Chapter 018

The mansion felt unusually quiet as I walked through its corridors, my mind racing with thoughts of Hayley and the looming pressure from my family. I had spent most of the morning in meetings with the board, trying to juggle the responsibilities of my role as Alpha with the personal turmoil brewing at home. It was exhausting, and the weight of it all seemed to press heavily on my shoulders.

I had managed to avoid my mother’s confrontations for the past few days, but I knew that wouldn’t last forever. The walls of the mansion felt like they were closing in on me, and the oppressive atmosphere was starting to affect my concentration. Hayley had been distant lately, and her unease was palpable. I had tried to reassure her, but words alone seemed insufficient to bridge the gap between us.

As I entered my study, I noticed that my best friend, Marcus, was already there, waiting for me. He looked up from his papers, his expression shifting from casual to concerned.

“Sky,” he said, his voice