The Visit

Flora read the message again.

And again.

And again.

The words on the screen refused to change.

“I know Ryan Carter isn’t the father of your baby.”

“You might want to think carefully about that mating ceremony.”

Her chest tightened painfully.

The room now felt so small and suffocating, her breathing began to feel hard and forced.

Flora lowered the phone slowly, her mind racing now.

Who?

Who could possibly know? Marcus?

Her heart skipped.

But no.

If Marcus had wanted to expose her, he could have done it in the throne room. In front of the entire pack.

He had the power and he had the proof.

And yet… he hadn’t.

Which meant this message had to be from someone else.

But who?

Flora stood up from the bed and began pacing the room.

Her thoughts moved quickly through possibilities.

Ryan? No. That made no sense. He didn't know, and even if he did, why ruin his chance of getting what he wants so quickly.

Lily? Absolutely not. She won't dare send messages. If she knew she would confront her immediately.

Her mother? Impossible. That was even out of it.

The doctor?

Flora stopped walking.

The hospital.

Her stomach twisted.

The image of Marcus visiting her replayed in her mind.

Maybe someone put the pieces together…

A nurse.

A pack member.

Anyone. It could have been literally anyone.

Her phone buzzed again suddenly.

Flora jumped.

Her heart slammed violently in her chest as she looked down.

But it was just a news notification.

She exhaled shakily.

This wasn’t going to stop.

Whoever sent those messages wasn’t finished.

Flora then turned to the window and the darkness beyond.

One person might know the truth or at least how to find it.

Marcus.

If anyone could figure this out, it was him.

The decision formed in her mind almost instantly.

She grabbed her jacket.

The Alpha residence looked even more intimidating than the other times she's been there.

Flora hesitated at the main entrance gate.

Her heart was beating fast.

Coming here this late might not be the smartest idea.

Someone might see her and get the wrong idea, or maybe she runs into Lyra and then she'll have to lie again.

But the thought of someone secretly knowing her biggest mistake was worse.

She stepped forward.

The guards at the entrance recognized her immediately.

“Miss Bennett,” one of them said respectfully.

“I… need to see the Alpha,” Flora said.

The guard raised an eyebrow.

“At this hour?”

“It’s important.” I said quickly.

They exchanged glances.

Then one of them nodded.

“Wait here.”

Flora stood nervously for several minutes before the doors finally opened.

“Go ahead,” the guard said.

Flora walked inside slowly.

The halls of the Alpha residence were quiet and dimly lit.

Her footsteps echoed softly against the polished floors.

She knew where Marcus would be.

His office.

When she reached the door, she hesitated again.

Then she knocked.

“Come in.”

His voice was calm and deep.

Flora pushed the door open.

Marcus Steele sat behind his desk, reading something under the light of a lamp.

He didn’t look surprised to see her, not even a little.

Flora swallowed.

“Alpha.”

Marcus set the papers down slowly.

“Flora.”

He leaned back slightly in his chair.

“To what do I owe the late-night visit?”

His tone was neutral, but his eyes were as sharp as ever.

Flora swallowed a hard lump in her throat, then stepped closer.

“I need to talk to you.”

Marcus gestured to the chair in front of the desk.

“Sit.”

Flora remained standing.

Her hands were clenched tightly around her phone.

“I got these tonight,” she said.

She stepped forward and placed the phone on the desk.

Marcus picked it up calmly.

His eyes scanned the messages.

Flora watched his face carefully looking for any reaction.

But his expression barely changed.

He read the messages once and then again.

Then he placed the phone back on the desk.

Silence filled the room.

Flora finally spoke.

“Was it you?”

Marcus raised an eyebrow slightly.

“You think I sent those messages?”

“You’re the only one who knows.”

Marcus leaned back in his chair again.

“So you know I know..”

“Of course I do. Those teases you made. It's not hard to piece it together..”

“And yet you lied about it ..”His gaze held hers steadily.

“I lied for reasons bigger than us. I can't afford to ruin my life over a mistake…”

Marcus didn't respond immediately, he just stared at her carefully.

“So you deny me my child and come rushing to me for answers…”

“Did you or did you not send the messages?” Flora's tone was sharper now.

“If I wanted to expose you, Flora…” he said calmly, “I would have done it already.”

Her throat tightened.

He wasn’t wrong.

The throne room. That had been the perfect opportunity.

“And I don’t play games with anonymous threats,” Marcus continued.

“So no,” he finished. “It wasn’t me.”

Flora’s stomach dropped.

“Then someone else knows.”

Marcus didn’t respond immediately.

Instead he picked up the phone again, studying the messages more carefully.

“Possibly.”

Flora felt panic rising in her chest.

“Possibly?” she repeated. “Marcus, someone knows the baby isn’t Ryan’s!”

His eyes lifted slowly to hers.

“Lower your voice.”

Flora immediately fell silent.

Marcus stood up from his chair.

Even in the quiet office, his presence felt powerful.

He walked around the desk slowly.

Flora felt her pulse quicken as he approached.

“Blackmailers rarely stop after one message,” he said calmly.

Flora stared at him.

“You think they’re blackmailing me?”

“They’re warning you now, but it can get worse.”

Her stomach twisted.

Marcus stopped a few feet away from her.

“Warning usually comes before the demand.”

Flora felt cold all over.

“Great,” she muttered weakly.

Marcus’s gaze studied her face.

“Who else knows about that night?”

“No one.”

His eyebrow lifted slightly.

“No one?” he repeated.

Flora shook her head quickly.

“I swear.”

Marcus was silent for a moment.

Then he nodded slightly.

“Then whoever sent this message saw something.”

Flora’s heart dropped again.

It could have been anywhere and by anyone.

Her mind raced through possibilities.

Marcus stepped closer to the window, looking out into the dark woods.

“This pack has a lot of eyes,” he said quietly.

“That’s comforting,” Flora muttered.

Marcus ignored the sarcasm.

“We’ll find out who it is.”

Flora blinked.

“We?”

Marcus turned back toward her.

“This situation involves me now. Trust me, the news of a child outside my wife won't do well for me.”

Her stomach fluttered nervously.

Before she could respond—

Her phone buzzed.

Both of them froze.

Flora slowly picked it up.

Another message.

Her hands shook as she opened it.

Marcus stepped closer behind her.

He was close enough that she could feel the warmth of his presence.

The new message appeared on the screen.

“Nice visit to the Alpha tonight.”

Flora felt the blood drain from her face.

Marcus read the message over her shoulder.

His expression darkened slightly.

Flora looked up at him in horror.

“They’re watching me,” she whispered.

Marcus’s eyes moved toward the window.

His voice was cold when he spoke.

“Yes.”

A heavy silence filled the room.