Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the Morena estate, casting a deceptive warmth over the chilling tension within its walls. Lynam sat at the dining table, sipping coffee, his eyes shadowed with exhaustion. Across from him, Xanthe sat stiffly, her gaze distant. The silence between them was deafening, filled with unspoken words and unresolved tension.
Lynam's attempts to reach her lately had failed. She was distant, distracted, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something larger was at play. He wanted to tell her about his supernatural heritage, about the depths of his love for her, but every time he tried, something held him back.
"Is everything okay?" Lynam finally asked, breaking the silence.
Xanthe blinked, her eyes meeting his. "What do you mean?"
"You've been... different. Distant. Is it something I've done?" His voice was laced with concern.
She hesitated, torn between her instinct to protect him from the pack's troubles and the frustration of their unresolved issues. "It's nothing," she said, her tone colder than intended. "I just have a lot on my mind."
Before Lynam could press further, the door swung open, and Alex walked in, followed by Michelle. Their presence instantly thickened the atmosphere.
"Morning," Alex said, his tone too cheerful to be genuine. "Family breakfast. How quaint."
Michelle's gaze lingered on Lynam, a sly smile playing at her lips. "It's good to see everyone together," she added, her words dripping with false warmth.
Xanthe's jaw tightened, but she remained silent. She sensed the undercurrents of deceit but couldn't pinpoint their source.
"Xanthe, I was hoping we could chat later," Michelle said, feigning friendliness. "Maybe take a walk and catch up?"
Xanthe forced a tight smile. "I'm busy."
"Oh, come now," Alex interjected. "Family should spend time together. Isn't that right, Lynam?"
Lynam nodded, though his expression darkened. "Of course. But Xanthe's been under a lot of stress. Maybe another time."
Michelle's eyes flicked between them, her smile widening. "Of course. Another time."
As they left the room, Xanthe leaned closer to Lynam. "They're up to something," she whispered.
"I know," he replied, his voice equally low. "But what?"
Meanwhile, in the secluded wing of the Redwood estate, Aisha and Elias met under the guise of a family meeting.
"Alex and Michelle are playing their parts well," Elias said, leaning against the grand piano. "They're stirring tension between Lynam and Xanthe without even realizing it."
Aisha crossed her arms. "And what if Xanthe figures it out? She's more perceptive than you give her credit for."
"That's why we need to act faster," Elias said. "We'll amplify their doubts. Michelle will handle Lynam. Alex will pressure Xanthe. And when the cracks deepen, we'll make our move."
"And if it doesn't work?"
Elias smirked. "It will. Xanthe's holding on by a thread. All we have to do is cut it."
Aisha nodded slowly, though doubt flickered in her eyes. She was in too deep now, but part of her wondered if Elias's ambition would ultimately destroy them all.
Later that evening, Xanthe stood on the balcony, gazing at the horizon. Lynam joined her, his presence grounding yet distant.
"We can't let them win," Xanthe said quietly.
Lynam placed a hand on her shoulder. "Then tell me what's really going on. No more secrets."
She hesitated, torn between her duty to the pack and her marriage. "I want to trust you, Lynam. But there's so much you don't know."
"Then tell me," he urged. "I'm tired of the distance. Whatever it is, we'll face it together."
Before she could respond, footsteps echoed behind them. They turned to see Michelle, her expression carefully neutral.
"Sorry to interrupt," Michelle said sweetly. "But I thought you should know Alex is calling a family meeting. Something about important changes."
Xanthe and Lynam exchanged a tense glance. The storm was brewing, and they both knew the next battle wasn't just for their marriage—it was for their survival