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Chapter 309
~Tempest’s POV~
A Few Hours Ago...
After Snow and the others left, Golden God had stayed behind, lounging lazily in the VIP room like he had all the ti in the world.
"So," I said, crossing my arms as I leaned against the private bar in the lounge, "how the hell do you always know everything before the rest of us?"
Golden God smirked, taking a slow sip of his drink. "A magician never reveals his secrets, Tempest."
I narrowed my eyes. "You’re not a magician. You’re an informant with too much access to things you shouldn’t have."
He chuckled, setting his glass down and propping his chin on his fist. "And yet, you’re here asking for answers."
I rolled my eyes. "Cut the bullshit. How did you know about the attack on Ivory Crescent before Draven did? He’s literally the pack’s Beta, for crying out loud."
Golden God tilted his head slightly, his golden-blond hair shifting as he studied . "I have my ways."
"That’s not an answer."
He sighed, drumming his fingers against the table. "Fine. Let’s just say I have... sources everywhere. And those sources are very well compensated for the information they provide."
I huffed. "And what exactly is your endga, Golden? Why do you even care?"
His smirk faltered slightly, and for the first ti since I t him, I saw a flicker of sothing serious in his eyes.
"Because I hate losing," he said simply. "And right now, Kane is a threat. I don’t like threats."
I studied him for a mont before exhaling. "So you’re telling you’re keeping tabs on my family for... what? A ga?"
He lifted a shoulder. "Think of it as a strategic investnt."
I clenched my jaw. "You’re impossible."
"And you’re adorable when you’re annoyed."
I scowled. "Go to hell."
Golden God grinned. "I might, but at least I’ll have good company."
I downed the rest of my drink, slamming the glass onto the bar. "Just tell this—are you working for soone, or are you playing your own ga?"
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stood, adjusting his leather jacket with a lazy stretch. "Let’s just say... I’m on the winning side."
I frowned. "And whose side is that?"
Golden God winked. "The one that stays alive."
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~Present Mont~
I sighed, shaking my head as I took another sip of whiskey.
Golden God was a walking enigma, and I didn’t trust him. But his information had never been wrong before. If he said Kane was planning sothing, then Kane was planning sothing.
And that ant we didn’t have much ti.
Storm’s life was in danger.
And Aira’s?
I wasn’t sure if she truly understood just how far Kane would go.
I set my glass down, rolling my shoulders to ease the tension. Tomorrow, I needed to talk to Aira myself. She needed to be prepared, and she needed to be ready to end this.
Because if Kane thought he could waltz in and take what wasn’t his—he had another thing coming.
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~Ella’s POV~
I tossed another shirt into the box, my fingers tightening as I separated Styles’ belongings from mine.
It had been hours since I started, but every item I touched felt like a piece of my heart was being chipped away.
Although we were neighbours, we got so involved with each other that sotis he left his stuff in my place, and I was so comfortable with it.
Apparently, he wasn’t concerned about them abandoning things like that and moving out.
I wasn’t doing this to get rid of him—I wasn’t ready to let go. But I needed so distance. Keeping his things lying around only made it harder.
I still couldn’t deny how I felt and if I could, I would chase after him, pinning away to let him see how much I loved him.
And honestly, before I told Zara about what he did, that was my plan.
I believed if I showed him much love, he would have no choice but to stay. How wrong I was. Zara made realize that. And eting Ares did too.
With a deep sigh, I grabbed a small leather box from the top shelf of my closet. It was filled with random keepsakes—little monts frozen in ti.
Concert tickets, a few old letters, and a couple of notes he had left on the fridge with inside jokes only we understood.
And then I saw it.
A cara.
I swallowed hard, my hands trembling as I lifted it. This was our cara.
Styles and I had used it to capture mories, so too ridiculous, so too intimate. A part of wanted to throw it in the box without looking, but my fingers betrayed as I flipped it on.
The screen blinked to life, and the last image taken filled the display.
My breath hitched.
It was the two of us in his bathtub, soaking in warm water, a half-empty bottle of wine between us.
Styles was behind , his arms draped around my shoulders, his chin resting on top of my head.
He had that lazy grin—the one that made my heart flutter every damn ti. My eyes were closed, lips slightly parted as if caught mid-laugh.
I ran my thumb over the screen, my vision blurring as a tear slipped down my cheek.
I hated him for leaving in the dark.
I hated him for making doubt everything we had.
But mostly... I hated how much I still loved him.
A sob tore through , and I quickly wiped at my face. ’Enough, Ella. Get yourself together.’
Just then, my phone rang, breaking through my sorrow.
I glanced at the screen.
Caleb/Ares.
I hesitated before answering, my voice hoarse. "Hello?"
"Ella," Ares’s deep, smooth voice ca through. "I’m in town for business. Thought I’d take you out for so fun."
I let out a breath, closing my eyes—Ares’s. Always so persistent.
"I’m not really in the mood, Ares’," I murmured. "I just... I want to be alone."
There was silence on the other end for a second before he spoke again, his tone softer. "Are you okay?"
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