39

Zach’s POV

I paced the length of the room like a caged wolf, my fists clenched so tightly my knuckles had gone white. 

The echo of Perry’s words on the phone still rang in my ears, and how he had hesitated to carry out my command.

My own Beta had hesitated to help me, and that realization burned hotter than the anger itself. 

“Is Hayden better than me? Will he handle the situation more than I will?” I thought to myself.

I muttered under my breath, “Unbelievable.”

The door creaked slightly behind me, but I ignored it. My mind was spiraling back to the moment in the room, to the way Livia had even preferred to recoil in Hayden's pain rather than being with me.

Not just resisted, recoiled as if my touch burned.

I dragged a hand through my hair, pacing faster. “Was he that good?” I growled under my breath, still surprised at the whole issue.

The thought alone made my chest tighten with rage. “Was Hayden so good that she would rather endure pain than let me near her?” I still think deeply about it, and the words tasted bitter even as they left my mouth.

A sharp voice cut through my thoughts. “Who the hell are you thinking about?” Bella's voice sounded from the corridor

I stopped mid-step and turned slowly to face her as she stood by the doorway with her arms crossed, her posture dripping with that infuriating confidence she had been wearing lately.

I stared at her for a long moment before replying coldly, “You are getting bold.” I said.

She tilted her head slightly, unimpressed. “I asked a question, Zach.”

I said nothing, but the thought crept in like poison.

What if she knew something? What if she had something to do with what was happening to Livia?

Bella had always been calculating and always two steps ahead in games that no one else even realized were being played.

She had gone with Hayden, publicly and willingly, just to prove a point.

She just wanted to embarrass me. My voice dropped to a dangerous tone. “Did you do something?” I asked as Bella blinked slowly.

“Do something?” she repeated with exaggerated innocence.

“To Livia,” I snapped, and her eyebrow lifted.

“Oh please,” she scoffed. “You think I have the time to torment your favorite little project?” She asked, and my jaw tightened.

“You were ready to get into Hayden’s car like some desperate fan,” I said coldly. “So forgive me if I assume you are capable of worse.” I blurted out.

Bella laughed, actually laughed, and the sound grated against my nerves. “You are unbelievable,” she said, shaking her head.

I stepped closer, my voice dropping lower. “Answer the question.”

Bella rolled her eyes. “Relax, Zach. I didn't poison your precious rival’s wife,” she said calmly, trying to get a hold of herself.

That wasn’t reassuring, not even slightly.

She walked past me toward the couch, dropping into it casually as if she owned the room.

Seeing my silence, she sighed dramatically. “God, you are exhausted.”

I said nothing; my eyes were still studying her, watching, and calculating.

Then she spoke again. “Have you seen the news?” she asked, rolling her eyes.

My stomach sank as that was never a good sentence.

I frowned. “What news?” I asked, and Bella smirked.

“Oh, this should be good,” she said as she gestured lazily toward the television.

“Turn it on,” she requested, and something about her tone made my chest tighten.

I grabbed the remote from the table and turned the TV on.

The screen flickered to life and then my vision went red.

There he was, Hayden at the front and center on the news broadcast.

The reporter’s cheerful voice filled the room.

“Alpha Hayden has been praised across the region today for his unexpected act of kindness. Witnesses say he personally assisted the pregnant wife of an opposing pack during a difficult moment in the city.”

My hand tightened around the remote. The reporter continued.

“Despite the long-standing rivalry between the two packs, Alpha Hayden reportedly ensured her safety and personally drove her home, showing what many are calling an example of true leadership and compassion.” The reporter said as pictures and videos of the incident were displayed on the screen.

Bella snorted. “Listen to that,” she said.

The screen showed footage of Hayden stepping out of the car and opening the door.

Helping Bella out like some noble gentleman, and my jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

The reporter kept going. “Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the Alpha’s maturity and respect for life.”

The screen flashed with comments. ‘A real leader.’ 

‘Finally an Alpha with class.’

‘Protecting a pregnant woman even if she’s from an enemy pack, that’s honorable.’

Another comment appeared. ‘Zach could learn something from this.’

My grip on the remote tightened so hard I thought it might snap.

Bella’s voice cut through the tension. “Apparently,” she said casually, “he’s the hero of the century now,” she mocked.

I switched the TV off and the silence that followed was heavy as I turned slowly to look at her.

“Are you proud of yourself?” I asked angrily.

Bella leaned back comfortably. “Very,” she replied with a smirk.

My voice dropped to ice. “You humiliated me.”

She laughed softly. “Oh, please, Zach. If your reputation collapses because a man opened a car door for someone, then maybe the problem isn’t me,” she replied without hesitation.

My temper snapped, and I stepped closer, my presence towering over her. “Watch your mouth,” I warned, my voice full of rage.

She looked up at me without a trace of fear. “Or what?” she asked.

My eyes darkened. “You seem to have forgotten your position.”

Bella raised an eyebrow. “My position?” she asked, looking at me.

“You are the Luna of this pack,” I said coldly. “Start acting like it,” I added.

Her lips slowly curled into a smile, not a pleasant one and then she laughed.

The sound echoed in the room. “Luna?” she repeated as she leaned forward slightly, her eyes glittering with amusement.

“Zach… do you actually believe that?” she asked.

My jaw tightened as she tilted her head.

“Tell me something,” she said, her voice softened, but the mockery remained. “If Hayden’s wife becomes your Luna…”

My stomach twisted, and Bella continued.

“And Hayden’s child becomes the new heir…”

She shrugged lightly. “Where exactly does that leave me?” she asked, staring at me.

The words hit the room like a bomb, and my eyes darkened. “Careful,” I warned, trying to suppress my anger, but Bella only smiled wider.

“Or is that the plan?” she asked sweetly. “To replace me?”

The room went deadly quiet, and then I  finally spoke, very slowly. “You are playing a dangerous game,” I said as Bella stood up, walking closer until she was only inches away.

Her voice dropped. “So are you.”

She looked straight into my eyes.

“And the funny thing is, 

Zach…”

Her smile sharpened.

“I think Hayden is winning.”

The last statement sounds like a heavy blow to my lungs as I try catching my breath.