MasukRue’s POV
Across the room, Aiden still stood as if the floor was holding him in place. Haven’s posture, by contrast, was alert. Her gaze darted between me and Aiden.
I had known this confrontation would come. I simply hadn’t known it would be public.
Reporters, invited under the pretense of covering the CDC negotiations, had inst
Weeks later, the kindergarten announced a parent-child meeting.An open classroom event.Both Vance and Aiden attended.The tension was palpable from the moment they entered the same room. It wasn’t surprising given that Vance once wanted to overthrow Aiden.Blue sat at a tiny table, swinging her legs lightly.Aiden stood beside her.Vance approached deliberately. And for a few seconds, their eyes met. The mutual dislike was not subtle. It simmered openly now.“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Aiden said. “I wouldn’t miss it,” Vance replied evenly.“For a friend’s child?” Aiden asked pointedly.Vance’s lips curved slightly.“Something like that.”And then, Aiden saw her, standing across the classroom. Rue.She stood near the whiteboard, speaking gently to another parent.His body went rigid. What was she doing here?His gaze sharpened instantly at the teacher’s badge. She wasn’t here visiting, she worked here.Rue turned and saw him. For a brief moment, he didn’t know what to say or d
The first time Haven saw Vance after the livestream, she thought she was hallucinating. It was late afternoon. Haven had been moving quickly, head lowered, hoping to avoid the whispers that now followed her everywhere. Then she turned a corner and stopped.Vance stood at the end of the corridor. Alive, whole and watching her.For a moment, her mind refused to process it. Her breath caught mid-inhale, chest tightening so abruptly it bordered on pain.He should have been dead. The thought flashed across her face before she could conceal it.Vance noticed but he smiled. He knew “Haven,” he said calmly, his voice almost conversational. “You look surprised.”She forced her spine straight, forced blood back into her pale cheeks.“I…I heard you were recovering…after you…fainted” she replied carefully.“Recovering? Fainted?” He took a slow step forward. “Is that what you call it?”Her pulse quickened. He stopped just close enough for his presence to feel deliberate.“But anyway. I’ve alwa
The livestream ended briefly afterwards. The masked man lowered the device that had broadcast Haven’s unraveling to the world. The flood of comments froze mid-scroll. The connection dissolved into black.Inside the dim warehouse where the interrogation had taken place, silence followed like a heavy curtain dropping after a performance.Haven’s breathing filled the space. Her wrists were still bound, her shoulders trembling from the aftershocks of forced confession. The overhead light buzzed faintly against concrete walls.The masked man stood still for a moment longer. Then, slowly, he reached up and removed his mask. “I didn’t use real gasoline,” he said, gesturing toward the canister that had sat ominously near her chair during the stream. “You were never going to burn.”Haven stared at him, tears streaking her face.“You’re insane,” she whispered hoarsely.“No,” he replied evenly. He stepped back, giving her air, though she did not notice the gesture as mercy.“I only needed the
Rue’s POVI had not left the television station yet. I was halfway down the corridor toward the exit when someone gasped behind me.“Is this real?”Another voice answered, strained and disbelieving. “It’s live.”I turned.A cluster of staff members had gathered around a tablet. One of the interns looked pale, her hand covering her mouth. On the screen, a shaky video feed flickered under dim lighting.For a fraction of a second, I didn’t recognize what I was seeing. Then I did.It was Haven, bound to a chair. Her silver dress now wrinkled, hair slightly disheveled, wrists secured behind her back. A harsh overhead light cast shadows under her eyes, hollowing her expression.I stepped closer without thinking.The livestream interface scrolled rapidly with comments, thousands already flooding in. The viewer count climbed by the second.This wasn’t a private threat, it was a spectacle meant for everyone to see.A masked man stood partially within frame. His voice was distorted electronical
From behind the cameras, producers exchanged glances. The audience, though trained to remain composed, could not suppress the subtle ripple of unease that had taken hold.The host, who had maintained professionalism throughout the confrontation, suddenly changed his expression.His fingers lifted to his earpiece.“Excuse me,” he said softly, though the microphone caught it clearly. “I’m being told we’ve just received additional information.”The room stilled again. Haven, who had just begun to regain her composure after Rue’s recording, stiffened.The host listened for several seconds, nodding faintly as if absorbing something.Then he looked directly into the main camera.“We have confirmation from on-site rescue personnel regarding the island incident.”Haven’s spine straightened further, but her shoulders betrayed her. “According to field reports,” the host continued carefully, “Haven did not arrive at the rescue site earlier than previously implied. In fact, rescue staff confirme
Rue’s POVI was surprised when Haven arrived moments after I did. I never realized the same TV station would also invite her to the same interview. But it wasn't surprising given that TV fished for drama whenever they could.She wore a pale silver dress. And when she smiled, it was gentle. To anyone watching without context, she looked like the embodiment of grace. The host greeted us warmly, voice bright with anticipation. The audience, though limited, carried an electric undercurrent. Recent events within the pack had already circulated widely. Most prominently was the recent rescue missions and the rumors of internal tension.We took our seats opposite one another.The host began.“Recent developments within the pack have raised questions about leadership structure and crisis management. Both of you hold influential positions in your respective packs. Let’s start with operational oversight…Rue?”I inclined my head slightly.“First of all, thank you for having me over,” I said calm
Aiden’s POVHaven was sprawled across the couch, a face mask plastered to her skin, cucumber slices sliding down her cheeks. The soft blue glow from her tablet illuminated a dozen open shopping tabs.My phone kept ringing.“Aiden, hang that up,” she said lazily, not even looking at me. “It’s probab
Rue’s POVThe salt-sweet breeze brushed against my face as I reclined on a sunbed, the sound of waves dissolving my thoughts into something almost… peaceful.Three days ago, Bella had called me, and I knew mischief would be involved.“We’re done with the project! Let’s celebrate.”I had hesitated a
Rue’s POV“You’re dismissed,” the old Alpha said firmly. “And don’t think for a second I’ll recommend you elsewhere. This pack needs no man who can’t tell right from wrong.”The butler fell to his knees, his forehead nearly touching the ground. “Please, Alpha! Mercy! I’ve served this household for
Rue’s POVThe first thing I did when I got to Percy’s company was check the contract clause.“Wait,” I murmured, tracing a finger along a paragraph.A discrepancy—minor to most, fatal to anyone with any experience. The proposed royalty clause from one of the shareholder’s sides contained a hidden o







