Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 80

I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel loosely wrapped around me, my breathing still uneven.Xavier was already waiting in the room. He stood by the window, still wearing a dark robe, with the city of Vanguard spread out behind him like a map he owned. His eyes immediately locked onto the necklace around my neck, then dropped to the edge of the towel, before returning to my face."That was quick," he said flatly."You were the one who told me not to take too long."He didn't smile. "Good. Then let's begin."I stiffened. "Begin what?"Xavier stepped closer. His pace wasn't hurried, yet with every bit of distance he closed, my chest felt tighter. "You're wearing that mark again because you need my protection. You agreed to any terms, as long as the clinic stayed safe. Tonight, we make sure you understand what that means."I glared at him. "I'm already wearing it. What else do you want?""Obedience that doesn't just surface when you're afraid

Mrs. Gable then led Brie down the dimly lit corridor. Their footsteps slowly faded into the distance until, a few minutes later, the housekeeper returned alone to the main room.“Damn,” she whispered, her breath ragged right next to my ear. “The Lycan prince dotes on you this much, yet your brain is still thinking about running back to The Pit?”I hadn’t even had a chance to respond.Hadn’t had time to push her away, to voice a denial, or to shout the fact that our relationship wasn’t just about being “doted on.”Not enough time.Because that cold, baritone voice cut in from the direction of the main room. Flat. Absolute. Leaving no room for repetition.“Ravenna. Brie.”We both turned in unison.Xavier stood tall at the end of the corridor, one hand casually tucked into his trouser pocket. His handsome face was completely unreadable.“To my study. Now.”***We followed Xavier down the quiet corridor. The study door opened silently. Inside, a desk lamp cast a warm glow, bookshelves tow

The Holloway pin still lay on the study desk.Small. Gleaming. And unmistakable.I stared at it until my jaw clenched. "This isn't a warning anymore."Xavier stood across the desk, arms crossed. "No. It's a declaration."Kaelen had just finished giving his report. The unmarked car that had been staking out the clinic was found abandoned in a back alley. On its dashboard sat only one object: the Holloway family pin that my father's men always used to wear.I immediately grabbed my jacket. "I'm going to the clinic."Xavier didn't move. "With a full security detail. Not alone.""The clinic isn't your territory.""Your father's men just left a mark at its front door," he replied flatly. "You go with my team, or you don't go at all."We stared at each other for a long moment until Brie, who was standing near the door, gave a small cough."If I may," she said carefully, "I'll come too. There's some medical stock I need to recount."Xa

The doors opened.Freya stepped out first, heavily pregnant, wrapped in a soft cream coat that made her look fragile and expensive. Behind her walked a man I had only seen in photographs and political spreads: her husband, Elias Gage. Tall, dark-haired, soft-spoken smile, the kind of face that photographed well at charity galas. And behind both of them, moving with the calm confidence of a man who had never been denied entry anywhere, was my father.Alistair Holloway looked exactly as he always had in public—perfectly tailored, silver at the temples, eyes warm enough to convince entire councils he was reasonable. The wonderful politician. The terrible father.He stopped a few steps into the living room and smiled as if this were a social call."Xavier," he said pleasantly. "I hope we're not interrupting."Xavier didn't return the smile. "You are."Alistair's gaze slid to me, lingering on the heavier collar at my throat. Something satisfied flickered behind the polished warmth. "Ravenn

The words from Kaelen’s voice hit the room harder than Scott’s accusation.“Two guards down. Roman is missing. They left another Holloway pin on the operating table.”My father didn’t even blink.Freya’s hand tightened on her stomach. Elias took a small step back, as if distance could protect him from the sudden shift in the air. Scott’s face went pale, the anger from a moment ago replaced by something closer to dread.Xavier’s expression didn’t change. He simply ended the call, slid the phone into his pocket, and looked at me.“We’re leaving.”I was already moving. “Roman—”“I know.”He didn’t waste time on the people still standing in his living room. He didn’t acknowledge my father, didn’t glance at Scott, didn’t spare Elias a second look. He just walked toward the elevator with the kind of calm that was more dangerous than shouting.Kaelen fell into step beside him. I followed.Behind us, Alistair’s voice drifted out, mild and almost amused.“Do try not to make too much of a mess,