CHAPTER 9: The Wreckage of the Alpha's Ego

The morning sun penetrated the giant glass windows of the former Bloodmoon Pack headquarters. Unfortunately, the warm rays were unable to melt the frozen air that enveloped the entire executive floor. The modern Victorian architectural style building, which was once a symbol of the glory of the Blackwood family, is now closely guarded by hundreds of men in black uniforms with the Vanguard logo.

Julian Blackwood stood in the middle of his study which now felt strange. His mahogany table worth hundreds of thousands of dollars was removed. The paintings of his ancestors were forcibly taken down and simply left in the corner of the room like used goods. 

Every second that passed was a cut on his pride.

The double doors of the room opened. It wasn't the servant who brought breakfast as usual, but Arthur, the Vanguard's Head Butler whose face was as hard as a tombstone. Behind Arthur, two men in gray suits "Vanguard's financial auditors" entered with a thick stack of documents.

"As per Young Lady's instructions," Arthur's voice broke the silence, echoing the death sentence. "All movable and immovable assets belonging to Bloodmoon, including this building, the hunting area in the southern valley, and the personal accounts of the Blackwood family, were officially confiscated as of nine o'clock this morning."

Julian swallowed the bitterness that was blocking his throat. Her eyes were bloodshot, the image of Chloe's face when she stepped on her ego and life last night still danced like a strangling ghost. 

"Then... what is left of me?" Julian asked quietly. His voice lost all the dictatorial tone he used to scold Chloe.

Arthur smiled very faintly. A mocking smile that pierced the heart. "The clothes on you, Mr. Blackwood. And perhaps... your regret, if that has any value."

Julian closed his eyes. The pain ripped through his internal organs. The wolves howled in despair, realizing that they had been driven from their ancestral land not because of the invasion of war enemies, but due to the stupidity of the master who threw away the true mate. Chloe didn't need to send an army of wolves to tear Julian's throat. Simply by swallowing his company, he had made the arrogant Alpha crawl like an earthworm.

"Where's Chloe?" Julian opened his eyes, looked at Arthur with a pitiful gaze that cut his heart. "Let me see him. Just five minutes... Arthur, please. I promise I will give my life if it can atone for my thousand mistakes!"

Arthur's face suddenly turned hard. His eyes radiated terrifying killing intent. 

"Don't mention Young Lady's sacred name with your dirty mouth," Arthur hissed, taking a step forward to press Julian's presence until the man stepped back. "You lost the right to speak his name the night you let that snake woman degrade him. Now, I give you ten minutes to clear Vanguard property, before I have security throw you onto the dusty street."

No compromise. Julian's blood flowed coldly. Regret is a poison that works slowly but surely. He walked unsteadily out of his own room, looking at the Vanguard employees who were looking at him with disgust and contempt. 

At the same time, Julian's thoughts turned to the source of this catastrophe. Seraphina. 

Julian's jaw was clenched tightly. His eyes flashed with unnatural hatred. "Sera... cursed bitch. All my suffering is because of you."

Julian swore that if Vanguard did not kill Seraphina in the dungeon, then his own hands would take out the heart of this treacherous woman.