Chapter 179

Mel's POV

I begin to dissociate through the rest of the murders. I wonder if these men were doomed since the beginning. They were already ruthless Alphas, and Ayla just took them to the next level of evil.

As I reach Alpha Roman, the final Alpha, I'm shocked by the sight of a yellow band in his aura. Just a few days ago, at Dad's funeral, it was completely black. How did it change?

As Dusk raises his hand to kill him, assuming there's no hope for redemption, I shout, "Stop!"

Dusk takes a step back, and Ayla approaches him. She touches her fingers to his forehead. After a moment, she hums thoughtfully. "Swear your loyalty to me or die!"

He gulps audibly. "Y-Yes, Queen Ayla."

Ayla smiles with satisfaction as she turns to me. "You've done well, my child. I'll grant you the chance to bid farewell to your mate. Just remember, one false move and he dies," she warns.

We're both released, and I limp towards Jaxon, eager to touch him. But Ayla's voice cuts through the air, "No touching! I won'