The Alpha's Gamble - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

A few days passed without much drama, family, friends, or otherwise. It was pure hermit bliss. I locked myself in my room, ate the food the Omegas brought up, and, to my complete shock, didn’t get a single surprise visit or door-bashing from my mother. Even Noah kept his distance, which was impressive, considering the storm of fuckups I’d recently dragged Logan into.
My mind occasionally wandered to the sex tape, wondering if it had been dealt with or not, but honestly, I was too tired to care. The Reed boys said they’d take care of it, and I, foolishly or not, decided to trust them. Yeah, I know. I’m dumb. But oh well.
Tomorrow was my birthday. That meant I’d finally get my wolf. Real training would begin. Up until now, the warrior training had been basic: building strength, resilience, and agility. But after tomorrow, I’d be allowed to train for war. Nothing could dampen my excitement.
The door to my sanctuary swung open, but I didn’t move from the bed. I turned my head and glared at Logan, who was panting like a steam engine as he rushed inside and shut the door behind him.
“It’s not my fault.” Those were his first words. Panic. Instant. Name one person who doesn’t feel a spike of dread when they hear that.
“What isn’t your fault?” I groaned, sitting up to face him.
Everything felt casual at first. Logan was a drama queen, always grabbing at chaos like it was a lifeline. But something about the look on his face twisted my gut. He was nervous, maybe scared. Whatever it was, he needed me to know it wasn’t his fault. Which meant it had to do with me.
“Logan, what did you do?” Panic cracked in my voice as I hopped off the bed.
My eyes locked on the phone clutched tight in his hand. Before I could grab it, he lifted his arm, keeping me at bay.
“We’ll take care of it. Don’t freak out,” he said, but his voice was brittle, and his expression flickered into that familiar mask of nonchalance.
“Show me,” I demanded. He handed me the phone and hung his head. It was an email from an unknown sender. Attached was a file. I looked at Logan. He gave a small nod. “Press it.”
My thumb never felt so heavy. The past few days had been quiet, just me and the voices. They’d been giving me space lately, only screeching at night, mostly quiet during the day. As long as I didn’t do anything, they didn’t poke. A scream here and there. A taunt. Nothing major. Nothing I couldn’t survive. I tapped the link.
I recognized the dark walls and the couch instantly. The faded play button taunted me. The video was muted, thank God, but that didn’t help the way my heart crashed against my ribs.
“Who sent this to you?” I looked up. Logan’s face was unreadable, as always. I preferred it when he showed emotion, even if it was fake. Part of me believed he only mimicked emotion, didn’t actually feel any of it.
“It says unknown,” he replied, taking the phone back.
“Only one person had that film.” My voice dropped. “Did you ever delete it like you said you would?” He sucked in a breath, eyes flickering over my face. “It’s a little more complicated than we may have let on. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of it.”
No, they won’t. It was bullshit. They were never going to help me.
“Sure you will,” I muttered, watching his face for a sign of the chaos-loving version of Logan I knew. He didn’t show it. He never did. It was always in his actions. The way he clutched the phone to his side sparked something in me.
“Can I see it again?” His jaw ticked. “Why? Can’t get enough of yourself?”
I stepped closer, hand outstretched.
Logan sighed and gave me the phone. I exited the video and returned to the email—only now I noticed the message attached.
How is this not circulating the pack? Maybe I’ll get the honor to spread it.
That didn’t sound like Landon. Someone else had the tape. Logan flicked his tongue and shrugged. He didn’t know who it was either. Great. Looks like I was going on a Hunt today.
I shoved the phone against his chest and told him to leave. Then I dug out a dress I knew Landon liked, fixed my hair, did my makeup. The only thing that got a reaction out of him faster than violence was seduction. If Logan and Noah weren’t going to keep their word, I’d handle it myself.
Staring at my reflection, I closed my eyes and placed my hands over my ears. Three deep breaths. The voices were rising again, screeching in harmony. They loved it when I rotted, when they had full access. As soon as I decided to live, they came back, ready to drag me under.
The mansion was empty. I heard something sizzling on the stove as I rushed through the entrance. The front door was open, letting in a soft breeze and golden sunlight.
My foot crossed the threshold, then someone grabbed my arm and yanked me back inside.
The impact slammed my chest into his, and blood rushed to my face.
“Where are you going all dolled up?” Noah asked.
“To do what you couldn’t,” I said, lifting my chin. “Or wouldn’t.” His eyes narrowed. Lips pressed into a firm line. “No, you’re not.”
“I wasn’t asking.”
“Neither was I.” More games. More rules. I had a dozen things I wanted to scream at him, but Noah hadn’t had it easy either. Not since Jack revoked his title.
“You’re coming with me.” He grabbed my wrist and started dragging me behind him.
“What-No! Noah, I’m busy!”
“Doing dumb shit out of sheer stupidity is not a plan, Maddie.”
“How did you-” He spun around and pinned me to the brick wall. There was something in his eyes, and I didn’t know if he was letting me see it or if he just couldn’t hide it anymore. Anger. So much of it. It swirled, filling every inch of him, bleeding into his voice and gaze. I knew that look. I wore it too.
“Because I saw the email,” he said. “And I knew the second Logan showed it to you, you’d chase after the first plan that popped into your head.”
“Then why would he show it to me?” I spat. My chest rose and fell with short, sharp breaths. His touch quieted the voices, but it did nothing to stop the storm inside me. I wanted Landon’s throat in my hands. I wanted to squeeze until he begged. Until he broke.
“Because I told him to,” Noah said. The words hit harder than any shove.
“Why?”
“I needed you out of the room.”