Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 80

GABRIEL My mother’s sudden appearance had ripped something open inside me. Her face—her voice—brought with it a torrent of agony I’d buried long ago. It destroyed me. I abandoned my duties as Alpha. I couldn’t function, couldn’t think straight. How did she find me? Why did my pack let her in? Did she manipulate them the same way she deceived my father—with false affection and sweet poison? Where had she gotten the audacity to show up at my house… after all these years, after all the pain she caused, the torture I endured? Did she really think I would welcome her back with open arms? A sharp knock at the door yanked me out of my spiral. My eyes stayed fixed on the entrance, suspicion curling in my gut. Was it one of her allies? Another person comes to twist the knife? Even my pack seemed to be turning against me. How else could she have gotten past them? The knock came again—harder this time. Relentless. I clenched my jaw, furious. I stormed across the room, teeth gritt

CATRIONA I jolted awake with a loud gasp, sweat coating my face. The cold marble floor bit into my skin as I lay sprawled where I’d collapsed earlier. No one heard my fall? It didn’t matter. That wasn’t the problem right now. Forcing strength into my numb legs, I dragged myself to the elevator and headed to Gabriel’s room. Empty. Where the hell could he be? This house was a labyrinth—multiple wings, countless corridors. I didn’t even know who his beta was to ask for help. All I knew was that betas were usually the Alpha’s right hand. But me? I was clueless and desperate. And then those two voices returned, echoing in my head like a curse I couldn’t silence. “This man has to die, and you can't stop it. It's his destiny.” “Are you ready to lose the child growing in your womb?” Their words froze me mid-step. I shoved them out of my mind. No. I wouldn’t accept that. I’d protect Gabriel—whatever it took. He didn’t deserve to die. Not like that. Not by *her* hand. How was I suppose

JAYDEN Catriona pulled away from me gently, lifting her eyes with a faint smile. “That’s not a bad idea,” she said, “but I’m not going anywhere. I can’t keep running like I’m some kind of criminal. It’s exhausting. And my brother… he’s still struggling with being uprooted to a place he’s barely even seen. I’m still sensitive about his health.” I exhaled slowly, trying to balance logic with the weight of my heart. “I know how much you care about your brother—just as much as I care about you, him, and your grandmother. But I’ve already made up my mind, baby. I can’t risk it anymore. Your safety is everything to me.” “And so is my brother’s,” she said firmly, her gaze never faltering. “Please,” I whispered, brushing her cheek. “Just give me twelve months. Let me take you away. I’ll bring you back right after the baby is born. If it’s about your brother’s health, I’ll hire a private jet for the three of you. You’ll be in my most secure house—far from all this madness.” She hesitated

GABRIEL She hunched down to gather the cracked iPad. I’m done for, she murmured. I walked closer and grasped her hand firmly, helping her to her feet so she would face me. “What do you mean there’s no one by that name?” I asked sharply. “Do you happen to know the person I’m looking for?” Before she could answer, a woman around her age approached us, her gaze flickering between me, Paige, the cracked iPad, and the hand I still held. “What’s going on here, Maureen?” she asked, voice sharp. “You’re always bringing trouble.” I thought, How many names does she have? Last time I heard, she was called Paige. “Sir, did she give you a hard time?” the woman asked, turning her focus to me. “No, she was trying to help. I just knocked her down by accident,” I replied honestly. She studied me skeptically, then nodded. “Alright. Maureen, you can go. I’ll attend to him.” “I want her,” I said curtly. Delia and Maureen, what’s going on over there?” came a gruff voice through a walkie-talkie

JAYDEN I struggled to calm my wolf, wrestling with the urge to stay shifted. He was terrified—terrified that Catriona would be taken from me again, that the child growing inside her might be lost. C’mon, beast, I whispered inside my head. Let me shift back. I need to drive her home. You’re scared for her—I get it. But she’ll be safer at the pack house. We’ll both breathe easier once she’s there. Gradually, I felt his tension ease, the tightness in my muscles loosening. I shifted back to human form and moved toward Catriona. Her breathing was shallow and uneven, and that worried me more than I cared to admit. I reached out to help her up, but she pushed my hands away, pointing urgently behind me. I followed her gaze and froze. A police car sat idling nearby, two officers inside with wide eyes and mouths agape, clearly horrified by what they’d just witnessed. Without hesitation, I scooped Catriona into my arms and settled her carefully in the car. Her hand found mine, gripping tigh