Nicolas’s POV

I slammed the office door behind me.

The sound echoed through the empty hallway. Not satisfying enough.

My wolf was still howling. Still clawing at the inside of my skull.

*Mate. Go back. She needs us. She’s OURS.*

"Shut the fuck up," I muttered.

But he wouldn’t. Kept snarling. Kept demanding I return to that room.

To her.

I crossed to the liquor cabinet. Grabbed the whiskey. Didn’t bother with a glass.

Just drank straight from the bottle.

The burn did nothing.

My hand tightened around the bottle. Glass creaked under the pressure.

She couldn’t shift.

My mate—the Moon Goddess’s gift to me—couldn’t shift.

Because Maxim had broken her.

Rage flooded through me. Hot. Vicious.

I wanted to go back to that underground trading post. Find Maxim. Rip his throat out with my bare hands.

Watch the light fade from his eyes.

*He touched what’s OURS. He BROKE her.*

"I know," I growled to my wolf.

The door opened without warning.

Roman stepped inside. Stopped when he saw me.

His eyes flicked to the bottle in my hand. Then to my face.

Smart enough not to comment.

"My lord," he said carefully. "You wanted to see me?"

Right. I had summoned him.

I set the bottle down. Hard. Whiskey sloshed.

"Sit."

Roman sat. Spine straight. Hands folded.

Always so goddamn composed.

I leaned against the desk. Crossed my arms.

"The rumors about my mate," I said flatly. "I want them investigated."

Roman’s expression didn’t change. "My lord?"

"You heard me." My jaw clenched. "Every single rumor. Where they started. Who spread them. I want names."

"Of course." Roman pulled out his phone. Started taking notes. "What specifically should we focus on?"

"Everything." I pushed off the desk. Started pacing. "The stories about her pursuing Maxim. About her throwing herself at him. About her wanting it."

I turned. Fixed Roman with a hard stare.

"Find out if any of it’s true."

"And if it’s not?" Roman asked quietly.

"Then I want to know who made it up." My voice dropped. Dangerous. "And why."

Roman nodded. Made another note.

"There’s more," I said.

He looked up. Waiting.

"Her pack. Iron Thorn." I resumed pacing. "I want everything. Financial records. Territory maps. Member lists. Alliances. Enemies."

"That’s... extensive research, my lord."

"I don’t care how extensive it is." I stopped in front of the window. Stared out at the darkness. "I want to know everything about them. Every weakness. Every secret."

"May I ask why?"

I didn’t turn around. Just kept staring at the night.

"Because I’m going to destroy them."

Silence stretched behind me.

Then Roman spoke. Voice carefully neutral.

"Destroy them, my lord?"

"Completely." I turned. Met his gaze. "I’m going to take their territory. Absorb their pack into mine. Strip Maxim of everything he has."

Roman set down his phone. Leaned forward slightly.

"My lord, with respect—this could start a war. Iron Thorn has allies. Other packs who—"

"Let them try." My lips pulled back. Not quite a smile. "Anyone who stands with Maxim can burn with him."

"Nicolas—"

"That’s not a suggestion, Roman." My voice went cold. Flat. "It’s an order."

He held my gaze for a long moment.

Then nodded. Picked up his phone again.

"Of course, my lord. I’ll begin immediately."

The door opened.

Andrei walked in. No knock. No announcement.

He took one look at my face and grinned.

"Well, someone’s in a mood."

I glared at him. "Get out."

"Can’t." He dropped into the chair beside Roman. "You summoned me too, remember?"

Had I?

I couldn’t remember. Everything since leaving Irina’s room was a blur of rage.

"Fine." I turned back to the window. "You’re here. What do you want?"

"Me? Nothing." Andrei stretched out his legs. "You’re the one who called us both here."

Right.

I forced myself to focus. To think past the howling in my head.

"I need you to coordinate with Roman," I said. "On the Iron Thorn investigation."

"Investigation?" Andrei’s tone sharpened. Interest replacing playfulness. "What are we investigating?"

"Everything." I didn’t elaborate.

Andrei looked at Roman. Raised an eyebrow.

Roman’s expression remained neutral. "The alpha wants comprehensive intelligence on Iron Thorn pack."

"Interesting." Andrei leaned back. Studied me. "Any particular reason?"

I turned. Faced them both.

"I’m going to crush them."

Andrei whistled low. "That’s... ambitious."

"It’s necessary."

"Because of what Maxim did to your mate?" Andrei’s voice was quiet now. Serious.

I didn’t answer. Didn’t need to.

The silence was confirmation enough.

Roman cleared his throat. "My lord, perhaps we should discuss strategy—"

"No strategy." I cut him off. "Just results. I want Iron Thorn’s complete profile within a week."

"A week?" Roman’s composure cracked slightly. "My lord, that’s—"

"Not enough time?" I smiled. No humor in it. "Then work faster."

I moved to my desk. Sat down heavily. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"I want to know every deal they’ve made. Every enemy they’ve crossed. Every weakness in their defenses."

I looked up. Met Roman’s gaze.

"And I want to know exactly what happened to my mate while she was there."

Roman nodded slowly. "Understood."

"Good." I pulled files toward me. Started sorting through them. "Now get out. Both of you."

Neither moved.

I looked up. "Was I unclear?"

"No, my lord." Roman stood. "But there’s something you should know."

"What?"

He hesitated. Rare for him.

"Destroying Iron Thorn will send a message to the other packs. They’ll see it as aggression. As expansion."

"Good." I went back to the files. "Let them see it however they want."

"Some may unite against you," Roman pressed. "Form an alliance—"

"Then I’ll destroy them too."

Silence fell again.

Andrei broke it. Voice lighter than before but with an edge.

"You know, for someone who claims to be strategic, this seems pretty emotional."

I slammed my hand on the desk.

Papers scattered. A pen rolled off the edge.

Both Roman and Andrei went still.

"Maxim touched what’s mine," I said quietly. Each word precise. Controlled.

I stood. Slowly.

"So yes, Andrei. This is emotional. Because he didn’t just hurt some random omega."

I moved around the desk. Stopped in front of them.

"He hurt my mate. My fated mate chosen by the Moon Goddess herself."

My voice dropped lower. Darker.

"And for that, I’m going to make him watch as everything he loves turns to ash."

Andrei’s grin had faded completely. He nodded once.

"Understood."

I looked at Roman. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Then get to work."

They both stood. Moved toward the door.

Roman paused at the threshold. Turned back.

"My lord... what will you do with Iron Thorn’s territory once you’ve taken it?"

I smiled. Cold. Cruel.

"Whatever I want. It’s mine now."

Roman nodded. Left without another word.

Andrei lingered. Just for a moment.

"You know," he said quietly, "Maxim’s going to fight back. He won’t just roll over."

"I’m counting on it."

Andrei studied my face. Then shook his head.

"You’re terrifying when you’re like this."

"Good." I turned away. "That’s the point."

Time to get to work.

Because like I’d told Maxim—I’d make him live through hell before I let him die.