LOGINLucian's POVTen minutes later, I walked out of the doctor's office. The fear on his face had already told me enough.The next morning, Zack brought the results of his investigation to my office.The private clinic that diagnosed Lara had been bought out by another medical group three years ago.The test reports she handed over to the hospital were on their letterhead, but my team couldn't find matching records in the clinic's system.Worse, while the doctor's signature on one of the imaging reports was genuine, the patient ID number belonged to someone else.My anger got the better of me, and before I realized it, my pheromones were running wild, and my Alpha aura filled the room.Zack kept his head down, taking shallow, careful breaths."And the doctor from yesterday?" I asked."He confessed," Zack answered. "When Lara was first admitted, he took a bribe. She told him to keep treating her based on her previous diagnosi
Lucian's POVLately, the Silver Lake pack had been tangled up in internal drama over Brad. Between that and the Aurora Group needing my attention, I hadn't seen Lara in days.She'd been on the medication Camille had given her for a while.Last time we talked, Lara mentioned the lab tests cleared the drug, saying some of the rare plant extracts were helping her condition.I desperately wanted her to make a full recovery. That way, I could fulfill my promise and stop playing babysitter.Honestly, I was fed up with all her tears.But as an Alpha who kept his word, and given our history, I couldn't bring myself to stand by and watch her condition get worse.So, the second my schedule cleared this afternoon, I drove to the hospital.The moment I stepped off the elevator, her pheromones hit me.It was cloyingly sweet and stable.I followed her pheromones down the hall and spotted her by the nurses' station.She w
Camille's POVThree days after the initial report, the first round of audits on my accounts came back.The results were spotless. My spending records showed zero trace of money laundering, hidden assets, or sketchy transfers.The hundred-million-dollar fund was locked down with airtight legal agreements, and the Aurora Group had already made a public commitment to cover the fifty million for the gala. As for the private assets I'd unlocked after breaking the bond, independent accountants and lawyers had already audited those during the public notice period.Elise skimmed the lawyer's summary and let out a massive sigh of relief."Goddess," she muttered. "I'd pay good money to shove this report in Brad's face and make him read every word.""Hold that thought." I slid another file across the desk. "This part is even better."She barely made it through a few pages before her green eyes went wide.The report filed against me hadn't
Camille's POVThe next day at noon, I'd just wrapped up my violin practice when Elise tracked me down. "Camille, we might have a problem."Her tone was dead serious, which was quite rare."What's wrong?" I frowned."Your lawyer just called. Someone flagged your recent large financial transfers as suspicious. They're accusing you of money laundering," she replied.I froze. "Money laundering?""Exactly," Elise scoffed. "The 250 million last night, plus a few other massive transfers from your accounts—somebody compiled all your transaction records and dumped them on the werewolf forum's financial board."I took the tablet and started reading.The anonymous poster claimed that right around the time Lucian and I severed our mating bond, I'd used the Aurora Group's accounts to move assets. I then supposedly turned those unaccounted funds into legal assets through charitable donations and high-end art purchases.They even
Camille's POV"Twenty million dollars."A hush fell over the room the second the auctioneer announced the starting price for Blue Star.Then, almost immediately, someone raised their paddle.Twenty-five million, thirty, forty.It was the centerpiece of the evening, and the crowd was ravenous for it.But by the time the bids blew past seventy million, only three bidders remained.Noticing my paddle was still down, Elise finally leaned in close and couldn't help asking, "Aren't you going to bid?"I didn't answer; I just gave her a slow, playful blink."That confident smile you had earlier made your intentions clear," she added.I picked up my champagne and took a sip, savoring the crisp fizz on my tongue and the sharp tingle as it went down.I was holding off because Lucian hadn't made a move yet, and I knew he was dead set on walking out with Blue Star.When the price hit 85 million, he finally lifted his paddle. "100 million."A wave of gasps swept through the room as heads swiveled t
Camille's POVI immediately lowered my paddle and made an "all yours" gesture at him.The auctioneer began, "90 million, going once."90 million, going twice."90 million. Sold."Elise burst out laughing. "Brad is such an idiot. Does he seriously still not realize you've been deliberately driving up the price?"I just smiled casually.The next lot was a fragment of a 17th-century Italian religious fresco, valued at around 30 million.Having learned his lesson, Brad immediately pushed the bid to 80 million, then leaned back in his chair, clearly waiting for me to take the bait.I, of course, didn't bite."80 million, going once," the auctioneer piped up.Brad whipped his head around, and I cracked a bright smile. "Again, congratulations."When the gavel came down, a few guests finally let out quiet giggles.The fifth lot was an 18th-century Italian hand-painted porcelain vase.The moment
Camille's POVLucian started to say something else, but then—A frantic pounding hit the door, followed by the voice of a pack guard."Alpha Lucian, Lara collapsed! Should we rush her to the werewolf hospital downtown?"Lucian instantly tensed up. He shot me a look of pure disgust."If you're serio
Camille's POV"Camille, I've got a surprise for you tonight."Lucian kissed my forehead this morning before leaving."Wait for me at home. Be a good girl. I want your blood-orange venison for dinner."Today was our fifth anniversary—and my birthday.Knowing the pack had been secretly prepping for a
Camille's POVIn the restaurant, Travis stared at me, his blue-gray eyes full of concern."Are you really sure about this, Camille?"I nodded, my fingertips tracing the edge of the violin case."After my mom died, this was the only thing that got me through the hardest days. Every time I play, I re
Lucian's POVI didn't want Camille to ruin Lara's mood while she was prepping for her concert.To make it up to her, I canceled all my meetings and took her to almost every high-end music shop in the city.But every time a salesperson brought out a rare, million-dollar violin for her to try, her lo







