+25 BONUS
Chapter 0057
Chapter 0057
Elijah
I didn’t have to look to know who it was–Olivia, her tone lined with that unique mix of malice and sweetness she’d perfected over the years.
As I turned, I saw her standing there, arm linked with a tall, broad figure beside her. It was Noah, Alpha of the Blackridge pack.
Seeing him in our territory, especially standing next to Olivia, felt like a threat wrapped in a sly smile.
“Elijah,” Noah greeted, that arrogant smirk plastered on his face. “Fancy seeing you here.”
I clenched my jaw as my wolf snarled inside, urging me forward. Noah’s posture oozed confidence and a challenge as his gaze flicked to Agnes, sizing her up with an unmistakable look of appraisal. My hackles rose, my wolf’s protective instincts flaring up at the insinuation behind his stare.
“Here for a little break?” Olivia chimed in, her voice thick with feigned friendliness. “I’m surprised to see you both here. Especially together.”
I felt Agnes stiffen beside me, and my gaze snapped to Olivia. This wasn’t the casual encounter she wanted us to think it was. She’d brought Noah along to dig under my skin, a clear attempt to show that she was moving on and to dangle the threat of a rival alliance in front of me.
“Just a brief vacation,” I replied, keeping my tone light. “Sometimes it’s good to step away from responsibilities.”
Noah’s smirk widened, a spark of mischief lighting his eyes.
“A vacation… Or maybe you’re feeling a little overwhelmed? A lot of whispers have been going around–seems you’ve been receiving quite a bit of criticism. Something about the choices you’ve been making lately?”
His words were laced with mockery, and I knew he wanted to rile me up, to see if he could push me into a show of aggression. Olivia stood beside him, her gaze flicking between us as if waiting for the moment I’d snap.
“It’s part of the job,” I replied, unbothered by his insinuations. “The strong adapt.”
Noah’s grin stretched wider, predatory and smug.
“Maybe you should stick to what you know, Elijah. Leave the fashion ventures to those who understand them.”
Agnes lifted her chin slightly, her expression cool, but I saw the hurt flashing behind her eyes. His words were a direct shot at her, and I could feel her confidence faltering under his mocking stare. Without hesitation, I took a step forward, placing myself between Agnes and Noah’s scrutinizing gaze.
“Your opinion is noted, Noah. But I don’t recall asking for it,” I said, the edge in my tone unmistakable.
“Relax,” Noah chuckled, holding his hands up in a mock gesture of surrender. “It’s all in good fun. Just a friendly word of advice.”
His gaze drifted to Agnes, and I didn’t like the way he looked at her–like she was some kind of prize. My wolf stirred, a deep growl building in the back of my mind as Noah’s arrogance rubbed against every instinct I had to protect her.
Olivia stepped closer to him, her eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and something more calculating.
“No need for tension, boys. But I can’t help wondering how a former high–profile model like me ended up Blackridge’s alpha while Agnes settled for… well, less.”
with
1/2
Chapter 0057
+25 BONUS
I could feel Agnes bristle beside me, and my fists clenched. Olivia’s insult struck a nerve, not just because of what she implied, but because I could feel how it hurt Agnes. I didn’t know how much more of this I could take.
“Careful, Olivia,” I warned, my voice laced with barely restrained fury. “You’re treading dangerous ground.”
Noah snorted. “Dangerous? Elijah, this isn’t a fight. It’s a friendly wager. A game.”
I didn’t like the sound of that.
“I don’t play games, Noah.”
“Maybe not,” Noah said, his voice dropping to a whisper only I could hear, “but that’s only because you don’t know how to win.”
My gaze sharpened, anger simmering beneath the surface as Noah’s taunt hit a little too close to home. He knew what he was doing–testing me, trying to pull me into his twisted challenge. But I wouldn’t take the bait.
Before I could respond, Olivia’s hand tightened on Noah’s arm, her gaze locking onto mine.
“Elijah, dear, you should consider the stakes before turning down a game.”
I let my gaze flicker over both of them, feeling the, silent crowd around us taking in every word, every tension- filled pause. This wasn’t just a petty spat. Noah was making it clear: he was willing to challenge me, to push his pack’s interests against mine.
Olivia’s twisted support only added fuel to the fire.
“Agnes,” I said, not looking away from Noah. “We’re done here.”
Olivia’s eyes narrowed, a hint of anger flashing across her face as I turned away. Noah chuckled, but he didn’t stop me. For now, he was content to let the tension between us simmer. But I could feel his challenge hanging in the air
a line drawn in the sand.
–
As Agnes and I walked away, leaving the casino’s lights and the onlookers‘ stares behind us, I sensed her
confusion and hurt lingering. I had wanted to avoid this mess, to keep her out of this conflict. But it was clear that Olivia and Noah wouldn’t let things rest easily.
Just as we stepped outside, a message alert flashed on my phone. I glanced at it, my jaw tightening. It was a security update from Silvermoon–the internal system had detected unusual activity, possibly linked to an external source.
“Something wrong?” Agnes asked, catching the look on my face.
I pocketed the phone, my mind racing.
“No,” I said, trying to reassure her, though my thoughts were anything but calm. “Just pack business.”
As we made our way back to the resort, the weight of the situation settled heavily on me. Noah’s appearance wasn’t a coincidence, and Olivia’s support of him felt all too deliberate. They were setting the stage for something larger, and this brief encounter was only the beginning.
Today’s Bonus Offer
X
