The Redwood manor, bathed in moonlight, felt colder than usual as Xanthe walked in, weary from the council's relentless interrogation. The words of the elder wolves echoed in her mind.
"How can we trust you as Alpha Luna when your bond with your mate is so fragile? Without unity, the pack will collapse under your leadership."
She shook her head, trying to dismiss the doubts. The pack's survival was her top priority, even if her personal life was in shambles.
On the kitchen counter, an envelope caught her eye. It was pristine, too neatly placed to be casual. She picked it up hesitantly, the weight of its contents filling her with foreboding.
When she opened it, her breath hitched. Photos spilled out, each one more damning than the last. Lynam and Michelle at what seemed to be a private dinner. In one, Michelle leaned in too closely, whispering into his ear. In another, her hand rested intimately on his arm.
Xanthe's throat tightened, anger and despair bubbling within her. She wanted to believe there was an explanation, but the evidence spoke volumes. Why does he keep letting her in?
She dropped the photos on the counter, trembling as the fragile hope she had for salvaging her marriage began to crumble.
Across town, in a shadowy corner of a chic café, Elias sipped his coffee with a satisfied smirk. Michelle, dressed impeccably as always, lounged across from him. Alex sat at the head of the table, his face etched with disapproval.
"She found them," Elias announced, his tone casual as if discussing the weather. "By now, she's either furious or heartbroken. Either works for us."
Michelle leaned back, her lips curving into a sly smile. "I can't wait to see her face when she realizes she's lost him. But you're holding back, Elias. I have more—texts, videos... Why not hit her with everything?"
Elias shook his head, his smile sharp. "Patience. If we overwhelm her now, she might confront Lynam directly, and he's smart enough to figure it out. Let her stew in doubt first."
Alex crossed his arms, glaring at Elias. "You're playing games while my son's life is on the line. I want Xanthe gone, and I want it done now. She's a distraction, a weakness. Lynam has a legacy to protect."
"And he will," Elias replied smoothly. "Once Xanthe is out of the way. Trust me, Alex, this is personal for me too. She won't see what's coming."
Lynam returned home late that night, exhaustion etched into every line of his face. He loosened his tie as he stepped into the quiet house, immediately sensing the tension in the air. His eyes fell on the open envelope and the scattered photos on the counter.
Xanthe sat on the sofa, her face unreadable but her posture stiff. She held one of the photos in her hand, her fingers gripping it tightly.
"Where were you last night?" she asked, her voice cold and sharp.
Lynam frowned, confusion giving way to frustration. "At the office, working. Why—"
"Don't lie to me," she snapped, throwing the photo onto the table. "Business meetings with her? How long are you going to keep making me a fool, Lynam?"
His jaw tightened as he picked up the photo, studying it. "This is ridiculous. Someone's trying to mess with us, and you're falling for it."
"Mess with us?" Xanthe's voice rose, her emotions boiling over. "You keep meeting her, keeping secrets, and I'm supposed to trust you? If you wanted her, you should've never married me!"
"If you wanted out, you should've left when things got hard!" Lynam shot back, his own anger flaring.
The words hung in the air like a slap. Xanthe stared at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Without another word, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
From the shadows of his car parked down the street, Elias watched Xanthe leave. He couldn't hide his grin. The cracks in her marriage were widening, just as he'd planned.
Satisfied, he started his car and drove away. But as he turned a corner, something darted across the road—a blur of movement too fast to be human. He slammed on the brakes, his eyes scanning the darkness.
The street was empty, but his heart raced. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.
The forest surrounding the Lynam's Mansion was eerily silent as Xanthe wandered through it, seeking solace. The cold air bit at her skin, but she welcomed the numbness. It was better than the turmoil in her heart.
A low growl broke the silence, sending a shiver down her spine. She froze, her senses sharpening. Out of the darkness, a pair of glowing eyes appeared, unblinking and predatory.
Not a wolf, she realized. Something else.
The creature lunged, and Xanthe barely had time to react. Her body moved instinctively, years of training and her dormant powers awakening. She fought fiercely, her movements a blur of strength and precision.
When the creature finally retreated, leaving behind a trail of black ichor, Xanthe crouched to examine it. The substance was unlike anything she'd seen before.
"This wasn't random," she murmured, her mind racing. Someone had sent it—and she had a feeling she knew who.
Back at the house, Lynam sat in his study, staring at the whiskey glass in his hand. The fight with Xanthe replayed in his mind, each word cutting deeper.
He wanted to fix things, but how could he when so much was left unsaid? The truth about his supernatural heritage weighed heavily on him.
For a moment, he considered telling her everything.
But what if the truth drove her away for good?
He drained his glass, his resolve hardening. He would find another way to save their marriage—one that didn't risk exposing his secrets.