Mag-log inRHONDAMy chest tightened painfully.My lungs felt compressed, and I could barely breathe. I shook my head in denial, hoping this was not real. Hoping Malcolm had not really slept with his cousin. Hoping there was some explanation that would make everything disappear.But no matter how much I tried to deny it, the video was real.It was not AI-generated.Although it had happened before we rekindled our love, the fact still remained that he had hidden such information from me. And omission was lying. Keeping something like that from me was lying. I felt utterly betrayed, and I knew I could never see him the same way again.Just then, my phone rang, and his name flashed across the screen.Malcolm.My heart clenched painfully at the sight of his name. For a second, I just stared at the screen, unable to move, unable to breathe properly. Then anger rushed through me like fire.I furiously rejected the call, switched off my phone, and slammed it on the desk.A satisfied smirk curled on Emm
RHONDASebastian Virelli.So, it had been him all along.He was the one who had blackmailed me. He was the one who had released the video. And now, he was attempting to kill me together with Layla.Ninety-nine days, they said, were for the thief, and one day was for the owner.“I need to file a report. I’ll do that after I leave work. Please send the video evidence,” I told Malcolm.I had always said this, and I meant it every single time. I could not have prayed for a better partner. Malcolm was the best. Even in the middle of all the chaos surrounding me, he still found a way to make me feel protected. He did not make me feel like a burden. He did not make me feel like my problems were too much. Instead, he stood beside me as if my battles were his too.“I’ll pick you up, then we’ll go together. Just let me know when you are almost ready, and I’ll drive down there.”“You don’t have to bother. I’ll…”“I insist,” he cut me off.I knew I could never win such an argument with Malcolm. O
RHONDAMalcolm strode toward me with precise steps and swept me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist and looped my arms around his neck to support myself as giggles erupted from me.“I love you,” he groaned as he walked toward the bathroom, his lips connecting with mine.“I love you,” I moaned in response as our lips moved hungrily against each other.By the time we got to the bathroom, my heart was already racing. He placed me gently on my feet, then slowly removed my dress and flung it across the bathroom. He unclasped my bra effortlessly, and while he did that, I slipped my panties off.Turning the shower on, he let the water pour over us. The coldness rushed over my skin, cooling my body in a way I had not realized I needed. I closed my eyes for a second, letting the sensation settle over me, but before I could fully get over the sweetness the water brought, Malcolm grabbed my throat and pushed me against the wall.I gasped loudly, my lust-filled eyes boring into his.
RHONDAHe was bothered by something. I knew exactly what it was and why he refused to tell me. He didn’t want to hurt me.While he had been outside earlier with the warriors, his mother came to see me.At first, I thought she had simply come to check on me, but the tension written across her face immediately told me otherwise. She sat quietly beside me on the bed for a while before finally speaking.“The council called for a meeting,” she had said softly.I frowned. “A meeting? About what?”“They are not happy about Malcolm’s absence from the pack lately,” she muttered. “And…”“And?” I urged impatiently.Her expression tightened slightly before she finally continued.“They think the scandal surrounding you makes you unfit to become Luna.”Even now, remembering those words made my chest tighten painfully. I knew the tape had caused damage, but hearing that the entire council believed I was unworthy because of it hurt far more than I wanted to admit.Malcolm probably didn’t want to tell
MALCOLMAfter making sure Rhonda was settled in the pack house, I left to address the pack warriors. They had already assembled in front of the pack house by the time I arrived.“Good day, Alpha,” their voices chorused in unison.I ignored their greeting and began pacing slowly in front of them, my hands clasped behind my back. “Which of you released the prisoner?” I growled. “She couldn’t have escaped on her own. One of you must have been hired—possibly given a lot of money—to release her.”Silence.“I am not talking to dummies,” I snapped, stopping abruptly to glare at them. “I need answers. Talk!”They all stiffened immediately, fear evident in their expressions. I was rarely angry, and this was one of those very rare occasions. They all knew what happened whenever I lost my temper. I was merciless.“No one saw her escaping,” one of them finally managed to say.“Are you trying to tell me that she disappeared into thin air?” I growled.“No, Alpha. I…”“One of you must have released
RHONDATheodore stood in the doorway, concern written all over his face.“Theodore?” I called out in shock. “What are you doing here?”“I was around here when I learned about the fire accident,” Theodore muttered as he ventured further into the room.“How did you know that I was inside this hospital?” I asked curiously.“Uhm...” He hesitated briefly before continuing. “I was around the restaurant when I saw him,” he nodded towards Malcolm, who had a permanent frown plastered on his face, “jump into his car and drive off fast. I followed him. I lost him at some point because he was too fast, but I managed to locate the nearest hospital around, suspecting that you were here and that he was rushing to see you.”“Okay. So, why are you here? Get out!” Malcolm growled.“You have no right to tell me what to do!” Theodore retorted fiercely. “I came to see Rhonda, and you cannot send me out.”“Oh, yes, I can.”Malcolm started stepping towards Theodore, but I quickly grabbed his arm before the
RHONDASlowly, I opened my eyes to see white walls surrounding me. Where was I? I wondered as I tried to get up from the bed, but I was too weak to do so. Then memories of what happened before I passed out came crashing, and realization washed over me. I was at the hospital.Suddenly, I passed out
RHONDAA splash of water hit my face, dragging a sharp gasp from my lungs as I jerked back to consciousness.Through my hazy vision, I saw her standing in front of me, a smirk on her face. Sienna.“Let me go. Please...” My voice came out as a whisper.My entire body ached so much, and I was so weak
MALCOLMLast night, I couldn’t sleep, thinking about everything that happened with Rhonda. The thought of losing her made my chest tighten so much that I could barely breathe. I had tried calling her so many times, but her phone was switched off.So, I went to her place in search of her, only to be
RHONDAEvery nook and cranny of the manor was searched, but Dorcas was nowhere to be found. Her home address was searched, and she also wasn’t there. Her mother, who lived there, had also disappeared.Her disappearance reinforced my suspicions that the poison was from the coffee I always took.A fe







