LOGINAva's POVIt was from Nora. It read:[Ava, Mr. Shelton says the Styles family is dangerous. He told me to back off. But I don't understand why they would target Richard.]I stared at the screen, and my wolf bared her teeth. Because it was obvious that it was Laura. She's the one behind it. Lucian was just her handler, a puppet. And she was the one pulling the strings.A thought came to mind. I immediately dug up more information on Lucian Styles and his family. Since Laura was the knife and Lucian was the hand holding it, I knew I had to point my claws at him. He became my target.During my research, I found out that Lucian had an older half-brother, Ben Styles, with whom he had a fractured relationship. They were practically enemies.Ben controlled the largest entertainment and media empire in Drakoria, the kind that shaped narratives, buried truths, and manufactured reputations. My mind sharpened instantly.He was definitely a tool
Ava's POVMy wolf immediately rejected the thought, yet the question lingered.That afternoon, I sat cross-legged on the bed, hugging my knees and swinging my feet. The moment Victor entered the room, I deliberately turned my head away.I wasn't interested in looking at him, or at least, that's what my act required. He walked over carrying a glass of water and several pills."Here." His voice was gentle. "Take your medicine."I ignored him. He sat beside me.Moon Goddess, the man was persistent."Come on." His tone softened further. "Be a good girl. This will help you feel better."I immediately glared at him, my eyes turning red. "I'm not taking it! You want to poison me and make me mad..." My voice trembled. "Just like Laura did at that bad place!"Victor blinked, briefly confused by what I had just done. I had clearly given him a clue regarding who the mastermind behind the whole thing was, but of course, he didn't ta
Victor's POVSilence filled the room as a terrible realization slowly formed.Reuben continued quietly. "The real culprit."A growl rumbled deep inside my chest, my wolf's eyes flashing red beneath my skin. He had a point. Anyone willing to poison my mate and drive her insane was definitely doing it for a purpose. Could it really be the Stone family?Reuben zipped his bag closed. "They won't stop unless they're exposed."I ran a hand through my hair in frustration but didn't speak.Reuben looked at me calmly. His gaze was sharp, almost knowing. "Seeing you react like this, it means you know I am right. It also proves that Ava was really taking the blame for someone."The room suddenly fell silent, and my heartbeat stumbled. Only then did I realize what I had just revealed without even speaking. "I didn't say anything, Reuben. Don't make baseless conclusions."A look of regret crossed his face. "Anderson tried to tell me several
Victor'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
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







