Chapter 106 Smoke and Fire


    Aubrey’s POV


    I almost warned him that Ste Pack was dangerous—but in the end, I held back. Instead, I asked, “Why are you going there?”


    Maybe it was a confidential mission. Alpha Henry didn’t give specifics. “Don’t worry,” he said calmnly<b>. </b>Tll <b>be </b>back soon.”


    Then his gaze softened. “I just hope… that when Ie back, you’ll tell me you’re willing to try being <b>with </b>


    me.”


    His sharp,manding eyes now held something rare–expectation. I couldn’t bring myself to say no.


    “… We’ll talk when you get back,” I replied, turning my head away to hide the waver in my voice.


    But he immediately brightened, as if I’d already said yes. His eyes gleamed with a quiet joy, and even <b>that </b>small mole beneath his left eye looked especially striking.


    In this life or thest, I’d never seen Alpha Henry like this.


    I sighed.


    No matter how coldly I rejected him, no matter how fiercely I resisted, it was like he couldn’t <i>see </i>it <i>at </i>all.


    And sometimes… I truly didn’t know how to fight back anymore. When someone pours themselves into you, relentlessly and without hesitation, their warmth begins to melt even the thickest ice.


    Mariana’s POV


    “Useless! You’re all useless!”


    I was seething.


    Even after trashing the entire backstage area, I still couldn’t calm down. My staff told me the basement had been breached. Daria–gone. All that remained was a pair of silver chains lying on the floor.


    Who did it?! Who dared sneak into my house, free that lowlife mutt, and stage such an borate setup just


    to ruin me?!


    “Have you found them yet?!” I snarled at the omega in charge of the equipment. “I want them dead!”


    He wiped his sweat nervously. “Th–they’re too skilled, ma’am. The hacker’s trail is untraceable–I–I can’t find them.”


    “Trash!” I couldn’t hold back any longer. I kicked him aside, shifted, and stormed out in wolf form, tearing through the woods like a hurricane./It took a full hour–and at least a dozen bushes–before I calmed <b>down </b>enough to think clearly.


    I didn’t know who was behind this yet, but I had to start cleaning up the fallout.


    Back at the house, I went straight to the basement. The bars had been torn clean off, the window forced open. Daria had been taken. And there was still a lingering scent in the air–Beta–level werewolf energy. <b>Not </b>just one, either./


    Chapter 106 Smoke and Fire


    Damn it. Daria had no friends. No family. Who the hell would risk so much to rescue <b>him</b><b>? </b>


    When I returned upstairs, my assistant Hailey rushed over. “Don’t worry,” she whispered<b>. </b>“We’ll keep the footage from spreading. This’ll pass. Remember, dancing was just a phase. You’re still destined <b>to </b>be Shadowmoon Pack’s Luna. You need to stayposed.”


    I took a deep breath. She was right—at least about that. I <i>would </i>be Luna. And my image? I’d never allow it to be tarnished permanently.


    This incident… we can’t cover it up forever,” I said quietly, ncing her way. “Hailey, do you remember that beta you helped me deal with when I was fifteen?”


    Her face paled a little. “Yes. But don’t worry, we’ll stay ahead of this. We always have.”


    “No,” I said calmly, cold light shing in my eyes. “My career’s done. After today, no one will see me <b>as </b><b>the </b>genius ballerina anymore. And Daria? He’ll never let this go. He must’ve had help–someone gave him <b>that </b>moment, and he took it. I need to strike first.”


    Hailey hesitated. “What… what are you thinking?”


    I smiled gently.


    “You’ve been like a daughter to me all these years, Hailey. So if you, say, misunderstood my angry words and went too far–maybe poisoned Daria, maybe locked him up–and then felt so guilty you turned yourself in…”


    Her voice cracked. “No… you want <i>me </i>to take the fall?”


    I gave her a mock scold, tapping her trembling shoulder.


    “Don’t say it like that. Not taking the fall–just a small confession. You know how important it is that I remain pure in Alpha Henry’s eyes. I don’t have a choice. But I <i>promise</i>, your sacrifice will be worth it.”


    After settling that matter, I got a call from Bailey. She’d heard the rumors and wanted <i>the </i>truth.


    I brushed her off–until she said.


    “You know, right? Alpha Henry’s in love with Aubrey now.”


    “What?!”


    I was stunned.


    I’d only been gone three months, doing a few measly tour stops, and the whole pack had changed?! Alpha Henry had moved on?


    Absolutely not.


    I had to get back immediately. Alpha Henry was mine.


    As for Aubrey… that useless omega?


    She thinks she’s won?


    Not a chance.