Chapter 0027
Althea’s POV
My father’s sharp voice sliced through the silence, each word a whip against my pride.
“No, Father, please… don’t hang up!” I clutched the phone tightly, my knuckles whitening as I begged. “It was all just an accident…”
“An accident?” His tone was ice-cold, devoid of sympathy. “The only reason I allowed you and that useless brat Damon to go to Crimson Hollow Pack was because you assured me he controlled the Carnival City project, and you could secure Silverclaw Pack’s involvement. But now, not only is that brat’s ex-wife alive, you’ve lost control of the project entirely. Tell me, Althea—why should I waste another second or cent on you?”
The silence on his end was deafening. I swallowed hard, my heart pounding painfully in my chest.
“Because it’s not over yet!” I burst out desperately. “I underestimated Seraphina. That’s my fault. But from now on, I’ll take this seriously. I’m your daughter—handling someone as insignificant as her should be easy!”
A long, tense pause followed.
When my father finally spoke, his voice was measured, calculating. “You’re right. My daughter should have no trouble crushing a Northern bumpkin.”
Relief washed over me like a wave, but his words carried a dangerous edge.
“You haven’t forgotten my lifelong goal, have you?” he asked, his tone suddenly razor-sharp.
“To make Silverclaw Pack the strongest pack,” I answered immediately, the response ingrained in my memory from years of repetition.
“That’s right,” he said. “I have 36 children, Althea. Whoever helps me achieve that goal will inherit everything. I thought you were among the least capable of them all, but this Carnival City project showed promise. Do not fail me again.”
“I won’t, Father!” I vowed fiercely. “I just need 30 million to fix this. I swear, Carnival City will be ours in the end!”
“You’ll have your 30 million,” he snapped curtly. Then, his voice dropped into a chilling tone. “But fail again, and you’ll know what it’s like to be hunted by fear. Don’t forget, I still hold your biggest secret—the one about Lucian.”
I froze, my breath caught in my throat.
Before I could muster a response, the line went dead.
His final words lingered in the air, a dark cloud of terror hanging over me. They weren’t empty threats. If I wasted his 30 million and failed again, he wouldn’t hesitate to expose the truth about Lucian.
I clenched my fists, taking slow, deliberate breaths to calm myself. Finally, I forced a smile onto my face, rehearsing the confidence I needed to project.
It’s fine, I told myself. I have the money now. Damon will stay by my side for a little while longer.
And as for Seraphina…
I cursed her silently, venomous hatred bubbling inside me. Once the poisoned candle does its job, she’ll lose everything—including her life.
Let it work faster.
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Seraphina’s POV
After my dance with Caden, I made my way to the edge of the dance floor, eager for a moment to breathe.
Caden, however, was quickly surrounded by a flock of young women, their giggles bubbling up like champagne.
Watching them, I felt an unfamiliar bitterness rise in my chest.
So, the rumors are true, I thought, my stomach twisting. Caden is a playboy.
It was easy to see why. His charisma was magnetic, and those women—young, beautiful, and full of life—were drawn to him like moths to a flame.
I bit my lip, brushing aside the sting of jealousy. His compliments earlier… were they just his usual charm? Did they mean anything at all?
I shook my head. If I became his Luna, I’d have to endure this every day—watching women pursue him while knowing I couldn’t truly call him mine. How could I survive that kind of pain?
“Don’t tell me you’re falling for him.”
The voice, low and dark, startled me. I turned to see Damon standing behind me, his expression unreadable.
Quickly, I schooled my features into composure. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Shouldn’t you be with Althea?”
“She went to make a call about money,” he replied curtly. “And don’t play dumb. I saw the way you were looking at him. But you can forget it—a man like Caden would never fall for a divorcee like you.”
His words were a dagger to my pride, piercing my insecurities with cruel precision.
He wasn’t wrong. Caden’s charm was effortless, and I was foolish to think his attention meant anything more than professional politeness.
Still, I refused to let Damon see my hurt.
“Alpha Caden is only my partner,” I said evenly.
“He better be,” Damon sneered, stepping closer. “Don’t even think about cheating on me, Seraphina. If the judges catch wind of an affair, they’ll take away your share of the assets.”
His threat sent a cold chill through me.
As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. In divorce cases, judges often sided with men. Damon’s affairs were excusable, but any suggestion of impropriety on my part could ruin everything.
I forced myself to remain calm. “I’m tired. I’m leaving.”
I walked past him, my head held high, but his cold voice followed me.
“Don’t fall for him,” he warned, his tone dripping with disdain. “He’s way out of your league.”
Anger surged through me, but I didn’t turn back. I quickened my pace, leaving the banquet hall and the bitter memories behind.
________________________________________
Back in my room, Isla helped me remove my makeup and change into my nightclothes. After checking on Lucian—who was fast asleep—I finally lay down in my bed, exhaustion pressing heavily on me.
The scented candle on my bedside table burned quietly, its soft fragrance filling the air.
I inhaled deeply, letting the calming aroma lull me into sleep.
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The Nightmare
At first, my sleep was peaceful. But then, like an insidious shadow, the nightmare crept in.
Suddenly, I was back on the hillside, buried alive, the cold earth pressing down on me, blocking my nose and mouth.
I couldn’t breathe.
Fear clawed at my chest as I struggled, the suffocating weight stealing the air from my lungs.
Wake up!
I screamed inside my mind, desperately trying to open my eyes.
But no matter how hard I fought, I was trapped, my body frozen, my consciousness trapped in a suffocating haze.
Help!
