Chapter 9 Phantom''s Shadow: Secrets and Bower


    Chapter 9 Phantom''s Shadow: Secrets and Power


    Even after five years, just thinking about it made her heart race with fear.


    The incident had too many implications-it absolutely couldn''t be exposed.


    The only way to keep the secret buried forever was topletely destroy Tessa. That way, no one would


    But Tessa had just returned, and rushing things would only raise suspicion. She would need to bide her time and n carefully with Winona.


    For thest two sses of the day, Tessa slept at her des. Once school ended, she grabbed her backpack and headed out.


    The moment she stepped out of the school gates, she saw Nathaniel waiting for her.


    She figured Mr. Lambert''s sudden change of heart had something to do with him. Without waiting for Nathaniel to speak, Tessa opened the car door and got in. Nathaniel''s carefully prepared speech evaporated. He couldn''t manage a single word.


    "Landon, right? I saved you once, and now you''ve helped me. We''re even. Don''te looking for me again, Tessa said, her striking blue eyes filled with rejection.


    Landon''s status was too prominent. Worse, he had ties to that mysterious organization. Tessa wasn''t willing to let him disrupt the peace she''d worked so hard to achieve.


    No matter how strange her feelings for him were, she wanted nothing to do with him.


    "My life is worth a lot," Landon replied evenly.


    All he''d done was have Nathaniel make a call to the Nayoris High principal. It was hardly a big deal.pared to what she''d done for him.


    "I am the alpha of the Nightshade Pack and the head of Thorne Corp. I need you."


    Nathaniel nearly choked. Thorne Corp can recruit anyone it wants. Why on earth is the alpha so fixated on Tessa?


    Tessa''s gaze didn''t waver. "I''m just a delinquent who knows nothing but trouble. What could I possibly have that you need?"


    It was rare for anyone to hold Landon''s gaze like that. She really is different.


    "Your medical skills."


    Medical skills?" Tessaughed. "What kind of joke is that? I''m a 17-year-old student. I''ve already told you


    got lucky removing that bullet. If I hadn''t, you''d be dead."


    "Tessa, I''m not joking. Think about it carefully


    Thorne Corp-The name alone was legendary. The most powerful werewolves in Navoris dreamed of


    16:54 Wed, Apr 16 G D


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    Chapter 9 Phantom''s Shadow: Secrets and ower


    connections to it. And here she was, brushing it off.


    s


    Tessa didn''t want to waste any more time. She knew they wouldn''t give up, no matter what she said.


    "Alpha, if you want to date her, just say so! Look at her she doesn''t even believe your excuse," Nathaniel


    teased.


    Landon''s eyes lingered on Tessa as she stepped out of the car. She''s exactly my type.


    As soon as Tessa got out, her phone began ringing. She danced at the screen and immediately!


    But the caller was persistent, ringing her phone over and over until she finally picked up.


    "This better be important," she snapped. "I''m not in the mood."


    hung up.


    "Phantom, still as fiery as ever. When are youing back?" Lina asked, unfazed by her attitude.


    "Get to the point."


    "Fine. There''s a job-are you taking it?" Lina knew Phantom''s temper. She only epted jobs on a whim. but when she did, she always delivered perfection.


    "No."


    Phantom, the youngest and most skilled werewolf hacker in the Lightwing Order, worked purely on her


    own terms.


    "This one concerns Montedra''s cybersecurity. I really hope you''ll consider it seriously," Lina pressed. If it had been any other job, she wouldn''t have called.


    "Cybersecurity?" That piqued Tessa''s interest.


    "Fine. Send me the details,” she said before hanging up.


    Lina had been ready to argue further, but upon hearing Tessa''s agreement, she rushed to send over the information.


    Meanwhile, back at Thorne Corp. Landon had just returned after receiving a tall from Cameron Quest. "Alpha, Phantom has resurfaced!" Cameron said, barely containing his excitement.


    1


    Phantom was his idol, and knowing she was active again almost sent him into a frenzy.


    "Call a meeting of the entire corporation. This time, I''m going to find out who Phantom really is."


    Phantom, the most skilled hacker on the werewolf continent, was a living legend. No one knew their gender, appearance, or even species-a ghost in the digital world.


    Every international conglomerate wanted to recruit Phantom. Having her on their side would mean absolute control over cybersecurity.