Semua Bab Love is Hell; Mate is Heaven: Bab 371 - Bab 380

Lydia’s POV“You let a common Alpha best you! You failed us!”The sound of my father, Alpha Gregory, screaming into the silent hall was brutal. I stood frozen, watching Zane walk away with that little Omega girl, Mabel, tucked against his side. The rejection had been absolute. Not a negotiation, but a declaration of war disguised as political dismissal.My father’s entire political plan—the alliances, the promises to the Elders, the future of the Silverwood pack—all of it shattered because I stood there and let a low-level mistress confirm my weakness.My knees were shaking. I forced myself to straighten. Gregory grabbed my arm, his grip hard enough to bruise.“You stood there like a statue!” he roared through the mind-link. “You let him insult your mother, insult me! You failed, Lydia!”My vision blurred. I pulled my arm free. “He gave me no opening! He used the Elders’

Victor’s POV“You think a simple report will fix this political nightmare?”My voice was flat, echoing in Alpha Gregory’s private office. I laid the forged document—a meticulous analysis painting Zane as reckless and politically unstable—on the desk. My chest felt empty, the absence of the mate bond a cold, dull ache. It was a strange sense of liberation mixed with emptiness. The relentless pull toward Lydia was gone, replaced by a clear, singular focus: revenge.Gregory snatched the paper, his eyes scanning the points. He was blinded by his own ambition, seeing only the leverage he could gain.“This is excellent, Victor. This confirms Zane’s unsuitability. The Elders will have no choice but to push for a new candidate, and Lydia will be ready.”I watched him. He didn’t notice the

Zane’s POV“You want to meet now, Alpha Zane, or should I tell the Council you’ve officially lost control?”Elder Parker's mind-link was abrasive, demanding. I rubbed the bridge of my nose, the familiar heat of annoyance bubbling up. He was demanding a private meeting about Lydia's "unjustified" rejection.Tell the Elder Review Committee I will address them collectively tomorrow, I sent back, my thoughts a solid wall of refusal. My time is not for your convenience, Parker.I cut the link, hating the political theater. Gregory was already hitting back, using the Elders as his shield.I moved to the security monitors, finding Victor. He was in the auxiliary hall, speaking quietly with Lydia. He kept his posture military-rigid, but I saw it—a subtle, almost invisible distress signal. His fingers

Zane’s POV“He said you were setting me up. What did he mean?”Mabel’s voice was quiet, but it tore through my tactical focus. We were alone in the study, just minutes before the Elder Review. I stood there, adjusting the cuffs of my suit jacket, while Tyler secured the digital link for the ledger.I walked to her, pulling her against the desk. Her eyes were searching, demanding answers I didn't want to give. Victor had won the first round of psychological warfare. His warning had landed perfectly.“Victor is playing a double game, kitten,” I admitted, my voice low. “He’s working to expose Gregory, but he doesn't trust anyone, especially me. He tried to turn you against me before I could trust you with the next stage of the plan.”“What next stage? You just rejected Lydia. What plan requires me to doubt you?”I looked at her, realizing my secrecy was my biggest vulnerability.

Zane’s POV“The Stonebrook Pack kneels before its Alpha... and its Luna.”The words were an absolute command, delivered by a woman who had just stopped a political coup with a look. I stood paralyzed, watching Mabel—my mate—tremble, her eyes shimmering with the last vestiges of that terrifying silver light. She was power. She was mine.I recovered instantly. The shock of her power was immediately overridden by the cold, clear logic of the Alpha. The chaos in the room was a gift.My gaze snapped to Elder Parker and Elder Charlie, who were still scrambled near the floor, paralyzed by fear.Tyler. Arrest Parker and Charlie. Charges: Treason. Conspiracy with Alpha Gregory to destabilize the Stonebrook pack. Now.My mind-link was cold, absolute. Tyler and Vivian moved before the