Axel entered his office with a sharp, focused look. He had just returned from his meeting with Lionel and Zane, and his mind was already racing with the web of lies he had spun to keep Zane from getting closer to the truth. He closed the door, sinking into his leather chair as he contemplated his next move.Axel knew he needed someone to act as the face of his false narrative. Someone who could pass as a powerful figure capable of tracking hellhounds, but who would also be entirely under his control. A pawn. He tapped his fingers against the polished wood of his desk, thinking through his options, running scenarios in his mind.Finally, an idea struck. There was one person who would do just fine: Leno, a beta in his pack. Leno was timid by nature, easily intimidated, and had always done as Axel commanded without question. Perfect for the task at hand. Axel summoned his second-in-command Martin, who entered within minutes, followed by Ivy, who looked at Axel with a mix of hesitation an
Zane stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks with meticulous care. The faint reflection of city lights bounced off the glass, casting a dim glow that added a certain somberness to his expression. Tonight was another calculated step, another piece of the puzzle, and he couldn’t afford to misstep. His mind was focused on Cana, on her presence that felt ever-fleeting, but still close enough to grasp if he played his cards right.Just as he fastened the last cufflink, he heard a soft knock. Lionel walked in, also dressed in a sleek suit, his movements deliberate, echoing Zane’s focus. Lionel adjusted his cufflinks with a casual smile, though Zane could see the underlying tension in his friend’s eyes.“So, this Leno,” Lionel started, leaning against the doorframe. “Do you think he’s trustworthy? Or is he just another pawn in Axel’s game?”Zane let a faint smirk cross his lips. “It’s too early to tell. I mean, we’re yet to meet the guy; Axel wants Cana found just as much as we
The echoes of the party still lingered in Axel’s mansion as the last guests departed, their laughter and murmurs fading into the night. Axel watched from the balcony, the faint hum of luxury cars driving away. With a calculated smirk, he turned back inside and summoned Leno to his office.Moments later, Leno entered, his head bowed respectfully, still in his carefully constructed “Alpha” persona. Axel studied him for a moment, noting the transformation Leno had embodied tonight. The nervous, hesitant Beta had vanished, replaced by a confident figure who walked among high-profile guests as if he belonged there.“Tonight was impressive,” Axel said coolly, his gaze steady on Leno. “You played your part flawlessly. Almost convincing enough to make me believe it myself.”Leno managed a small, grateful nod, though Axel’s words didn’t entirely ease his anxiety. “Thank you, Alpha. I only followed your instructions.”“Let’s keep it that way,” Axel replied, his tone sharpening. “What you achiev
The muffled footsteps of Axel’s heavy boots echoed off the stone walls as he left Cana’s cell, leaving her in the cold, damp room once again. The weight of her captivity pressed down on her like a suffocating fog. Just as the door closed behind Axel, Cana’s gaze shifted to Ashley, who had lingered a moment longer, her expression smug.As Cana’s breaths came shallow, she knew she needed to keep her mind clear, her words even. “Ashley,” she murmured, her voice thin but steady, “I need to speak with Lionel.”Ashley scoffed, flicking an indifferent glance her way. “You don’t give orders here, Cana. And you certainly don’t summon people.”Cana swallowed, choosing her words carefully. “Tell him if he comes, I’ll talk. I’ll tell him… everything.”Ashley’s brows rose, and a glimmer of interest flickered in her eyes. She hesitated, clearly weighing the potential advantages. With a scowl, she spun on her heel and exited the cell, the door slamming shut, locking Cana once again in darkness.In t
The stone walls felt like they were closing in around Cana, stealing what little warmth she could gather from herself. It had been weeks—she’d stopped counting the days after thirty—of sitting in this bleak cell, alone with her thoughts, the silence broken only by the occasional creak of footsteps or the clink of metal outside her cell door. Even her breathing seemed foreign as if it belonged to someone else, someone who had become as ghostly as the light filtering through the high, barred window.A damp chill clung to her skin, her muscles aching and weak from lack of movement. Hunger gnawed at her, an emptiness that felt both physical and mental. But this wasn’t enough to break her. No. If anything, it hardened her, sharpening her focus, making her resolve colder, like steel forged in icy fire.She pressed her back against the rough stone wall, forcing herself to sit up, ignoring the biting discomfort. Every ache, every shiver—it was all a reminder of what she had to endure, and she
The cool autumn air clung to Zane as he pulled up outside Axel’s compound, his hands clenching the steering wheel as a low growl reverberated in his throat. His patience had all but snapped. It had been days since Leno reassured him that they were closing in on Cana’s location, but the silence since had left him simmering with doubt and suspicion. Today, he was determined to get answers, even if it meant dragging them out of Axel himself.As he parked, he took a steadying breath, pushing down his frustration. But the gnawing ache in his chest was relentless, an angry reminder of how many sleepless nights he’d spent, turning over every possible lead that might bring him to her. As much as he wanted to believe in Axel’s support, something about the delays grated against his instincts.When Axel finally appeared, Zane’s eyes narrowed, catching the faint smirk on his face. “What took you so long?” Zane bit out, his tone clipped. “It’s been days, Axel. I don’t know how much longer I can ju
The trees blurred together as Cana stumbled forward, her legs numb and weak, her body aching with every step. The sun was low, casting soft, golden light that passed through the leaves. It should have been comforting, but after weeks locked away in darkness, the brightness felt blinding. Her eyes squinted as she fought through the pain and exhaustion.Her mouth was dry, her throat parched. She hadn’t sipped water since the night before, and the pang of hunger gnawed at her stomach. Still, the feel of air, fresh and clean, filled her lungs with hope and determination. She leaned on tree trunks to steady herself, each step feeling like it might be her last, but she refused to give up.Somewhere nearby, a twig snapped. The sound echoed through the forest, sending chills down her spine.She knew what it was—the hellhounds. Their sense of smell was nearly infallible, and they’d be able to track her down in minutes. She squeezed her eyes shut, summoning every last bit of energy she had. Pre
A dull ache throbbed through Cana’s muscles, drawing her to the edge of consciousness. She felt heavy, her limbs like lead, and fog lingered in her mind, dulling any sense of clarity. The last thing she remembered was collapsing in the dirt after running for hours, feeling the world fade as exhaustion and pain consumed her.But now, as her senses sharpened, she noticed something different—the faint scent of pine and wood, not earth and decay. Beneath her, she felt the coarse texture of a thin blanket over a hard surface. Forcing her eyes open, she blinked against the dim light filtering through the small window. She was inside a cabin, its rustic, simple interior hinting at a life detached from society.Struggling to sit up, she winced as pain radiated through her ribs and down her arms. Her legs felt like they’d been through a gauntlet, raw and bruised from her escape. Just as she began to survey her surroundings, a figure emerged from the doorway.“Easy there,” he said gently, movin
“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