Chapter 37
Gabe and Jake entered Federico’s office, their expressions carefully neutral. Federico, seated behind his large oak desk, raised an eyebrow as they approached, already sensing what was coming.
“Your brothers, Leandro and Thomas, were here to see you,” Gabe said, folding his arms across his chest.
Federico let out a dry laugh, leaning back in his chair. “You don’t have to behave as if you don’t know that I don’t get along with them. You can skip the formalities.”
Jake exchanged a glance with Gabe before shrugging. “We know, but it’s still good to keep you informed.”
Federico shook his head, tapping his fingers on the desk, his mind already wandering. His brothers had always been trouble, always scheming behind his back. But today, they weren’t his main concern.
“Alright, enough about them,” he said, rubbing his temples. “Let’s talk about the ball.”
Both Gabe and Jake straightened, understanding the seriousness in his tone.
“I need you two to be vigilant during the ball,” Federico continued. “Anything can happen. We can’t afford for rogues to sneak in unnoticed.”
Jake frowned. “You think rogues would dare try something at a formal event like this?”
Federico nodded, his eyes darkening. “They would. And they will if they think there’s something to gain. The Red Moon pack is powerful, and some would do anything to bring it down.”
Gabe leaned forward, resting his hands on the desk. “We’ll keep an eye out. I’ll double the guards on the perimeter.”
“Good,” Federico said, his mind racing. “But also, be vigilant concerning Azalea. I don’t want her getting harmed.”
The room fell silent after his words, the weight of what he had said hanging in the air. He had spoken without thinking, his concern for Azalea slipping out unintentionally. His jaw clenched as he realised his mistake.
Jake, always perceptive, raised an eyebrow. “Azalea? Is she in danger?”
Federico waved a hand, trying to dismiss it. “I just don’t want anything happening to her. She’s my wife, after all.”
Gabe and Jake didn’t push further, but they exchanged a glance that told Federico they weren’t entirely convinced by his casual explanation.
After they left, Federico sat in silence for a moment, his thoughts spiralling. Why was he so concerned about Azalea? She was just part of the deal, part of the contract that had been made to strengthen his pack. He shouldn’t be worried about her safety like this. He scowled, berating himself in his mind. *I shouldn’t care about her,* he thought. *She’s just here to fulfil her role, nothing more.*
But deep down, something nagged at him, a feeling he couldn’t quite shake. He tried to focus on the preparations for the ball, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Azalea.
—
Meanwhile, in another part of the packhouse, Maya and Marie stood in front of a mirror, twirling in their elegant gowns as their mother, Lady Margaret, admired them.
“You two look stunning,” Lady Margaret said, clapping her hands together. “Beautiful. The ball will be magnificent.”
Maya smiled at her reflection, but her mind was elsewhere. Her thoughts were racing, distracted by the constant worry that had been gnawing at her lately. She knew she had enemies-people who would want to see her fall-but there was one in particular who haunted her more than anyone else.
“Maya,” Lady Margaret said, noticing her daughter’s distraction. “Are you alright, darling?”
Maya blinked and turned to her mother, forcing a smile. “I’m fine, Mom. Just thinking about all the preparations.”
Marie, her younger sister, chuckled as she admired herself in the mirror. “You’re always overthinking, Maya. Just enjoy the moment. We’re going to be the belles of the ball.”
Before Maya could respond, her phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down at the screen, and her heart dropped.
It was an unknown number.
Her pulse quickened, and she quickly excused herself, muttering something about taking the call in private. She hurried out of the room, her fingers trembling as she swiped to answer.
“What do you want?” she whispered harshly into the phone, her eyes darting around to make sure no one was listening.
“Maya,” Bennett’s voice oozed through the line, sending a shiver down her spine. “It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
Maya’s throat tightened, memories of the past flooding her mind. She had tried to forget about Bennett, to bury the part of her that had been involved with him. But now, hearing his voice again, all those buried secrets clawed their way to the surface.
“How did you get my number?” she demanded, her voice low and trembling.
Bennett chuckled a dark and menacing sound. “I have my ways. You should know that by now.”
Maya clenched her fist, pacing the hallway as she tried to calm her racing heart. “What do you want from me?”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Bennett spoke again, his tone dripping with malice. “I just thought you should know… I’ll be attending the ball.”
Maya’s stomach twisted in fear. “What? No, you can’t-”
“Oh, I can,” Bennett interrupted, his voice cold and mocking. “And I will. You see, Maya, I’ve waited a long time for this moment. For the moment when you least expect it. And now, it’s finally here.”
Maya’s breath caught in her throat, panic surging through her veins. “Why are you doing this? You took the blame! You went to jail! Why are you coming back now?”
Bennett’s laugh was cruel. “You thought I’d just let you get away with everything? After all these years? You hit my girlfriend with a bat, Maya. You killed her, and I took the fall for you. But I’m done paying for your sins. Now it’s your turn.”
Maya’s mind raced, a whirlwind of fear and desperation. She had never thought Bennett would resurface, never believed that he would come back into her life after all these years. She had moved on and built a new life for herself, but now, in an instant, it felt like it was all crumbling.
“You’re a rogue now,” she hissed, trying to regain control of the conversation. “You know what will happen if you show up to the ball.”
Bennett’s voice was steady, calm, and terrifyingly sure of himself. “Oh, I’m well aware of what I am. And I know exactly what I’m risking. But it’ll be worth it, Maya. Watching you squirm, watching your perfect little life come crashing down around you… that’ll be worth everything.”
Maya’s breath hitched, and she felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. She glanced around the empty hallway, desperate for a way out, but there was none. “Please,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Don’t do this.”
Bennett paused as if considering her plea. But when he spoke again, his voice was cold and final. “Be prepared, Maya. I’ll see you at the ball.”
The line went dead.
Maya stood frozen in the hallway, her phone still pressed to her ear, her mind reeling. Bennett was coming. The one person who could destroy everything she had built, the one person who knew her darkest secret, was coming to the ball.
She turned, her back pressed against the wall as she slid down to the floor, her heart racing. She had to think of something, some way to stop him. But in the pit of her stomach, she knew there was no stopping Bennett now. He was coming for her, and there was nothing she could do to stop him.
—
Back in the room, Lady Margaret and Marie continued their conversation, unaware of the storm brewing outside the door. As they admired their gowns, Lady Margaret beamed at her daughters, blissfully ignorant of the chaos that was about to enter their lives.
And Maya, sitting alone in the hallway, knew that her once peaceful life was about to be shattered.