Page 62 of The Alpha's Forbidden Heir

The guard standing before me shifts uncomfortably, his gaze flicking between me and the floor. “Luna Aria, Alpha. She… she returned to her father.”

The words hit me like a blow to the chest, knocking the air out of my lungs. My jaw tightens, my vision narrowing as the meaning sinks in.

“Say that again,” I growl, rising to my feet.

“She left at dawn. We tracked her vehicle, and it… it stopped at a location owned by Vittorio. She hasn’t come back,” the guard stammers.

I feel the heat rise in my chest, boiling over until it explodes. With a roar, I swipe the papers off my desk, sending them scattering across the floor. “You’re telling me she walked into his hands willingly? After everything?”

The guard shrinks back, clearly terrified. “Alpha, we don’t know the details yet—”

“Get out!” I snarl, and he bolts out of the room without another word.

I pace back and forth, my hands clenching into fists as I try to reign in the storm of emotions tearing through me. Betrayal. Fury. Disgust.

“I never should’ve trusted her!” I yell, slamming my fist down on the desk again.

Rook, leaning casually against the doorframe, finally speaks up. “Technically, you went to her, Bane. She was minding her own business when you got involved.”

I snap my head toward him, my glare like a dagger. “Rook,” I growl, my voice low and dangerous.

His smirk fades, and he holds his hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright. Shutting up now.”

I turn away from him, breathing heavily.

“I should’ve known,” I mutter, shaking my head. “She’s his daughter. Of course she’d run back to him.”

“Maybe,” Rook says cautiously, “but we don’t have all the facts yet. Aria’s not exactly predictable, you know.”

I slam my palm on the desk, making him flinch. “Enough, Rook. Don’t defend her.”

“I’m not defending her,” he says evenly. “I’m just saying, there’s a chance this isn’t what it looks like.”

I scoff, my lips curling into a sneer. “She left. That’s all I need to know.”

The door creaks open, and a different guard steps in, looking hesitant. “Alpha, Elder Nathaniel is here.”

I pause, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. “Nathaniel?”

“Yes, Alpha. He says it’s urgent.”

I narrow my eyes, my jaw clenching. “Fine. Send him in.”

The guard nods and steps out. I turn to Rook, who’s already watching me with a raised eyebrow.

“This better not be another waste of my time,” I mutter, dragging a hand through my hair.

The door creaks open, and Nathaniel walks in, his presence immediately filling the room. His eyes lock onto mine, and I feel the familiar irritation rise in my chest. I never liked Nathaniel, and I never will.

"Alpha Bane," he greets me. He doesn’t wait for an invitation to sit; instead, he remains standing, clasping his hands behind his back in that infuriatingly superior way.

“Nathaniel,” I reply curtly, crossing my arms over my chest. “What brings you here? I don’t recall summoning you.”

Nathaniel raises an eyebrow, his thin lips curling into a faint smile. “The chaos in your pack travels faster than even your command, it seems.”

Rook leans against the far wall, arms crossed, clearly amused. “Gotta love how news spreads.”

“Rook, shut it,” I snap, not breaking eye contact with Nathaniel. “Speak plainly, Elder. I don’t have the patience for games today.”

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