Chapter 220 Part 2 Chapter 46

Chapter 220 Part 2 Chapter 46
Helio

Danae moved swiftly around the table, distributing copies of the receipt. It documented Anna—Eleanor’s personal assistant, purchasing a rare and extremely potent poison. From what our sources had uncovered, this particular substance killed slowly and insidiously. In weaker werewolves it could take months; in stronger years,. It eroded the victim from within without ever raising immediate alarm.

The first signs were persistent headaches, followed by crushing fatigue as it quietly devoured the internal organs. Those were exactly the symptoms Julio had complained of in his final weeks, right up until the night he collapsed and died mid-act with one of his mistresses.

The autopsy left no room for doubt: Julio had been poisoned with this exact substance. And the receipts proved Anna had been a regular buyer at the physician’s shop for years.

“As you can see,” I said, keeping my voice level and even, “these are the purchase receipts issued to Anna, who happens to be Eleanor’s personal assistant.”
I let my gaze sweep the room. “And interestingly enough, all purchases stopped three years ago—right after the former Alpha’s death.”

Murmurs rippled through the council as they studied the documents.

“For all we know, you could have forged those receipts yourself,” Calisto interjected, desperation sharpening his tone.

I simply stared at him. He truly hadn’t seen me coming, the discarded, hidden son of his old friend. But I would burn this entire corrupt structure to the ground if that’s what it took to keep my mate safe.

One of the elders shook his head. “This does not look forged, Calisto. We may have been blind before, but this is genuine.”

Another elder spoke up firmly. “If what the Alpha is saying holds truth, then we must conduct our own thorough, independent investigation.”

Nods of agreement passed around the table.

At last, some of them were beginning to see Calisto for the snake he truly was—even if many still harbored lingering doubts. After all, the old man had been my father’s closest companion since childhood.
But even the closest friends can plant a knife between your shoulder blades.

“I know nothing about my assistant purchasing such a poison,” Eleanor finally said, her voice tight. “For all I know, she could have bought it for her own personal use.”

I turned slowly to face her. “So you’re telling me that if we bring Anna here right now—if I command her under my authority as Alpha to speak nothing but the truth, you would still be innocent?”

She flinched. Visibly.

That small, involuntary reaction was all the confirmation I needed. A slow smile spread across my face.

“You know we could settle this in minutes if we brought your assistant in,” I continued. “So tell me—if she really bought it for herself, how did traces of the same poison end up in my brother’s remains? Did you perhaps steal a portion… and feed it to him, little by little, until he finally died?”

Eleanor said nothing more. She understood: every word she spoke only dug the hole deeper.

One of the council members cleared his throat. “We will need time to investigate properly before passing judgment.”

I shook my head. “No. I have already compiled a list of elders known to have aligned themselves with Calisto. None of them are to be involved in carrying out any investigation.”

Danae stepped forward again, passing out another set of papers.

“If your name appears on this list,” I said, “you will step forward immediately to be investigated. Refuse, and I swear on the names of my late father and brother—I, Helio, will personally rip your head from your shoulders. And trust me, I am more than capable.”

I rose from my seat and locked eyes with Calisto. He stared back, hatred burning in his gaze.

“For the time being,” I continued, “Calisto and Eleanor will be confined to their respective estates. No visitors. No one leaves. All forms of communication inside those homes will be severed. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed on sight.”

The moment the words left my mouth, my men entered the room in formation.

Confusion and outrage flashed across several faces.

“Take them home,” I ordered. “And watch them.”

“No—you cannot treat us like common criminals!” Calisto roared as my men closed in and began escorting him and Eleanor from the chamber.

Several council elders approached me—some to speak, some clearly hoping to form new alliances—but my guards intercepted them smoothly. I was already being led out.

Danae fell into step beside me as we walked.

“That was masterfully done,” she murmured.

“Thank you.” I glanced at her. “And the girl?”

“She’s been taken to the mansion’s dungeon—along with her men.”

I nodded once. “Good. Then I believe it’s time I paid her a visit.”

The elevator doors slid open in front of us.

At the Chester Mansion Dungeon

Marilyn

“Let me out of here! Do you even know who I am? Why the hell was I brought here?!”

My voice cracked and rasped, throat raw from screaming. I desperately needed water, but no one answered.

Fear clawed at my chest. They’d thrown me into this tiny, windowless room—bare except for a narrow bed and a small table. Thick iron bars stood like a gate across the only entrance, trapping me inside like an animal.

I had no idea who these people were. They’d stormed into Idara’s mother’s house while I was there, ready to drag Idara out of whatever hole she was hiding in and make her pay. I’d spent weeks—months—tracking down her mother’s address, plotting every detail of my revenge. Just when I thought I finally had her, these strangers burst in, overpowered my guards, and hauled us away.

Somewhere along the way, they separated me from my men. I had no clue where they were now, or where I even was.

I was completely alone.

A single harsh bulb burned overhead, casting long, cold shadows. Beyond the bars, the hallway stretched into thick, suffocating darkness. I couldn’t make out anything past the first few feet.

I stumbled back to the bed, sank down, and pulled my knees tight against my chest, wrapping my arms around myself as if that could shield me from whatever was coming.

“You can’t keep me locked up here forever,” I whispered to the empty room. Tears stung my eyes, hot and unwanted.

I’d never been in a situation like this. Never felt this helpless. Maybe this was payback from one of my father’s enemies. Kidnapping for ransom? If that’s what they wanted, fine—I’d pay anything. Just let me go.

But what if it wasn’t ransom? What if they were traffickers? The thought made bile rise in my throat. I hadn’t even seen their faces yet. Were they planning to sell me? Use me?

My family would notice I was missing soon. They’d search. They’d tear the city apart looking for me. Of course they would.

Unless… unless these people really had taken me somewhere no one could find me.

The irony burned. This was exactly what I’d planned to do to Idara—trap her, break her, make her suffer for everything she’d taken from me. I’d had it all mapped out: the perfect revenge.

And now here I was, caged in the dark, tasting the same terror I’d intended for her.

Suddenly, multiple footsteps echoed down the hallway—heavy, deliberate, coming closer.

I shot to my feet and pressed myself into the far corner, heart slamming against my ribs.

Three figures emerged from the shadows. Two men and one woman, all dressed in sharp black suits, moving with the cold efficiency of people who answered to someone very powerful. Government? Mercenaries? I couldn’t tell.

But one of them… I noticed him immediately.

He stood slightly ahead of the others, eyes locked on me through the bars. His stare was lethal—pure, unfiltered hatred. If looks could kill, I’d already be bleeding out on the floor.

My pulse roared in my ears. Fear spiked so sharply I could barely breathe.

The second man stepped forward, produced a key, and unlocked the gate with a metallic clank.

The heavy bars swung open.