Chapter 60
(this even happen!
Dane Raymond Dane Raymond
An in to join the Apex Circle I didn’t send this! That’s not the name L approved, and there is absolutely no way I would allow someone like him in come anywhere near me or my pack. This has to be some kind of twisted joke. But in shouldn’t even be possible. Who would dare do this!
I’m off the bed in seconds, already storming out of my quanters, heading straight for the meeting location.
The end I step inside. I’m greeted by the other Alphas, their cordial smiles and nods doing little to calm the storm inside me. I don’t waste time
“So we’re meeting our new member today, right?” I say, careful to keep my voice steady, hiding the imitation beneath the surface.
“““” they reply, their voices echoing in harmony
“Great” I manage a faint smile. “Let’s not delay: Please, will the new member of our circle step forward and introduce himself?”
Istep back. I won’t announce him I refuse to. Let him show his face!
And then he does.
Dane. Amara’s ex–husband.
He steps forward with that smug, self–assured look I hate so much.
Is someone trying to play a stupid prank on me!
I didn’t put Dane’s name on the email I sent. I know I didn’t. So how did it get there? Who would’ve had access to send an email from my computer! 1 has to be someone close to me—someone who thinks they can gain something by having Dane in the Apex Circle.
Dane steps forward, walking with that arrogant, almost theatrical confidence, his grin stretching from ear to ear. He’s enjoying this. Every second of
The crowd erupts in cheers, clapping and celebrating him like he belongs here. But my beta, Leonard, looks just as confused as I feel. His eyes meet mine briefly, questioning, uncertain.
I want to stop this. Right here. Right now. End the induction before it’s too late. But I can‘)—not without losing my composure in front of the entire circle. As much as I want to tell everyone this is wrong, he doesn’t belong here, I can’t even explain what’s happening when I don’t understand it myself
Dane approaches me, his hand extended, smug confidence radiating from him. I hesitate for half a second before taking it. His grip is firm, too firm, and as I stare into his eyes, locking onto them without breaking contact, I see it.
He knows something
v moment
I can feel it. There’s a flicker of satisfaction in his gaze, a glimmer of something deeper, as if he’s holding onto a secret and savoring every of my confusion
“Thank you, thank you, Alpha Deckard!” Dane says, laughing in delight as he basks in the attention. His voice grates on me like nails on a chalkboard. The more I hear it, the angrier | gei, but I keep my face neutral. For now.
Once the ceremony is over. I stay seated, as the crowd were doing their thing, my thoughts swirl. But my brooding is interrupted by Leonard’s.
“I don’t know what you’re planning with this, but it’d be nice to know where your head is at because… Daner Why?” His tone mirrors the confusion I Teel, his arms crossed, his frustration obvious.
1 let out a sigh and lean back, rubbing my temples. “Look, Leonard, someone’s playing games with me. I never sent Dane’s name I swear. The next person in line was Ales Bower Ales Bower Why would I do something this reckless! I can’t even stand the sight of him!”
Leonard narrows his eyes. “Then who do you think could’ve done it Who has access to your computer!”
Chapter 80
pause. There k only one person who comes to mind, and my stomach sinks. “Amica, Imutter
Lemand seeswaden “Asia” You think shr
While Tom will trying to piece everything together, Danse’s stupid voice internapt.
Deckard” he calls out, hurrying toward me with a wide smile plastered on his face.
Before I can react, he clasps my hand in his, shaking
g it with fervor. “Wish I never thought this day will come, but you made it happen. I am indebted to you“
Ha happiness makes my stomach tum. 1 yank my hand fire, forcing a tight smile. “It’s fine,” I say cuntly, before walking off, leaving him behind
I waste no use. I rush back to the castle, my thoughts racing as I rehearse what im going to say to Amica. She has on have answers–or at least a damn good explanation.
As soon as I step out of the car, i spot Mary near
the entrance. Her face lights u up when she sees me, but as soon as she notices my expression, her
“My Alpha what’s wrong“” she
se asks, burrying toward me. “You look furious. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“Something terrible has happeneid,” I say, pacing the room. “Someone managed to hack into my email and sent a message to the Apex Council, announcing Dune as the newest member of the Apex Circle,
Mary face revealed her confusion. “Who’s Dane?”
“Amica’s ex–husband” I say bitterly,
“Want that wretch How Mary’s asks in disbelief. “There is no way someone like him fits into a circle with such prominent members. Dane? The man who sold has own wife to cover debest Deckard, you can’t let this happen. It taints your name! People will question what kind of Alpha you are || Blowing withrone like hum into the Apex Circle!“.
Her words
strike a nerve, making me even more furstrated.
1 dont know who could have done this I snap, pacing back and forth. The morning after we were together, I woke up feeling weak, like I was drugged Where did you go that morning“” I turn to her
Mary this her head, confused but calm. “Thad a patient to check on, so I left in a rush,” she explains. “But Deck, who could have accessed your Laptop! No one was even in the room when I left. And more importantly–who would benefit from sending Dane’s name to the council”
Her vooce softens, and I can see the wheels turning in her mind. As she analyzes the situation, my own thoughts begin to fall into place. A name I – didn’t want to consider hasses in the back of my mind like a serpent
( that moment, I glance toward the caule and see her–Amica. She’s walking inside, oblivious to the storm brewing in my chest.
Without another word to Mary,
ary, I stride toward the castle, my anger building with each step. This ends now,
“Hey!” I call out, I burry after her. “So you think I wouldn’t find out about what you
a dide
Amica tuma around, her face plooking clueless.
“What are you talking about?” she asks, her voice showing innocence. But her eyes? They can’t deceive me
“Don’t play dumb with me. Amica,” I growl, taking a step closer to her. “Tin this close to losing my shit with you! To think I was actually giving you a chance, hoping you’d changed, but no–you’re still the same manipulative cheat your ex–husband threw out and sold to pay off his debis“
Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t speak. I press on, my voice rising despite my attempts to stay calm.
“When will you learn, Amica! When?”
I’m paring nowe my patience unraveling with every word. I know she’s the one who tampered with my email. Who else would be foolish enough to drag Dane into the Apex Circle! But what baffles me is how far she’s willing to go for something–or someone–that’s so clearly doesnt want her.
îne pathetic,” Espil, “Chasing after someone who doesn’t even want you. What’s the culgame here. Antica! Tell me, because I’m not in the
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