Chapter 91 — Shadows on the Road
The road stretched endlessly ahead of us, smooth and quiet, framed by tall trees that whispered as the wind brushed past their leaves. The car hummed beneath me, steady and controlled, but my body was anything but calm.
I sat beside Edward, my hands folded neatly in my lap, yet every part of me felt awake–too awake. The scent of leather from the seats was sharp in my nose. I could hear the rhythmic turn of the tires against the road, the low murmur of Titan and the guard exchanging short, professional words in the front. Even the air felt alive, brushing against my skin through the slightly open window.
Something felt… off.
I didn’t know how to explain it, but my chest felt tight, like a warning I couldn’t yet name.
Edward’s phone vibrated in his hand.
He glanced at the screen and answered immediately.
“Yes, Ma’am Albright.”
I wasn’t trying to listen, truly. But my hearing picked up her voice anyway, faint but urgent through the speaker.
“She left the mansion almost immediately after you,” Ma’am Albright said. “I thought you should know.”
Edward’s jaw tightened, just slightly. “Thank you for informing me,” he replied calmly.
He ended the call, his thumb lingering on the screen for a brief second longer than necessary.
I turned to him. “Edward?”
Before he could answer, he leaned forward a little. “Titan,” he said evenly, his voice firm but controlled. “Check if we’re being followed.”
Titan didn’t even hesitate. His eyes shifted to the side mirror, then the rearview mirror, his posture subtly changing. “Yes,” he replied after a moment. “There’s a car maintaining distance. Same turns, same speed.”
The guard beside him straightened, alert.
Titan glanced back briefly. “Do you want me to handle it?”
“No,” Edward said. His tone left no room for argument. “I’ll take care of it.”
My heart skipped.
I swallowed and looked at him fully now. “Is there a problem?” I asked quietly. “Who’s following us? Is it Vivian?” I needed to confirm if Ma’am Albright was referring to Vivian on the call.
Edward turned to me then, really looked at me. His expression softened immediately, the tension easing from his eyes.
“It’s Vivian,” he said gently. “But don’t worry, Elara. It’s nothing. I will handle it.”
Vivian. The name alone made my stomach twist.
I nodded, even though unease crawled up my spine. “Alright,” I said, trusting him more than my fear.
Still, I could feel it–her presence somewhere behind us, like a shadow clinging too close.
Edward leaned back against his seat, but I could tell his mind was working rapidly. His fingers tapped once against his thigh, a small, thoughtful gesture.
He didn’t want her near us–not even for a moment. He didn’t know what Vivian might be planning, and that was reason enough to keep her at a distance. He refused to let her interfere, to let her taint a memory that was meant to be beautiful. “Not today Vivian” He said to himself.
After a moment, he picked up his phone again and dialed a number.
“Ma’am Albright,” he said when she answered. “Which of the drivers took Vivian out?”
There was a brief pause. “Slade,” she replied.
“Thank you,” Edward said. “That’s all.”
He ended the call and immediately dialed again.
This time, when the call connected, his voice sharpened–commanding, Alpha in every sense.
“Slade.”
“Yes, sir,” came the quick reply.
“Turn the car around immediately and take Vivian back to the mansion,” Edward ordered.
“Yes, Alpha,” Slade responded without hesitation.
Edward ended the call, his face calm once more, as if nothing unusual had just happened.
I exhaled slowly, unaware I’d been holding my breath.
“She’ll turn back now,” Edward said, glancing at me. “Everything is okay”
I nodded again, grateful… but something still wouldn’t settle in my chest.
Miles behind us, in the trailing car, everything changed in seconds.
Vivian had been watching Edward’s car through the windshield, her nails digging into her palms, her jaw clenched so tightly it ached. When Slade’s phone buzzed and he answered, she barely paid attention–until his expression shifted.
“Yes, Alpha,” Slade said, then ended the call.
Without a word, he began to slow down and turned the steering wheel.
“What are you doing?” Vivian snapped, her head whipping toward him.
“I’m sorry, Miss Vivian,” Slade said stiffly. “I’ve been ordered to take you back to the mansion.”
Her eyes widened. “What?” Her voice rose sharply. “No. Turn back. Follow them!”
“I can’t,” he replied. “Those are my orders.”
Rage exploded inside her.
“You listen to me!” she shouted, grabbing the steering wheel suddenly. “You will not turn this car around!”
“Luna, please Miss Vivian!” Slade struggled to keep control as the car swerved violently.
The tires screeched against the road.
“Let go!” he yelled.
But Vivian didn’t hear him–or didn’t care.
The car jerked sharply to the side, veering off its path. A massive tree loomed ahead, far too close, far too fast.
“Vivian!” Slade shouted, fighting the wheel with all his strength.
The car sped toward the tree. In that terrifying instant, everything hung on the edge of disaster.