Crowned in Fire

"Dad" I called out, my voice slightly strained as I saw my father walk past me and headed for their direction.

The two Alphas met halfway, shaking hands with a firm, mutual respect. "Silas, glad you could make it after all," my father said, his voice booming.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Silas replied, his voice a low, smooth baritone that made the hair on my neck stand up.

If he knew he was coming, why say he wouldn't. He must be enjoying how I made a fool outta myself by calling him and now I couldn't help but wonder where Elena was when he picked up my call.

“There you are" Jax’s voice hung behind me as he stepped up beside me, his hand circling around my waist as we joined the circle.

"Greetings Elena," I murmured, stepping forward to embrace Elena. She smelled perfect, radiating that motherly warmth, and for a second, I felt like a fraud for the thoughts I had about her husband.

"You look beautiful, Elara," she whispered, pulling back to pat my cheek.

I swallowed retracing my steps to Silas. If not for formal greetings, I would have preferred running off or hiding away.

"Dad," Jax greeted his father, oblivious to the war raging in my chest.

Silas didn't look at his son. His eyes were locked on mine, dark and unreadable as he reached out, his large hand enveloping mine. It was cold at first, then searingly hot. He bowed his head, his lips grazing my knuckles. The touch was lingering—longer than a father-in-law’s should be.

"Elara," he murmured against my skin. His eyes flickered up, catching mine as if he hadn't just yelled at me over the phone.

In that split second, the mask of the charming Alpha slipped, revealing the dark, intense hunger I’d felt in his bedroom. He didn't let go immediately; his thumb brushed my ring finger in a slow, possessive circle before he finally released me.

My heart was thundering so hard I was sure Elena could hear it. I couldn't look away from him, even as my father began leading us back toward the dining table.

"Shall we?" my father asked, wavering for everyone to seat.

We sat, but the peace lasted only seconds before Mia appeared like a ghost, sliding into the empty chair right next to Jax.

"Oh, Jax! I’ve been looking everywhere for you," she cooed, her voice a sugary needle in my ear, just as if she didn't see him when we dropped the dishes earlier.

She leaned in close, her shoulder pressing against his, her red hair spilling over his arm. "The border report you sent? I had some... questions about the night patrol details."

Her hand landed on his thigh, her fingers walking up the fabric of his trousers. Jax didn't move. He didn't push her away. He laughed, a low, easy sound, and leaned his head toward hers. "I'm sure we can find some time to go over the details later, Mia."

I watched them, my fork frozen halfway to my mouth, they didn't even care about my presence , about the gathering.

I almost scoffed at myself. If I hadn't known the truth, I’d always believed they'd a good chemistry, well a good chemistry in bed.

Mia slammed the table slightly, she was laughing at something he whispered, her hand now resting firmly on his knee, her thumb stroking the inside of his leg. The disrespect was so loud it felt like a physical scream in the room, yet everyone else continued eating as if nothing was happening.

I looked up and caught Silas watching the display. He wasn't looking at them with disgust. He was looking at me, his jaw set, his eyes tracking the tears I was struggling to hold back.

"I need some air," Jax suddenly muttered, standing up. He caught Mia’s eye, a silent signal passing between them that shattered the last of my resolve.

"I'll be right back, Elara," he said, not even looking at me as he headed for the back stairs.

A minute later, Mia stood up too, smoothing her dress with a smug, cat-like grin. "Excuse me, everyone. I think I left my shawl upstairs."

I couldn't breathe. I waited until they were gone, then I pushed my chair back. My chair screeched against the floor.

I didn't care.

I stood up, my injured ankle throbbing. I kicked off my heels under the table and walked toward the grand staircase in my bare feet state.

I didn't want to know…I didn't want to confirm what my gut was telling me, but I couldn't stop.

I reached the guest corridor. The silence here was heavy, broken only by muffled, rhythmic moans, grunts and slapping of skin coming from the end of the hall.

I stopped outside the door, my hand trembling so badly I couldn't even reach for the knob. It was real. It was happening right behind this thin piece of wood.

My hand hovered inches from the handle. I couldn't open it. I was a coward. I was terrified of what I’d see, but more terrified of the choice Jax would make if I caught him. I turned away, the first hot tear sliding down my face, and began to stumble back.

I turned away, the first hot tear sliding down my face, and began to stumble back toward the hall.

"Excuse me, Luna?"

A waiter stopped me, his head bowed. He held out a sleek, expensive-looking phone.

"I found this on the floor just outside that room. I believe it belongs to... the Alpha’s father."

My chest tightened until it felt like my ribs would snap. Silas’s phone? What was it doing up here?

Before I could say a word, the screen lit up with a notification and series of immediately displayed.

I stared down, and the blood drained from my face. They were pictures of Jax and Mia. But they weren't like the ones from the anonymous sender. These were taken from a different angle and most definitely closer and precise, like someone had been standing right there, documenting every sordid second.

Just then, his words from that night flashed in my brain like a neon sign.

“This was the only way I could lure you into my arms.”

I felt my hands began to trembling and my heart racing as everything began to click.

The anonymous texts.

The unforeseen business.

The timing.

It wasn't just Jax and Mia betraying me…. It was a setup.

"Looking for something, Elara?" The same voice I wanted so much not to hear now, the same voice I wanted to run from so much right now.

I spun around, the phone nearly slipping from my numb fingers. Silas was standing there, there was no warmth in his eyes now, just the cold, calculating gaze of a predator who had just finished closing the trap.

This wasn't an accident.

None of it was.

He was ruining me on purpose but why??