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Chapter 19: The Key to Freedom
Last Updated:
2024-11-01 17:19:54
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The Cursed Alpha’s Fake Bride Chapter 20: Not All Doors Should Open
*** Ariana’s POVThe hospital was quiet, almost eerily so, even for so late at night. The usual hum of voices and bustling footsteps had been replaced by silence; most of the staff had taken time off for the Moon Festival, leaving only a skeleton crew behind.I made my way to Dr. Alexander’s office, feeling the steady weight of the key pressing against my thigh with each step. His door was locked, and a quick glance through the glass showed his desk empty. Where was he? I tried calling him with my new phone, but the phone rang in the locked office, echoing back to me from just beyond the closed door.Instead, I spotted a nurse down the hall and approached her. “Could you page Dr. Alexander?” I asked, the urgency obvious in my voice, “Beta Simon has an urgent task for him.”
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*** Alpha Draven’s POVI was heading down to the dungeons to check on Dr. Alexander’s progress with the ‘patient’, my mind focused on ensuring the prisoner, James, was stabilized. Whatever Beta Simon had planned for his interrogation needed James awake and conscious. As I approached the turn to the dungeons, I was surprised to see Dr. Alexander just making his way toward me, his expression tense.“Alexander?” I called, stopping in my tracks. “Why aren’t you in the dungeons already?”Alexander slowed his pace, looking frustrated. “I’m on my way now, Alpha. I was tied up with an emergency at the hospital. A nurse mentioned Miria had come looking for me, but she left with some medical supplies before I could return.”A curse slipped through my clenched teeth, and the slow burn of anger I had been feeling ignited into urgency. Miria had gone to the dungeons—alone—just her and the perp.Without another word to Alexander, I started moving, my pace quickening as dread began to settle in my c
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*** Ariana’s POV“What just happened?” I muttered, letting out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Relief washed over me, softening the tension that had wound itself tightly in my shoulders. Staying here—in the pack—meant I could breathe a little easier, at least for now.Taking a few calming breaths, I tried to center myself, pushing down my worry as best I could.Focus, Ariana. Focus on what matters now.There was no way I could leave James’s death a mystery. Whatever had killed him so suddenly had left no trace, and if I could find some explanation, maybe it would ease the guilt clawing at me.I turned to the shelves that lined the walls of my office—floor-to-ceiling bookshe
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*** Ariana’s POV“Off to the library… wherever that is,” I let out a sigh, standing with more questions now than before I sat down.Focused on my destination and lost in thoughts, I made my way through the hospital’s quiet hallways, a voice drifted through the crack of an open door, Dr. Alexander’s office, catching my attention.“We’ll have a good dozen willing to be recruited into the guard,” came Draven’s deep voice. “Rogues have a way of doubling down on loyalty when given a second chance.”A twinge of admiration sparked within me. Draven was willing to take chances on those others saw as a risk. My own father had welcomed outsiders but had never fully trusted them in large numbers. Draven, however, didn’t seem to hesitate.I kept walking, not wanting to be a nosy body, but my heart did feel a bit lighter knowing that so many were finding a new chance at life here. Beta Simon’s words came back to me, “Rumors are sometimes just that.” I’m really starting to feel like this pack’s rep
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*** Draven’s POVThere he goes tapping again, if he wasn’t my beta, I’d snap his fingers daily to stop the incessant drumming his fingers do when deep in thought.The grim details barely seemed to register with him as he leaned back, arms crossed and face drawn, his expression thoughtful. But I knew Simon well enough to know that this silence held an intensity.“A small celebration,” he muttered, shaking his head, “and not a single survivor.”“Rogues hit them hard,” I replied, glancing over the file. “Main buildings stripped, valuables taken, and a sickening amount of silver. Hazmat will need to go in.”“Silver again,” Simon said, jaw tight. “It’s becoming a signature, these coordinated attacks. Rogues using silver to keep packs from healing, to break them completely.”I nodded, eyes scanning the report. “They aren’t leaving anything behind but destruction. It’s effective, and brutal.”Simon’s gaze shifted, studying my face. “This one’s more than that. The neighboring Twin Oaks pack fo
Last Updated : 2024-11-11
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The Cursed Alpha’s Fake Bride Chapter 67 - The Apology
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