Chapter 3

Twelve minutes later, tires screeched against the gravel driveway outside.

Henry stormed in, followed closely by his personal guard, Bob. His face was thunderous.

The first thing he saw was Vivian huddled on the floor, bleeding from her leg and sobbing hysterically, with the shattered bar cabinet behind her. His temper exploded.

The second Vivian saw Henry, she acted like her savior had arrived. She scrambled up and threw herself into his arms, wailing even harder.

"Henry... she tried to throw me out!"

"She threw a silver blade at me! She wanted to kill me! I was so scared..."

Henry murmured a few words to comfort her, then glared at me, his voice shaking with fury.

"Vera, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"I warned you yesterday! You already made her lose our pup. She's recovering!"

I stayed seated on the sofa, not even bothering to shift my posture. I met his furious gaze with dead, terrifying calm.

"What's wrong with me?"

"Didn't I make myself clear in the Mindlink?"

My absolute composure only stoked his rage further.

"Vera, this is my territory!" he roared. "I decide who lives under my roof. You don't call the shots here anymore!"

A bitter chuckle escaped my lips.

A memory flashed before my eyes—the first time Henry brought me to this very spot.

Back then, he was young, his cheeks flushed with raw excitement as he showed me the unfinished foundation of our den, waving his arms wildly like an eager kid.

*Vera, this land belongs to us now. You run it however you want. Do whatever makes you happy. In this house, you're the Alpha!*

And now, here he was, puffing out his chest to force his mistress down my throat.

I stood up and tilted my head.

"Your territory?"

"Henry, did you forget whose name is signed on the Pack blood oath? Or did you forget who actually runs those 'clean' hunting grounds of yours?"

Henry froze, words catching in his throat.

Yet, feeling Vivian trembling in his arms, his pride wouldn't let him back down.

"You..."

I glanced indifferently at the crying girl clinging to his chest.

"Over her? A plaything you've known for seven months, groomed and served to you on a silver platter?"

"You really want to go to war with me over this? Are you sure about that?"

The fire in Henry's chest abruptly sputtered out. His dominance wilted.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice to a lethal, serpentine whisper.

"What do you think happens if I leak the real ledgers from your vault to the Moonstone Pack? I hear their Alpha just died, and their wolves are out for blood. Or what if I simply announce that you broke Pack law..."

"Do you really think you'd still be standing in front of me, parading your little she-wolf around?"

Henry didn't say another word.

Even Bob, standing right behind him, lowered his head to avoid meeting my eyes.

I gave Mike a subtle nod.

Mike immediately stepped forward and gestured toward the door.

"Mr. Carter, your car is waiting outside."

With a face black as thunder, Henry wrapped his arm around Vivian and stormed out without looking back.

"Luna, showing your hand like that... Henry will definitely make a move," Mike warned softly. "Are you sure..."

I smiled and shook my head.

"That wasn't my real hand. That was the last mercy I’ll ever give him."

"If he's stupid enough to strike, he's already lost."