Chapter 281 No More Games

Chapter 281 No More Games

TRISTAN

"Alpha, what happened?" Daniel’s voice echoed against the cold stone walls of the cell.

He stepped over the threshold, his gaze darting from me to the cooling body on the floor.

He didn't need to ask if she was dead... the way she lay, limp and final, told him everything.
He knelt beside her, his eyes narrowing as he scanned her body. "How did she get a blade in here?"

I stood there, my chest heaving, the adrenaline slowly draining out of me. I didn't bother answering his question. It didn't matter anymore. "I don't know, and honestly, she just made things easier for us."

I reached up and pulled my shirt over my head. It was soaked in Livia’s blood, heavy and sticky against my skin. I dropped it onto the floor, the fabric hitting the stone with a wet thud.

Daniel stood up, his face grim. He whistled for a guard standing in the hallway. "Get the Alpha a clean shirt," he commanded, then turned back to me. "Did she say anything before she went?"

I looked down at my own body. My white singlet was ruined, stained with jagged streaks of red. I peeled the garment off my torso and used it to wipe the blood from my skin, feeling the copper scent of it cling to my nostrils. "She did," I said, my voice low and steady. "Doctor Selene from Crescent Park. Does that name ring a bell?"

Daniel went still. The silence stretched between us, thick and heavy, as he sifted through his memories. His eyes suddenly widened. "Wait… isn't she the one who works with Miss Moonrack? Her colleague at the hospital?"

The pieces clicked into place instantly.

Selene.

I knew her.

I knew exactly who she was. She was the one who had been a constant thorn in Yelena’s side, the one who had made her life miserable at work.

Her uncle had already been tossed into a prison cell for his own twisted schemes, I guess corruption just ran in their blood. Now that I knew she was the mastermind behind the attacks, her days were numbered.

"Yes, she's the one," Daniel muttered, answering his own question. A cold, sharp smile touched my lips as I looked at him.

"Clean this up," I ordered, gesturing to the floor. "I’m leaving for Crescent Pack immediately."

Daniel’s expression shifted to one of concern. He took a step toward me. "Alpha, maybe I should handle this. Your wedding is just around the corner. You shouldn't be stressing yourself with this kind of mess."

"No," I cut him off, my tone leaving no room for argument. "I’m going. I’m not letting anything stand in the way of my wedding, and I’m certainly not letting anyone hinder us afterward. You know what to do. Contact their Alpha. Tell him I’m coming, and tell him exactly why."

Daniel bowed his head, accepting the order. The guard returned, holding a crisp, clean shirt in a package. I ripped it open and pulled the fabric on, the scent of fresh cotton a welcome relief from the smell of death in the cell.

"See you soon, Daniel," I said, turning on my heel and walking out of the dungeon.

The walk to my car felt like a blur. I needed to see Yelena. I needed to tell her that the person who had been tormenting her was finally stepping out of the shadows.

I drove home, my mind already calculating the quickest way to tear down Crescent Pack’s walls if they tried to protect that woman.

When I reached the front door, I rang the bell. Seconds later, Aria pulled it open, her face lighting up when she saw me. "Alpha," she greeted, bowing slightly.

"Daddy!"

Claire came thundering down, slamming into my legs with a force that made me stumble. I looked down, my heart softening despite the darkness I had just left.

Yelena was sitting nearby, Tyla resting securely in her lap.

"My princess," I said, reaching down to grab Claire’s hand. I couldn't pull her into a full hug, not yet.

I was still covered in the faint, lingering scent of the cell. I was terrified she’d smell it, or worse, see the stray droplets I’d missed on my skin.

I walked over to Yelena, leaning down to press a quick, lingering kiss to her cheek. As I pulled away, she narrowed her eyes at me. Her nose twitched, her wolf instincts far sharper than any human's.

"Why are you smelling like that?" she asked. It wasn't a question; it was an accusation.

I sighed, her wolf was too sharp for her own good. "I’ll explain inside," I whispered, keeping my voice low. She looked at me, then turned her gaze toward Aria.

"Aria," Yelena called out.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Help me with Tyla, please. I need to take care of something upstairs," Yelena said, gently handing the baby over.

Aria nodded and took the child.

Yelena turned to the living room area. "Aria, put on a cartoon for Claire, will you?"

"Yes, ma'am," Aria responded, and the room filled with the sound of music and laughter as the TV flickered to life.

Yelena stood up and walked toward the stairs, and I followed, my shoes heavy on the stairs. We climbed to our room, and as soon as we were inside, I kicked the door shut behind us. I pushed her gently until her back rested against the wood, my hands immediately moving to the buttons on my shirt.

She let out a soft, playful chuckle, her eyes searching mine. "This... wasn't the reason you called me upstairs, was it?"

"It’s part of it," I said, leaning down, my lips grazing hers. I wanted to lose myself in her, to wash away the memory of the cell.

When we finally broke apart, she rested her forehead against mine, her eyes searching my face with a worried glint. "Tristan," she said, her voice turning serious. "Why do you smell of blood?"