LOGIN"What is it?""I told you it is a surprise." He nodded toward Lucas, who returned moments later."He has started to see through her.""What do you mean, Lucas?" I asked sharply."He visited her earlier.""Lilith?""Yes. And he has started to realize she has been pretending all along." "Wow. Finally." A real smile spread across my face."But he told me to remain calm. We should tolerate her a little longer while we continue the investigation.""That sounds good." I murmured."Yes. And... he asked if you and the pup are okay. I told him yes.""You should have told him they do not want your protection. That they have me." Alexander growled."Calm down, Alex. Please." I stepped between them. "I do not like Derrick, and you know that." Alexander chimed in, fists clenched at the sides."I know. But we also need more information." I turned to Alexander. "Let us play along for now so he can focus on finding the truth about that bitch.""If you say so." Alexander sighed."Is it done now?" I a
OPRAH’S POVThat night, I prepared a simple meal for Zarek and sat beside him at the table. He kept pushing my hand away, insisting he was an adult who could feed himself. I smiled softly despite the exhaustion weighing on my shoulders. Sauce dripped down his chin as his small hands gripped the spoon with fierce determination. I would correct that later. For now, I let him try, watching every clumsy movement with a mixture of pride and tenderness.After dinner, I carried him to bed and read his favorite book about a fantasy world of kings at war. Zarek never cared for cartoons or stories of princes living in luxury. He loved tales of princes who fought to protect their kingdoms and the people they cherished. That was my Zarek. Different. Fierce even at four years old. His hazel eyes stayed wide and focused as I read, hanging on every word about battles and loyalty.By the time his eyelids grew heavy and his breathing turned deep and even, the night had grown late. I kissed his forehea
OPRAH’S POV"Mummy, is everything alright?"The small voice snapped everyone back to the present. I already knew who it was. His scent wrapped around me like a warm blanket. He was mine, born from my womb. My pup. My pride and joy."Yes, everything is fine, baby." I turned and met Zarek’s big hazel eyes staring up at me with open curiosity."Well," Zarek shifted his gaze to Geoffrey, then to Alexander."And you are right, little genius..." Alexander began with a grin."Can you just stop it?" I sighed, already exhausted. I shot Alexander a sharp glare. He only smiled wider, clearly enjoying himself."I told you not to...""Let the little champ into adult business?" Alexander finished for me. I rolled my eyes and spun toward Geoffrey."You can go and continue with the work.""Of course, ma’am." Geoffrey nodded, gave Alexander a quick nod, and left the house.I sighed and pressed a hand to my forehead. The reminder of my upcoming online meeting with my personal assistant made me want to
OPRAH’S POV"Thank you all for coming today. I... I honestly did not know if I would have the strength to face you."Lilith stood at the podium, eyes glistening with perfectly timed tears. Heavy makeup streaked down her face in dark trails, mixing with sweat. She clutched the edges of the stand until her knuckles turned white. Her voice trembled softly while cameras flashed around her. Her expression remained pitiful and gentle, as if she had never harmed a soul in her life.I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. So she was playing for sympathy? Trying to make the world see her as innocent?I smiled bitterly."I just cannot believe someone would stoop so low, to lie about me." She paused and dabbed at her eyes with a delicate handkerchief. A single tear slid down her cheek."That bitch." I stepped closer to the television, jaw tight."The past few days, my life has been turned upside down. Someone has tried to..." Her voice broke. Her face twisted with practiced sadne
LILITH’S POV"You think I would do something like that to you?" I collapsed into fresh sobs. My body trembled with calculated precision. Tears spilled freely down my cheeks as I shook uncontrollably. Cold sweat prickled along my spine beneath the expensive fabric of my dress."I did not. It is just that...""Just what, Derrick?" I turned away for a split second, letting a cold smile flash across my lips before facing him again with wide, tear-filled eyes. My shoulders hunched inward as if the weight of the world crushed me."After I saved you from that fire years ago? After I left everything to run to you at the altar?" My voice cracked dramatically. My eyes widened as I choked on the words. Derrick rushed to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water, his steps hurried."Drink this." He held it to my lips with careful hands. His body remained tense, but pity flooded his features and softened the hard lines around his mouth.Good. The hook sank deeper."I would sacrifice my life f
LILITH’S POV"How could you?!"Derrick filled the wide-open doorway. His face remained stone cold. Veins bulged across his forehead. His mouth hung slightly open, teeth grinding together. His hazel eyes flickered and shifted into burning golden yellow as his wolf fought for control. His chest rose and fell in heavy, ragged breaths. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, knuckles white with strain. I could picture those hands wrapping around my neck and squeezing until life left me. His shirt hung unkempt and wrinkled. This was not the controlled Derrick I had always known. This version looked ready to kill.Even yesterday when I tried to seduce him, he had not looked this dangerous. Not even after I returned following the altar incident. His glare cut like ice and promised violence."D-Derrick... did you see what she did to me?" I collapsed to the floor. The strategic Lilith who had planned to turn Oprah’s move against her vanished. In her place knelt a pitiful, scared, innocent







