Chapter Twelve: Murder and Betrayal
NICOLE
One Week Later
The first sign that everything was about to fall apart was the knock on my door. It was early–too early for good news.
I dragged myself from the desk where I‘ d been reviewing patrol schedules and opened it to find Gerald standing there. His expression was grim, the kind of look you wear when you know the words you‘ re about to say will ruin someone’s day.
“We just got news from Alpha Nathan‘ s pack,” he said, his tone measured but heavy. “He’s rescheduling Daniel‘ s visitation to two days later.”
“What happened?” My stomach
tightened, a sinking feeling already setting
- in.
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Chapter Twelve: Murder and Betrayal
“His father died this morning.”
The words hit me harder than I expected. Darien Cross had been a good man, one of my father’s closest friends. He was the bridge that made my arranged marriage to Nathan bearable in the early days. After I left Nathan and my father died, Darien and I drifted apart, but I’d recently learned he was ill. And now… he was gone.
For a moment, I just stood there, the weight of the news settling like a stone in my chest.
“Thank you for letting me know,” I said quietly, forcing the lump in my throat. down. “I‘ ll extend my condolences.”
I tried to sound neutral, but inside, my mind was a storm. Things had been going well this past week. The killings had stopped. The Hastings Faction had been peaceful for the first time in months. It was fragile, like a thread stretched too thin, but it was something.
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Chapter Twelve: Murder and Betrayal.
I’d convinced myself I’d made the right call by staying quiet about what I
overheard from Nadia. If I had spoken up, Nathan would‘ ve accused me of trying to tarnish Nadia‘ s name. Besides, it wasn’t my business. Instead, I focused on what mattered: strengthening my pack and ensuring Daniel’s safety.
But watching Nathan with Daniel made it impossible to keep the past buried. His soft smiles, the way his icy demeanor thawed when Daniel tugged at his hand, the way he prioritized their moments together–it stirred feelings in me I thought I’d killed long ago. And it terrified me.
Because in our world, nothing good ever lasted. Something was bound to disrupt it and this was it.
Still I forced myself to put up my mask and I was about to close the door when Gerald cleared his throat. “There’s something else I wanted to discuss.”
“Oh?” I hesitated. “Come in, then.
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Chapter Twelve: Murder and Betrayal
Let’s get it over with quickly.”
Gerald shook his head. “It won‘ t take long.” His voice lowered slightly.
“There’s been talk around the pack. Ever since you and Alpha Nathan reconciled, the wolves have started speculating. They think you‘ re planning to merge territories with him. They‘ re worried about what that means for them.”
I blinked, caught off guard. I kept my voice even, but the tension in my chest coiled tighter. “Nathan and I are on amicable. terms for Daniel’s sake and to stop the attacks. That’s all anyone needs to know. There’s no merging of anything.”
Gerald nodded but didn’t look entirely convinced. “Of course things have been working so well. It’s so sad his father had
to die now. There was a lot of talk around that he should have had a longer time. At least a month. But I guess…” He shrugged lightly. “Some things are just meant to be. I’ll see you later, Nicole.”
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Chapter Twelve: Murder and Betrayal
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest.
A month is too long. I want him gone, and I want him gone now.
My hands began to shake as realization struck. Nadia had done it. Nadia had killed him. And I let it happen.
I scrambled for my phone, my heart racing. I should have told him. I had to tell
him.
Before I could dial, movement in the corner of my eye made me freeze. Two guards appeared in the hallway, striding toward me with purpose. My stomach twisted when I recognized them as members of Nathan‘ s personal security
team.
I forced myself to stay calm. “What’s going on?” I asked.
The first guard, a tall, stone–faced man, stopped in front of me. His tone was
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Chapter Twelve: Murder and Betrayal
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clipped and cold. “Alpha Nathan sent us to escort you to his territory to ensure you don’t disappear before your trial.”
“Trial?” I blinked, my voice wavering slightly. “What trial?”
The second guard stepped forward, his expression filled with disdain. “Your accomplice has been captured. He‘ s confessed to everything, including your role in the poisoning of Alpha Darien and as he was a high ranking werewolf, the factions have decided. You will stand trial for murder.”
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