The Unwanted Omega: Claimed by the Shadow Alpha Chapter 10

The Unwanted Omega: Claimed by the Shadow Alpha Chapter 10

Axel POV: 

“You’re late,” the Director hissed, lighting a cigarette. 

“Shut up, hag,” Willow’s voice drifted across the street. It wasn’t the sweet, high–pitched voice she used at home. It was rough, ugly. “I had to wait for the idiots to pass out. 

They came back early.” 

“Did they suspect anything?” 

“Please,” Willow scoffed. She pulled a thick envelope from her coat. “Ryker is a muscle–brained moron and Axel is so in love with his own reflection he wouldn’t notice a plague if it bit him. They are wrapped around my finger.” 

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. 

“Here’s your cut,” Willow said, tossing the envelope. “Now, I need you to forge a new medical report. I’m going to tell them I need a heart transplant. I want them to liquidate 

the summer home.” 

“You’re greedy, girl,” the Director laughed, counting the cash. “What about the real sister? The cripple?” 

“Oh, that bitch is gone,” Willow cackled. It was a sound of pure malice. “She called the house today. Crying about leaving forever. I told her to rot.” 

My hands gripped the steering wheel so hard the leather 

tore. 

“She’s gone?” 

“Yeah. Good riddance,” Willow said. “She was always lurking around with those sad eyes. It was exhausting pretending to trip over her all the time. Do you know how hard it is to fake a migraine on command?” 

“You’re evil,” the Director grinned. 

“I’m rich,” Willow corrected. “And now that Ember is out of the picture, I’m the only heir. Once I get Ryker to marry me, I’ll own the whole pack.” 

I couldn’t move. 

My wolf was screaming at me to get out of the car, to tear her throat out, to paint the snow red with her blood. 

But my human side was paralyzed by the sheer weight of 

the betrayal. 

Every memory of the last six years replayed in my mind. 

Me yelling at Ember for making noise while Willow slept. 

Ryker denying Ember food because Willow was upset. 

Willow smirking behind my back. 

We had abused our own flesh and blood. We had tortured 

our sister. For this. For a monster in a silk dress. 

I watched Willow get back into the taxi. 

I waited until she was gone. Then I started the car. I didn’t 

follow her. I drove home. I drove slow. I felt like a ghost. 

When I walked into the house, Ryker was sitting on the stairs. He was holding the moon–shaped necklace Ember used to wear–the one Mom gave her. He was weeping 

silently. 

“Axel,” he croaked. “Please tell me it’s not true. Tell me 

there’s a mistake.” 

I walked over to him. I looked at the brother I had idolized my whole life. The Alpha who was supposed to be all- 

knowing 

“It’s true,” I said. My voice sounded dead. “I heard her. She 

admitted everything.” 

Ryker closed his eyes. A vein in his forehead pulsed. 

“And Ember?” Ryker asked. “Did you find out where she is?” 

I looked at the empty space by the door where Ember’s 

suitcase used to sit. 

“She’s gone, Ryker,” I said, the tears finally spilling over. “She joined the Silver Dawn because she would rather face radiation and death than spend one more day in this 

house with us.” 

Ryker let out a sound that wasn’t human. He curled into a ball, clutching the necklace to his chest. 

“What have we done?” he wailed. “Oh Moon Goddess, 

what have we done?” 

The front door opened. 

“Honey, I’m home!” Willow called out, shaking snow from 

her coat. She walked into the hallway, smiling that fake, 

sugary smile. “Did you miss me?” 

She stopped when she saw us. She saw Ryker on the floor. 

She saw the look on my face. 

“What’s wrong?” she asked, tilting her head. “Why is 

everyone so sad?” 

I stepped forward. My eyes flashed. For the first time in 

my life, I wanted to use my Beta authority to crush 

someone. 

“The play is over, Willow,” I whispered. 

And the horror on her face was the only satisfaction I had 

left in a world that had just turned to ash.