Chapter 269
Chapter 269:
Kain and I had anticipated this. Jase, with his fragile Alpha ego, would have undoubtedly used his clearance to check the Continental Pack Council records — and he would find absolutely nothing. No Marking ceremony, no Mating Contract on file. Kain had intentionally kept our bond off the official books. Because of that missing paperwork, Kira and Jase were entirely convinced I was just a temporary breeder, a pawn in a fake marriage they could easily expose.
They were so blinded by their own arrogance that they were digging their own graves.
The crisp afternoon air hit my face as I walked out of the Sanctum and approached my grey Porsche Panamera parked by the curb. I slid into the driver’s seat, locked the doors, and pulled out my encrypted phone.
I dialed Kain’s number. He answered on the first ring.
“The viper has taken the bait,” I said, the tension finally bleeding from my shoulders at the sound of his steady breathing. “The clock is ticking p>
“Let it tick,” Kain’s voice rumbled through the speaker — dark, powerful, and laced with a dangerous, predatory amusement that sent a shiver down my spine. “The King enjoys the hunt p>
A genuine, icy smile curved my lips. “I’ll see you back at the hotel p>
As I ended the call and started the engine, my gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. Parked across the street was a nondescript black sedan with heavily tinted windows. Branden Cole. Kira’s newly hired spy was sitting right where I expected him to be, diligently watching my every move. He probably thought he was gathering the perfect intel to destroy me.
I put the car in drive and pulled away from the curb, leaving the spy in my rearview mirror.
Kain POV
𝖡𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖿𝗂𝗋𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗈𝗇
The morning after Jase Davenport’s humiliating defeat at the Obsidian Club, the lobby of The Wolfe Hotel was bustling with its usual high-end clientele. But standing on the mezzanine, my eyes were locked on only one person.
Adelina.
Her unique scent of wild roses and storm drifted up to me, a soothing balm to my Lycan soul. But that peace shattered the second I saw the new floor manager, Branden Cole, approach her.
He handed her a steaming cup of herbal tea, his face plastered with a flawless, subservient smile. The tea was a specific blend meant to soothe the nerves of the wolfless. Adelina smiled back, taking the cup, clearly viewing him as nothing more than a highly competent subordinate.
But I wasn’t fooled. Beneath the crisp, professional scent of his expensive aftershave, my heightened senses caught the sour, opportunistic stench of a Rogue’s ambition.
My Inner Wolf snarled, a dark, violent sound echoing in my skull. Mine.
I descended the marble staircase, my ancient cedar scent rolling off me in heavy, suffocating waves. The ambient chatter in the lobby died down as my Lycan aura pressed against the room. I walked straight up to them, completely ignoring the hand Branden instinctively offered.
I loomed over him, letting my eyes flash gold. “Your job is to manage the floors, not my Mate,” I growled, lacing the words with a cold, undeniable Alpha’s Command.
Branden’s face drained of color. He stumbled back, his body forced into submission by the sheer weight of my command. “Y-Yes, Mr. Blackwell,” he stammered — but before he lowered his head, I caught the sharp, venomous flash of humiliated resentment in his eyes.