BOUND BY THE ALPHA'S DARK SECRET

Chapter 3

“The Cost of Vengeance”

Ariana’s POV

The room glowed palely as morning light poured through the windows. Perched at the brink of the bed, I watched the world outside gradually come alive. The Blood Moon mansion was shockingly silent—the type of quietness that made your skin tingle with discomfort. I was not running on pure wrath for the first time in several weeks. Though I had originally moved toward dragging Luca to his knees, something still bit me.

The weight of last night—the bargain I had struck with Sebastian—the grim expression in his eyes as he turned down my offer—was intolerable. He seemed strange—something I couldn't quite put in place. He was more than simply a tool toward a goal. More dangerous than that was him. Ignorance would cause me to lose control of this matter as well as of myself.

A gentle tap interrupted my thinking. Turning toward the entrance, I expected a servant or some unidentified wolf dispatched to retrieve me. Rather, Caleb was standing there like he had all the time in the world once more. His face was blank, his black eyes narrowing slightly as he drew me in.

"Good morning, Ariana," he began naturally, walking inside without waiting for an invitation. "Did you have a good sleep?"

I met his look by crossing my arms across my chest. Not too bad.

His lips quenched to produce a half-smile. "Waiting for you is Sebastian. We ought to talk about the next actions now.

Not surprisingly. Straightforward business. Mind already racing, I trailed Caleb down the corridor. Sebastian was not a stupid man. I had to be ready even though I knew he wouldn't waste time once the contract was signed. I had to confirm that I remained the one under control. Caleb, on the other hand, was a wild card. Not with that knowing glance in his eyes, like he had already solved me, I did not trust him.

"Why are you here, Caleb?" Walking side by side, I inquired. "Your part in all of this is what?"

He looked at me, his tone cool yet with a hint of humor. "I am the beta for Sebastian. I manage the things he lacks time for.

That is not what I intended.

Caleb let out a subdued laugh. "You are smart; I will say that. Ariana, but you are not the only one harbouring secrets. Moreover, secrets are money on our planet.

I narrowed my gaze. "What's that supposed to mean?" asked

His voice falling as we approached the large oak doors leading to Sebastian's office, he remarked, "It indicates that I know more about you than you believe. I also know your motivating factor. While your aim may be vengeance, it is not your sole flaw.

Caleb pushed open the door and left me with the sour taste of his words floating about before I could reply. She understood. Obviously, he did. That did not imply, though, that I would let him turn it against me.

Sebastian sat at a big oak desk with sharp shadows over his face from the early sun. As we arrived, he turned to face me with the same, terrifying intensity from his ice blue eyes.

"Sit," he said, pointing to the chair across from him.

I hesitated briefly, then obliged, sliding down onto the chair. Caleb leaned sloppily against the wall, his presence a somewhat taunting reminder that none of this space was private. I would have to use great caution with my language.

"We have to discuss Luca," Sebastian said, his voice cool and deliberate. You claimed to know his plans. Exactly what does he wish for?

I slanted forward just slightly to face Sebastian squarely. For months, Luca has been working behind your back. Trying to establish his own following outside the pack, he has been negotiating with your rivals. He believes he might contest your Alpha status.

Sebastian did not flinch, but I could see the strain in his jaw—the flutter of wrath behind those cool eyes. "He has always had great ambition. If he believes he can knock me down, though, he is a fool.

"That's why I'm here," I responded, my voice calm. "Luca has wounded me in ways I cannot pardon already. I would want to watch his trip. And I know you do as well.

Sebastian slanted back in his chair and silently studied me for a time. Though his look was incomprehensible, I sensed the wheels spinning in his head.

At last he added, "You want revenge." But what are you ready to give up in order to get it?

I started to tense at the inquiry. One I had not let myself really give thought. But now, with Sebastian staring at me, I understood that this was more than just about Luca. There was no going back; I was in more than I had intended.

Though the words felt bad in my mouth, I said firmly, "I'm ready to do whatever it takes."

Sebastian's lips bent into a thin, almost predatory grin. "Good". Then we went forward.

The remainder of the morning drifted in a haze of ideas and plans. Sebastian was unrelenting, analysing every element of Luca's treachery, every conceivable point of attack. What his son was capable of, he had no fantasies. Luca was dangerously ambitious, sneaky, and brutal. Sebastian, however, was something else entirely—a force of nature, a man who had withstood far more than the treachery of a son.

I became aware of how firmly I had woven myself into Sebastian's universe as the sun started to set lower in the heavens. And Caleb watched, listened constantly. Though I couldn't really understand why, his presence bothered me. Something about him, something deadly, I hadn't yet discovered.

My head was racing with the weight of all that had transpired by the time we broke for evening. I needed air, room to consider, and to breathe.

With the weight of the day firmly on my chest, I emerged outdoors into the cold evening air. Keeping myself together and not letting Sebastian or Caleb know how near I was to the brink, I could feel the effort in my muscles. Restless, my wolf was prowling within me, her demand for retribution still blazing.

But a different sort of anxiety started to seep in as I strolled farther into the forest, away from the Blood Moon estate's stone walls. Suppose this was all a mistake. Suppose I was unable to control the monster I was going to unleash.

I spun fast, my body tensing with reflex as the sound of footfall behind me tore me from her thoughts.

Of course, it was Caleb. Rising from the shadows, he had hands sloppily tucked into his pockets and a similar knowing smile flickering on his lips.

"You have been quite quiet today," he observed, his voice kind yet cautious. "I had more fire coming from you."

I squinted and crossed my arms across my chest. Caleb, I'm not here to amuse you.

"No," he said, staring straight ahead. Still, you are here for something more than just retribution.

I tightened my hands, my wolf waking me inside. "What are you discussing?"

Caleb came forward, his eyes fixed on mine with a force that had my heart pounding. "I notice your attitude towards Sebastian. Though you believe this is only about Luca, it is not. Like he is pulled to you, you are drawn to him. Ariana, this goes beyond simple retribution. It has to do with power.

I backed off and shook my head. "You know nothing about me."

He laughed gently, amused by something. Possibly not. Still, I know just enough.

He turned and left into the darkness of the trees before I could reply. My heart thumping in my chest, Caleb's words kept coming back to me. I detested that he was right—something about Sebastian drew me in, something I was powerless against.

I can't afford to let myself become sidetracked, though. Not at this moment. Not once I was thus near to permanently eradicating Luca.

The breeze changed as I turned to go back to the estate, and it smelt something that stopped me cold. Though I knew it well, it was scarcely perceptible.

Luca.

He seemed near.