I stared at Ophelia with barely controlled rage, my wolf pushing so close to the surface that I could feel my canines extending
Tell me the truth about your suicide attempt,” I said, vuice deadly quiet. “And don’t you dare claim it was because Karla sent you to that reformatory. Look at this video–is that your face being tortured, or hers?”
I threw my phone at her, and she caught it with trembling hands. I watched her face go white as she saw the footage–Kaela, barely eighteen, strapped to that chair while they hurt her over and over again
The phone slipped from Ophelia’s fingers and clattered to the floor
“L… I don’t…” she stammered, her usual composure completely shattered.
“What else have you been lying about? I snarled, stepping closer. “I suggest you tell me everything right now, because when I finish investigating this mess, there won’t be anywhere you can hide from me.”
But even cornered, Ophelia tried to maintain her facade
“Soren, please,” she whimpered, forcing out more fake tears. “I don’t know where you got that video, but someone must have used AI to swap our faces You know I nearly died saving your life when we were children. Do you really think I’m capable of something so evil?”
1 looked at her–really looked at her–and for the first time, I saw what Kaela must have seen all along. The calculation behind the innocent eyes, the way she turned on the waterworks at exactly the right moments
“You’re right about one thing,” I said coldly. “I’m starting to wonder if you really saved me that day, or if that’s just another lie. I’m going to investigate everything. Ophelia. Every single thing. And when I find out what you’ve really done, I’m coming for you
I turned and walked away, leaving her standing there with her mouth hanging open.]
Ophelia’s POV
Panic clawed at my chest as Soren disappeared into the crowd. I couldn’t let him dig any deeper–if he discovered everything. I’d lose more than just him. I’d lose everything
My hands shook as I pulled out my phone. There was one last card I could play
“Mr. Grimweald,” I said when Nikolai answered, forcing my voice to sound concerned rather than desperate. “I need to speak with you about Kaela Since you’re mated now, I thought you should know what kind of woman you’ve really bonded with. Can we meet? Today at 2 PM, at the old factory on the outslarts of the territory?”
When Nikolai showed up at the abandoned factory, I could barely contain my manic laughter. This was n–my final chance to destroy Kaela once and fur all
“Mr. Grunwald,” I called out, my voice echoing in the empty space. “Ti so glad you came. You really need to know what kind of damaged goods you’ve tied yourself to ”
I pulled out my phone, the video ready to play. “She’s not the innocent victim she pretends to be. Her own mother sold her to the Shadowlands–there’s footage of everything those gumals did to her. I know how much pack leaders value purity in their mates. This will run both your reputations.”
But instead of the shock and disgust I expected, Nikolai just looked at me with cold contempt |
You’re right shout o
one thing,” he said quietly. “I do know exactly what Kaela endured. And I know exactly, who put her there.”
That’s when I heard the footsteps. Park enforcers emerged from the shadows, surrounding me||
“Ophelia Virethorn,” one of them announced, “you’re under arrest for attempted extortion, fraud, and conspiracy.”
As they cuffed me, I saw Niliodai watching with those terrifying hybrid eyes
“You should have left her abone,” he said softly. “Now you get to face the consequences of three years of lies.“)
As they dragged me away, I realized I’d finally lost the game I’d been playing all along.
And this time, there e was no one left to manipulate into saving me.
Back to Soren’s POV
Later that afternoon, my phone rang. I almost didn’t answer–I was too busy reviewing the evidence my assistant had sent, each piece of proof making
my stomach turn. But something made me pick up
“Soren?” It was Karla’s voice, but she sounded… different. Stronger. “I thought you should know–Ophelia just tried to blackmail Nikolai with that viden from the Shadowlands
My blood ran cold. “What?“]
“She called him, tried to arrange a meeting to ‘expose‘ me. But we went to the authorities instead, Park security has arrested her for attempted extortion, and we’re pressing charges for everything else too.”
I could barely breathe. “Kaela, 1-1
“I’m not calling for you,” she said firmly. “Tim calling because you deserve to know that the woman you wasted three years protecting is exactly the monster you thought I was.”
There was a pause, and when she spoke again, her voice was softer but still distant.
Sum
“I know you probably figured out some of the truth by now. About the reformatory, about the fire, about all of it. But it’s too late, Soren. Even if you’d realized it sooner, it would have been too late.”
“Kaela, please–1
“I’m happy now,” she continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “Nikolai sees me for who I really am, not who he wants me to be or who someone else tells him I am. He loves me for my strength, not despite my scars.”
Each word felt like a knife twisting in my chest
“The woman you fell in love with–the broken, desperate girl who would have done anything for your the day I took off that wolf bone bracelet.”
“But I love you” I whispered, the words ripping out of my throat.
approval–she doesn’t exist anymore. I killed her
“No.” she said quietly. “You loved the idea of me. You loved having someone worship you unconditionally. But you never actually saw me.”
The line went dead.
I started at my phone for a long time, replaying every moment of the past three years. Every time I’d chosen to believe Ophelia over Kaela. Every time Id punished the woman I claimed to love for crimes she never committed]
My phone buzzed with a text from my assistant: “Ophelia Virethorn arrested on multiple charges Video evidence suggests she orchestrated her own “suuride attempt” after learning you were planning to choose Kaela. She’s been awake and manipulating everyone for three years.”
I threw the plune against the wall, watching it shatter into pieces
Just like everything else in my life
