“Ivy isn’t pregnant.”Those words from Mia’s message swirled in my head like a violent storm, refusing to settle. I had stayed up all night trying to process what I had learned, tossing and turning as I replayed everything that had happened. The betrayal, the lies, the manipulation—it was all becoming too much to bear.Ivy had manipulated Axel and deceived everyone, using a non-existent pregnancy as a shield to secure her position and influence. I couldn’t let this continue. I couldn’t let her get away with it.As dawn broke, my decision was made. This time, I wasn’t going to be passive. I had allowed other people to control my fate for too long—whether it was Axel, Jeremy, or even Ivy. I had always been the one reacting to the things happening around me, but no more. I needed to confront her, expose her lies, and take back control of my own life.Zane had offered to come with me, but I declined. I needed to do this alone. It was personal. My mind was set as I left his place, the risi
Ivy’s POVI could feel it from the moment Axel and I met up with the rest of the pack—something was different. He was distant, his usual warmth replaced by a cold detachment. His eyes barely lingered on me, and even when they did, it was like he was looking through me, not at me.I watched as Axel spoke with the pack, issuing orders, his commanding presence unmistakable. Normally, I would have taken pride in standing beside him, the Luna of the pack, but today… I felt like a shadow. The pack moved around him with ease, but I could sense their unease when it came to me. Whispers had started circling behind my back—nothing concrete, but enough to make me question whether they were onto me. Did someone know? Or worse, did Axel suspect?No, it couldn’t be. I was too careful. Too thorough. My plan was flawless.But as the meeting dragged on, I couldn’t take it any longer. I had to talk to Axel. I needed to understand why he was so distant. After dismissing the pack, I walked over to him, m
Chapter 67: New AlliancesIvy’s mind whirled with anger and jealousy after Axel’s rejection. Her hatred for Cana had reached a fever pitch. How could that weak girl—someone who had never known what it was like to fight for a place in the pack—steal Axel’s focus so completely? Ivy had fought, lied, and manipulated her way to the top, yet Axel discarded her as if she were nothing.A knock at the door interrupted her dark thoughts. She opened it, half expecting one of the pack members, but instead, she was met with the smirking face of Jeremy. His presence unsettled her at first; Jeremy had a reputation for being unpredictable and ruthless, even more so than his brother Axel.“I hear you’ve got a problem,” Jeremy said, his voice smooth and full of intrigue as his eyes glinted with mischief. He took a step inside without waiting for her invitation.Ivy hesitated for a moment, but then it clicked. Jeremy had his agenda. He always had. And he wasn’t loyal to Axel. That meant she might final
Cana lay in bed, her thoughts swirling with the heavy revelations from the previous days. Her mind refused to quiet down, even as exhaustion tugged at her. Jeremy’s sudden alliance with Ivy, Axel’s desperate pursuit of her, and now the truth about her hybrid nature—all of it was overwhelming.Sleep finally came, but it brought no peace. Instead, a wave of cold swept over her, pulling her into a deep, unsettling darkness. And then, the vision hit.She stood in a forest clearing, moonlight filtering through the dense canopy above. The scent of pine and earth was sharp, almost suffocating. Her heart began to race as she sensed something familiar—something painfully wrong.Ahead, she saw Zane. He was on his knees, cradling something in his arms. As Cana walked closer, her legs trembling beneath her, the horrifying realization dawned on her. Zane was holding her lifeless body.The sight of her own pale, motionless form shook her to the core. Her bloodless lips, her vacant eyes—it felt like
Jeremy stood outside the entrance to the woods, the towering trees casting long shadows across the clearing as dusk settled in. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth, mingled with something else—something darker. He could feel the weight of the night pressing in, but it didn’t bother him. Tonight, everything would begin to fall into place.Ashley stood beside him, her dark cloak blending into the surrounding forest. Her presence was a force, commanding and ethereal, with a dangerous air that drew Jeremy in. She had power, and that’s what mattered. But more than that, she had the knowledge they needed to finally get to Cana.He pulled his phone from his pocket, checking the time. Ivy would be arriving soon, and they needed to discuss the next steps. The plan had to be flawless. Any mistakes, and they would lose the chance to bring Cana down for good.Ashley glanced at him, her green eyes sharp. “You seem tense,” she said softly, though her tone held no sympathy. “Don’
The early morning sunlight streamed through the curtains of Zane’s house, casting a soft glow over the spacious living room. Cana sat at the kitchen table, sipping her tea, trying to shake off the remnants of a restless night. Zane stood nearby, his arms crossed as he gazed out the window, his eyes sharp and alert. Ever since the revelation about Ivy's fake pregnancy, Zane had been on edge, determined to protect Cana from whatever other schemes Axel or Ivy might have in store.A knock at the door broke the quiet tension in the room.Lionel, Zane’s best friend and right-hand man in the pack, shot up from the couch, his senses already on high alert. He exchanged a brief look with Zane before heading to answer the door.The moment Lionel opened it, his expression darkened. Standing on the other side was Ivy, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her face set in an unreadable mask.“What the hell are you doing here?” Lionel growled, his stance tense, his wolf instincts flaring up at t
In the dimly lit corner of the room, Zane paced back and forth, his eyes flickering with anger and frustration. Lionel leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, watching Zane’s every movement. Meanwhile, Cana stood nearby, her arms wrapped around herself, looking concerned but determined.“I don’t trust her, Cana. Having Ivy stay here, even temporarily, is a bad idea,” Zane growled, his voice low but filled with intensity. “She’s dangerous, manipulative, and has already deceived Axel and the entire pack. Who knows what else she’s capable of?”Lionel nodded in agreement, his expression hard. “Zane’s right. She’s been playing everyone for a fool. Letting her stay here opens us up to all kinds of risks.”Cana sighed, knowing the two men were only looking out for the pack, but something about Ivy’s vulnerable state tugged at her sense of empathy. “I understand what you’re saying, but Ivy isn’t in any position to cause harm right now. She’s broken. Axel kicked her out when he found out sh
The night was unnervingly quiet as Zane stood outside his house, scanning the woods with suspicion. Lionel stood by his side, mirroring his wariness. Zane had always been hyper-aware of the threats lurking beyond the perimeter of his territory, but tonight was different. Something felt wrong, and it set his instincts on edge.The wind shifted, rustling through the trees, but it wasn’t enough to mask the faint disturbance Zane had sensed. He took a deep breath, allowing his hyper smell and hearing to expand outwards, searching for anything unusual. His eyes glowed with a soft red hue, signaling his heightened alertness.“I don’t like this,” Zane muttered, his voice a low growl.Lionel glanced at him, his brow furrowing. “You’re still picking up on something?”Zane nodded, though his senses didn’t detect anything concrete. “There’s something out there. I can feel it. It’s too quiet.”Lionel sighed, rolling his shoulders as if trying to shake off the tension. “Maybe it’s nothing. A stray
“Do you think he knows?”Zane sat in his office, his hands clasped together tightly on the desk as he listened to Mart’s incessant pacing. The tension in the room was palpable, the soft shuffle of Mart’s shoes across the floor punctuated only by his muttered thoughts. Cana and Mia sat nearby, exchanging glances, their expressions a mixture of concern and curiosity.Mart finally stopped, turning toward Zane with wide, panicked eyes. “Do you think he knows?”Zane leaned back in his chair, his gaze calm but calculating. “Knows what?”“This morning,” Mart began, his voice trembling, “the cops called me. Apart from Axel, there were 4 other buyers for your shares; today, They were asking questions about the four clients who…died. How the hell did all four of them just end up dead.” He paused, swallowing hard. “I am sure he’s behind it; do you think Axel figured it out? That I’m a fake? That I had something to do with it?”Zane’s expression darkened slightly, though he remained composed. “It
Cana crept through the front door, the soft creak of the hinges reverberating through the quiet house. She glanced at the clock: 12:03 AM. Everyone should be asleep by now, she thought, her footsteps light as she made her way to the stairs.“Where are you coming from?”The voice, sharp and unmistakable, stopped her in her tracks. She turned, her heart sinking when she saw Zane standing in the living room, his arms crossed, his eyes cold and piercing.“I went to see a friend,” she replied, her voice barely steady.“Don’t lie to me,” Zane said, stepping toward her. His tone was controlled, but there was an edge of fury in it that Cana had never heard before.Her pulse quickened. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest, and Zane could hear it too.“You never told me you were leaving,” he continued, his eyes narrowing. “And your heart is racing. Where. Were. You?”Cana had never seen this side of him before. Zane was always calm, gentle, and understanding. But this version of him—
The air was thick with tension as Cana reluctantly made her way to Axel’s private suite as usual. But tonight was different; she didn’t leave Zane's house by 3 am his time each step she took felt heavier than the last, and the weight of Axel’s control pressed down on her. The blackmail hung over her like a dark cloud, and though she despised being summoned, she had no choice but to comply.Axel had requested her presence to “celebrate,” but Cana knew better than to trust his motivations. She clutched the straps of her bag tightly, her mind racing with strategies to deflect his probing questions and maintain her composure.When she arrived, the door was slightly ajar. She knocked gently before stepping in.“Ah, Cana,” Axel’s voice was warm and inviting, but she could see the calculating glint in his eyes. He gestured toward a table laden with expensive wine and delicacies. “Join me. Tonight, we celebrate new beginnings.”Cana forced a small smile and moved cautiously to take a seat acr
Zane sat alone on the edge of the master bed, his eyes fixed on the glow of the bedside lamp. The shadows danced on the walls as his thoughts went back to Axel. Every time he tried to bury the past, every time he tried to forget, the memory of Axel attacking Cana while he was at the diner was still fresh in his mind; well, at least, that was what he believed from Cana. That moment had made his hatred wor and cemented his plan to destroy Axel piece by piece.But patience was key. The shares he secretly held were more than just a financial asset; they were leverage. Selling them now would give him the funds he needed to launch his next move without exposing himself. Axel had no idea who the real shareholder was, and Zane intended to keep it that way.A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.“Come in,” Zane called out, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.Mart stepped in, his face a mix of weariness and curiosity. He had been running errands for Zane all day and had th
Axel’s POVThe dim light of the early morning entered through the curtains as I laid back against the plush pillows, my eyes fixed on Cana. She moved quietly around the room, gathering her things, avoiding even the slightest glance in my direction. I could still feel the lingering warmth of her presence, and I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought of how conflicted she must feel.“Enjoyed yourself tonight?” I asked, my tone dripping with mockery.Her shoulders stiffened at the sound of my voice, but she didn’t bother to turn around. She continued dressing as if I wasn’t even there.“Don’t contact me ever again,” she muttered coldly, picking up her belongings and heading toward the door.I chuckled softly as I propped myself up on one elbow, watching her walk away.“I’ve told you this so many times; your words don’t match what you showed me tonight, Cana,” I said, more to myself than to her.She slammed the door behind her without another word, leaving me alone in the luxurious pentho
Lionel leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming on the polished surface of the conference table. The quiet hum of the room was broken only by the occasional rustle of paper from Larz and Akam, his two closest allies. Both sat opposite him, their postures tense and their eyes expectant. Lionel exhaled slowly.“That’s the plan for now,” Lionel said, his voice low but filled with determination.Larz, the larger of the two, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. “So we just wait? Until she’s... pregnant?”Lionel’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Unfortunately, yes. That’s Axel’s focus right now.”Akam shook his head, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table. “And what about Zane? We all know Axel doesn’t care about him. He’s leaving him to rot, but Zane’s still a problem—for you”Lionel’s smirk widened. “Zane is no longer a problem. He’s a pawn. Broken, desperate, clinging to what little he has left. Axel may not care, but I do. Zane’s pack will be mine soon enough.”Larz raised an eyeb
The sunlight passed through the hospital room windows, casting a soft glow on the e walls. Cana sat on the edge of her bed, the hospital sheets tangled at her feet. She was fully healed, her supernatural abilities healing the wounds overnight. Yet, the bruises on her soul felt raw and unrelenting.Zane’s voice drifted from the hallway as he spoke to the doctor. She strained to catch their conversation, hoping to discern whether her story from the night before had been convincing.“She’s recovering well,” the doctor said. There was a pause, and Cana’s heart raced as if it sensed trouble.“What concerns me,” the doctor continued, “is that her injuries... they appear to be self-inflicted. The cuts, the angles—it’s highly unusual. You may want to speak with her about—”“That’s enough,” Zane interrupted sharply.Cana’s stomach twisted. She couldn’t see his face, but his tone betrayed his unease.Moments later, Zane entered the room, his expression guarded. “Ready to go home?” he asked, his
Zane’s absence was already gnawing at her nerves, but Cana held steady. She could handle Axel; she had faced greater dangers and come out alive. Yet, as soon as the door opened, and Axel stepped into the house, Cana felt her pulse quicken with an unease that she hadn’t anticipated. Cana tried to reach Zane telepathically, stretching her senses to find any trace of his energy. Nothing. It was as if a thick, impenetrable fog blocked her mind. Panic began to claw its way up her spine as Axel took a step closer, his presence filling the room with a predatory calm.With a deep breath, she let her claws emerge. “Axel,” she warned, her voice low and firm. “Get out.”Instead of reacting, Axel smiled, a calm, almost indulgent smile that sent chills racing down her spine. Just before she lunged at him, he let out an invisible wave of Alpha pheromones. The scent hit Cana instantly, disarming her defenses and clouding her mind. She stopped in her tracks, caught off guard by the intoxicating arom
Zane had never felt this powerless. Each day that passed, the emptiness of his bank accounts and the silence from his contacts made the reality hit harder: everything he had built was gone. The wealth, influence, and respect he had taken for granted had been stolen in an instant, leaving him with nothing but the remnants of his former life. No matter how many times he replayed it in his mind, the betrayal by Leno gnawed at him, a deep, festering wound. He knew Leno was the only one who could’ve orchestrated such a calculated attack, but without solid evidence linking him to the transfer, Zane’s hands were tied. Cana tried to offer comfort, but her efforts were bittersweet. She’d offered financial help, and while Zane appreciated her kindness, the thought of depending on her chipped away at his pride. Cana wasn’t just his partner; she was his equal, and he didn’t want her to feel burdened by his downfall. He felt a huge guilt each time she reassured him, knowing that she, too, was af