Chapter 96
96 The Invitation
Aubrey’s POV
“ You… What are you talking about? I don’t understand. Today’s the first time we’ve met, right?”
Ch48 Pears
Shane’s face was drained of color from the pain, his murky wolf eyes swirling with fear and confusion.
I let out a cold laugh and didn’t bother wasting another word.
Alpha Mateo’s gaze slid past me and landed on his subordinates. With a sharp gesture, he ordered, “Drag them out. Break their limbs, then interrogate them thoroughly.” Ilis voice was low and laced with menace. “Once they talk, don’t forget to rip out their tongues.”
“Yes, Alpha,” one of the guards replied nervously, then dragged the two screaming, begging men away.
What happened next would involve the Zach family’s internal filth–none of my concern. I turned and left. Mateo was busy tending to his brother and dealing with traitors; he didn’t try to stop me.
Outside the gates of the Zach family estate, the chill wind slipped down my collar like a blade. I’d avenged my severed hand. Shane’s fate would be worse than death–so why didn’t I feel the slightest bit of relief?
Only cold.
The same cold as that snowy night long ago, the kind that left scars that never healed.
Alpha Henry drove in silence the whole way back, his knuckles clenched white on the steering wheel. When we finally arrived at the apartment building, he muttered a stiff, nearly inaudible “Goodbye” before leaving.
He was nothing like the man from before we went to Mateo’s. Was he scared off by how ruthle Had he decided to give up?
Good.
been?
I don’t need pity. I don’t need anyone’s charity. Even if I stand alone, I’ll crush every last enemy with my own hands. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the ꜰindηovel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
As I climbed the stairs, I felt eyes on me. Pretending not to notice, I turned slightly – just enough to catch a flash of Bailey’s startled face before she ducked behind a tree like a frightened rabbit.
I snorted. She really was impatient. Probably couldn’t get ahold of Shane and wasn’t sure if Alpha Mateo had killed me, so she came here to wait and see. Now that she saw me return safely – escorted by Alpha Henry no less – she must be both disappointed and jealous.
Sure enough, that evening I received an invitation from the Lynn family. They were hosting a ball on Saturday night at their estate, of course. The servant who delivered the envelope said my father, Aurelia, and Bailey would all be attending.
–
So this was Bailey’s next move?
I took the invitation and was about to shut the door when the servant reached out and pressed it open again, his face panicked. “You’ll attend. right?”
I curled my lips. “Depends on my mood.”
Then I closed the door in his face.
Mon 18.
96 The Invitation
Of course I’d go . It was time the Lynn family gave back everything they stole from my father .
But
3018
Even though my wolf Ella had returned three days ago, Alpha Henry hadn’t contacted me once . Just like- that, he’d gone from a shameless suitor who wouldn’t leave me alone to the distant, untouchable Alpha of the Shadowmoon Pack again.
“What a coward!” Ella growled in my mind, flicking her tail in irritation,
“He just came to his senses and made the right decision,” I said calmly. From any angle, a Shadowmoon Alpha shouldn’t choose someone like me as his Luna. And I… probably couldn’t fall in love with anyone again.
The ball started at seven.
I declined my father’s offer to escort me and took a cab alone. On the way, I swung by our house and while no one was home–pulled a document out of the safe and slipped it into my purse.
When I arrived at the Lynn estate, I wasn’t led to the ballroom but instead taken to a drawing room in the back.
The Lynn family sat in a circle, eyes trained on me like a pack of hyenas eyeing a lone wolf who’d wandered into their territory. My father wasn’t there. Bailey and Aurelia flanked the Lynn patriarch, each wearing the exact same smug smile.
The setup felt more like an ambush than a party. My expression turned cold.
I sneered. “What’s wrong? The Lynn family too broke to offer a chair these days?”
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