Chapter 73 Desperate Me
Chapter 73: Desperate Measures–2
“You would do that?” I whispered, hope flickering to life inside me.
“Of course,” he said simply. “The Pierce siblings are important to you, which makes thern important to me?
His words wrapped around me like a protective embrace, soothing both me and my wolf. The genuine care in his expression made my heart swell with gratitude.
“We’ll find a match for Leah,” Connor promised, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “And I’ll ensure Noah
receives the best care and rehabilitation available.”
Relief washed over me, easing the tension that had been building all day. “Thank you, Con.”
He smiled, lifting my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. “Now, will you try to enjoy your dinner? The chef will be offended if you don’t at least taste the venison. It’s his specialty.”
For the first time that day, I felt the weight lift slightly from my shoulders. With Connor’s support, I could face
whatever challenges lay ahead.
“I think I can manage that,” I replied, returning his smile.
(Connor’s POV)
After spending the evening at Olivia’s apartment in Moonlight Gardens, I reluctantly took my leave. Her scent clung to my clothes–a comforting mixture of honey and wildflowers that kept my wolf calm despite the
storm brewing within me.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I promised, brushing my lips against her forehead.
Her amber eyes, warm with affection, met mine. “Be careful, Con.”
The drive to my private estate was silent, my thoughts consumed by the information waiting for me at the Shadow Den. Raymond Brooks, my driver, knew better than to interrupt when I was in this mood.
As soon as I arrived, I headed straight for my secure office. Dominic Reeves was already waiting, his
expression grim.
“Alpha Rivers,” he greeted me with a respectful nod.
“What have you found?” I asked without preamble, shrugging off my coat.
“I think it’s better if we discuss this at the Shadow Den,” Dominic replied quietly. “The information is…
sensitive.”
Twenty minutes later, we entered the underground facility where my pack handled its most delicate operations. The Shadow Den was known to only a handful of my most trusted wolves–a necessary precaution in these dangerous times.
“Tell me everything,” I commanded once we were sealed in the secure conference room.
Dominic placed a thick file on the table between us. “We’ve confirmed the connection between Jessica Sullivan’s a*******n and Frederick Warner.”
My jaw tightened at the name. Frederick Warner–William Rivers‘ illegitimate son, born to his mistress Victoria Price over twenty years ago. The child my grandfather Gerald Rivers had insisted be sent away, along
|||
1/3
< Chapter 73 Desperate Me.
with his mother.
“How certain are you?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm.
“One hundred percent,” Dominic replied. “We intercepted communications between his American operation. and local contacts. He orchestrated the entire thing from abroad.”
My ice–blue eyes flashed with Alpha rage, my wolf snarling beneath the surface. “He’s getting bolder.”
“There’s more,” Dominic continued. “We believe he had inside help. Someone with intimate knowledge of our security protocols and your personal schedule.”
A cold suspicion formed in my mind. “Who?”
Dominic hesitated, which was unusual for my normally direct security chief. “We have reason to believe it was Vanessa Reed.”
The name hit me like a physical blow. Vanessa–my foster sister, raised alongside me in the Rivers pack after her parents died. The girl who had always looked at me with adoring eyes, who I’d protected from bullies
when we were pups.
“Explain,” I demanded, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl.
“Phone records show regular communication between Vanessa and an American number we’ve traced to Frederick’s estate,” Dominic said. “And she was conveniently absent during each security breach.”
The betrayal cut deep, but I forced my emotions aside. This was no time for sentiment.
“Find her,” I ordered. “Bring her in for questioning immediately.”
“We’re already on it,” Dominic assured me. “But there’s something else you should know. Frederick has recently acquired a significant stake in Coastal Developments–the company building that resort in California.”
My lips curled in a cold smile. “His pet project.”
“Yes, Alpha. He’s invested heavily in it.”
“Then that’s where we hit him,” I decided. “Contact our American associates. I want that project shut down- permits revoked, investors scared off, contractors backing out. Make it hurt.”
Dominic nodded, his wolf instinctively lowering its head in submission to my Alpha command. “Consider it
done.”
“And Vanessa?” he asked carefully.
“When you find her, bring her directly to me,” I said, my voice like ice. “No one else is to question her.”
As Dominic left to carry out my orders, I stared at the file before me. Frederick Warner had made a grave mistake in targeting what was mine. He would soon learn the consequences of awakening a true Alpha’s
rage.
(Frederick’s POV)
The phone rang incessantly in Frederick Warner’s American estate, the shrill tone echoing through the luxurious bedroom. On the king–sized bed, tangled in silk sheets, Frederick ignored the device as he lost himself in passion with his latest conquest–a beautiful beta wolf with porcelain skin and hungry eyes.
Chapter 73: Desperate Me.
“Shouldn’t you answer that?” she murmured against his neck, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest.
“Later,” he growled, pulling her closer.
The phone continued its urgent summons, eventually falling silent only to start again moments later
Thousands of miles away at Harbor City Regional Airport, Vanessa Reed paced nervously hear the international departures gate. Her violet eyes darted frantically around the terminal as she tried Fredericks number for the tenth time.
“He’s not answering,” she whispered to Vincent Black, her enforcer who stood stoically beside her. “Why isn’t he answering?”
Vincent’s expression remained impassive. “Perhaps he’s occupied with business matters.”
Vanessa’s delicate fingers trembled as she ended the call. Her wolf whined anxiously beneath her skin, sensing the danger closing in around them.
“Business matters,” she repeated bitterly. “Or perhaps he’s already moved on to the next pawn in his game. The realization had been dawning on her slowly over the past week–Frederick Warner had used her, manipulated her obsession with Connor Rivers to further his vendetta against the Rivers pack. And now that her usefulness was ending, he was discarding her.
“The boarding time is approaching,” Vincent reminded her, his voice devoid of emotion. “We should proceed to the gate.”
Vanessa glanced nervously around the terminal, her heightened senses picking up subtle movements that might indicate Connor’s enforcers. Were they already here, watching, waiting to strike?
“He might have abandoned me,” she whispered, her face pale with fear. “I’m a discarded piece now…”
690
Comments