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Chapter 232
~Zara’s POV~
The hall was alive with excitent as Aira and I entered, the space buzzing with chatter and anticipation.
Rows of seats were arranged in a semicircle, facing a raised stage adorned with soft silver and gold drapes.
The air carried a festive energy, with mbers of the pack bustling around, making final adjustnts to the decorations.
I took a deep breath, letting the energy of the room settle my nerves. This wasn’t just an event—it was a mont to celebrate the strength and individuality of every woman participating.
"Zara," Luna Star called, beckoning toward the stage.
I followed her. The sound of my heels clicking against the floor as we ascended the steps. Aira stayed close.
The hall filled quickly, pack mbers and families taking their seats, their faces alight with anticipation.
The young won participating in the pageant were seated in a reserved section near the front, their excitent evident in their animated whispers.
Alpha Storm stood at the podium, his presence instantly drawing the room’s attention. The chatter quieted, and all eyes turned to him as he began to speak.
"Welco, everyone," he said, his deep voice carrying easily across the room. "Today marks the beginning of a tradition that has strengthened our pack for generations. The Ivory Crescent Pageant is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of growth, courage, and unity."
The audience applauded, the sound filling the room with warmth.
Luna Star stepped forward next, her smile radiant. "To the young won sitting before us: this journey is yours to embrace. Each of you brings sothing unique, sothing valuable, to our pack. This is your ti to shine."
The applause swelled again, and I felt a surge of pride for the participants.
Then it was my turn. I stepped forward, my heart pounding but my steps steady. The sea of expectant faces didn’t unnerve ; instead, they fueled my determination.
"Thank you, Alpha Storm and Luna Star," I began and took a pause to clear my throat, softly despite the rush of emotions inside , "this pageant isn’t just about crowns or titles. It’s about discovering who you are, embracing your strengths, and finding your voice. Every one of you has the potential to lead, to inspire, and to make a difference—not just within our pack, but far beyond. And I hope that by the end of this event, you all will see that in you."
I paused, letting my words sink in. "You don’t have to be perfect," I continued. "You just have to be willing to try, to grow, and to support one another. Because together, we’re stronger than we could ever be alone."
The applause was imdiate, heartfelt, and enthusiastic. The young won’s faces lit up with pride and I knew my words had reached them.
As I stepped back, Aira squeezed my hand, her grin infectious. "You killed it."
The ceremony continued with introductions and acknowledgnts, each segnt further highlighting the spirit of the pageant. By the ti it ended, excitent filled the air.
As the crowd began to disperse, Luna Star approached , her eyes shining with approval. "You spoke beautifully, Zara. They needed to hear those words."
I smiled. "Thank you. I just hope I can keep eting their expectations."
"You will," she said simply. "You already have."
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~Snow’s POV~
The office was eerily silent, save for the soft tapping of my fingers against the desk. My focus was sharp, dissecting every report and every dead end surrounding the bombing at the mansion.
Knowing that the breach in my company and the bombing might be aligned, I decided to go back to the mansion. The quicker I discovered my enemy, the quicker my heart could be at peace concerning Zara’s safety.
The threads didn’t connect—at least, not yet—but I wasn’t about to let this trail grow cold.
A firm knock on the door broke my concentration.
"Co in," I called, not looking up.
The door opened, and Dare Devil strode in, his towering fra and presence imdiately shifting the atmosphere in the room.
He wore a dark leather jacket and black jeans. Stopping in front of my desk, Dare Devil placed a white envelope on my desk.
"You’ll want to see this."
I glanced at the envelope, noting the lack of any identifying marks. My instincts flared. "Where did it co from?"
"Dropped at your previous mansion," Dare Devil replied, crossing his arms as he leaned against the edge of the desk. "No sender. No explanation."
My eyes narrowed as I reached for the envelope, tearing it open. Inside was a single photograph and a folded sheet of paper.
The photograph imdiately caught my attention. It was a picture of the mansion taken before the explosion. But what made my blood run cold was the figure in the foreground—Marcus Devereaux?
Dare Devil’s eyes followed mine. "That’s impossible, right?" he muttered.
I didn’t answer, flipping the photograph to examine the back. Nothing. No clues. I unfolded the paper, reading the hastily scrawled words:
"You missed sothing. Look again."
"What is this supposed to an?" I growled, my fingers curling around the edge of the paper.
"It’s bait," Dare Devil said simply. "Whoever sent this wants you to question what you know. Marcus is dead, but they’re using his na to rattle you."
I knew, but who could it be? Was it Ivan? Only he was linked to Marcus back then.
My jaw tightened as I leaned back in my chair, staring at the photograph. "Should dead Marcus have been involved in the bombing, it changes everything. Did he foresee his death and had this planned in advance, or... was it a stunt double I killed?"
Dare Devil gestured to the photograph. "We need to trace this—find out who took it, when, and why."
I nodded, my thoughts racing. "It has to lead sowhere."
"I had it scanned already," Dare Devil added, pulling a flash drive from his pocket. "The tech team says the background was doctored. The mansion was added digitally, but the figure is Marcus. The original photo could’ve been taken months ago—or even weeks."
"Which ans soone wants us looking in circles," I said, my tone clipped. "But why the mansion? Why now?"
Dare Devil didn’t reply imdiately, but his expression darkened. "There’s one more thing. We did manage to trace the email that flagged the photo. It leads to a server that was last accessed at..." He hesitated.
"Where?" I pressed.
"The warehouse," Dare Devil said.
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m fr𝒆ewebnove(l)
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