Chapter 282 The Alpha's Demand

Chapter 282 The Alpha's Demand

TRISTAN

"Really?" Yelena’s voice was thin, barely a whisper. She stared at me, her face pale as I laid out the truth about Livia and Selene.

"I can't believe it," she said, shaking her head. The shock was slowly hardening into something sharper, something colder. "I had no idea Selene hated me that much. I didn't think she was capable of this." She looked up at me, her eyes flashing with a sudden, dangerous resolve. "She has to end up like Livia. It’s either she kills herself, or I’ll kill her myself."

I didn't argue.

I didn't try to soften the blow.

I just stepped forward and gripped her shoulders, forcing her to look at me. "Don't worry," I said, my voice low and grounded. "I’ve got this. She won't touch you again."

She let out a shaky breath and leaned in, wanting to hold me, but she stopped, her nose wrinkling at the scent of dried blood still clinging to my skin.

"You need to wash that off," she said, her voice softening. "The smell… It’s not right."

I stepped back, realizing I was still carrying the ghost of the cell with me. "Of course. I’ll go now. By the time I’m done, Daniel should have the issues handled for the trip to Crescent Pack to see their Alpha."

"Alpha Loren?" she asked, her brows knitting together.

"Yes. I need to see him personally. I’m going to drag his pack member out of his territory and make her pay for what she tried to do to you."

She nodded, her expression resolute. "Okay. Go do what you have to do. We’ll be here waiting for you."

I turned to leave, but then I stopped, looking back at her with a smirk. "And I’ll come back to marry you."

She bowed her head, a small, teasing smile playing on her lips. "Yes, my Alpha."

I chuckled, the tension in my chest loosening just a fraction, and headed straight for the bathroom to scrub the stench of death from my skin.

Minutes later, I emerged feeling like myself again.

My phone chimed in with an email;

(Daniel: Alpha Loren was ready to meet, and he was bringing his new Luna.)

"His Luna?" Yelena asked, hovering by the bedroom door as I grabbed my jacket. "Since when does he have a new Luna? Wasn't his mate dead?"

"She is," I said, grabbing my keys. "I heard he swore he’d never take another, but I guess something changed. I don't know what, and honestly, I don't care. Let me go and get this over with so I can get back home."

"Be safe," she said.

I left the room and walked through the house, but the halls were quiet. Neither Claire nor Aria was in the living room.

I backtracked to their bedroom and pushed the door open.

Claire and Tyla were curled up together on the bed, fast asleep, their breathing synchronized.

Aria stood by the window, smiling at them. "Claire never wants to leave her sister's side," she whispered.

I smiled, walked over, and pressed a soft kiss to each of their foreheads before turning to leave.

The drive to Crescent Pack was a long one.

I drove in silence, my mind racing through the upcoming confrontation.

My guards followed close behind, a line of black cars cutting through the winding roads. When we finally reached the pack house, the air felt different here... tense, and guarded.

I stepped out of the car, and the guards parted ways, their heads lowered as I marched toward the main entrance with two of my men in tow.

We were ushered into a high-ceilinged meeting room. I didn't have to wait long. A few minutes later, Alpha Loren strode in. He was older than me, his face lined with years of command, but his stride was heavy and confident.

I stood up and reached out. He took my hand, his grip firm. "Alpha Tristan."

"Alpha Loren," I replied.

"Please, sit." He moved to the head of the table. His beta, Walker, trailed behind him, laying out a thick folder of documents.

Loren sighed as he flipped through the papers. He didn't look happy. He stopped on a page, then looked up at me.

"I’ve read everything your beta sent. I’m sorry this happened, Alpha Tristan, truly but… Can we handle this differently? Can you let me punish her here? Taking her to your pack seems excessive."

I stared at him, my expression unmoving. I knew exactly what he was doing. He was trying to shield his own.

"No," I said, my voice flat. "I’m going to punish her myself. She attempted murder on my Luna more than once. We both know what the law says about that. If she stays here, in her home territory, the 'punishment' will be a slap on the wrist. I want justice, not a favor."

Loren sighed again, rubbing his temple. "She’s a doctor, Alpha Tristan. She’s one of the most important wolves in this pack. What could she possibly have to gain by attacking your Luna?"

"Ask her that when I’m done with her," I retorted.

He looked away, clearly frustrated. He was stalling, trying to save his reputation, but he wouldn't win this.

He checked his watch. "Let’s wait for the hospital director and my Luna. She should be here any second."

His Luna.

He said it so easily.

I wondered what had changed his mind about a new partner, but now wasn't the time to pry into his personal business.

"What about her?" I asked, cutting to the chase. "Where is Selene?"

A dark, twisted look crossed his face. "She’s in our cells. Under guard."

Just then, the door swung open.

A woman walked in, looking completely unbothered, her head held high. She strode toward Loren and pulled out a chair to sit beside him.

My eyes locked onto her face.

Vivianne.

Yelena's friend? How in the hell did she become the Luna of Crescent Pack?

She didn't see me at first, but as she turned, her eyes met mine. She went completely rigid, her hand hovering over the back of the chair.

"Alpha… Tristan?" she stammered, her voice thin. "What… what are you doing here?"

She looked at me like I was the one who had walked into the wrong room, but I didn't say a word. I just watched the color drain from her face.