Chapter 2

Ariana’s POV

My eyes shot up—

“They're threatening to investigate the company. The enforcement division and fraud charges.”

“What?”

“Elias's new father in-law, Lucien Blackwell,” he said bitterly. “This is his doing. Elias sold us out.”

“They have evidence of money laundering, I might face serious punishment— but I didn't do anything.”

I swallowed hard, my hands shaking. “I’ll fix it. I don’t care how, but I’ll fix it.”

I can't let Elias ruin my life and extend his evil heart to my family too— it's me he wants to humiliate, let him focus on me and leave my father out of this.

He sank into a chair, defeated. “Some wars, Ari, can’t be won.”

“Then I’ll start one,” I said quietly.

“Don't do anything stupid!”

“Don’t worry about me dad, I think it's time for me to grow up. You can't keep protecting me— it's my turn to protect what matters to me.” I arranged all the files Dad had scattered on the table, carried them and stormed into my room.

This wasn't time to cry over a man who doesn't see me worthy, it was the time to fight for my family's legacy.

I carefully studied each document with trembling hands. My vision was still blurry but I must find out where the faults are. That's the only way to clear my father's name.

As I studied the files, I discovered a weird pattern from the financial team. At first, it was small amounts that went nowhere— then it increased gradually and the accounts used in these transactions were linked overseas.

Could it be someone was stealing money from the company without my dad noticing? Was this their plan? To frame my dad at the least expected time?

The whole thing seemed so calculated for it to be an ordinary coincidence.

I kept watching the files like the answers to my questions were going to pop out and I didn't realize how much time had gone by until my phone buzzed with a message.

I checked but it was anonymous— no name and a hidden number.

<b> You should be ashamed. You were never a priority to begin with, seeing how your mate was bought just like that.

My breath caught and my chest burned. “Bought?” I whispered.

I didn't think twice before deleting the message, shaking. “To hell with you all!” I screamed.

I was going to throw my phone on the bed when it buzzed again. This time, there was a name—

Elder Roy? One of those old gizzards who betrayed my family.

<b> Lucien Blackwell wants to see you first thing tomorrow morning.

I blinked— the same man who's about to ruin my father? He wants to see me?

I quickly replied to the text, “I'll be right there.”

I dropped my phone.

Whatever is going to happen tomorrow might determine my family's future and—

“I’m ready to risk it all for you, Dad.”

Those were the last words I said before curling up in bed. I tried to sleep, but it wouldn’t come. I was restless— it felt like the universe was against me. How could one person go through so much in just one night?

I was still lost in thought and didn’t even realize when sleep finally took me. All I remember was hearing the sound of birds chirping— morning had already come.

I quickly did my morning necessities and rushed out of the house, making sure I didn't wake Dad in the process.

When I finally reached his office building, I wasn’t sure if my hands were shaking from fear or… rage.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped into Lucien Blackwell’s tower.

Cold marble floor with security guards everywhere. The air reeked of money and power, the kind that made ordinary people bow.

I clutched the file in my hand tighter. ‘You’re not ordinary, Ariana. You’re the Beta’s daughter, walk like it.’

“Miss Carter?” Someone intercepted me at the reception. “The chairman is expecting you.”

Expecting me… Like he already knew I’d come crawling.

I forced a nod and followed the lady up. When the elevator stopped, the doors opened into a room that could swallow the entire Beta quarters.

He was standing by the window—

Lucien Blackwell.

The man everyone in the pack feared.

Tall, with broad shoulders under a dark suit. Silver hair slicked back as he flexed his shoulders.

He didn’t turn immediately. Just said, “You’re late.”

“I wasn’t aware I was on your schedule,” I managed.

Now he turned— and gods, those eyes.

For a second, my breath cut.

I wasn’t prepared for the sight of him— not really. Piercing grey eyes, pink cherry lips, well-cut beards at the right angles, a sharp jawline that could slice through glass. His shoulder-length hair looked effortlessly perfect, silver and soft against his skin.

His muscles flexed subtly under the fabric of his shirt, veins prominent, strong. I caught glimpses of tattoos snaking down his wrist and neck— faint black lines that hinted they ran down his arms… maybe even his chest.

He didn’t look like a chairman. He looked like sin in a suit.

The kind of man you only read about in books— dangerous, dominant, and devastatingly gorgeous.

And for a moment, I just stared, completely forgetting why I'd come. Forgetting that it was this same man that raised the girl that stole my life— the same man who's about to ruin my family.

Then his voice broke through my daze.

“When you’re done eye-raping me, you can signal me to continue this conversation.”

My cheeks burned instantly. “Excuse me?”

He gave a lazy smirk. “You heard me.”

I swallowed hard as I mentally slapped myself. ‘Focus, Ariana.’

He studied me the way a wolf studies its prey— slow, deliberate and unsettling. “I heard you wanted to see me,” I said, forcing my composure.

He took a seat behind his desk, leaning back slightly. “No. I wanted to warn you.”

My heart pounded. “Warn me?”

“Yes.” He opened a drawer, dropped a file on the table. “Your father’s company. The enforcement division will begin investigations in twenty-four hours.”

My throat went dry. “I know. That’s why I came—”

He raised a hand. “Don’t interrupt me.”

The command in his voice hit like an electric wave. My chest tightened against it, but I didn’t back down.

He looked at me, those grey eyes flicking from my eyes to my lips, slow yet intentional. My pulse stumbled. For a wild second, I thought he might lean across the desk and kiss me.

He didn’t.

He just smiled faintly— as if telling me he knew the effect he had on me already.

“My daughter was humiliated at the ceremony last night,” he continued. “Gossip spreads fast in this pack and I don’t tolerate rumors around my family.”

“Then maybe your daughter shouldn’t have stolen someone else’s mate,” I said quietly.

The silence that followed was deafening.

His lips curved slightly. Not a smile but a warning. “You’ve got spirit, I’ll give you that.”

He stood, walking around the desk, his steps deliberately slow. “Here’s my offer. You keep quiet about what happened. No interviews, no rumors, no pity stories… Just keep my family's name off your lips, and I’ll make your father’s problem disappear.”

I blinked. “You’re behind the investigation?”

“Does it matter?” he asked coolly. “I can stop it. Or I can make it worse.”

“I went through the company files,” I said quickly, voice shaking.

“Someone’s been stealing from the accounts, transferring funds overseas. My father’s innocent, Mr. Blackwell. If you investigate properly, you’ll see…”

“There’s no evidence backing your claims,” he cut in coldly.

“There is! You just haven’t…”

“I said, there’s no evidence.” His tone left no room for argument.

It was then reality hit me. He didn’t want to find evidence, he wanted my father ruined.

My voice came out before I could stop it. “So you ruin people for sport?”

He tilted his head, narrowing his gaze. “No. I ruin people who easily forget their place.”

Something inside me snapped. “You think I’ll accept your offer and walk away like a coward? My father’s innocent. I won’t be bullied by your money or your threats.”

He took a step closer… too close. His scent was intoxicating, dark, and heavy with dominance.

My pulse skipped.

“You should learn when to bend, little girl.”

“And you should learn that not everyone is afraid of you,” I shot back, even though my voice trembled.

For a second, something flickered in his gaze— surprise… or interest?

Then, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.

“Meeting over,” he said, turning his back to me. “Take my advice, Miss Carter. This world doesn’t forgive stubborn women.”

I didn’t move. “I’ll fight you if I have to.”

He chuckled, low and dangerous. “You already are. And it's a pity.”

Almost immediately, the lady who escorted me in, walked through the door as she gestured for me to follow her.

I gave Lucien one last look before leaving with the lady.

When I finally walked out, my legs felt like jelly. I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath until I reached the lobby.

I spent the whole day looking for more evidence to prove my father's innocence. I didn't let Lucien's words get to me.

I went from one house to another— from the homes of old investors who suddenly pulled out the moment they heard Lucien was after my father, to the houses of employees my father trusted with his life— including the managing director of the financial team, who was supposed to be my father’s best friend.

But all I met was silence. They all acted strange, giving me that “I’d really love to help, but I have nothing to say” look.

It was as if someone had warned them to stay quiet.

I finally returned home when the sun had already gone down— tired, frustrated and feeling like a complete failure. 

But what I saw by the door left me crushed. My dad was waiting, face pale with a single envelope on the table.

“Dad?”

He looked up slowly. “They sent an arrest notice. I’m to be taken in tomorrow morning.”

The room spun. “No… that’s impossible—”

He pushed the paper toward me. “Signed by Lucien Blackwell himself.”

My vision blurred. “But he said he’d help us if I—”

Dad’s voice broke. “Help us? Ariana, that man set us up!”

I couldn’t breathe. Everything in me went cold. “He… ordered the arrest?”

“Yes.”

That was the moment something inside me died— the last bit of dignity I had, gone.