CHAPTER 13

Just then, a message blinked onto the screen. I picked up my screen and jumped slightly when I saw the message.

Alpha Conan: Something came up. I need you at the cabin. Bring the ring.

No greeting, no smiley face. It was expected, but it reminded me of his nature. Just like him.

I typed back: When?

Alpha Conan: Now. Come alone.

I glanced back at the clock.

8:42 a.m.

I looked around the house, brushed my hair hurriedly, and dusted my shoes. Then I grabbed my bag, locked the house, and left before I could think twice.

Because if I stayed, I was going to shatter.

And if I shattered, no one would be able to pick up the pieces but me.

The drive out to the old forest trail was long, dark, and silent. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, and I wasn’t sure if it was the cold or fear making me shake. The ring sat in my coat pocket, heavier than it should be. I replayed Jonathan’s words in my head over and over until they became a blur.

Samira was trying to take my son. Jonathan was helping her. And I was left in the middle, drowning slowly with no way out in sight.

By the time I pulled up to the cabin, the clouds above had gathered thickly, the moon hidden behind them. Conan's car was already there, parked neatly under a tree. The place was quiet, the only sound the wind rustling through the branches. I hesitated before stepping out, steeling myself for what I was about to say. About what I had to show him.

The door creaked open before I could knock. Conan stood there, arms folded over his chest, his expression unreadable. Behind him, the small cabin was dimly lit with a single lamp casting a soft golden glow.

"You're late," he said simply, his eyes cold. It made me flinch.

"Sorry," I replied. My voice sounded hoarse. "Had to make sure I wasn’t followed."

That was a lie.

He stepped aside, letting me in. The warmth inside the cabin made me realize just how cold I had become.

"Sit," he said, nodding toward the worn-out couch. I took the seat slowly, pulling out the small recorder from my coat pocket. It sat in my palm like a secret ready to detonate.

"This is from the ring," I said. "It’s Jonathan. And Samira."

He said nothing, only nodded. I pressed play.

Jonathan's voice spilled into the room, low and relaxed, too smooth for what he was saying.

"Don't worry baby, I think she's just trying to make things work. A woman knows how to be desperate."

There was a pause.

"I'm sorry darling. I promise I'll come in the morning. I've missed you too."

Another pause.

"No. She hasn't said anything, but she's been acting off lately. But I doubt she's smart enough to figure anything out."

Conan's jaw clenched.

Then came the part that tightened my stomach.

"Are we still good for the transfer? I'm done arguing about it with her. And I want to do it before she catches wind of anything."

Finally:

"I love you too, Samira."

The device clicked off. The silence that followed felt louder than the recording.

I didn't look at Conan right away. My hands were locked together in my lap. My chest hurt.

"They want to take Jayden from me," I said quietly. "They added her to his emergency contact list at school. She showed up two days ago and tried to take him. If I hadn’t gotten there in time..."

Conan was still for a moment. Then he stood and walked toward the window, arms folded behind his back.

"She’s been feeding the council lies," he said at last, rubbing his temples. "Told them you were unfit to raise a child. Told them you were emotionally unstable, difficult to work with, distant from your son."

I blinked. My entire body stopping.

"What?"

He turned, his gaze locked on mine.

"It was subtle at first. Little comments that made me glance at her. She asked questions that raised suspicion in meetings. Then she started pushing for another child—publicly. When I asked why, she claimed she wanted to 'give the Pack a worthy heir.'"

I swallowed.

"Jayden is the heir."

He nodded. "And she wants him. Not just for herself. For control. I think your little boy might be more than  what you think he is."

I pressed a hand to my temple, suddenly exhausted. "How did you not see what kind of woman she was?"

That question hung in the air.

Alpha Conan  slowly walked over and sat beside me. The wood beneath us creaked. His voice was low, tired.

"I never chose her," he said. "She was a council pick. She played her part well, and I ignored the signs. Because that’s what leaders do, right? Put the Pack before their personal lives."

I looked away. The pain in my chest was deep, burning.

"I’m sorry, Maya."

I blinked. Of all the things I expected to hear from him, that wasn’t it.

"I should have protected you better. From all of this. I'm your Alpha, and I can't even keep my Luna in check."

I shook my head slowly. "No one could have seen this coming. I mean, I didn’t. I thought I was being paranoid. Besides, Luna Samira has been in my family's life long before you even knew she existed."

"You weren’t. And now, we have a chance to make this right."

I turned toward him.

"How?"

"We let them believe they’ve won. We let them think you’re falling apart. And while they’re celebrating their victory, we gather everything we need to expose them. To take back control."

"And Jayden?"

His eyes darkened. "No one will touch him. Not while I’m still the Alpha. She can't finalize the transfer without my approval, and I think that'll be perfect."

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. My fingers touched the ring in my coat again. The same ring that carried Jonathan’s betrayal.

"You think this is enough?"

"It’s a start. But we’ll need more. Proof of forged documents, financial transfers, maybe even a witness."

I nodded slowly. "Then we get it."

Alpha Conan stood. For a moment, we just looked at each other. No Pack Alpha. No betrayed wife. Just two people standing on the edge of something they didn’t yet understand.

"Be careful," he said. "They’ll get a little more desperate now."

I gave a weak smile. "So will I."

As I turned to leave, he added, "Maya."

I paused.

"If you ever need a place to run, you have one."

Something tugged in my chest, something warm and unfamiliar. But I just nodded and stepped out into the cold.