Chapter 89

• I froze, staring into his eyes. His arms drew me close as he stroked my hair, his touch meant to soothe me. Yet, his attempts felt futile. My heart thundered erratically from the moment he spoke my father’s name. I could dismiss the presence of any other Alpha, but not him. Even now, with my defenses strengthened and someone just as powerful by my side, the very thought of meeting Cassius Marwood’s gaze filled me with terror. Did that make me a coward? Perhaps. But I couldn’t deny that the weight of his presence reduced me to the most fragile version of myself.
• “W-why does he have to be there?” My voice trembled as I fought to understand. “He killed your mother, didn’t he?” I shivered, the idea of inviting someone like Cassius chilling me to the core.
• “This is exactly why I want him there.” Hadrian’s lips curved into a cold smirk. “I want to stare into his eyes and let him feel fear. I want him to know that his reckoning is near.”