Chapter 18 My Empire
[Nyx]
My father's expression hardened. "Tristan will be Alpha. Nyx will control the wealth. Balance."
"You're handing her control of a multibillion-dollar company because of sentimentality?" Tristan scoffed. "Because it was her mother's?"
"I'm handing her control because it's her birthright," my father replied, his voice dangerously calm. "And because unlike you, she has her mother's business instincts. Diana would never have approved those ridiculous ventures you pushed through the board."
I signed quickly before anyone could stop me, then pulled the folder close to my chest.
"This isn't fair," Isla spat. "After everything I've done—"
"After everything you've done?" My father laughed without humor. "Yes, let's talk about that, shall we? You've tortured her from the moment you moved in."
Isla's mouth snapped shut.
"If you hadn't spread those rumors after the party, after the accident, she might have been Alpha instead of Tristan." His voice was deadly quiet. "She's a saint compared to your son."
I froze, my heart pounding. Was he finally acknowledging what I'd always suspected?
"You mother and I founded Eclipse together," he continued, addressing me now. "But ninety percent of the funding came from her. I was drowning when I met her. She saved me."
He turned back to Isla. "My greatest regret is giving my wife's life's work to another woman's son. Tristan can have the title, but the legacy—Diana's legacy—belongs to her daughter."
Lilith reached under the table and squeezed my hand briefly. A small gesture of solidarity that caught me completely off guard.
My father pushed his chair back and stood. "Take it, Nyx. Or don't. But it's yours now."
Isla's face had gone pale. "And if you die? What happens to me? To Tristan and Lilith?"
My father looked down at her with cold eyes. "If you'd been a mother to Nyx, perhaps I'd say she would take care of you. But you've made sure that bridge is thoroughly burned."
He turned to me again. "I agreed to Isla's plan for your marriage because Lysander is an exceptional Gamma wolf. But I also wanted to save you. You're too good, too brilliant to waste away with alcohol and self-pity."
His words struck like physical blows. I couldn't speak.
"You're in charge now. The company. Your life." He moved toward the door. "I won't interfere in your marriage. But have patience with Lysander. Don't snap at him like you do everyone else."
He paused at the threshold. "You're meant for more than rotting in alcohol, Nyx."
And then he was gone, leaving the four of us in stunned silence.
I clutched the folder to my chest, my mind racing. This changed everything. With Eclipse under my control, I had resources, power, a purpose beyond my father's political games.
"This isn't over," Isla warned, her voice trembling with rage.
Tristan pushed back his chair with such force it nearly toppled over. Without a word, he stormed out after our father.
Lilith hesitated, looking between her mother and me, before quietly slipping out of the room.
I stood, feeling stronger than I had in years. "I'll have my assistant make copies. The originals will go in a safe where you'll never find them."
For once, I didn't flee from her. I walked out with my head high, already planning my next steps. I would protect what was mine. I would do what my father never did for me—I would fight.
---
The shrill sound of my alarm sliced through the quiet at 5:15 AM. I cracked open my heavy eyelids, staring at a spot on the ceiling as my mind drifted back to yesterday's conversation with my father. Eclipse Pharmaceuticals—my mother's legacy—was now mine. The weight of that responsibility felt both exhilarating and terrifying.
"Training's off today," I muttered, fumbling for my phone. I needed time to process, to study the company files that had been delivered. But I didn't want Lysander to know about the company, not yet.
I quickly typed a brief message: "Can't train today. Killer headache, need rest. See you tomorrow."
After sending it, I tossed my phone aside and flopped back onto my bed, deciding to sleep another hour. When I woke again, it was past seven. I glanced at my phone to see Lysander had already responded: "Take care of yourself. Let me know if you need anything."
"That's it?" I muttered, surprised at the brief response. I'd half-expected a barrage of concerned messages or even a call. A moment later, I caught myself. "What are you thinking, Nyx? Did you want him to panic?"
I showered quickly and dragged my tired body to my study. Opening the safe hidden behind a landscape painting, I pulled out the files and quarterly reports my father had handed over yesterday, spreading them across my desk.
"Father chose to give me the company before the wedding, not after," I murmured to myself. "The old fox probably didn't want Lysander getting too big a piece. I'll give you that one, Dad."
I stared at the documents before me, determined to keep this secret, at least for now. This was my mother's legacy—something truly mine, separate from this political marriage. In a way, it was my last guarantee of independence.
Ariel knocked softly before entering with a breakfast tray. "My little princess up so early?" she asked gently, then nodded with understanding when she saw the papers scattered across my desk. "Starting on the company files."
"Yeah," I rubbed my temples. "I haven't told Lysander about the company yet."
"That's your choice, dear," Ariel set down the tray without pressing for reasons. "Now come, eat something. I made your favorite blueberry muffins."