?Chapter 120:

Just as the timer was about to expire, a frail figure dropped to her knees.

“Alpha, please!” she begged, tears streaming down her pale face as she cupped her hands pleadingly. “I did it! I didn’t want to…” She sobbed, and I felt deep irritation building in my throat. Her tears did nothing to gain my sympathy. My frown deepened.

My vision blurred with rage, Ace snarling within me.

“Who?” I asked, fighting to contain my fury.

The girl trembled. “I-I was ckmailed, Alpha. I had no choice. My family was threatened…”

Her words poured out in a desperate rush.

“I was acting on instructions, Alpha. I swear!” Her ck hair hung limp over her face as her hands covered it.

My grip on my phone tightened.

“Who instructed you?” I demanded. Time seemed to stop as her lips mped shut, as though she was reconsidering revealing the truth.

The girl’s voice barely rose above a whisper.

“Isabelle.”

RYDER

Instant fury coursed through my veins like liquid fire. Isabelle? I gritted my teeth, a sickening feeling rising in my stomach. The one I’d taken under my wing, provided for, and protected? You know that feeling when you’repletely tied by your own hands because you didn’t expect the betrayal? Yeah, that.

She dared?

My jaw tightened as I paced the room, my mind running through the possibilities. Isabelle had crossed a line—my line—and there was no turning back from this. I wasn’t just angry. Ace was.

How dare she? The bitch’s audacity was a blow to me. To think she thought she would get away with it made me angrier. I’d kept herfortable, handled all her shopping bills and expenses. Ungrateful bitch.

“Lock her up,” I growled at my guard, Marcus. “Keep her secure until I deal with her.”

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I’d only been away for a week, and already so much damage had urred. I had a feeling there was more to the story. Unfortunately, Jasmine was in aa, and Isabelle… My hands stiffened, and I punched the wall in my study. The sight of blood smeared on the crack did little to cate me. I was too restless to sit, so I paced around my office, my mind racing with thoughts of betrayal.

The mind link crackled to life.

“Isabelle, get here now,” I ordered.

I waited, my agitation gnawing at me like a beast ready to break free. Every second felt like a punch to the gut, the silence only fueling the fire burning inside me.

The door creaked open, and Isabelle stepped in slowly. Her grip on the doorknob was shaky, her eyes, though lowered, wide with fear. With each annoyingly slow step, I felt like ripping her apart. Ace was already growling.

I heaved a sigh, trying to stay in control, or else I’d be faced with an injured Isabelle.

“Ryder,” she stammered, her voice trembling.

I didn’t need to drill her with ufortable questions. For someone who prided herself on being smart, I’d assumed we’d catch her on the move to a new pack, on the run. But it looked like little Miss Smart didn’t think she’d get caught.

Ace snarled within me, sensing her guilt.

“Why does she look so pale? I thought she’d at least have the decency to own up to her crime without acting like a coward.”

“I concur,” I muttered.

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