in whatever this Ember Ring is. We’ve already shaken on it.” Volokov bowed his head and walked to the door. He turned around, and a shiver shot down my spine when our eyes locked. “I will pray for you. It was a short life you lived. It’s unfortunate you’re surrounded by people who don’t care about that.” He wasn’t entirely wrong there. A smile crept onto his lips, and then he left. Watching his back, I heard his parting words clearly: “But it will be a good show.” He chuckled and disappeared around the corner.
You’d think that was the end of it and we’d all head to bed and get some sleep. But as it turns out, his leaving only allowed the others to unleash their barely contained rage, and all hell broke loose in seconds.
“The Ember Ring? Is this a fucking joke?” Logan spat, staring at his father. “She’s not doing it! The only reason she threw that fucking punch was to save my ass. She’s not getting in the ring!” So he did know about the knife. I wouldn’t have guessed it. “Madeline will be fine,” my mother chimed in. “It’s the Ember Ring, Clara. No one is ever fine after a fight there.” Jack’s tone was harsh and sharp, but she wasn’t bothered. “Well then, maybe she shouldn’t have gone there and made a fool of this pack.” That’s what this was about. I embarrassed her.
“You sat there and said nothing!” Logan’s voice rose, spit flying from his mouth. “You’re pathetic. It’s one thing that we’re taught to fear those things, but for you, an Alpha and a leader, not to make more of an effort to save someone you claim to care so damn much about is embarrassing.” “Logan, that is not how you-” My mother was cut off by Logan’s continued venom. “You’re nothing. You’re no one. If there was ever a doubt in my mind about the kind of man you are, there’s not anymore. I’m sure you would’ve thrown your own sons into the ring to stop a fight with the Russians.” Logan’s words pierced Jack’s heart in a painfully obvious display. “I’ve never liked you, but I’ve never been embarrassed by you, until just now.”
If I listened closely, I think I could hear Jack’s heart break from his son’s words. Were they true? Or was he just mad? But Jack didn’t say anything.
“And you,” Logan turned to my mother. “Do you think you’re anything more than the latest whore on his arm? Do you think you’re viewed by the pack as a leader?” He laughed menacingly, eyes psychotic as he shook his head. “You’re the laughingstock of this pack. Whenever you leave, the whispers commence, and they all wonder: how in the world can a lowlife like Clara Torrance be standing next to the Alpha? They thought he had taste, but you proved them wrong. They all say it, they whisper it, quietly and out of reach, but it’s on everyone’s minds, all the time, wondering when this pack became such an embarrassment. It wasn’t when my brother and I pulled our stunts, no,” he said, making a tsk sound with his tongue as he walked closer. “It was when you entered the mansion, fucked my dad, and let yourself believe you were anything more than a lonesome, mentally ill bitch.”
“That’s enough, Logan.” When Noah spoke, Logan pressed his lips together, and my mother’s face was pale as snow. Even the blush couldn’t bring color to that face now. Her eyes were drained of life and light, and she stared at Logan like he was the reaper coming for her soul.
End of The Alpha's Gamble Chapter 44. Continue reading Chapter 45 or return to The Alpha's Gamble book page.