Semua Bab DEAR EX, I AM YOUR UNCLE'S MATE: Bab 51 - Bab 60

“You shouldn’t have let him walk away.”Zane’s voice was tight, barely concealing the anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. He met my gaze, the intensity of his frustration almost tangible as he paced in the darkened clearing where we’d stayed to strategize. The pack had dispersed, but the air felt charged, as though the rogue’s poisonous words still hung in the space between us.I crossed my arms, meeting his stare with equal fire. “You think I don’t know that? That I don’t see what he’s doing?” My voice dropped, barely above a whisper. “He wanted a reaction, Zane. And I wasn’t going to give it to him.”Zane stopped pacing, his fists clenched. “But now he’s free to spread more doubt, to rally those who might still sympathize with Elijah. Annabel, the pack’s faith in you is hanging by a thread. He could cut that thread if we don’t act.”The truth of his words weighed heavy. But something about the rogue’s presence tugged at a memory, one buried deep, something I couldn’t quite pl

“Elijah’s making a move. Now.”Zane’s voice cut through the tense air like a whip. He appeared out of nowhere, breathless and urgent. His words stopped me cold.“What do you mean?” I demanded, narrowing my gaze. My heart was already racing—there was no mistaking the weight of his tone.“He’s called a secret meeting. Only his loyalists are allowed in, and they’re guarding the doors. It’s happening in the east chamber.” Zane’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Annabel, he’s planning to take out anyone who’s questioned him—permanently.”Every muscle in my body tensed, fury flaring hot and fast. I’d expected Elijah to be ruthless, but this? This was going too far. “Where is he now?”“He’s already gathered his supporters. The guards are ready to follow his orders.” Zane’s eyes burned with urgency. “If you don’t stop him, this will turn into a massacre.”My jaw clenched. Elijah was tightening his grip on the pack, and he wasn’t leaving room for anyone to challenge him. He had pushed me to the ed

Zane’s voice cut through the narrow corridor like a shot, “Annabel, stop! You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”I whipped around, my pulse pounding in my ears. “What are you talking about?”But Zane’s gaze wasn’t on me. It was fixed just beyond my shoulder, focused and tense, like he was staring down a nightmare. I didn’t need to look back to feel the presence there, lurking at the edge of the shadows, waiting to strike.“It’s been a long time, Zane.” The rogue’s voice was low, a chilling familiarity wrapped around every word. “I wondered how much loyalty you’d still have after everything.”Zane didn’t flinch, but his jaw tightened, his fists clenching by his sides. “Loyalty? You don’t know the meaning of it, Gideon.”I froze. Gideon. The name dropped like a stone in my stomach, dredging up memories I’d tried to bury, shadows I’d thought I’d left behind. Gideon wasn’t just some random rogue. He was someone I had known—before Elijah, before the pack had fractured into this twisted m

“You’ve already crossed the line, Annabel.” Zane’s voice was sharper than I’d ever heard it, and I could feel his anger bristling through the quiet hall as I slipped back into the house.I turned to him, keeping my own voice steady. “You were following me.”“You left me no choice. I saw you meet Gideon.” He crossed his arms, blocking my path. “You really think he’s here to help you?”My jaw tightened, and I held his stare, refusing to back down. “Gideon is here because Elijah pushed him out. I wanted to know why, Zane. I needed to know the truth.”Zane’s voice dropped to a rough whisper, barely contained fury in every word. “And you think Gideon’s truth is the one to trust? He’ll turn this pack into a wasteland if it serves him. He wants Elijah gone because there’s no room for two of them. You don’t know what you’re dealing with, Annabel.”“Then help me understand it!” I shot back, the frustration tearing through my words. “You were there. You saw Elijah’s rise. You saw Gideon fall. T

“You’re meeting with him again, aren’t you?” Zane’s voice cut through the darkness as I stepped into the clearing, his expression shadowed with a mixture of anger and worry.I didn’t flinch. “I need his help. We don’t have time to wait for everyone to come to their senses. Elijah’s already spiraling, Zane. He’s threatening anyone who even glances my way.”Zane took a step closer, his eyes hard. “And you think Gideon’s the answer? You’re letting a rogue decide the fate of our pack. Do you even hear yourself?”“I hear myself,” I shot back. “I’ve spent too long hearing only Elijah’s voice. This pack deserves a leader who’ll give them a choice, not chain them to fear.”Zane shook his head, frustration radiating from him. “And what happens when Gideon decides he doesn’t need you anymore? Do you really think he’ll just walk away?”“Then I’ll deal with him,” I replied, my voice colder than I felt. “But right now, he’s the only one who can stand against Elijah.”A strained silence settled bet