Twenty-Four

Chapter 24

Zach’s POV

The moment I stepped into my office, I knew something was wrong.

Perry wouldn’t look at me and that alone was enough to make my blood rise.

“Talk,” I ordered, shutting the door behind me.

He adjusted the files in his hand unnecessarily. “Alpha…” 

“I said talk.” I snapped but he hesitated.

That hesitation snapped something inside me.

I walked around the desk slowly. “You are my Beta, Perry. Since when do you struggle to speak in front of me?” I asked sternly.

“It’s not that, Zach…”

“Then what is it?” My voice deepened, edged with warning. “Because if there’s something happening in my territory and I don’t know about it, that’s a problem.”

He sighed heavily. “You shouldn’t get angry.”

I let out a dangerous laugh. “You just guaranteed I will.”

“Everything is fine,” he said, looking sideways.

“Fine?” I barked. “You call being seen with Livia fine?” I asked.

His jaw tightened. “So it’s true,” I muttered darkly. “It’s already spreading.”

“It’s being talked about,” Perry admitted carefully. “But it’s manageable.”

“Manageable?” I slammed my palm against the desk. “Even if it’s debunked, Perry, it stirs trouble. Rumors don’t die quietly, they grow claws.”

He remained silent avoiding my gazes.

“The packs have finally come to leave each other in peace,” I continued, pacing. “After years of tension. I will not let it crumble because someone thinks I’m rekindling something.”

“You are not,” Perry said firmly.

“That’s not the point!” I snapped. “Perception is power and perception right now is poison.”

He exhaled slowly. “It wasn’t what you think.”

“Then explain.” he paused again.

My wolf stirred. “Don’t test me,” I warned quietly.

“It was Bella.”

The words hit harder than expected.

I stopped pacing. “What?”

“She made it look that way,” he said.

“How?” My voice lowered dangerously. “How is that possible?”

“She’s been… watching things closely.”

“Watching?” I scoffed. “She barely has time for this kind of nonsense. I thought she would be too busy.”

“That’s what you thought.”

I stared at him, pieces falling into place.

The rage, the way she stood in the road that day.

The way she looked at me like she wanted me to lose control.

“She was waiting,” I muttered. “That day with the car.”

Perry said nothing. “She wanted a reaction.”

“She’s angry, Zach,” he said carefully. “Don’t overreact to her.”

I turned sharply. “She sent people to follow me, didn’t she?” I demanded.

But there was silence. “Answer me!”

“Yes,” Perry admitted. “But…”

I ran a hand through my hair, fury boiling under my skin. “Unbelievable.”

“She feels threatened.” Perry said.

“She feels threatened so she destabilizes the Alpha?” I growled. “Does she understand what that could cause?” I asked angrily.

“She’s your Luna.” Perry said.

“That doesn’t give her the right to gamble with the packs!”

Perry stepped closer. “That’s actually why I need to speak to you somewhere else.”

My eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” I asked.

“Not here,” he said firmly. “What I need to discuss cannot be said at home.”

The air grew heavier.

“You are coming to the office,” he added. “Or we meet somewhere neutral.”

I nodded slowly. “Fine. We leave now.”

I turned toward the door but almost immediately, Bella’s fingers wrapped around my arm.

“Where are you going?” she asked softly.

I stiffened. “Work.” I replied, trying to act calm.

“I will come with you.” she said.

“No.” I replied immediately.

Her grip tightened. “Why not? Staying at home will only make me think about looking for someone to satisfy me.” she said.

Perry’s eyes widened slightly before he looked away.

I turned to her slowly. “I dare you.”

Her lips curved in challenge. “Is that permission?” she asked.

“Try it,” I said lowly.

Instead of backing down, she stepped closer, grabbing my shirt and pulling me toward her.

 

“Why are you acting like I’m invisible?” she whispered harshly. “Look at me, Zach.”

“I am looking.” I replied.

“No, you are not!” she snapped. “You are thinking about her!”

“Enough,” I warned.

“I want you,” she said, her voice shaking, not seduction now, but desperation. 

“I want my husband, not this cold Alpha who only thinks about politics and that woman.” she said.

“Don’t drag her into this.” I was warned.

“She’s already in it!” Bella shot back. “Every time you go quiet and every time you pull away.”

I grabbed her wrists gently but firmly. “You are crossing lines.”

“Then pull me back,” she whispered and for a second, I saw fear in her eyes.

Fear of losing me and I hated that I felt torn.

“Stay here,” I said finally, releasing her. “We will talk later.”

She didn’t move, she just stared at me like I had chosen someone else over her.

And maybe, in her mind, I had.