The moment I stepped into the Silvercrest Pack's conference room, every wolf in the building could feel my power. It rolled off me in waves—controlled, deliberate, unmistakable. Five years ago, I'd walked out of this territory broken and humiliated. Today, I returned as Sera Ashford, CEO of Ashford Global Enterprises, worth 3.2 billion dollars and counting. And he had absolutely no idea who I was. Dominic Blackwood sat at the head of the table, his jaw tight with barely concealed frustration. Still devastatingly handsome with those storm-gray eyes and that commanding presence that once made my knees weak. His Beta, Marcus, stood behind him, whispering urgently in his ear. The rest of his executive team looked like they'd rather be anywhere else. Good. They should be uncomfortable. "Ms. Ashford," Dominic said, rising to his feet. His voice was smooth, professional, with just a hint of that Alpha dominance that used to make every wolf in the room submit. "Thank you for coming. Though I'll be honest—I'm not sure why the CEO of a multinational corporation is personally handling what should be a routine acquisition meeting." I smiled, setting my Hermès briefcase on the polished mahogany table. "I make it a point to personally oversee acquisitions that interest me, Mr. Blackwood. And your pack's... situation... is particularly interesting." His eyes narrowed slightly. He was trying to read me, to use those Alpha senses to figure out what I wanted. But I'd learned to shield myself well. Too well. The supernatural plastic surgery I'd undergone in Switzerland hadn't just changed my face—it had altered my scent, my aura, everything that would identify me as the pathetic Omega he'd rejected five years ago. Seraphina Winters was dead. Sera Ashford had risen from her ashes. "Our 'situation,' as you call it, is temporary," Dominic said, his tone cooling. "Silvercrest Pack has weathered difficult periods before." "Have you?" I pulled out a leather portfolio, sliding it across the table. "Because my analysts tell a different story. Revenue down forty-three percent over the past three years. Your pack members are leaving for better opportunities. You've defaulted on two major loans, and your primary business—Blackwood Enterprises—is hemorrhaging money. You're three months away from bankruptcy, Mr. Blackwood. Maybe four if you're very, very lucky." The room went silent. Marcus's hand tightened on the back of Dominic's chair. The other executives exchanged worried glances. Dominic's jaw clenched. "You seem to have done your homework." "I always do." I leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs. "Which is why I know that Silvercrest was once the most powerful pack in the region. Your father built something remarkable. It's a shame to see his legacy crumbling." That hit a nerve. I saw the flash of pain in Dominic's eyes before he shuttered it away. Good. I wanted him to hurt. I wanted him to feel a fraction of what I'd felt when he'd stood in front of the entire pack and declared me unworthy. *"You're too weak, Seraphina. An Omega with barely any power. I need a mate who can stand beside me as an equal, not someone I'll have to constantly protect. I, Dominic Blackwood, Alpha of Silvercrest Pack, reject you as my mate."* The memory still stung, even after all these years. Even after everything I'd accomplished. "What exactly are you proposing, Ms. Ashford?" Dominic asked, his voice carefully neutral. "A complete acquisition. Ashford Global will absorb Silvercrest Pack and Blackwood Enterprises. Your pack members will become employees of my corporation, with better salaries and benefits than they currently receive. Your territory will be preserved. Your traditions will be respected. And you..." I met his eyes directly, letting him see the steel in mine. "You'll remain as a figurehead Alpha, but you'll report directly to me. All major decisions go through my office." "Absolutely not." Dominic's response was immediate, his Alpha power flaring. "I don't care how much money you have. Silvercrest Pack answers to no one. We're not some failing business you can just buy and restructure." "Actually, that's exactly what you are." I kept my voice pleasant, but firm. "And you have two choices, Mr. Blackwood. Accept my generous offer, or watch your pack dissolve when the banks come calling. I've already purchased your outstanding debts. I own you, whether you want to admit it or not." The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. Dominic's eyes flashed gold—his wolf rising to the surface. For a moment, I thought he might actually shift right there in the conference room. "You bought our debts?" His voice was dangerously quiet. "Three weeks ago. Perfectly legal, I assure you. My lawyers are very thorough." I stood, buttoning my Armani blazer. "I'll give you forty-eight hours to consider my offer. After that, I'll be forced to call in those debts immediately. Your pack will be dissolved, your territory will be seized, and Blackwood Enterprises will be liquidated. Your father's legacy will be sold off piece by piece to the highest bidder." I gathered my briefcase and walked toward the door, my Louboutins clicking against the hardwood floor. Every eye in the room was on me. "Ms. Ashford," Dominic called out. I paused, glancing back over my shoulder. "Why?" he asked. "Why target us specifically? There are dozens of struggling packs you could acquire. Why Silvercrest?" For a moment, I was tempted to tell him. To rip off the mask and watch his face when he realized the weak little Omega he'd rejected now held his entire world in her hands. But that would be too easy. Too quick. "Let's just say I have a personal interest in seeing Silvercrest thrive again," I said instead. "Under proper management, of course." I left him standing there, confusion and anger radiating from every pore. Marcus immediately started arguing with him in hushed tones. The other executives looked like they wanted to crawl under the table. My assistant, Jennifer, was waiting outside with my car. "How did it go?" she asked as we walked toward the elevator. "Exactly as planned." I smiled, pressing the button for the ground floor. "He has no idea who I am." "Are you sure you want to do this, Sera? Revenge is one thing, but—" "This isn't just revenge," I interrupted. "This is justice. He threw me away like garbage because I wasn't strong enough. Now he'll work for me. He'll take orders from me. He'll watch everything his father built become mine." The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. "And then?" Jennifer asked quietly. I met her eyes in the polished elevator doors. "Then he'll finally understand what he lost."