? Get 5?


    Menu


    I red at him, clearly annoyed. This man had nothing better to do than mock me. Plenty of women across different packs had ex-husbands, but none of them were in a situation quite like mine. That was because my ex-husband was the head Alpha of another pack. Since I was an Alpha''s daughter, I inevitably had to cross paths with him at various events and meetings.


    Kane held my gaze, unwavering. I could never read his eyes-just like I couldn''t all those years ago. Why was he always so unpredictable? What was his angle?


    "Selene?"


    Axel''s voice came from behind Kane. As Kane finally stepped away from me, he turned his attention to Axel.


    Axel looked between the two of us before focusing on me. "What are you doing here? Everyone''s waiting outside for you."


    Kane scoffed. "Can''t you see two CEOs having a conversation? How rude of you to interrupt. Where are your manners, Beta Axel?"


    Axel smirked. "One of those CEOs isn''t worth talking to, so I figured I''d save the other from wasting her time."


    Kane''s expression darkened, shaking his head as if truly disappointed. "So unprofessional."


    "Yeah, I am."


    I sighed as I watched the two men exchange sharp words and taunts. I had no patience for their petty rivalry. Without another word, I walked past them and headed outside.


    As I approached the car, Rachel stuck her hand out of the window, waving yfully at the two men. I climbed inside, and the driver waited for Axel to join us before starting the engine.


    ncing back at the entrance of the hall, I saw Kane stepping out. His face was grim. I understood why-


    anyone who had to deal with Kane Thome for too long would end up in a foul mood.


    Axel slid into the passenger seat beside the driver, stealing a quick nce at me before turning his


    attention to the road. The car pulled away, heading toward the hotel.


    "Boss, are you okay?" Rachel asked, peeking at me with concern.


    "Why do you ask?"


    "You really wanted this deal. I just thought I''d check in.


    +


    "I''m fine, Rachel. That pack''s proposal was probably better than ours, which is why they got the contract. Their team put in a lot of effort. We shouldn''t see this as a failure-we''ll just do better next time."


    Rachel looked at me in awe. "Boss, you''re so thoughtful and level-headed. I''m really proud of you." I chuckled, reaching over to ruffle her hair. But as I turned to stare out the window, my chest ached. I had spoken those words tofort Rachel, but deep down, I couldn''t deny the sting of disappointment. It wasn''t just about the hard work I had put in-it was about proving myself.


    When we arrived at the hotel, I went straight to my room and called my brother, I owed him an apology. 17:18


    "Magnus, I''m so sorry. I couldn''t secure the deal,"


    Get 5 >


    = Menu


    "My baby sister, why do you sound so upset? One lost deal doesn''t make you weak."


    His words stunned me. He had unknowingly repeated the exact thing Kane had said to me earlier.


    Magnus was trying to encourage me, but what had Kane meant by it?


    Was he... also trying to lift me up?


    No. There was no way in hell I could ever trust that man.


    Shaking off the thought, I continued my conversation with my brother.


    "What about Mom and Dad? And how''s Uncle doing?"


    "They''re with Uncle''s pack right now. His condition is critical-he''s barely hanging on."


    My heart clenched. There was barely an age difference between my father and my uncle. Just the thought


    of losing one of them was unbearable. No matter how old they were, I never wanted to say goodbye. I wanted them to stay with me forever.


    By the time I hung up, I felt a strange sense of relief. Magnus had always been more than just a brother- he had loved and protected me like a father. I was grateful for him.


    The next morning, I called my twins. They had kept their promise and hadn''t caused any trouble. I wanted to promise them a trip to the park tomorrow, but then I remembered another promise I had made.


    I couldn''t break her heart.


    I had already told Rachel that I would go with her to tour the Moonveil Pack. So, I asked Axel to handle everything for today.


    But Axel had other news. "Alpha Tate just invited us to his sess party a few minutes ago."


    "Do you want to go?" he asked. "It''s not our celebration."


    I considered it. "If I stay in his pack but skip the party, people will assume I''m jealous of Kane. They don''t know our history, so it would be easy for them to jump to conclusions. I need to show them that losing one deal doesn''t shake us."


    Axel raised a brow in amusement. "Since when did this innocent girl be so strong? You''re starting to sound terrifying.


    Iughed at his words. He agreed to attend the party in the evening, and I returned to my hotel room, spending the rest of the day on a video call with my babies.


    When the time finally came, I got ready for the party. Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I took a slow, deep breath.


    I thought of that ruthless man-his piercing gaze. A chill ran through me.


    "If I have to be cold-hearted, then so be it. But I will never, ever let you win, Kane."