MasukChapter 2
Mia's POV
Liam and I hatched a plan for me to go to the villa the next day.
He had already gathered a bit of intel and had a layout of the villa to make it easier for me to access.
When night fell the next day, it was go time.
I was dressed in the most discreet outfit I could think of: black leggings, black t-shirt, black sneakers, and a black face cap to shield my face from the security cameras.
Since it was practically impossible for us to hack or disable the cameras in the villa, I also had to wear a nose mask to hide my face some more.
“Mia, are you ready?” Liam asked as he came into the room, and I nodded.
“Yes, I am.”
“Good. Let's go.”
My heart was racing as I made a short prayer to the Moon Goddess. It might be a little hypocritical since I was literally going to steal, but I hoped she could see my heart and protect me.
Liam and I soon got into the car and he drove us to the villa.
Even though I was putting on a brave front so I wouldn't make him worry, I was still nervous about the whole thing.
After all, I was about to steal some fingerprints from the most feared man in the country. But more than the fear I could possibly have for Kai Voss, I had more love for my boyfriend. I'd do whatever I could to make him happy and help him achieve his dreams.
“Should we go over the plan again?” Liam asked as he glanced at me, and I slowly bobbed my head.
“Yes, please.”
“Okay. I will be waiting for you in the car four blocks away from the villa, so you don't have to worry about how we're going to get away. All you have to do is get into the villa and go straight to his study. It's on the left wing and has big mahogany doors.”
“The study doors are usually unlocked because no one has the guts to enter when Kai is not there anyway, and instead of going into the house through the main door, you're going to sneak inside through the open window which leads directly to the hallway.”
“Once you're inside the study, you know how to collect the fingerprints, right?” Liam asked, and I nodded.
“Yes. I have the powders, makeup brush, tape, and paper in my fanny pack.”
“Great. I'm counting on you, Mia,” Liam said as he gazed at me, and I smiled.
“I'm not going to let you down, my love,” I whispered as I leaned close to kiss him on the cheek.
Soon after, Liam parked the car four blocks away from the villa like he said.
I unbuckled my seatbelt and found him staring at me.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“I am,” I responded, despite my heart pounding against my ribs.
“Thank you for doing this for me, Mia. You're the best girlfriend a guy like me could ever ask for,” he murmured as he kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes for a few seconds to take it all in.
When I opened my eyes again, I felt more determined.
“I'll see you back here in a bit.”
Liam nodded with a smile. “Go.”
I got out of the car and didn't look back as I walked briskly towards the villa.
I adjusted my face cap and put on my nose mask before I reached the villa.
The villa was surrounded by a tall perimeter wall, but Liam had already told me about a section where I could slip through without being noticed. I kept low as I made my way toward the house, carefully avoiding the security cameras positioned around the property.
For a man like Kai Voss, the villa's security was surprisingly sophisticated. But according to Liam, all of it was designed to detect lycans with active wolf spirits.
I was the one exception.
I adjusted my face cap and pulled my nose mask higher before approaching the open window Liam had told me about. Once I reached it, I climbed through and landed quietly in the hallway.
So far, none of the cameras had picked up on my presence, and I had not triggered any alarms, so that eased my nerves a little. The security system really did rely on detecting the presence of wolf spirits. Since I had none, I was practically invisible to the supernatural sensors protecting the villa.
It also seemed like there were no bodyguards in sight, which was strange considering the owner of the villa was the CEO of a security firm.
Then again, Liam had warned me that Kai relied heavily on the villa's advanced security system. Perhaps he didn't need guards patrolling every hallway when the entire property was practically a fortress on its own.
I didn't think too much of it as I continued toward the study.
It didn't take long for me to see the mahogany doors Liam mentioned, and I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw no one in sight, so I ran across the hall and slowly pushed the door open. It made a low creaking sound as I closed it behind me.
“The hardest part is done,” I whispered to myself.
The office was dark, so I took out a flashlight from my fanny pack and turned it on.
Now it was time for me to get the fingerprints.
I pointed the light at the desk where I was sure he probably spent a lot of his time, which meant there should be a lot of fingerprints there.
I smiled as I took out my tools from the pack, ready to do what I was there for, only to freeze as I felt a strange sensation.
Goosebumps rose across my skin and my body warmed up all of a sudden. The hair on the back of my neck stood as if alerting me of something.
And then, the scent of cedarwood and smoke filled my nostrils. It was everywhere, making a part of me come alive like never before.
I didn't get enough time to process what was going on, when an alarm suddenly rang out throughout the villa. It was followed by a deep, reverberating growl that made my knees buckle against my will.
“She's here! Find her!” a manly voice bellowed, and I shivered.
Oh no.
They must have found out I was here.
I needed to leave before I got caught.
I forgot all about the fingerprints as I dashed out of the study, running as fast as my feet could carry me. But because I didn't have a wolf spirit, I didn't have the benefit of speed.
Before I could even run out of the house, footsteps thundered behind me as a number of men ran after me.
Next thing I knew, I was being held against the wall with my hand tied behind my back.
I got caught.
I failed Liam.
Chapter 51Mia's POVFor the first time in days, I didn't feel completely miserable walking into the academy.It wasn't that everything had suddenly become perfect. The rumors were still circulating, and there were students who continued to look at me as though I had personally offended them by existing.But a few things had changed.The girl who had apologized to me after the combat practical training had actually followed through on her promise to share her notes. Another student had greeted me that morning, and although our conversation had been brief, I found myself appreciating the gesture more than I probably should have.It was a small improvement, but I would take it.After everything that had happened, I needed to believe that not everyone had already decided who I was.I made my way through the corridor, heading toward my next class with my notebook tucked beneath my arm. My stomach had been relatively calm that morning, and I was hoping to make it through the day without an
Chapter 50Mia's POV "What just happened?" I whispered.Kai looked at the injured student before turning his attention to me.His expression was difficult to read."Mia, are you hurt?"I shook my head, although I wasn't entirely sure."I'm fine."The words barely left my mouth before dizziness washed over me.I swayed.Kai caught my arm before I could fall."Careful.""I'm okay," I insisted, trying to straighten.But my knees felt weak, and the training grounds seemed to tilt slightly around me.Kai's grip tightened."You don't look okay."Before I could answer, the academy's medical team arrived with a stretcher.Mrs. Jordan was among them.She immediately knelt beside the boy and began examining him while another staff member prepared the necessary equipment."What happened?" she asked.Kai gave her a brief explanation of the accident and what had occurred afterward.When he mentioned my involvement, her eyes snapped toward me."You used your healing ability?"I swallowed."I didn'
Chapter 49Mia's POVI wasn't looking forward to combat practical training.After everything that had happened over the past few days, the last thing I wanted was to spend another hour surrounded by people who seemed to have made it their personal mission to make my life miserable.Unfortunately, skipping class wasn't an option.I had already fallen behind on some of my assignments, and I couldn't afford to give anyone another reason to question my commitment to my education.Besides, I was tired of hiding.I arrived at the training grounds a few minutes before the class was scheduled to begin. Several students were already gathered in small groups, talking amongst themselves.Their conversations quieted slightly when I walked past.I pretended not to notice.I had become accustomed to the whispers, the curious stares, and the way people suddenly remembered they had somewhere else to be whenever I approached them.It still hurt, but I was trying not to let it show.I spotted Kai near
Chapter 48Kai's POV By the time I arrived at the villa that evening, I had received confirmation that our legal representatives had contacted the relevant parties. No one had been ordered to withdraw a statement, and the Council's inquiry remained active. However, anyone who intended to support Liam's allegations had been reminded that their claims would need to withstand scrutiny.It wasn't a complete victory, but it was a start.I found Mia in the living room, sitting on the sofa with a notebook and her laptop beside her. She looked tired, and the untouched glass of water on the table suggested that she hadn't been taking many breaks.She glanced up when I entered."You're back."I nodded, loosening my tie."How are you feeling?""I'm fine."The answer came too quickly.I studied her face. She looked pale, and there were shadows beneath her eyes."Have you eaten?""Yes, Kai."I didn't believe her, but I decided not to push the matter immediately.Instead, I took the chair opposit
Chapter 47Kai's POVI stared at the summons on my desk, my jaw tightening as I read through it for the third time.The Werewolf Elder Council had officially opened an inquiry into allegations concerning Mia's conduct, her relationship with Liam Carter, and her engagement to me.I had expected Liam to try something after his failed attempt to obtain my authorization, but I hadn't anticipated that he would take his grievances to the Council so quickly.Then again, desperation made people do foolish things.And Liam had given me enough reasons to believe he was becoming increasingly desperate.I picked up my phone and called Cain.He answered almost immediately."Tell me you've seen the summons," I said."I have. I received a copy from one of our contacts this morning.""And?""Liam's petition appears to have been accepted for preliminary review. The Council hasn't determined whether the allegations have merit, but they've decided there's enough reason to request Mia's appearance."I le
Chapter 46Mia's POVI woke up feeling worse than I had the previous morning.My stomach churned the moment I sat up, forcing me to remain still for several seconds until the nausea subsided. I pressed a hand against my forehead and sighed.Another difficult morning.I glanced at the clock on my bedside table and groaned.I had an assignment to finish before the end of the day, and I hadn't even completed half of it.With a reluctant sigh, I pushed the covers aside and got out of bed.I needed to get ready.Whatever was happening between Kai and me, I wasn't going to let it ruin my education.By the time I finished getting dressed, the nausea had eased enough for me to leave my bedroom. I made my way downstairs, hoping I could eat something before starting my day.Unfortunately, the smell of breakfast made my stomach turn again.I stopped at the entrance to the dining room and swallowed hard."Are you all right, Miss Hale?" Valerie asked when she noticed me standing there.I nodded qu







