INICIAR SESIÓNEvening had settled over the mansion. The last traces of sunlight had disappeared beyond the tall windows of the dining hall, leaving the room illuminated by the warm glow of chandeliers and several large fireplaces. The flames danced quietly, casting flickering shadows across the walls.The dining table had been prepared with an elaborate meal, but Alpha King Eugene had barely touched any of it.He sat at the head of the table, his expression distant as he stared down at the plate before him. His appetite had disappeared and his thoughts kept drifting back to Becca.He had considered visiting her several times since leaving her earlier, but each time, the same image came back to him.Becca standing at the window, looking at Tyler and Tyler walking away downstairs.Eugene's jaw tightened. He hated how much the sight had bothered him. He hated even more that he couldn't seem to stop thinking about it."Maybe it's better if I don't go there tonight," he muttered.He picked up his fork
Kaelyn noticed the change in Eugene almost immediately.One moment, he had been walking beside her through the courtyard, his expression distant and his attention seemingly fixed on their conversation.The next, he had stopped completely.Kaelyn took another step before realizing she was walking alone.She turned around."Alpha King?"Eugene didn't answer. His eyes were fixed on the upper floor of the mansion and Kaelyn followed his gaze.At first, she couldn't understand what had caught his attention then she saw Becca. She was standing by one of the windows of the healer's chambers.Kaelyn's eyes narrowed."So that's what you're looking at” she whispered.Eugene finally blinked."What?"Kaelyn gave him a knowing look and his jaw tightened."I was simply looking upstairs” he said.Kaelyn almost laughed."Of course you were” she muttered.Eugene glanced at her."Don't start” he warned."I'm not starting anything.”She looked toward the window again then something else caught her atten
Tyler stared at Becca for several seconds. He had asked the question, but now that it hung between them, he could see exactly how uncomfortable it had made her.Becca's lips parted slightly, but no answer came. She looked away then back at him and away again.Tyler understood she was struggling and somehow, that realization made his heart beat faster."You don't have to answer me," he said quietly.Becca looked at him."I thought you wanted an answer” she said, surprised at his words."I do” he admitted as his voice softened. "But I don't want you to feel pressured into giving me one."Becca swallowed. This concerned taken a turn which she didn’t even expect."I honestly don't know what to say” she said honestly.Tyler nodded slowly."That's already an answer” he said."It isn't” she replied."It tells me you're confused."Becca sighed."I shouldn't be confused” she muttered as she fingers dug into her chest."Why?"She looked at him as though the answer should have been obvious."Bec
Kaelyn walked deeper into the forest, her footsteps becoming heavier with every step.She barely noticed the branches brushing against her arms or the dry leaves cracking beneath her feet. Her mind was too occupied with the conversation she had just had with Alpha Eugene.The heir.Those words kept echoing in her mind.Eugene had been clear. Becca's child was his heir.Kaelyn clenched her fists as she continued walking. She hated the thought. She hated everything about it.For months, she had believed that her son would naturally have a place beside Eugene. Perhaps not immediately, perhaps not in the way she had once imagined, but she had always believed that being Eugene's firstborn would mean something.Now, everything had changed.Becca had given birth to a son and Eugene had already decided what that meant.His heir.Kaelyn's lips tightened. She wasn't ready to accept that but she also knew she couldn't confront Eugene about it again without thinking carefully.She needed a plan a
Becca watched Tyler carefully and for a few seconds, neither of them spoke.The healer had quietly stepped out of the room, leaving them alone. The soft sounds of the mansion barely reached the healer's chambers, and for the first time since Becca had given birth, there was a strange calm around her.Tyler, however, looked anything but calm.He had been standing beside the bed with the basket of fruits still resting on a nearby table. His expression changed the moment Becca asked the question."Tyler..."He swallowed."Yes?""Is it true?" She asked again.Tyler looked away and Becca watched him carefully. For a moment, he looked as though he had forgotten how to breathe then he gave a small laugh."I think you should eat something. You haven't eaten properly” he said.Becca blinked."Tyler.""Those fruits are fresh. I brought them because I thought—""Tyler” she interrupted him.He stopped and Becca stared at him."Don't change the subject” she said.Tyler rubbed the back of his neck.
Mira's words seemed to hang in the hallway long after she had spoken them."Are you on Desmond's side again?”The moment the question left her mouth, she wished she could take it back.Jack didn't answer immediately, he simply stared at her as the hallway suddenly felt colder.Seraphina stood beside him with her arms folded, watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. Mira could see something change in Jack's face.It wasn't anger. At least, not the kind she had expected. It was hurt.A deep, unmistakable hurt.Mira's heart sank."Jack..." she started but he looked away.For a brief moment, Desmond's voice echoed in his mind and Jack clenched his jaw.“You actually thought they would trust you? You stood by us once. You think they'll ever forget that? Everyone will always wonder which side you're truly on.”He remembered the cold amusement in Desmond's eyes. He had told himself those words meant nothing, he had refused to believe them but now Mira was standing in front of hi
The clinking of silverware faded into the low hum of servants clearing plates. The meal had ended, but no one seemed eager to leave.Eugene poured himself another glass of wine, his movements controlled but thoughtful. Max was silent, elbows resting on the table, staring into the flames. Mira, how
Gasps rippled through the crowd the moment the name Brian was announced. For a heartbeat, no one moved, no one even breathed. The arena, moments ago filled with cheers and chants for Max, fell into a very heavy silence. Eugene froze. His chest locked as his eyes locked on the figure who had steppe
The guards pushed them roughly through the gates, chains rattling, their shoes sounding against the ground.Mira’s voice broke the silence. “How could they just stand there? They all saw what he did!”“Fear,” Becca muttered bitterly. “That’s what Desmond feeds on.”Max growled low in his throat.
The glow of the fire in Eugene’s study flickered against the walls, throwing long shadows over the furniture. Max sat back in the deep leather chair opposite Eugene’s desk, a half-filled glass of red wine between his fingers. His expression was distant, his normally sharp eyes unfocused as if sea







