LOGINAva's POVIt was from Nora. It read:[Ava, Mr. Shelton says the Styles family is dangerous. He told me to back off. But I don't understand why they would target Richard.]I stared at the screen, and my wolf bared her teeth. Because it was obvious that it was Laura. She's the one behind it. Lucian was just her handler, a puppet. And she was the one pulling the strings.A thought came to mind. I immediately dug up more information on Lucian Styles and his family. Since Laura was the knife and Lucian was the hand holding it, I knew I had to point my claws at him. He became my target.During my research, I found out that Lucian had an older half-brother, Ben Styles, with whom he had a fractured relationship. They were practically enemies.Ben controlled the largest entertainment and media empire in Drakoria, the kind that shaped narratives, buried truths, and manufactured reputations. My mind sharpened instantly.He was definitely a tool
Ava's POVMy wolf immediately rejected the thought, yet the question lingered.That afternoon, I sat cross-legged on the bed, hugging my knees and swinging my feet. The moment Victor entered the room, I deliberately turned my head away.I wasn't interested in looking at him, or at least, that's what my act required. He walked over carrying a glass of water and several pills."Here." His voice was gentle. "Take your medicine."I ignored him. He sat beside me.Moon Goddess, the man was persistent."Come on." His tone softened further. "Be a good girl. This will help you feel better."I immediately glared at him, my eyes turning red. "I'm not taking it! You want to poison me and make me mad..." My voice trembled. "Just like Laura did at that bad place!"Victor blinked, briefly confused by what I had just done. I had clearly given him a clue regarding who the mastermind behind the whole thing was, but of course, he didn't ta
Victor's POVSilence filled the room as a terrible realization slowly formed.Reuben continued quietly. "The real culprit."A growl rumbled deep inside my chest, my wolf's eyes flashing red beneath my skin. He had a point. Anyone willing to poison my mate and drive her insane was definitely doing it for a purpose. Could it really be the Stone family?Reuben zipped his bag closed. "They won't stop unless they're exposed."I ran a hand through my hair in frustration but didn't speak.Reuben looked at me calmly. His gaze was sharp, almost knowing. "Seeing you react like this, it means you know I am right. It also proves that Ava was really taking the blame for someone."The room suddenly fell silent, and my heartbeat stumbled. Only then did I realize what I had just revealed without even speaking. "I didn't say anything, Reuben. Don't make baseless conclusions."A look of regret crossed his face. "Anderson tried to tell me several
Victor's POVA cold feeling settled in my chest. I lowered my eyes to the pills, then looked back at Ava.My wolf growled beneath my skin.Could it be? Could she truly have been drugged into this state? Who dared do this to my mate?My gaze landed on the trembling nurse. "Under whose instructions are you administering these drugs to my mate?""A-Alpha... it is the dean, Mr. Vincent Sivan.""Bring him here, now!"She nearly stumbled backward. "M-Mr. Vincent Sivan is away on a business trip."A business trip? Right now? What perfect timing.Even without proof, my instincts told me Vincent was avoiding responsibility, and whoever was behind this had likely erased every trail long before I arrived. The scent of fear pouring from the nurse confirmed it.Whoever this Vincent was couldn't have done it without someone's instructions. Could this be Mr. Magnus' doing?I slowly set the tray down. There was no point wa
Victor's POVThe moment I arrived at the hospital to see Ava, something felt wrong. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath my skin as I walked through the corridor toward her room.When I reached it, it was empty.Ava's scent lingered faintly in the air, but she wasn't there.I immediately turned to the nearest nurse. "Where is my wife?"The nurse flinched at my tone. "M-Mrs. Smith was discharged earlier today. Her father and brother took her home. They said she would recover better with family."My entire body went rigid. Nobody had informed me, not a single call, not a single message.I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed Magnus Stone.The call connected after a few rings. "Alpha Victor?""Where is my wife?"Silence stretched between us, then Magnus cleared his throat. "I took Ava home."My jaw tightened."You took my mate out of the hospital without informing me?""I apologize. Everything ha
Anderson’s POVClaudia stood frozen in the doorway. Her eyes were wide. Her face had gone completely pale.The shattered bowl lay at her feet. For several long seconds, nobody spoke.Then her trembling voice broke the silence."An... Anderson..." Her gaze locked onto me. "What did you just say?"Reuben visibly panicked and immediately spoke."Nothing. You misunderstood." He forced out an awkward laugh. "He was just saying he likes what I brought him to eat...""What are you doing here?" I cut him off, my patience already stretched thin.I pressed the intercom and called my secretary to clean up the mess before looking directly at Claudia."You shouldn't be here." My voice was firm. "Go home."But she wasn't listening. Her eyes remained fixed on me."Anderson." Tears began gathering in them. "Did I hear you correctly?"She crossed the room and grabbed my arm."You said you like that bitch
Victor's POVAva didn’t spare me another glance. She seized Nora’s arm and strode away, her back straight, her steps steady.I stood frozen.For a long second, my chest tightened in a way I didn’t expect, a dull pressure spreading beneath my ribs.My wolf stirred uneasily, pacing, confused by all t
Ava's POVThe pup I had carried through nine months of iron bars and concrete floors, through hunger and pain.The child I had almost bled out bringing into this world, now stood in front of me calling another woman Mom, defending her, hitting me and spitting words at me like I was nothing.It felt
Ava's POVNora hesitated, her brows knitting together, her scent spiking with unease.“I can’t say for certain,” she said slowly, “but… Victor has been throwing Laura birthday parties for the past five years.”Something inside me broke.My body went cold, my wolf shrinking back as if she’d been str
Ava's POVThey say an Alpha's promise is unbreakable.They lied.The iron gate of the werewolf prison groaned as it slid open, the sound scraping straight down my spine.Five years inside had tuned my wolf to every vibration of metal and stone, and this one felt final.I stepped out with a worn can







