Chapter 50 Trap

Chapter 50 Trap
The hum of the SUV’s powerful engine was the only sound cutting through the tense, heavy atmosphere inside the cabin. Godwin drove with a focused, steady hand, his eyes occasionally shifting to the rear-view mirror to watch Charles. The Alpha’s dark gold eyes were practically glowing in the dim light of the back seat, his fingers digging into the leather armrest with enough force to tear the stitching.

Godwin cleared his throat, his tone softening slightly but remaining stubborn. "Alpha, I still think we should have called for the secondary team. The Walter estate might not have our pack numbers, but rolling up to a rival pack's old territory with just the two of us is a bit of a stretch, even for you."

Charles didn't look at him. His voice came out as a low, dangerous rumble that vibrated through the floorboards. "Are you forgetting that my wife is a human, Godwin?"

Godwin blinked, his manicured fingers relaxing on the steering wheel as a sudden realization dawned on him. He let out a soft, dramatic gasp, tossing his head back slightly. "Oh, I totally forgot. A beautiful, diva human. Of course. No pack lineage to worry about over there."

"Exactly," Charles hissed, his gaze returning to the tablet screen where the loop of Harriet sneaking into the estate played over and over. "There is no rival wolf lineage waiting for us. Just a family of pathetic humans who think they can play games with my mate."

"Well, human or not, they certainly know how to cause a scene," Godwin murmured, turning the heavy vehicle down the long, shadowed avenue that led to the Walter gates.

The SUV crunched over the gravel driveway, pulling up to the front of the grand, brightly lit mansion. The estate looked pristine, but there was an eerie quietness to the air. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Charles pushed his door open. Godwin was quick to follow, his boots clicking in a hurried rhythm to keep up with his Alpha’s long, furious strides.

Two security guards in uniform stepped out from the side lodge, their hands instinctively moving toward their belts. But the moment they saw the towering figure of Charles Edwin, their postures crumbled.

"Mr. Edwin," the lead guard stammered, bowing his head slightly in sheer submission to the raw aura rolling off the Alpha. "The master and mistress are not home this evening. They are attending a charity dinner in the upper district."

"I am not here for them," Charles growled, his voice cutting through the cool night air like a blade. "Where is Hayley?"

The guard swallowed hard, shifting his weight. "Miss Hayley is inside, sir. In the main drawing-room, but—"

Charles didn't wait for him to finish. He marched past the guards, his chest heaving with a dark, uncontrolled rage.

"Charles! Wait!" Godwin called out, running after him. His usually perfectly composed face was tight with worry as he reached for Charles's sleeve. "Control your anger, boss. We don't need a public scandal before the gala. Just breathe!"

Charles ignored him entirely. He threw the heavy double doors of the mansion open, the wood slamming against the interior walls with a deafening bang. He strode into the grand, white-tiled foyer, his presence completely consuming the space.

Stepping into the massive living room, Charles let out a roar that rattled the crystal chandelier hanging overhead.

"Hayley!" his voice boomed, thick with animalistic fury. "Come outside now!"

A door at the far end of the hallway creaked open. Hayley emerged, wearing a soft silk lounge robe. She took slow, fragile steps, winces crossing her face as she acted like her legs were still in deep pain from her recent accident. "Charles? What is the meaning of—"

Before she could finish the sentence, Charles blurred across the room.

His hand clamped around her throat like a vice. With a single, fluid motion of terrifying strength, he lifted her slightly off her feet and slammed her hard against the concrete wall. The framed paintings on either side of her rattled violently.

"Charles, stop!" Godwin yelled, rushing into the room. He grabbed Charles’s massive forearm, trying to pull his grip loose. "You're going to kill her! Let go!"

"Back off, Godwin!" Charles roared.

Without breaking his grip on Hayley, Charles unleashed a wave of his raw Alpha power. The heavy, suffocating pressure hit the room like a physical shockwave. Godwin, being an omega, gasped as the sheer dominant force pressed down on his chest, forcing him to stumble back several steps, his knees trembling under the weight of the command. He could only watch, his teeth grit in frustration.

Hayley gasped for air, her hands clawing desperately at Charles's iron fingers. Her face turned a dangerous shade of red, but she forced her eyes to look wide, innocent, and terrified. "What... what is going on?" she choked out, her voice a tiny, pathetic whisper. "Charles... I don't... I don't know what I did..."

"Pretend all you want, you little snake," Charles hissed, his face inches from hers, his eyes glowing a lethal, brilliant gold. "Go ahead and play the victim. I am going to expose every single lie you and Taylor built, and when I do, there wont be enough of you left to bury. But let this be your first and final warning."

He squeezed her throat just a fraction tighter, making her let out a weak whimpering sound.

"You stay away from my wife," Charles growled, his voice dropping into a flat, terrifying promise. "You never speak to her. You never send her notes. You never try to poison her mind again. You will sit in this house and focus on your pathetic, shallow influencer YouTube lifestyle. Don't you dare think for a single second that I won't harm you just because you share her face. Killing a human like you is absolutely nothing to me."

Hayley’s eyes filled with real terror as she stared into the eyes of a true monster. She nodded weakly, her hands trembling against his wrists.

With a look of pure disgust, Charles opened his hand, letting go of her neck.

Hayley collapsed to the floor in a heap, clutching her throat and coughing violently as she drew in ragged breaths of air. Charles didn't look back at her. He turned on his heel, his coat snapping around him as he marched out of the living room.

Godwin shot Hayley a cold, warning look before quickly turning to follow his Alpha out of the mansion, the heavy front doors slamming shut behind them.

The moment the sound of their SUV fading down the driveway echoed through the quiet house, the weak, trembling expression on Hayley’s face vanished completely.

She slowly stood up, smoothing down her silk robe. A dark, vicious smirk spread across her lips. She looked up at the corner of the ceiling, staring directly into the small, blinking red light of a hidden security camera.

She walked over to the side table, picked up her phone, and dialed a number.

"It's me," Hayley said, her voice completely smooth and devoid of any pain as she stared at the camera. "We got him. Send the video to her right now."