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Chapter 3

Chapter 3

REENA

Jacob’s words hit me like a punch in the gut. Arrested? My father? I struggled to process the news, my heart racing as fear tangled with anger. "Why? What happened?" My voice trembled, though I tried to sound strong.

Jacob swallowed hard, his eyes filled with unease. "He was arrested for attempted murder of the Alpha," he whispered, his voice almost drowned by the storm of thoughts raging in my mind.

I gasped, my entire body tensing as disbelief flooded me. "What! No! That can’t be true!" I clenched my fists, fighting the fury burning inside me. Silverton can mess with me, humiliate me, but my father? He was all I had left after losing my mother. I couldn't lose him too.

Without another word, I pushed past Jacob, his voice calling after me, but I didn’t care. There was no time for explanations. All that mattered was saving my father.

As I ran toward the parking lot, panic twisted in my gut. My hands trembled as I grabbed the car keys, my mind racing as fast as my feet. I had driven only once before—my dad had always forbidden me from driving, saying it was too dangerous. But none of that matters now, I told myself as I threw myself into the driver’s seat and jammed the key into the ignition.

Maya, my wolf, stirred uneasily. We’re not ready for this, Reena, she warned, her voice soft but laced with concern. But I pushed her down, focusing on the task ahead. I had no choice.

I sped off, tires screeching, my knuckles white as I gripped the steering wheel. The world outside blurred as I weaved through traffic, honking at cars that dared to slow me down. Drivers cursed, but I didn't care. Maya growled inside me, feeling my rising anger, but I shut her out. We don’t have time for rage, I told her. We need to get to him.

The mansion loomed ahead, a stark reminder of everything that had been ripped from me. I slammed on the brakes, the car jerking to a halt as I jumped out and rushed toward the gates. The security guards who once greeted me with respect, their eyes shining with admiration, now looked at me with cold indifference.

"Where is the Alpha?" I demanded, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

The guard sneered, his lips curling cruelly. "Who are you to barge into the Alpha’s mansion like this? You're no longer the Beta’s precious daughter, destined to be Luna. You’re just... Reena."

His words sliced through me, and I felt Maya flinch inside, her pain echoing my own. He’s nothing, I told her, pushing the emotions aside. Focus on Father.

The guard laughed as if relishing my pain. "Your father? He’s no longer the Beta. He’s a criminal now, accused of trying to murder the Alpha."

Maya’s growl rumbled through me, the sound filled with both hurt and fury. But I kept her contained, biting back the retort that threatened to escape. I couldn’t let this guard’s taunts throw me off.

I burst into Silverton's office without knocking, my heart pounding in my chest, and froze at the sight before me. Silverton and Emily, wrapped in each other’s arms, lips locked in a kiss. The image of betrayal seared into my mind.

Silverton’s eyes snapped toward me, his face twisting in frustration. “Aren’t you taught that you should knock before entering someone’s space?” His voice was cold, disinterested.

Maya stirred again, her discomfort mirroring my own, but I kept her quiet. Stay calm. Focus.

“I want to know why my father was arrested,” I said, standing as tall as I could despite the tremble in my voice.

Silverton leaned back, his gaze never leaving mine. “He tried to attack me. The evidence is clear.”

“That’s a lie!” I shouted, taking a step forward, fury boiling beneath my skin. “My father would never do that.”

Emily’s laugh was sharp, like glass shattering in my ears. “Of course, Silverton. Reena’s a daddy’s girl, and her father could never do anything wrong.”

I glared at her, my hands shaking. “How dare you speak about my father like that, Emily? My father took care of you after your father died. You may be a horrible friend, but at least don’t be an ungrateful one.”

Emily’s eyes glittered with cold malice. “Oh, Reena. You’re so naive. Still clinging to your fantasies.”

Silverton’s eyes darkened, turning red with anger as his growl filled the room. “How dare you speak to the Luna like that? Do you want to join your father? Perhaps you don’t care about his life as much as you pretend.”

His words twisted the knife deeper into my heart. I felt my knees weaken, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Don’t cry, don’t cry, I chanted in my head.

But when they laughed—Silverton and Emily, reveling in my pain—the tears spilled over, hot and uncontrollable. My breath hitched as I spoke. “Why are you doing this to me? What has my family done to deserve this? You rejected me. I accepted it. You chose Emily. I accepted that too. But please… don’t drag my father into this. He’s treated you like a son.”

For a moment, something shifted in Silverton’s eyes, and I dared to hope. “Yes, he’s treated me like a son,” he mused, clicking his tongue.

Maybe he’ll listen. I held my breath, clinging to that thin thread of hope.

But then Silverton smirked. “And that’s why he hasn’t been killed yet.”

My hope shattered.

“If you want to save your father, Reena, there’s something you can do for me.” His voice turned cruel, amusement dancing in his eyes.

I stared at him, confused. “Anything. Please, just let my father go.”

Silverton’s smile widened, hunger gleaming in his gaze. “Have you heard of the Starlight pack? Their Alpha, Dante, is a mystery. No one has ever seen him, but his pack is the richest, the strongest.”

“What does that have to do with me?” I demanded, my patience fraying.

“I need someone to infiltrate them. Be my eyes and ears. Find out everything about Dante. In exchange, your father will be spared.”

My blood ran cold. Emily’s smirk told me everything. They wanted me to spy for them—to risk my life for my father’s freedom.

Maya snarled, her fury echoing through me. No! This is madness!

But my heart tightened at the thought of my father behind bars. I couldn’t lose him. Not after everything.

I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “You want me to spy on Starlight pack?”

Silverton leaned back, satisfied. “Yes. And if you succeed, your father will live.”

I stood frozen, torn between fear and duty. There was no good choice here. Only sacrifice.

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