pter 179 Smoke and Shadows

    s I’d hired stood behind her, blocking her path in bcase /bshe tried to flee.

    I caught the scent of her Alpha pheromones–cold and regal, like snow atop a mountaintop. So pure it made me sick with envy. My wolf roared inside my chest.

    I wanted to see fear in her eyes.

    But there was nothing. She was more patient than I was.

    The cigarette in my hand burned low. Ash fell to the ground and scattered with the wind.

    Atst, Leslie spoke in that indifferent tone of hers. “So the Alpha of the Smoke Pack called me out here. Why aren’t you saying anything?”

    My heart gave a jolt.

    Beforeing here, I had hidden my scentpletely. I thought I’d blended into the night. Yet she still figured it out? I let out a shortugh. “Clever girl. You could tell even then?”

    She rolled her eyes, clearly irritated. “You dragged me out here–clearly not for a polite chat. Just say it, Smoke Pack Alpha. What do you want?”

    My breath hitched. Cold fury pressed against the walls of my restraint.

    From the beginning, Leslie’sposure had caught me off guard.

    Even now, there wasn’t a hint of fear. She even called me out with that contempt in her voice, as if none of this mattered.

    I stepped out of the shadows, facing her directly and meeting her eyes without flinching.

    “Princess of the Rogue Pack,” I said, voice low and even, “aren’t you scared? What’sing next… isn’t going to be pleasant.”

    She raised an eyebrow, lifting her gaze slightly.

    When our eyes met, she suddenly smiled–cool and calm. Her lips moved slowly, voice crisp

    and clear.

    b15:55 /bWed, bSep /b17

    Chapter 179 Smoke and Shadows

    “It’s because of Eric, isn’t it?b” /b

    The air froze. Silence dropped like a stone.

    That name–his name–was the deepest thorn in my heart.

    b32 /b

    Finished

    For ten years, I’d carried a quiet tenderness for Eric. I’d kept him there, in the most guarded corner of myself.

    I thought I still had time. I thought I still had a chance.

    But tonight, when I saw everything Eric had prepared for Leslie, I realized I probably never had a chance at all. It was maddening. It was unbearable.

    Not even losing a multimillion–dor alliance contract had broken me like this.

    I could survive the cold brutality of politics without blinking.

    But the moment I saw Eric nning to propose to her, it was like losing everything I believed in. My world cracked open. Nothing made sense anymore.

    I held back the aching chaos inside me, the wild jealousy gnawing at my gut. I gave a tight smile. “So you already know. Good.”

    Leslie frowned, shaking her head,pletely baffled. “You’re hurting me to make Eric like you? Smoke Pack Alpha, don’t you think that’s… a little pathetic?”

    Resorting to violence–only the most foolish would do that.

    Especially here, on her own turf.

    Lay a hand on her, and the Rogue Pack royals woulde down on me–and my entire Pack- like a storm.

    Years of work, crushed in an instant. Was it worth it?

    I didn’t care.

    Iughed suddenly, my gaze dark and cold. “If it works, then yes. After all, you’re the high and mighty princess of the Rogue Pack. On a night like this, ruining you is a bit cruel… but I really can’t think of a better way to deal with a princess. You’ve been protected too well. I have to get my hands dirty if I want to drag you through the mud. I need to make you a disgrace. I just want you to stay away from Eric. As far away as possible.”

    If I had my way, their worlds would never collide again.

    “I’ve got a few filthy little Omegas ready to mark you,” I said, voice like ice. “And a camera to

    ? 32

    Chapter 179 Smoke and Shadows

    Finished

    catch every second. I think, to protect your royal image, you’ll be very obedient after that…”

    Send Gifts

    138

    (i)