LOGINVictor's POVA cold feeling settled in my chest. I lowered my eyes to the pills, then looked back at Ava.My wolf growled beneath my skin.Could it be? Could she truly have been drugged into this state? Who dared do this to my mate?My gaze landed on the trembling nurse. "Under whose instructions are you administering these drugs to my mate?""A-Alpha... it is the dean, Mr. Vincent Sivan.""Bring him here, now!"She nearly stumbled backward. "M-Mr. Vincent Sivan is away on a business trip."A business trip? Right now? What perfect timing.Even without proof, my instincts told me Vincent was avoiding responsibility, and whoever was behind this had likely erased every trail long before I arrived. The scent of fear pouring from the nurse confirmed it.Whoever this Vincent was couldn't have done it without someone's instructions. Could this be Mr. Magnus' doing?I slowly set the tray down. There was no point wa
Victor's POVThe moment I arrived at the hospital to see Ava, something felt wrong. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin as I walked through the corridor toward her room.When I reached it, it was empty.Ava's scent lingered faintly in the air, but she wasn't there.I immediately turned to the nearest nurse. "Where is my wife?"The nurse flinched at my tone. "M-Mrs. Smith was discharged earlier today. Her father and brother took her home. They said she would recover better with family."My entire body went rigid. Nobody had informed me, not a single call, not a single message.I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed Magnus Stone.The call connected after a few rings. "Alpha Victor?""Where is my wife?"Silence stretched between us, then Magnus cleared his throat. "I took Ava home."My jaw tightened."You took my mate out of the hospital without informing me?""I apologize. Everything ha
Anderson’s POVClaudia stood frozen in the doorway. Her eyes were wide. Her face had gone completely pale.The shattered bowl lay at her feet. For several long seconds, nobody spoke.Then her trembling voice broke the silence."An... Anderson..." Her gaze locked onto me. "What did you just say?"Reuben visibly panicked and immediately spoke."Nothing. You misunderstood." He forced out an awkward laugh. "He was just saying he likes what I brought him to eat...""What are you doing here?" I cut him off, my patience already stretched thin.I pressed the intercom and called my secretary to clean up the mess before looking directly at Claudia."You shouldn't be here." My voice was firm. "Go home."But she wasn't listening. Her eyes remained fixed on me."Anderson." Tears began gathering in them. "Did I hear you correctly?"She crossed the room and grabbed my arm."You said you like that bitch
Anderson's POVThe pain in my chest kept growing.It felt as though invisible claws were digging into my heart, twisting deeper with every passing second.My wolf was restless, pacing endlessly beneath my skin. The agitation rolling through our bond was so intense that I could barely breathe.Eventually, the ache became unbearable.I turned my head away from Reuben's phone.I couldn't look at the picture anymore. I couldn't bear seeing Ava curled up alone in that psychiatric facility.The image had branded itself into my mind.Her soaked clothes, her frightened eyes, and the defeated look on her face.Reuben finally put his phone away.His expression was grim. "Who would've thought Laura could be this cold?" His voice carried both disbelief and disappointment. "We've known her for over a decade."He shook his head. "I never saw this side of her." His eyes darkened. "Do you think she's always been this good
Anderson’s POVAs an attorney and an Alpha, there were lines I could never cross, and standing by while someone was being abused was one of them.Even if the plan collapsed, even if the Stone family retaliated, even if I had to throw the full weight of the Crimson Pack behind her.The truth should never be built on the broken body of an innocent wolf.I was halfway across the elevator lobby when the elevator doors slid open, and I nearly crashed straight into Reuben.He caught my shoulder before I could barrel past him."Where are you going?" he asked."There is no time." I tried to push by him. "I have to get Ava."Reuben immediately grabbed my arm. "Have you forgotten the plan?"My jaw clenched."She told us not to interfere.""I know what she said." My voice came out harsher than I intended. "But she's being assaulted!"The words echoed through the lobby. My wolf snarled violently."R
Anderson's POVThe sharp scent of anxiety hit my office before Nora even burst through the door.My wolf immediately lifted its head. Something was wrong."Mr. Shelton!" Nora practically crashed into the room, her heartbeat racing so loudly even a human could have heard it."I have been unable to reach Ava. I think she's in trouble!"I didn't look up from the documents spread across my desk. I couldn't meet her eyes.Instead, I signed another page and said quietly, "I know."Nora froze. My wolf could smell the confusion pouring off her. "What do you mean you know?"I set down my pen. "She's being held at Drakoria Psychiatric Asylum."The room went silent.Then Nora's face drained of color. "The asylum?" Her voice cracked. "No... no, that's impossible."I said nothing because it wasn't impossible.It had already happened.Nora took a step forward. "Mr. Shelton, that's a psychiatric facility. If
Ava's POVThe scent of cigarettes hit me first, before Victor’s.Victor stood in the doorway, his presence filling the room instantly, his wolf brushing against mine in a way that made my chest tighten.“The food got cold,” he said. “I had them make fresh plates. They should be here in ten minutes.
Ava’s POVI snapped out of it immediately, tore my gaze from Victor, and rushed downstairs.He followed at an unhurried pace, each step measured, utterly composed, as though he hadn’t just looked at me like food meant to be devoured.“Miriam, is the chicken soup ready? Give some to Ava,” Victor cal
Ava's POVKingsley took his time before responding.“Still got that sharp tongue, huh?” he drawled, amusement dripping from every word. “All these comebacks… but you were real quiet earlier when he challenged you.”He was obviously referring to what happened between Victor and me. My wolf growled w
Ava's POVEach word felt like claws scraping against my skin. I lowered my head slightly, exhaling slowly.This wasn’t what I wanted. I hadn’t come here for this.And yet… once again, I had dragged someone else into my war.My wolf quieted in guilt.Just then, a sharp cry cut through the air like a







