Chapter 24 Perfect marker

Chapter 24 Perfect marker
TALIA POV

I did just hear him right. My breath hitched, chest tightening as disbelief settled heavily inside me. I leaned closer to the door, pressing my ear firmly against it, my fingers bracing against the wall as I tried to steady myself, and I heard him clearly.

“ No one wants a naive woman, not just any woman. A woman like her.”

Zane’s voice filled the room.

My stomach dropped instantly. My jaw clenched so hard it hurt, my teeth grinding together as anger surged through me, hot and suffocating. My fingers curled slowly into my palm, nails digging into my skin.

“She’s naïve… and easily manipulated.”

He burst into laughter again.

My breath came out sharp and shaky, my chest rising and falling unevenly. My shoulders stiffened, my entire body going rigid as humiliation crept under my skin like poison.

“There’s something I don’t understand.”

The other voice spoke, calmer, curious.

“What don’t you understand, Moretti?”

Zane’s tone sharpened.

Moretti.

My brows furrowed deeply, my lips parting slightly as realization dawned on me. That name… Beta Moretti. So he was in there too.

Moretti, isn’t that his Beta? So the other person in the room is Beta Moretti.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry, my heart beginning to pound louder in my chest.

I had heard enough.

My hand clenched into a fist, rising slowly toward the door, my arm trembling with the urge to throw it open—but my movement halted midway, my hand freezing in the air as doubt and hesitation gripped me.

“Alpha Liam knows you’ve marked Tella, so why doesn’t he admit it and let you claim her?”

Moretti’s voice came again, sharper this time, though it softened slightly toward the end.

A cold chill ran down my spine, spreading through my entire body. My fingers twitched, my nails pressing deeper into my palm.

“His ego.”

Zane scoffed, his voice loud, echoing through the walls.

“Liam is a proud fool. He doesn’t mind being used as a pawn if it benefits him.”

My breathing hitched painfully, my chest tightening as if something was squeezing it. My eyes widened slightly, shock flickering across my face.

I heard footsteps.

My body tensed instantly, my back straightening, my ears straining.

“But he made a mistake.”

Zane’s voice dropped lower, darker, heavier.

“His loss is my gain… and Tella is suffering.”

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

A sharp, shaky breath escaped me as I staggered backward, my back hitting the wall behind me. The impact sent a dull ache through my body, but I barely felt it. My head spun slightly, my vision blurring at the edges as everything sank in.

What the hell was I doing?

My brows knitted together tightly, my lips trembling slightly as confusion and anger clashed inside me.

Why was I letting these two brothers play me like this?

My chest rose and fell heavily, my breathing uneven as frustration clawed at me.

Was I really nothing more than a game to them?

A pawn in their game?

A hollow laugh forced its way out of me, but it sounded broken, empty. My shoulders sagged slightly, the weight of it all pressing down on me.

I already knew I wasn’t good at choosing.

First, my family.

Now… this.

Now I was being played by two brothers.

My eyes burned as tears gathered, clinging stubbornly to my lashes. My vision blurred, the hallway in front of me becoming unclear. I blinked rapidly, my brows tightening as I fought to hold them back.

No.

I wasn’t going to cry.

Not here.

Not because of them.

I lifted my hand quickly, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand, my fingers slightly shaky. My jaw tightened again as I forced myself to steady my breathing.

Only Liam had the answer to this.

I sniffed softly, my nose stinging slightly, as I began to walk away. My steps were slow at first, heavy, my legs trembling with each movement like they could give out at any moment.

The walls felt too close.

Too tight.

Like they were closing in on me.

My breathing quickened, my chest rising faster as panic tried to creep in.

My pace picked up without me realizing it, my footsteps echoing faintly as I reached Liam’s room. My hand hovered in front of the door for a brief second, my fingers twitching slightly.

I didn’t bother knocking.

I pushed the door open.

The door banged lightly against the wall.

Liam lifted his head immediately, his eyes landing on me. His expression didn’t change much—just that same uninterested, almost bored look on his face.

“Did you enter the wrong room?”

He questioned, his voice calm, almost lazy, as he crossed his legs and leaned back against the bed.

My face tightened instantly, anger flashing across my eyes.

“Oh please, I entered the right room.”

My voice came out sharper than I intended, my chin lifting slightly in defiance.

He didn’t respond.

Instead, he simply picked up a magazine, flipping it open as if I wasn’t even standing there.

My fingers curled at my sides again, my nails digging into my palm as irritation surged through me. My chest rose sharply, my breathing uneven as I stared at him, waiting and burning, for a reaction.

He seemed uninterested and that made me fume with anger. I walked towards him and grab the paper from book from his hand, I flipped it away.

“Whats wrong with you Talia?” He asked, getting up.

“Whats wrong with me?” I asked, “why did you lie to me Liam you did not only lie to me you lied to everyone. Do you get off on that?” I asked, staring into his eyes deeply.

“What are you talking about Talia ?I didn’t lie to anyone” he said as he walked away.

I grabbed his hand and swung him to face me. “You said Zane marked me right?” I asked, my nails digging into his wrist, even though his arm was big and lengthy I still tried to wrap my tiny hands around his wrist.

“Yes, Zane marked you, he said it infront of everyone” Liam said not paying attention.

“Guess what? I know the truth, Liam you didn’t mark me the moment Zane did.” I said, my words caught his attention.

He yanked his arm from my grip and faced the window.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Tella, so calmly” he said as he crossed his arm.

I walked closer to him, closing the space between us. “Tell me the fucking truth Liam,” I said, anger in my voice.

“The truth is that I didn’t mark you Talia, Zane did. this must be a part of his plan.” he said, his voice came out soft and low.

He sounded believable, his words sounded true but I don’t want to trust him.

“Listen Tella,” he said, facing me. “Zane must have just said that, I don’t know what he is thinking. I’m sure he knew you were outside so he’s testing you” he said, his thin long fingers ran through his hair.

“Testing me?” I said, pulling my brows together.

“Yes, he’s your husband so ask him” Liam said.

I was about uttering another word when the door opens and Enzo walked in. “There’s something important going on, your attention is needed Alpha” Enzo said.