Rashel had taken to paranoia. She had begun to watch and suspect everyone around her. She had started to become incapable of rest and seemed to have forgotten what it meant to be at peace with herself or her surroundings.
Since the day she received the message, her days were a blur of strategy meetings, security sweeps, and code audits, all while making sure Kael never felt the weight of the war she was fighting. Even though he was still too young to understand anything.
On most days she now worked from home to keep an eye on him. On the days she went into the office, she brought him to Scepter’s private lounge, where Jethro had constructed a secure playroom for Kael and whoever was nursing him. The room had sensor alarms for weapons and cameras situated in every corner, making it look like it was being used fo
The scenery and details of the conference in Chicago had already begun to fade from Rashel’s mind, and she wondered if it was even necessary to have gone there in the first place. Considering the trip had only disrupted her life further. Her encounters with Viola and Merikh from the store to the hotel stayed with her like a terrible secret.She had decided to stay away from the issue and not interfere. Seth made his choice when he woke one morning and decided to choose Viola. Now it was time to face the consequences of his actions. Two things influenced her decision.Firstly, if she told Seth of the plot to end his life, she would have to expose Viola and Merikh’s affair, which, of course, they had warned her to stay out of. Secondly, if she exposed them, they would go after her son, and it might lead to
Seth’s life was in danger.It was all Rashel could think about as the conference commenced, up until it was over.The room was full of people and voices, but Rashel barely heard or said a word except for a few pleasantries here and there.And if he doesn’t, we’ll just get rid of him. Viola, his lovely wife, had said.But that had been two hours ago. Two long hours of internal conflict.She replayed the words in her mind over and over, trying to make sense of them. Firstly, she didn’t understand why it bothered her so much, and secondly, why did Merikh have to kill Seth? Couldn’t he just wait till the time
The days that followed Jethro’s recovery were tough. Rashel had begun to block him out, and even though he didn’t understand why, he tried as much as he could to respect her decision. In the days that followed, they prepared for an attack from Seth and his people because Jethro had supposedly gone to stir up trouble, even though he refused to admit it. They beefed up security around his estate and around Sceptre Towers.But it wasn’t all bad news; Dixon Holdings had called to apologize for pulling out of the partnership. They offered Sceptre Towers a check of one million dollars as compensation for damages done and reinitiated the partnership deal.***Rashel was supposed to travel to Chicago for a business meeting in three days, and she was panicking. Firstly, she was travelling with Kael but without Jethro, and as much as she tried to deny it, it scared her.She also worried about being intercepted by Seth or even Merikh’s forces
Rashel had taken to paranoia. She had begun to watch and suspect everyone around her. She had started to become incapable of rest and seemed to have forgotten what it meant to be at peace with herself or her surroundings.Since the day she received the message, her days were a blur of strategy meetings, security sweeps, and code audits, all while making sure Kael never felt the weight of the war she was fighting. Even though he was still too young to understand anything.On most days she now worked from home to keep an eye on him. On the days she went into the office, she brought him to Scepter’s private lounge, where Jethro had constructed a secure playroom for Kael and whoever was nursing him. The room had sensor alarms for weapons and cameras situated in every corner, making it look like it was being used fo
Jethro raced through the early morning fog like a wolf on the hunt. He could barely contain his anger as he waited for the first light of dawn to break. Even when Rashel pleaded that he let it go, he insisted on a personal confrontation with Seth.As he drove through the paths that led to the Southern territories, he noted that the place had become a shadow of what it used to be. It had once been a proud symbol of power. Now, it only existed in past glory, the glory Rashel had given him.He rode alone. No security details, not even one guard. This was certainly no courtesy visit. This was war. It was very personal, and he meant to clear the air with this visit.Rashel hadn’t said it aloud, but he saw the hurt in her eyes. The latest message had rattled
The towering buildings of the Southern packs shadowed the early dusk in a pale light. Once, these buildings had been the symbol of power and innovation, a beacon of Alpha Seth’s dominion. Now, it stood cold and hollow, mirroring the slow unraveling of a territory that had once been nearly untouchable.Seth adjusted the cuffs of his shirt and stared out his room window, his golden eyes narrowed in thought. Behind him, a heated argument echoed through the closed double doors, muffled only slightly by the thick mahogany panels.He could hear his mother’s voice, obviously annoyed. And his sisters are fast, furious, and laced with frustration. Even though he knew they were arguing with Viola, he didn’t hear her voice once.He held his face in both his hands. This was the third fight this week alone.He was battling with whether to ignore them or intervene when a knock interrupted his thoughts. His assistant, Corwin, stepped in, looking pale a