Chapter 91 The Prankster
Finley
Unfortunately, I still hadn’t told Adonis about my new status. I should’ve said something right after graduation, but life didn’t give me a single chance to breathe once I was appointed as Thunder Bite’s Beta.
Responsibility hit like a nonstop storm. Hayden and I were on site almost every day, making sure the facility project stayed on schedule—which, if you were working with Hayden, actually meant perfect to the smallest detail.
He was ridiculously perfectionist. Honestly, the kind of person who made others want to throw a brick at his head. Strangely, I never felt that way. I had grown used to his pace, his pressure, and even stranger… my Beta instincts felt safer under his command.
Ever since our e-sports days, I had always followed his lead—even back when I still lived in my old pack. Maybe it was true: a Beta’s blood was made to obey and steady his Alpha.
With Hayden, my wolf relaxed. He knew exactly who to protect, who to watch out for, and who sat at the center of his world. Our bond had been forged back in Livingstone, through endless training sessions and rough nights. At some point, I didn’t even know when Hayden had become my anchor. Maybe because he always stood in the same place even when the world kept spinning too fast.
And right now, while Adonis stood just three steps away, that anchor felt a little… shaken.
Lycan aura poured off his body. Dark. Heavy. Rolling like a storm looking for something to tear apart. I knew he was misunderstanding the situation. And I knew I had to talk fast before things went to hell.
I stepped between Hayden and Adonis. “Adonis, just listen to me first—”
“I can’t believe you’d betray me like this.”
His tone was cold. Too calm. That was when he became… the other version of himself. In a split second, his Lycan claws came out.
Black metal-like sheen caught the late-afternoon light. His eyes shifted into a predator’s stare—sharp, decisive. My wolf jolted in shock inside my chest, and it took every bit of control I had not to step back.
“What are you doing?” My voice came out softer than I intended.
“You lied to me, Finley.”
Hayden instinctively stepped forward, body angled like a shield. “Adonis. Put the claws down.”
Hayden’s voice dropped—steady, firm. Not loud, not emotional. That was exactly what made it more dangerous.
“What does this have to do with you? This is between me and him,” Adonis snapped.
“Finley would never betray you.”
“You don’t know what he’s been hiding.”
The tension spiked, their Alpha auras crashing like two tidal waves hitting each other. Hayden’s jaw tightened; Adonis took another step; my wolf crouched, confused and terrified, unable to choose which side to stand on.
“Enough.”
Zion’s voice cut through the air—flat, heavy, carrying a rare hint of his natural Alpha authority.
He walked into our little circle of chaos without hesitation. “No one is attacking anyone.”
Adonis lifted his chin, challenging. “You think I won’t?”
“I think you’ve got enough brain cells not to make an idiot decision,” Zion replied, cold as ice.
For a moment, I swore everything was going to explode. Hayden’s arms shifted slightly, ready to shove Adonis back. My wolf trembled.
Then suddenly…
Adonis exhaled. His claws retracted. His shoulders dropped. The darkness on his face slowly melted away. And then he started laughing—hard.
“A—Adonis?” My voice cracked.
He bent over, clutching his stomach. “Oh Goddess… your faces. Finley almost fainted, Hayden looked ready to murder me, Zion… I don’t even know what your expression was!”
Hayden froze. Zion narrowed his eyes dangerously.
“…A prank?” I whispered.
Adonis patted my shoulder. “A prank, bro. Happy birthday.”
I stared at him. “You… what?”
“You were seconds away from crying,” he said with the brightest smile.
My whole body went limp. Every bit of tension I had been holding for the last few minutes collapsed at once. My knees almost gave out. I didin’t even remember this was my birthday.
“Seriously?” Zion growled. “All that for a joke?”
“A high-quality joke,” Adonis replied, proud of himself.
“I thought you—” My voice broke as emotions crashed together. “I hate you. It’s a shame you’re an Alpha.”
“I love you too, Finley.”
Before I could throw something at his face, the manor door swung open and Phoebe walked out carrying a small tart with a lit candle.
“Finally!” she huffed. “I thought you guys had already killed each other.”
The sweet smell of sugar drifted through the air. “Come on, Finley. Make a wish.”
For a moment I just stared at the candle—a tiny warm light after that whole drama. I took a long breath… closed my eyes… and blew it out.
“Perfect timing,” Adonis said. “I already knew about your new status from Phoebe. Since yesterday, actually.”
I looked at Phoebe, who gave me a guilty smile. “He forced me. I couldn’t stop him.”
“I’m getting revenge,” I muttered.
“They should all be careful,” Phoebe whispered. “Adonis loved pranking people.”
“Blame my talent,” he answered proudly.
After the laughter faded, Adonis straightened up. His aura shifted—more serious now.
“There’s something important I need to announce. Three days from now, I’ll be officially crowned as the Alpha Lycan of the Dark Crimson Pack.”
Hayden’s attention sharpened. Zion’s stare grew more intense.
“And that day,” Adonis continued, glancing at Phoebe who was blushing hard, “I’ll name Phoebe as my Luna.”
Phoebe lowered her gaze, cheeks pink. Zion automatically stepped closer to her, protective without thinking.
“You three are my honored guests,” Adonis added.
“Of course,” Hayden replied. “We’ll be there.”
“I also want to talk about a partnership.”
He looked at Hayden and me. “Thunder Bite and Dark Crimson. I want to discuss investment and an alliance.”
Phoebe and Zion stepped aside, giving space.
Hayden rubbed his neck. “We do need more funding. The facility construction requires a lot.”
“I know,” Adonis said. “Dark Crimson is willing to invest. Not just money—labor and territorial protection if needed.”
My spine straightened. “Long-term partnership?”
“Yes. We strengthen each other.”
Hayden turned to me. His gaze was firm, decisive.
“We’ll draft an official agreement,” he said.
Adonis tapped my shoulder. “And Finley, you’re preparing the documents. Detailed. Complete. Don’t make me prank you again for hiding something.”
I rolled my eyes. “If you do that one more time, I swear I’ll—”
“Relax,” Hayden cut in. “Fin, you’re the best with documents. I’m counting on you.”
I groaned softly. “Fine…”
Adonis grinned. “Happy birthday, Beta Finley. And congrats—you just got two gifts: cake… and extra work.”
I gave him a dead stare. “Thanks. Truly the birthday of my dreams.”
Damn Adonis… but honestly, I couldn’t imagine a more chaotic birthday.
Still, deep down—beneath all the drama, tension, and annoyance—
I knew this was the start of a new. For Thunder Bite with its two Alphas. For Dark Crimson with an Alpha who was infuriating by nature. And for me, who would keep standing by their side.
And lastly Phoebe, who was about to become their Luna…and my true mate.