Chapter 311

Chapter 311
Freya

My grip tightened around Selina's throat.

Before Selina could react, I lifted her clean off the ground, my Alpha strength making her weight seem like nothing. Her feet dangled as she clawed at my hand, gasping for air.

"I can grant you an opportunity for liberation," I said coldly, "as long as you tell me who that woman is. I can send you abroad immediately, far away from whoever's been controlling you."

Selina's eyes lit up with desperate hope, but then something shifted in her expression.

"That's not what I want," she gasped out. "I want Bella! Hand her over to me, and I'll tell you anything you want to know. One Bella for one answer—seems like a fair trade, doesn't it?"

This pathetic Beta, who'd been someone's prisoner until today, thought she could negotiate for my best friend's life?

I didn't hesitate. My knee connected with her stomach hard enough to double her over, sending her crashing to the floor.

"You lunatic!" she screamed, clutching her abdomen as cold sweat broke out across her forehead.

I looked down at her with pure contempt. "You're in my hands now. Do you really think you have any right to negotiate with me? If you don't tell me who that woman is, I can send you to the council right now and let you rot in prison for life. You're the one in the passive position here."

Selina's face turned ugly with rage. She ground her teeth and glared up at me. "If you dare send me in, you'll never know who that person is!"

Yet, I wasn't impressed by her threats. I grabbed her hair and pressed her face against the cold floor. "I can trace back along the route you escaped from. It might be troublesome, but it's not impossible."

The color drained from Selina's face. She'd thought she had leverage over me, but I'd just turned the tables completely.

"Fine!" she spat, her tone becoming much weaker. "I only know that woman has a very obvious mole on her neck. Her voice is sweet. Long hair, oval face. And when she shifts...Her wolf is pure white."

My mind immediately locked onto one person. Lyra.

Among everyone I knew, only Lyra fit that description perfectly—the white wolf bloodline she was so proud of, that honeyed voice she used to manipulate others.

But how could Lyra have the resources to hide Selina for so long without being discovered? And more importantly, who was giving her orders?

"I've told you what you wanted to know," Selina said, trying to sound defiant despite her position on the floor. "Now you have to let me go."

I regarded her with cold indifference. "I can let you go, but only after the council have made their judgment. If they determine you're innocent, you'll naturally be released."

"You lied to me!" Selina's eyes widened in fury. "Freya, you bitch! I told you those details in good faith, and you dare trick me like this!"

I smiled.

Before Selina could curse me again, Lucas's security team dragged her away. Her shouts echoed down the hallway until they faded completely.

I walked over and sat beside Lucas, my mind racing with possibilities.

I murmured, "Lyra. How could she have the resources to pull this off alone?"

Lucas looked thoughtful. "She must have someone behind her. Lyra's just a puppet—we need to find whoever's pulling her strings."

I stared out the window, frost settling over my expression. "Then let's draw the snake out of its hole. Time to see who's really behind this."

---

Lyra

I had been agonizing over how to continue flirting with Valor, trying to figure out the perfect way to make him fall in love with me.

When my phone rang with an unknown number, I hesitated before answering.

"Hello?" I answered cautiously.

"Is this Lyra Welch?"

My heart nearly stopped. Valor's voice! I was so shocked I almost jumped out of my chair.

"Yes, yes it's me!" I tried to keep the excitement out of my voice, but I could hear it trembling slightly. "Alpha Valor, how did you get my phone number?"

He seemed embarrassed, clearing his throat softly before speaking slowly. "I asked around for it. I've been thinking about our previous encounters, and I realize my behavior toward you was really inappropriate. Could I invite you out for dinner so I can apologize to you in person?"

My eyes immediately lit up with pure joy. This was perfect! This was exactly what I'd been hoping for!

As long as I could meet Valor face to face, I was confident I could make him fall in love with me. I knew exactly how to appeal to Alphas.

The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. After quickly arranging a time and place with Valor, I rushed to my walk-in closet and began pulling out outfit after outfit.

I needed something that showed off my pure white wolf heritage—something that screamed elegance and breeding. I tried on more than a dozen different combinations, studying myself in the full-length mirror from every angle.

The white silk dress caught my eye immediately.

I spent nearly an hour on my hair and makeup, making sure every detail was flawless. This was my chance—I couldn't afford to mess it up.

When I finally arrived at the coffee shop we'd agreed on, I felt confident and radiant.

"Alpha Valor," I said as I approached his table, giving him my most dazzling smile. "You've become even more handsome in just these few days."

Valor had been staring out the window, lost in thought about something. When I stepped into his line of sight, his reaction was... unexpected. He looked almost startled, like he'd seen something alarming.

Maybe he was just nervous? I'd have to take the lead, show him how easy it could be between us.

This was my moment. I wasn't going to let it slip away.