CHAPTER 74

Lycus POV

I clenched my jaw, turning to Sasha with a cold, piercing glare. “You pushed her?” My voice was low, deadly, laced with the kind of fury that made the air feel heavier.

Sasha’s eyes widened, then narrowed in outrage. “Are you serious right now? I never even touched her!” She scoffed, folding her arms. “She’s such a bitch, playing the victim.”

A soft shiver ran through Aneles as she curled slightly in my arms, her fingers clutching weakly at my shirt. “Please…” Her voice trembled. “I want to leave… Please help me.”

I exhaled sharply, forcing down the storm building inside me. I turned to the pack members gathered around, their hushed whispers filling the space. “Someone call the emergency services,” I ordered.

Then, shifting my gaze back to Sasha, I let my voice drop into a tone that brokered no argument. “You’re a suspect in a crime. Don’t go anywhere.” I motioned to the guards. “Take her to her room. Make sure she doesn’t leave until I call for her.”

Sasha let out an incredulous laugh, then stomped her foot like a child throwing a tantrum. “This is a damn setup!” she shouted, her voice rising. “She’s lying, Lycus! You’re making a mistake!”

I didn’t stop. I didn’t even spare her a glance. My focus was on getting Aneles out of there, getting her checked, making sure she was stable.

As I carried her away, her weight light in my arms, a strange thought crept into my mind—one I couldn’t shake no matter how much I wanted to.

Was Sasha really telling the truth? Or was Aneles?

The emergency services arrived quickly, their movements efficient as they transferred Aneles onto a stretcher. She let out a soft whimper, her fingers gripping weakly at my sleeve.

“Lycus…” Her voice was fragile, pleading. “Please… stay with me.”

I shook my head, my expression unreadable. “You’re in good hands.” My voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Her grip loosened, and she let her hand fall, her eyes dimming with disappointment as the medics wheeled her away. I watched until she disappeared from sight, then turned on my heel, my jaw tight as I stalked toward Sasha’s room.

The guards stepped aside as I pushed the door open. Sasha was pacing, arms crossed, agitation rolling off her in waves. The moment she saw me, she spun around, her lips curling into a smirk that didn’t quite hide the fire in her eyes.

“Finally,” she huffed. “Are you actually going to listen now, or am I still the villain in this little setup?”

I crossed my arms, leveling her with a cold stare. “Just tell me what happened.”

Sasha rolled her eyes but exhaled sharply. “Fine. I wanted to meet this bitch, see what all the fuss was about. But when I approached her, she completely ignored me. Like I didn’t even exist.” She let out a sharp laugh. “I hate being disrespected, so yeah, I got closer and said something. And you know what she did?”

I didn’t answer, just waited.

“She gave me this scornful little look and said, ‘I don’t talk to the likes of you.’” Sasha’s lips curled in disgust. “Like I was dirt under her shoe.”

My jaw tightened. “Get to the point, Sasha.”

She smirked, but I could see the frustration flickering in her eyes. “I’m getting there. I may have… joked a little. Told her about how you and I used to have a thing and that maybe—just maybe—there was a chance we’d get back together.”

I scoffed. “That’s ridiculous.”

Sasha grinned. “I know. But the way she reacted? You’d think I told her the world was ending.”

I narrowed my eyes. “And then she just… fell?”

Sasha shook her head, her smirk fading. “No. That’s not all.” She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. “After I told her that Ariana’s in your heart now, that not even her looks could change that, she got this… eerie look in her eyes. And then she said—” Sasha’s voice dropped, mocking a soft, breathy tone, “‘I will have Lycus in my arms soon.’”

She said that?

Sasha let out a humorless chuckle. “Creepy, right? But that’s not even the weirdest part. She suddenly grabbed me—yanked me closer. I swear, Lycus, her grip was strong as hell. Like she wasn’t going to let go.”

I stayed silent, waiting for her to continue.

“I tried to pull away,” Sasha said, frowning now. “I thought she was going crazy. And then—just like that—she screamed and threw herself down the stairs.” She scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Tell me that doesn’t sound like a setup.”

I exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over my face. Sasha wasn’t exactly the most trustworthy person when it came to other women, especially ones who got my attention. She’d do anything to sabotage them. But would she really go this far?

And then there was Aneles.

Sweet, innocent Aneles.

Would she throw herself down the stairs just to frame Sasha?

I clenched my jaw. “So you’re telling me she pushed herself?”

Sasha threw up her hands. “I’m telling you she’s not as innocent as she looks. And if you don’t open your eyes, she’s going to make you regret it.”

I exhaled sharply, pushing back my frustration. “You’re staying in this room until this is sorted out.”

Sasha huffed, crossing her arms. “Fine. But if you don’t believe me, check the damn cameras. See for yourself.”

I didn’t reply. Instead, I turned on my heel and walked out, shutting the door behind me. Two guards stood outside, their expressions unreadable. “No one goes in or out unless I say so,” I ordered.

They nodded, and I strode away, my thoughts a tangled mess.

Checking the security footage was an obvious step, but first, I needed to see Aneles.

By the time I reached the infirmary, the scent of antiseptic filled my nose. A pack healer noticed me and immediately stepped forward. “Alpha,” she greeted with a small bow.

“How is she?” I asked, my voice even.

“The fall was severe,” she admitted, “but she’ll recover. She’s resting now.”

I nodded, but my jaw remained tight. Good. That meant she’d be able to talk soon.

And when she did, I’d get the truth.