جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 36

Aleric’s POVThe interrogation room was cold in a way that had nothing to do with the stone walls. The air felt tight, heavy with tension and fear, as if the room itself was waiting to see who would break first. The Mad Wolf sat restrained in the chair opposite me, his shoulders slumped, silver cuffs biting into his wrists. His breathing was uneven, and his eyes kept flicking toward the door as though he expected someone to burst in at any moment.“I’ll talk,” he said at last, his voice rough. “I’ll tell you everything. Just don’t let her near me again.”I straightened slightly, folding my arms as I studied him. “Who are you talking about?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.“Bonnie,” he answered without hesitation. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “She’s the one who came to us.”A sharp scoff cut through the room.Bonnie stepped forward from where she had been standing near the wall, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “This is nonsense,” she said. “He’s lying to save hims

Sage’s PovI had not slept well since the night my mother and Sophia were taken away. Every time I lay down, my mind replayed their faces over and over again. My mother tried to stay calm, but I saw the fear in her eyes. Sophia did not even try to hide her anger, shouting until her voice broke.By the third day, my patience was gone.I spent the morning calling lawyers. I spent the afternoon doing the same thing. By evening, my phone felt heavy in my hand, and my throat was dry from repeating the same words again and again.“I need representation,” I said for what felt like the hundredth time. “This is a misunderstanding. My family has served the Pack for decades.”The man on the other end sighed. “Alpha Aleric, I understand your position, but this case involves sensitive parties.”“You are a Wolf Pack law firm,” I snapped. “If you won’t take this case, who will?”There was a pause before he answered. “We cannot afford to offend the wrong people.”The line went dead.I stared at my ph

Sage’s PovDinner had been loud in the way only my parents could manage. Plates clinked, my mother kept refilling bowls no one asked for, and my father pretended he was not listening while listening to everything. The air smelled of pepper soup and roasted meat, familiar and warm. For a brief moment, it felt like nothing outside this table could reach me.“I ran into Kyle last week,” I said, stirring my soup slowly. “He asked after Aleric.”My mother paused with the ladle midair. “Kyle,” she repeated. “That boy who used to run messages for the elders?”“The same one,” I replied. “He reminded me of something I had almost forgotten. He was the one who helped arrange my marriage to Aleric back then.”My father looked up sharply. “Helped arrange,” he echoed. “You never told us that.”“I didn’t think it mattered anymore,” I said. “It was all done quietly. Kyle handled the introductions and the timing. He thought he was helping me secure a future.”My mother set the ladle down with a soft c