When Chris finally stormed into his office, he could barely contain the rage boiling within him. He flung everything off the table with a violent sweep of his arm, sending papers, books, and trinkets crashing to the floor. His anger was a beast, untamed and wild. He tore into the bookshelves, ripping books and documents apart with savage glee. The drapes didn't stand a chance; he yanked them down, their fabric shredding under his brutal grip. The couch was the next to fall victim, its cushions and frame destroyed in a frenzy of fury.
Finally, when there was nothing left to destroy, Chris made his way to the bar. He poured himself a stiff drink, the amber liquid sloshing in the glass as his hands trembled with residual anger. He downed it in one gulp, the burn of the alcohol doing little to soothe his tempestuous mood.
"That bloody whore !" he growled, his voice echoing in the wrecked room.
Why did every woman in his life choose to deceive him? First, Rosalie took revenge by sleeping with the first Alpha she could find. Now, Grace had betrayed him. The thought of Grace with another man sent a fresh wave of fury through him. He would find that jackass and rip him apart. But first, he needed to focus on more significant matters. Getting Rosalie back and destroying Alex's pack.
He poured himself another drink, the bitter liquid a temporary balm for his rage. After finishing it, he called for Thomas. Beta Thomas entered the office, trying to maintain his composure despite the chaotic scene. Papers and debris littered the floor, remnants of Chris's rage. He stood at attention, awaiting his Alpha's commands.
"How are the preparations going?" Chris asked, his voice low.
"There is nothing left to do, my Alpha. We will leave for the moon festival as planned," Thomas replied confidently. Chris nodded, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Good. Let's show them what we're made of," he said, his eyes glinting with determination.
"Sure, my Alpha; everything is exactly where it should be," Thomas affirmed.
Chris nodded, satisfied for the moment.
As Thomas left the room, Chris took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within him.
************************************************************
Melissa couldn't believe what she had seen in the garden. She had been taking a walk, hoping to clear her mind, when she stumbled upon the sight of Martin and Grace kissing. Her heart raced as she hurried to the barn, where she knew Martin would be working.
Bursting through the barn doors, she found him tending to one of the horses. "Martin, I need to talk to you," she demanded, her voice shaking with a mixture of anger and fear.
Martin looked up, surprised by her tone. "Melissa? What's wrong?"
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I saw you in the garden with Grace. What the hell is going on?"
Martin's expression shifted from surprise to alarm. "Melissa, it's not what you think."
"Don't lie to me!" She interrupted, her eyes blazing. "I saw you two kissing. Are you having an affair with her?"
Martin hesitated, then sighed heavily. "Alright, yes. It's true. Grace and I... we care about each other."
Melissa's face paled. "Do you have any idea what will happen if Chris finds out? He'll kill you, Martin. Not just you, but your uncle, aunt, and anyone else close to you. He'll kill them all."
Martin looked down, the weight of her words pressing on him. "I know the risks, Melissa. But I won't let that happen. I can protect everyone, especially Grace."
“How can you even be with her?” Melissa demanded, her voice rising. “She’s mistreated your aunt, your friends, and everyone in the pack. How can you possibly love someone like her?”
Martin sighed, looking away for a moment before meeting Melissa’s eyes. “You don’t know her like I do. When I first met Grace, I saw the same ruthless woman everyone else sees. But then I got to know her. I found out that she’s also a victim. She’s been through so much and acts the way she does to protect herself. She’s not bad, Melissa. She’s just... hurt.”
Melissa stared at him, her disbelief mingling with confusion. “But...”
Martin interrupted her, his voice soft but firm. “Grace has had to be tough to survive. But beneath that exterior, she’s kind, and she’s vulnerable. She has been hurt once because of me. I can't let that happen again."
"What do you mean ?"
Martin took a deep breath before continuing, "The night Gregory assulted her, she was supposed to me. But I wasn't there for her."
Melissa's eyes widened in shock as she processed Martin's words.
"Damm ! Do you realise you had a lucky escape that day ? Otherwise, you would have died instead of Gregory."
Martin's eyes darkened with guilt as he nodded in agreement. "I know. I need to make things right and protect her from any more pain."
“But Martin,” Melissa persisted, “what about the pack? What about your family? How can you risk everything for her?”
“I won’t let anything happen to them,” Martin assured her. “I’ll protect everyone, including Grace. I know it sounds crazy, but I believe we can find a way.”
"You're delusional," Melissa said, her voice breaking. "You can't protect anyone from Chris. He's too powerful and too ruthless. You need to end this, for everyone's sake."
Martin shook his head stubbornly. "I can't do that. Grace means too much to me. I can't just walk away."
Melissa grabbed his arm, her eyes pleading. "Please, Martin. Think about what you're saying. This isn't just about you and Grace. It's about everyone's safety. Chris is a monster. He'll tear everything apart if he finds out."
Martin reached out and took her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. "Melissa, please. Promise me you won't tell anyone. Give me a chance to figure this out."
She looked at him, torn between her loyalty to the pack and her fear for Martin's safety. Finally, she nodded reluctantly. "Alright, Martin. I won't say anything. But this is a dangerous game you're playing. Stop seeing Grace."
“Thank you, Melissa. I owe you.”
As she walked away from the barn, Melissa’s mind was in turmoil. She had promised to keep his secret, but the weight of it felt crushing. She only hoped Martin knew what he was doing, because the consequences of his actions could be devastating for all of them.