Chapter 21
Chapter 21:
My breath hitched. It wasn’t an apology. It was a claim. The sheer arrogance of his deception ignited a spark of furious panic in my chest. He hadn’t helped me out of desperation; he had orchestrated this. I had traded Jase’s cage for a much darker, deeper abyss.
The elevator chimed, the doors sliding open to reveal a cavernous, minimalist den. Floor-to-ceiling bulletproof glass overlooked the glittering Manhattan skyline. It was a predator’s sanctuary—cold, orderly, and devoid of human warmth. A massive obsidian coffee table sat in the center of the room, reflecting the city lights like a dark mirror.
Before I could demand more answers, my phone emitted a shrill ping.
I pulled it from my clutch. A text from Carolyn Parrish illuminated the cracked screen.
You and your Mate must be at Le Coucou in 10 minutes. Otherwise, I will notify the Pack Elders and freeze your trust account permanently.
𝘓𝖺𝗍𝘦ѕ𝗍 𝖼𝘩𝖺𝗉𝘁e𝗿ѕ 𝘰𝗇
A bucket of ice water washed over me. The panic over Kain’s identity was instantly eclipsed by the very real, immediate threat of losing my independence, my home, and my father’s legacy. I was out of time.
“I have to go,” I breathed, my hands shaking as I looked back at the elevator doors. “I have to go alone p>
Kain smoothly plucked the phone from my trembling fingers. His eyes scanned the screen. Instead of anger, a chilling, lethal smile touched the corner of his mouth.
“We go together,” he commanded, his voice a low rumble that vibrated in my bones.
“You don’t understand!” I protested, my voice cracking under the weight of my desperation. “The real Babe Vincent is going to be there. Alpha Vincent is going to be there. The second you walk in, they’ll know my Mating Contract is a fraud. I’ll lose everything p>
Kain stepped into my space, the atmospheric pressure dropping so drastically my ears popped. “Then let them know p>
He reached into his tailored trousers and produced a black velvet box. With a terrifyingly gentle grip, he took my left hand and slid a massive, flawless pink diamond ring onto my finger. The second the cold metal touched my skin, a violent electric shock shot up my arm, sending a phantom heat pooling in my lower belly.
I gasped, staring at the heavy stone that radiated an ancient, undeniable weight.
Kain didn’t let go of my hand. He turned to a blue-lit smart panel embedded in the wall and pressed a single button. “Send the styling team up. Now p>
Within minutes, the silent penthouse was transformed into a blur of efficient, wordless workers. I was numb, swept up in the hurricane of Kain’s absolute authority. They stripped away my torn, ruined silk and draped me in a breathtaking blood-red dress that clung to my curves like a second skin. It was the color of power. The color of a Luna.
When they retreated, Kain walked up behind me. Our reflections stared back from the massive floor-to-ceiling mirror. I looked dangerous, elegant, and entirely unrecognizable from the broken Omega who had cowered in a stairwell that morning.