Chapter 155: Cancelled
Oliver’s POV
??"It’s nothing," Aurora stamred, her eyes darting away from mine. "I’m just... I’m stressed over my brother’s health. It’s been weighing on ."
??I watched her closely, my heart heavy with a mixture of pity and burning cold anger. I knew she was lying. The way her hands shook, the way she couldn’t et my gaze, and the sudden, panicked ntion of Cassey—it all painted a clear picture. She wasn’t just stressed; she was terrified.
??And I knew exactly why.
??I nodded slowly, pretending to buy the lie. "I understand. It’s been a lot for you lately."
??I glanced back down at my phone. Cassey was blocked, yes, but the bitch was persistent. She had used a private, untraceable number to bypass my filters. I had seen the notification just as I stepped out of the shower: a series of photos titled, "See where your little slut was found."
??The images were of Aurora, her temple bandaged, looking haunted as she stepped out of the club.
??I felt a roar building in my chest, but I suppressed it. I wouldn’t question her about it—not now. If I confronted her, I’d have to admit I knew she was at that club. I’d have to admit I was there, too. We were both drowning in the sa sea of lies, and if I pulled the string now, everything would unravel before I was ready.
??"I’m sorry, baby," I said, my voice forced and steady. "An ergency just ca up with the Council. I have to go down to my study to make a conference call. It might take a while."
??Aurora’s shoulders visibly dropped in relief. "Oh. Okay. Go ahead, Oliver. I’ll just... I’ll rest for a bit."
??I leaned down, kissing her forehead right next to the bandage. "Rest. You look like you need it."
??I turned and walked out, my face hardening into stone the mont the door clicked shut. I went straight to my private study a floor below.
??I sat behind my desk and picked up my phone. I went into my settings, found Cassey’s contact, and unblocked her. I didn’t text. I called.
??She picked up on the second ring, her voice dripping with triumphant glee. "I believe you must have seen my little gift, Oliver? I told you she wasn’t—"
??"Shut your mouth, Cassey," I snapped. "Listen to
very carefully, because I am only going to say this once."
??The silence on the other end was instantaneous. She knew that tone. She knew what happened when I stopped being the "big boy" and started being the King.
??"If those pictures are seen anywhere else—if they are leaked, shared, or even whispered about—I will not just ruin you," I stated, my wolf clawing at the back of my throat. "I will make your life a living hell. I will strip your family of every title they hold. I will ensure your little boyfriend never finds work in this territory again. I will erase your na from the history of this world."
??"Oliver, you wouldn’t—"
??"You know , Cassey," I interrupted, my voice dropping to a whisper that was far scarier than a shout. "You know exactly what I am capable of. I have ended Alphas for less than this. Stay away from Aurora. Never co close to her. Never contact her. If I even see you near her again, I won’t send a warning. I’ll send a cleaning crew."
??"You’re protecting her?" she breathed, her voice trembling now. "Even after seeing where she was?"
??"I am protecting what is mine," I growled. "Delete the photos. Delete the backups. If a single pixel of her face survives on your devices by tonight, you will find out exactly how much of a monster I can be. Do you understand?"
??I didn’t wait for her to answer. I hung up the phone and threw it onto the desk. I sat there in the dark, my chest heaving.
??After composing myself, I headed back up to the room.
??"Dinner is ready," I said, my voice tight but gentle. "Let’s go, baby."
??We walked down to the dining hall in a silence so thick it felt like we were breathing through wool. The table was set, but the atmosphere was crowded with the things we weren’t saying.
??A young maid, Lina, moved quietly around the table. She was one of our most focused and close staff mbers. As she placed a glass in front of , she noticed a small stray thread on the shoulder of my shirt—likely from when I had been rushing to change earlier.
??With a polite, professional smile, she reached out and plucked the thread away. "Pardon , Alpha. Just a loose thread," she murmured softly before stepping back to pour the water. It was a completely innocent, helpful act—the kind of thing she’d do for any mber of the family.
??But Aurora’s fork clattered against her plate. She looked at Lina’s hand, then at , her eyes flashing with a sudden, irrational anger.
??"Is it part of your job description to touch my man’s clothes while he’s wearing them?" Aurora’s voice was loud and rude.
??Lina froze, her face turning pale. "I... I’m sorry, Miss Aurora. I only ant to be helpful. It was just a thread..."
??"I have eyes, Lina. I saw what it was," Aurora snapped. The guilt from the club and the fear of being caught was twisting inside her, turning into a nasty, defensive fire. She looked at , her lip curling. "It seems you and the staff have quite ’a thing’ going on, Oliver. Is this how it is when I’m not around? Do they all feel this comfortable putting their hands on you?"
??I stared at Aurora, my jaw clenching. I had just spent my afternoon protecting her from a scandal that could ruin her, and here she was, picking a fight over a piece of string to distract from her own sins.
??"That’s enough, Lina. Leave us," I commanded. The maid scrambled out of the room, looking terrified.
??The doors slamd shut. Aurora turned her glare on . "You didn’t answer . Since when did you beco so relaxed with the staff?"
??I let out a cold, hollow laugh. I leaned back in my chair, looking at her as if she were a stranger.
??"You want to talk about who is ’relaxing’ with whom, Aurora? You want to talk about boundaries?"
??"What is that supposed to an?" she challenged, her voice rising.
??"It ans," I said, my voice dropping to a deadly, calm level, "that I’ve been thinking. You’re clearly ’stressed.’ You’re tripping in bathrooms. You’re snapping at staff over a loose thread. You’re clearly not in the right headspace for a vacation."
??Aurora’s heart rate spiked. "What are you saying?"
??"The trip to the Maldives is canceled," I stated flatly.
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