Zara

Mother? She was Marcus’s mother, but why did I sense such intense hatred from her? I was sure I’d never seen this woman before.

She was tall and, like Marcus, had fair hair that had thinned with age.

She turned her attention to her son and kissed him tenderly on the forehead, causing him to beam.

"I’m so proud of you, son. If your father were alive, he would be proud too. But he’s not with us."

With these words, her hate-filled gaze turned back to me. Taking a quick step, she approached me, swung her hand, and slapped me across the face.

The blow landed half on my cheek, half on my ear, causing a ringing sound. Pain, humiliation, rage. All of it built up as my eyes fixed on her.

"This is for what your mom and dad did to me, and everything else that awaits you will be for what they did to the love of my life." She reached out and pulled out the piece of cloth that had been gagged. "Now talk, bitch, I know you’re dying to hear."

’These people infuriated us. We understood that she and our parents had a history, and she believed she would get revenge on them by hurting us. We couldn’t allow that.’ Nova rolled her eyes.

’So the first thing we did was calm our nerves and pull ourselves together.’ I replied to my wolf.

’I knew they wanted me to be afraid, to behave irrationally. But Dad had prepared me for such situations. Knowing that we had too many enemies, he always emphasized the importance of self-defense and what to do in life-threatening situations.’ I continuously calm my wolf.

"Who are you?" I tried to hide the panic in my voice and didn’t utter a single word that could worsen this Frankenstein disaster.

I’m not one to judge people by their appearance or facial features. But honestly, there was something off about this woman’s face.

Marcus chuckled sharply from behind his mother. Taking calculated steps, he joined her. His piercing gaze, which had always struck me as a little unsettling and overly cold, was completely focused on me.

"You’ve spent your whole life in delusions, spoiled by a gigolo father and an ungrateful mother. You don’t even know we exist."

All my powers of self-control crumbled when I heard him openly insult my parents, but I had to restrain myself. I needed to survive and give my loved ones time to find me.

I knew the events had already been set in motion, as Sophia and Ryan had received my messages, and my number must be disconnected.

’I wondered what Marcus had done with our phone.’ Nova was curious.

The woman grabbed my hair, squeezed it with her fist, and then pulled so hard that an involuntary scream escaped me.

"You pathetic creature. If you weren’t alive for a few more days, I would slit your throat right here and send the video to your parents. So they could feel at least a small part of what I’ve felt for the last 25 years."

I was 25, which meant that everything that happened between my parents and her was the same age for me.

"Patience, Mom... we’ll do it all, but step by step," Marcus interjected with his deadly smile, which reminded me of the Joker from Batman.

"I want to send pieces of her not only to her parents, but to Alpha Kane as well." "He always thought he was too good for me." This time, Marcus burst out laughing, and his mother seemed so proud of her misguided son.

Fear and horror ran down my spine, making me shudder at these plans.

’Goddess, help us.’ My wolf was so dramatic.

"That idiot didn’t even realize how I was deceiving him, always one step ahead."

Reality warped for me again, as if I were stuck in a time loop where a new reality formed every day, and I could experience it.

’What was Marcus trying to say?’ Nova rolled her eyes innocently.

’He and Alpha weren’t working together?’ I was curious, too. Now.

"Were you the one stalking me? And sending me all those messages and threats?" I asked, trying to maintain my composure and not descend into complete chaos, because I felt like Marcus’s answer would do just that.

"Yes, did you like my Christmas present? You didn’t even thank me. Not a single message. You’re such an ungrateful bitch. I don’t know what Alpha sees in my rejected mate."

His twisted smile didn’t fade; it grew wider under the yellow light of the room, hardening his expression.

Now I saw him in a whole new light and understood why my body never wanted to be near him. Why his constant presence always unsettled me.

On the other hand, Alpha’s presence never affected me negatively. He never pushed me away, even when he broke my heart.

My body and heart knew and trusted him, and yet I couldn’t do it.

"Alpha is so obsessed with you, Luna. I don’t think you even know." He shook his head, as if he found it amusing.

I tried, but I knew I couldn’t hide all the emotions flickering in my heart.

"He’s hopelessly in love with you, and it’s blinded him. That’s why I was able to deceive him so easily. But don’t forget, it was I who brought you two together." He blurted out.

Marcus, so easily wounding the truth. Questions. I searched for answers to my questions.

I had doubts about Alpha, but in the end, it turned out to be Marcus.

My foolish heart was right in my assumptions about this icy brute. He couldn’t have stooped so low.

Is he in love with me, too? Is Marcus telling the truth or lying again?

Even in this situation, a faint smile appeared on my lips.

"Did you also plant a mask on me?" I asked hopefully, looking straight at this crazy couple, mother and son. I knew nothing about them, and yet they managed to ruin my life to the point of kidnapping me.

"Yes, Demon Queen. I slowly sowed the seed of discord in your heart against Alpha. At the same time, I pushed Alpha toward you when I challenged him, and as a result, he attacked my pack and won the war. I challenge Alpha Kane just for you. So the two of you collided. I stole the videos from his system and sent them to you, raising even more doubts. "Marcus snorted with amusement.

His mother stood smugly next to him, listening to all the chaos her son had caused.

"I filmed the video wearing a mask, and then took that mask with me, along with a similar mask I saw him wearing. I hid both masks in his closet, knowing you both shared a room and you must be looking for clues after all the doubt I sowed in your mind. Digging into his past wasn’t hard; once you got to it, it became obvious you’d believe he was your stalker, especially if you found the masks. Which is exactly what you did." He winked at me, making me feel sick.

How wrong I was. Whatever was in my stomach, which was mostly bile, rose to the surface, and I vomited, spilling it all onto the concrete floor.

***

Ryan

I took a shower and then started playing a video game. I missed Zara; if she were here, she would play with me.

I was home on winter break and really wanted her to come.

After finishing my game, I climbed into bed and checked my phone. Zara had sent me a message three hours ago.

I opened it excitedly, but horror gripped me as I finished reading.

{Ryan, there’s a USB device in the cereal box. If I don’t return home tomorrow, or you don’t hear from me, come get this device, and its contents will reveal what happened to me or who kidnapped me. I can’t say anything more, but I already told Sophia. Don’t tell Dad anything yet.}

What?

Instantly, with trembling hands, I pressed the call icon.

Is she in trouble? Is someone hunting my sister?

It better not be that bastard Marcus, otherwise I would personally make sure he didn’t survive to tell another story.

But Zara’s phone was turned off. I tried again and immediately went to voicemail. My heart sank, and anxious thoughts began to brew.

I needed to go to the pack house. But what would I tell Dad?

Initially, taking Sophia seemed like a reasonable option. She might also have Alpha’s mind link.

Did Alpha do something to her? I got out of bed and started pacing the room, trying to formulate a plan.

It was very late, and I knew Sophia must have been asleep and hadn’t even checked her message, otherwise she would have definitely called me.

I was about to call Sophia when I heard a faint knock on the door.

"Yes," I answered, turning to see who it was; it was so late.