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Mr. Emerald is frozen in place. He doesn’t even blink. The man gave his full confession in front of two enforcement officers and the council. Having watched them, I know only two of them ate the soup. The psychopath may have spent years making his plans, but he didn’t think everything through.
He didn’t make sure all of his targets ate his poison. And he sure as fuck didn’t seem to have a plan for having witnesses. Clearly, he’s lost a few marbles over the years. The man is completely unhinged. He was so focused on an end goal; he didn’t realize how many flaws he overlooked. And he missed that they were waiting for the full confession to render him useless.
Andrik keeps his eyes pinned on Mr. Emerald, but he moves to Ryland, who’s also frozen in place. My poor beta best friend was forced to follow the command as well, seeing as it wasn’t specific to one person. Andrik leans into his ear and whispers something, freeing him from the bark. It’s the first time I don’t think of it as sass. It’s one thousand percent a needed thing in this situation.
Emmett jumps into action, rushing to the other council member’s side, examining him for symptoms before lifting him into his arms. “Kyle, follow me to the med wing. I need your help. Mrs. Violet, please see me to address the cut on your head when you’re ready.” They rush from the room in hopes he can figure out an antidote in time to save the man.
Mrs. Violet gets off the floor, pressing a hand to her head, and bringing it away to find blood on her fingers. I thought she was knocked out, and perhaps she was, but Emmett somehow knew she was awake.
My law enforcer twin reaches into his back pocket and withdraws a set of cuffs. How he knew to bring them, I’m not sure, but I’m glad he was prepared. He forces Mr. Emerald’s hands behind his back and restrains him.
All the while, Jed rubs my back, a low purr vibrating through me. The muddled scent of my pears starts to crispen now that the danger seems to be over, losing the sour twinge.
Mr. Pierson, who’s been relatively quiet up until this point, stands. “I’ll make sure the jet is ready. We need to get Mr. Emerald behind bars as soon as possible. We’ll wait to find out if Mr. Donaldson can be transported.” By his tone, it sounds like he doesn’t think he’ll last much longer. His face was already beet red and his throat swollen when Emmett took him. “Mrs. Violet, with the hit the council took today, we need to go into crisis mode. I’ll leave the fate of the show in your hands. Heat Paradise has always been your domain, anyway.”
Chapter 53
Verity
Even with our killer caught, handcuffed, and in custody, the world continues spinning. Around and around like clockwork. Kind of like my brain since the moment Mr. Emerald started laughing and pointed a revolver at us.
A lot of things have happened since his confession and his attempt to wipe out the council. Starting with the remaining members immediately loading everything onto their jet and returning home to properly catalog the evidence and prepare for a trial. With two members no longer with us, they’re in shambles and will need time to figure out their next steps and rebuild. The remaining members voted to leave the fate of Heat Paradise in Mrs. Violet’s hands.
We’ve been waiting for her decision for what feels like an eternity.
To say all of us need an emotional hiatus would be a massive understatement. Currently, we’re sequestered away in my suite as we await the verdict. There’s a knot in my stomach—not the good kind—over where my future is heading. The worst-case scenarios have been flashing through my mind on repeat.
Will she want to start over with new alphas and begin a fresh season? Or will we continue on like these travesties didn’t happen? I’m not sure I could handle either.
I also have a feeling if the Heat Fiends find out what’s been going on... they’ll riot.
Wanting to adjust my pillow to a better angle, I shift, which causes Emmett to have to move his arm for what feels like the hundredth time. I’m restless and it’s affecting everyone in the room. Especially because my anxiety is throwing my scent off. I know my alphas want to do something to make it better, but short of extracting the answer out of Mrs. Violet, I don’t think anything would.
A soft knock sounds at the door, and Ry jumps to answer it. Seems like I’m not the only eager one.
“May I come in?” I hear her soft voice from the crack in the door and immediately spring out of the bed. Emmett and Kyle, who was on my other side, follow suit as Ry opens the door, allowing Mrs. Violet entry. Her eyes swivel around my room, landing on the makeshift nest I’ve built with all their scents. Her face softens as her gaze lands on me. “Sorry if I’m intruding.”
Honestly, any other time, and I’d say yes. My nest finally feels complete, if only temporary, but currently, all I care about is her decision.
So far, my fate has been in the hands of society. Now it solely rests in the palms of this louder than life alpha.
She takes a deep breath. “I have one question for you, Verity. I would like it if you’d answer honestly, please.”
The knot in my stomach twists further, but I nod. “Of course. What is it?”
“Are you happy?”
My mouth opens and closes a few times, the answer on the tip of my tongue for something completely different. That’s not at all what I expected her to ask, and it has me floundering.
“Um,” I glance toward my unofficial pack, feeling their love radiating toward me. “Yes, I am. I know it’s not the way things are traditionally done, but I truly believe I’ve found my forever. As unconventional as it may be to you and the Heat Fiends.”
She stares around the room, seeming to come to a decision. “Then, Verity Graves, I’m giving you the freedom to choose. You’re obviously a very capable young woman, and I was extremely impressed by the way they protected you under duress. Maybe I’ve been a bit foolish to hold on to the idea that society gets to dictate who omegas end up with.”
A gasp escapes me, elation sparking to life in my chest. However, I don’t want to get too excited, only for her to rip the rug right out from under my feet. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“As of this moment, your journey on Heat Paradise is over. You’re free to pick your alphas,” she pauses, looking at Ryland, “and your beta, if you so choose. The council will not stand in your way.”
“Mrs. Violet, I–I don’t know what to say.” And I really don’t. Out of all the things I expected, this wasn’t it. I thought for sure she’d want to preserve her precious show. Lord knows she’s done nothing but that leading up to now. Even went so far as to cover up her lover’s murder to the viewers.
