Chapter 18
Rhett stood at the floor–to–ceiling window, a freshly lit cigarette between his fingers.
The moment he realized Isla was the one he’d been searching for all along, he sent his team combing through the entire pack.
But there was nothing. No leads. No trace.
Even her old contact info had been deactivated.
The guilt gnawed at him. He couldn’t believe it had taken him this long to recognize her. And now? He didn’t even have the chance to explain.
All he wanted–all he needed -was to find Isla.
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A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. Rhett stubbed out the cigarette without a second thought.
The Beta opened the door, ushering in Regis.
“I heard you’re planning to inform the Echelon elders,” Rhett said, voice like ice. “Trying to pressure me now? Is that it?”
Regis flinched. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
“No–no, of course not!” he stammered. “That’s not what I meant. I just… I hate to see a bond like yours and Arabella’s fall apart, that’s all.”
Rhett gave a humorless laugh. “Mate bond?”
“You think I’m that easy to fool?”
refusing food, pushed him to speak again.
Regis couldn’t even lift his eyes. But the memory of Arabella locked in her roomberg Antep, we do Conesapr
“My mate and I–we’ve always respected you, Alpha. Having a leader like you take interest in our was the best thing that could ever happen to our family.”
daughter–honestly, we thought it
“You and Arabella seem to get along so well… does it really matter who took care of you that night?”
His voice turned greasy with persuasion. “Why not let it be? What’s done is done.‘
L
Rhett stared at him for a long second. Then he asked, quietly, dangerously, “So it wasn’t Arabella who helped me back then. It was Isla -wasn’t it?”
Regis paled. Rhett grabbed his collar and shoved him up against the glass.
“You lie to me again, I’ll toss you out this window myself.”
Regis’s legs buckied beneath him.
“Yes! Yes–it was Isla,” he gasped. “Not Arabella.”
“At first, we didn’t know. Arabella overheard you were searching for someone- Isla. So we… made the switch. Gave her Isla’s bracelet, too.”
Rhett’s jaw clenched.
and she said the girl you described sounded just like
“You thought I wouldn’t notice?” he said coldly. “What was the plan, then? Pick whichever daughter was more convenient and throw her at me?”
“Arabella is my real daughter,” Regis replied, not even trying to hide it. “Isla was only ever born to save her. Of course they’re not the
same.”
Of course.
Of course that was how he saw it.
Chapter 18
GoodShort
Bom entrats
18 DES
Rhett didn’t speak, but in that moment, everything made sense. Isla cutting ties. The way she looked at him that last night. The quiet strength she carried.
He finally understood why she walked away.
“Where is she now?” he demanded. “Did you hide her?”
Regis shook his head quickly. “She left. Said she was headed to Veloria.”
“You have an address?”
“No…”
Rhett narrowed his eyes.
Then he turned toward the Beta.
“Take him,” he ordered. “And bring his mate. Lock them both in the basement.‘
“What?!” Regis shouted, but the Beta didn’t hesitate. Two guards grabbed him and dragged him toward the stairs.
“You can’t do this!” he struggled, voice rising in panic. “I told you everything! What kind of Alpha punishes honesty? Is this how you rule–through fear?!”
He thrashed as they dragged him toward the stairs. “You’ll regret this! The Moon Goddess is watching!”
His protests faded as the door slammed shut, leaving the room deathly still.
The clock on the wall ticked softly.
Rhett walked back to the window and tried lighting another cigarette–but the lighter wouldn’t catch. Frustrated, he hurled the ashtray across the room. It shattered against the floor, glass scattering everywhere.
A shard sliced across his arm, blood rising fast and bright.
He didn’t even flinch.
His eyes were on the horizon.
Isla.
Where are you?
I know the truth now.
Please just give me one chance to see you again.
Chapter 18
