Chapter 234 234

Chapter 234 234
Nova's POV

Caden's hands flattened on the desk, his knuckles white. "You tried to have her killed. Explain to me how that protects anyone."
"She makes you weak." Zayn's voice held conviction, like he genuinely believed what he was saying. "Everyone sees it. Since she came back, you've been distracted, divided. The pack needs a strong Alpha, not one who's being manipulated by an outsider."
"I was once a member of this pack too," I said quietly.
Zayn's eyes flicked to me briefly, dismissively. "You always acted like you were too good for us. Even when you were Luna, you looked down on the rest of the pack, kept everyone at arm's length like we weren't worth your time."
Many of us were glad when you finally did the right thing and divorced her, Alpha. We thought you were finally free of someone who brought nothing but embarrassment to this pack. But somehow she still managed to worm her way back, and now look at us. Our reputation among the packs is in shreds All because of her and her pack! We've become a laughing stock!”
I stood frozen, stunned by the sheer vitriol in his voice. The false claim that I'd been the distant one, the stuck-up Luna who thought herself above them, when the truth was so different it made my chest ache. They had given me the cold shoulder from the start. From the moment Caden brought me home as his mate, the pack had made it clear I didn't belong. Too low-born. Too weak. Unworthy of being their Alpha's Luna. I hadn't kept them at arm's length. They'd built the wall between us and blamed me for not tearing it down.
"She's also the mother of my son," Caden said, his voice edged with anger. "Or did you forget that detail while you were plotting with our enemies?"
Zayn's jaw tightened. "That doesn't change what she is. What she's always been."
"And what's that?" Caden took another step closer to him.
"A weakness. Your weakness." Zayn met his eyes. "She never belonged here, Alpha. Deep down, you know that. The pack knows it. Even she knows it, or she wouldn't have left the first chance she got."
"How many people in this pack share your views, Zayn? And don't lie to me."
"Enough." Zayn lifted his chin. "Enough that we started talking about what needed to be done. About how to help you see clearly again."
"By killing Nova."
"By removing the problem." Zayn's jaw tightened. "We didn't want to hurt her, just wanted to scare her off, Alpha. She's a poison, and the longer she stays, the weaker you become in the eyes of the pack. In the eyes of other Alphas watching to see how you handle this."
Caden circled around the desk slowly, each step deliberate. "Give me a number, Zayn."
"Fifteen of us. Maybe more by now." There was almost pride in his voice. "Young wolves who've been with you since the war, who've bled for this pack, who want to see you strong again."
"And Lucas Steele?" Caden stopped a few feet from Zayn's chair. "How does he fit into your little protection scheme?"
For the first time, Zayn looked uncomfortable. "That wasn't my idea."
"So walk me through it. How did you come to be working with Lucas?”
"After those Strongvale bastards came into our territory, rumors started to spread about a huge falling out you had with Alpha Lucas. Word was, it was caused by Nova when she lied and accused Alpha Lucas of harassing her. You fell for her lies and fought with Alpha Lucas, who'd been your best friend since before you became alpha. And yet, everyone knows that Nova was barely out of your bed before she was opening her legs f–"
It happened so fast I barely registered it. One second, Caden was standing by the desk, the next he had Zayn by the throat, lifting him partially out of the chair. But it wasn't just Caden's hand around Zayn's neck. It was the voice that came out of his mouth, deeper, rougher, layered with something inhuman.
"Say that again." Shadow's voice bled through Caden's words, making the air in the room feel charged and dangerous. "I dare you."
Zayn's eyes went wide with fear, his bound hands coming up instinctively to claw at Caden's grip.
"Caden, stop! I moved quickly, crossing the space between us and putting my hand on Caden's arm. "Caden, don't hurt him, let go.”
His whole body was coiled tight, ready to strike, with a simple flick of his wrist, he could snap Zayn's neck. I couldn't let that happen.
“Caden." I said, my voice softer, pleading, letting Kia’s voice blend with mine, hoping she could appeal to Shadow who seemed to be in control at the moment. At the sound, the tension in Caden seemed to ease a little, but he still held the boy up and his face was already turning a shade of blue.
I touched Caden's shoulder, pressing down against the tense muscles. "Please, Caden, listen to me. Let him go.”
The touch seemed to break through whatever had taken hold of him. His eyes, which had been flickering between blue and gold, settled back to normal. His grip on Zayn's throat loosened, though he didn't let go completely.
"Calm down," I said quietly, my hand still on his arm, stroking lightly. "He's not worth it."
Caden's jaw worked, the muscle ticking as he fought for control. Finally, he released Zayn and stepped back, his breathing harsh.
Zayn slumped in the chair, gasping, one hand going to his throat. The fear in his eyes was sharp now, real. He'd just gotten a glimpse of what Caden could do if he truly lost control, and it had terrified him.
Caden's voice, when he spoke again, was cold and controlled, but the fury underneath was still there, coiled tight. "That lie. Where did you hear it?"
Zayn swallowed hard, still rubbing his throat. "Eli told me. Eli Webb. My high school buddy. He’s from Blue Ridge pack, the same pack as Alpha Lucas."
"And he fed you this story."
"He said it was common knowledge in Blueridge. That everyone there knows what really happened between you and Alpha Lucas." Zayn's voice was hoarse. "That she came between you with false accusations. That you destroyed years of friendship over lies."
"And you believed him."
"Why wouldn't I?" Zayn met Caden's eyes, some of the defiance creeping back now that he could breathe again. "It made sense, Alpha. You and Alpha Lucas were inseparable for years. Then she showed up again and suddenly you cut all ties with him. What else were we supposed to think?"
Caden's hands clenched at his sides. "You were supposed to trust that your Alpha knows what he's doing. That maybe, just maybe, there was a damn good reason I ended that friendship."
"But you never told us the reason."
"Because it wasn't pack business." Caden's voice was sharp. "My personal relationships aren't up for debate or speculation. And the fact that you took the word of someone from another pack over your own Alpha tells me everything I need to know about your judgment."
Zayn flinched but didn't back down. "Eli had details. He made it sound believable."
"Of course he did. Because Lucas has been spinning that narrative for years." Caden leaned against the desk, his posture deceptively casual but his eyes still blazing. "Let me tell you what actually happened at that club."
By the time Caden finished, the color had drained from Zayn's face.