All Chapters of Alpha DECEPTION: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

42 Chapters

Chapter Thirty-one

EMILY'S POVThe third day after the honeymoon, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. I was in my study reviewing summit documents, the device sat on my desk, It's screen lighting up with a message I didn't recognize. "Congratulations on your wedding Alpha, the cage looks beautiful from the outside. Just know you are now mine to— A.K."The mesaage was from Aurelian Kest, my blood went cold immediately I finished reading the message. I deleted the message immediately, and set the phone down with shaking hands.I decided not to tell anyone except Marco. "He's playing games." Marco said when I showed him the deleted message on my recovery log. "He's trying to get inside your head Alpha…beware of him.""It's working Marco, he's getting into my head." I admitted."Don't let him in Alpha." His voice was firm. "Kest profits from chaos, if he's reaching out, that means he thinks there's chaos to profit from.""Or there is a possibility that, he knows something about Ralph." I countered s

Chapter Thirty- two

EMILY'S POVThe connection took three days to surface. Marco called me late at night, his voice tight with tension."I found it." He said. "The blind trust that owns Aethelgard, it took sixteen layers to get there, but I found it."I gripped the phone. "And?""It's registered to an Othon-controlled holding company, the same one that handles Ralph's personal investments."The room spun, instantly i sat down hard on the edge of my bed. "Are you absolutely certain Marco?" I asked wishing it was a lie, wishing there was a mixup somewhere"There's no doubt, Alpha. The documentation is ironclad.”“Ralph Othon, through his holding company, is the beneficial owner of Aethelgard Holdings."I closed my eyes in pain, although I already suspected it, but knowing the man I'd married. The man who held my hand and kissed my forehead and called me princess, had paid for the attacks on my pack, burned my warehouses and terrorized my people made me feel sick."What do you want me to do?" Marco asked.

Chapter Thirty- three

EMILY'S POVThe evening light was fading outside my window, painting the gardens in shades of orange and pink. I sat on the edge of my bed, the photograph spread across my lap, staring at the two boys for what felt like the hundredth time.The taller one was definitely Ralph, even as a child there was something careful about him. While the other boy, the one with his arm around Ralph's shoulder, was smiling like he didn't have a worry in the world. I traced thier faces with my finger remembering the mesaage, the heir and the decoy. One was hidden, while one was chosen.A soft knock at my door made me jump, I quickly shoved the photograph under my pillow just as the door opened. Ralph leaned against the frame, already changed into casual clothes, his hair slightly damp from a shower. He had that soft smile on his lips, that smile that always made my heart beat irregularly."Hey my princess." He greeted me, his voice was warm and charming. "I was looking for you, dinner's almost ready.

Chapter Thirty-Four

EMILY'S POVThe Council meeting was scheduled for ten in the morning. I arrived early, dressed in my sharpest navy blue suit, my hair pulled back in a tight bun, making me look professional and composed. I was the perfect picture of an Alpha in control.Ralph had kissed me goodbye at the estate. "Good luck today." He'd said, his hands warm on my waist. "Not that you need it, because you're the most capable woman I know." I smiled , thanked him, and walked out the door.The Council chamber was packed when I arrived. Representatives from every major pack filled the ancient stone room, their voices a low murmur of politics and gossip. I took my seat in the Cortez section, nodding at familiar faces, ignoring the whispers that followed me.I scanned the room, cataloging who was here, who wasn't, and who was watching whom. The Marino section was near the front, Ricardo's grandparents sat in the center, stiff and proud. And behind them, like a shadow, stood Ricardo.The meeting dragged on,

Chapter Thirty-five

EMILY'S POVThe days blurred together after that, I moved through the estate like a ghost, smiling at the right moments, saying the right words. Ralph was everywhere around me, at breakfast, at dinner, in my thoughts when I tried to sleep. His presence filled every room, every silence, every breath I took.And behind my headboard, the tiny device listened to all of it. I found it two days alone while searching for a file that fell behind my bed. It was tiny, almost inconspicuous, planted directly above my head to listen to every detailed speech and conversation made in this room.Thursday evening, Ralph surprised me. I came back from a meeting to find the dining room transformed. Candles everywhere, roses on the table and soft music playing from somewhere I couldn't see.He stood by the window, watching me walk in, that his perfect signature smile etched on his face. "What's all this?" I asked, though I already knew the answer."Just because." He crossed to me, took my hands, kissed t

Chapter Thirty- six

EMILY'S POVThe day started like any other, I woke, dressed and went for breakfast. Ralph was already there at the dinning, with a coffee poured, newspaper in hand, and that perfect smile waiting for me."Good morning, beautiful." He stood, kissed my cheek, pulled out my chair. "Sleep well?""Well enough." I sat. "You?""Eventually." He poured my coffee. "I have a big day today, I'm having a semi-final summit prep meeting with my team.""Anything exciting?" I asked perfunctorily."Just logistics." He waved a hand. "Boring stuff, you'd hate it.""Probably." I snorted, and gave a sarcastic smile, of which he noticed.“My princess.” He smiled, pushing off his chair, he pulled me off mine and held my waist affectionately. “Are you still angry about last night?” He asked, I just frowned my face and kept mute.“C’mon my love, I'm sorry for doubting you.” He pleaded, rubbing my hair with his free hand. “I was just alarmed that you weren't home by that time, and you left without disclosing yo

Chapter Thirty- seven

EMILY'S POVThe morning sun was bright, mocking me with its warmth. The family doctor, Dr Fuzzy, a grumpy old wolf ....told me last night after reviving me ... .that if I don't less stress…I would be six feet below before the summit day.But here I stood at my window, watching the gardens come to life, trying to remember the last time I'd felt anything close to peace. Months? Years? The weight of everything pressed down on my shoulders….the lies, the fear, the USB that now belonged to Kest.Ralph was already at breakfast when I came down. He stood when I walked in, pulled out my chair and kissed my cheek. The same routine, every morning like we were actors in a play that never ended."Good morning, beautiful." He poured my coffee. "You look tired.""Didn't sleep well." I sat. "Just stressed about the summit."He frowned, concern softening his features. "You've been saying that a lot lately, maybe you should take it easy today, remember you are taking meds my princess.""I can't, my lo

Chapter Thirty-Eight

EMILY'S POVThe morning sun was too bright filling the room through the window, I squeezed my eyes against it, turning away from the window, but the damage was done. Another hour of sleep lost, another hour of staring at the ceiling, listening to the house breathe, wondering which of its sounds were real and which were devices hidden in the walls.I gave up at six, my study was cold when I walked in. I wrapped my robe tighter and settled behind my desk, where a fresh stack of reports waited…..summit logistics, security protocols…..budget approvals and so on. The usual mountain of paper that never seemed to shrink.I reached for the first file and began to read, a few hours later, my eyes burned. I'd merely made it through half the stack, but my hand cramped from signing. My head throbbed with that familiar dull ache that coffee couldn't touch.I picked up the next file, it was the summit catering contract, filled with dozens pages of vendor agreements, menu selections, delivery schedu

Chapter Thirty-Nine

EMILY'S POVThe council chamber was too warm, I sat at the head of the long oak table, listening to Elder Moretti drone on about summit seating arrangements. His voice blurred at the edges, words sliding into each other like watercolors left in the rain."......and the Volpe delegation has requested additional representatives, which would shift the entire west wing allocation unless we….""Then tell them no." I yelled, the words came out sharper than I intended. Everyone looked at me.Moretti blinked. "Alpha? What are you saying?" She asked, looking shocked."Tell them no." I set down my pen. "The west wing is already at capacity, they can only have two representatives like everyone else, or they can stay home."Silence filled the council chamber, that even a pindrop could be heard. Elder Selena cleared her throat. "Emily, the Volpes are sensitive about status, perhaps we could……""I don't care about their status." My voice rose. "I care about security, I care about logistics and I ca

Chapter Forty

EMILY'S POVThe sitting room smelled like lavender and old paper. My mother sat across from me, with a teacup in her hand, her posture perfect, her expression carefully neutral. She'd requested a private meeting between the both of us, just us.That should have been my first warning. "I've been watching you, Emily." She set down her cup. "These past weeks. You seem... different.""I'm fine, Mother." I kept my voice steady. "Just tired. The summit…..""It is in five days." She cut me off. "I know. But this isn't about the summit."I waited and kept quiet. She leaned forward, her eyes sharp. "The elders came to me, they're concerned.""Concerned about what mom?" I asked, although I already knew the reason."About you." She paused. "About your state of mind, they are concerned whether you're fit to lead the pack right now."The words hit me like a slap. "I'm fit mom." My voice came out sharper than I intended. "Mom, I've led this pack for years, I protected it, even as a teen mom, I foug

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