Chapter 44
Azalea’s heart pounded in her chest as Bennett strode into the grand hall, his presence sending a ripple of shock through the room. His eyes locked onto hers, and in that instant, all the memories she had tried to bury came rushing back. The last time she saw him was the day she called the cops on him, the day everything changed between them.
Her stomach twisted with nausea. She couldn’t be here. She had to get out. But as she turned to leave, Ophelia’s sharp voice cut through the air.
“Leaving so soon, Azalea?” Ophelia’s smile was ice-cold. “I think it’s only fair that we hear why our guest has decided to grace us with his presence.”
Azalea froze, her pulse racing. She glanced at Federico, who was now staring intently at Bennett, his posture stiff and alert. Everyone in the room could sense something was off, and the tension was palpable.
Federico narrowed his eyes at Bennett, his voice low but commanding. “How did you get in here? You’re a rogue Lycan. This place is secured.”
Bennett smirked, his gaze never leaving Azalea. “I have my ways, Federico. You’d be surprised how easy it is to get inside when you have the help of people you trust.”
Federico’s jaw clenched. “What do you mean?”
Bennett’s smile widened. “Let’s just say that some of your most trusted people aren’t as loyal as you think.”
Azalea’s heart sank. She could feel her world crumbling around her, the ground beneath her feet shifting as the past she had worked so hard to escape came back to haunt her. Her eyes darted to Maya, who stood at the edge of the room, her face pale and eyes wide with shock.
Maya. Maya knew Bennett. But how?
Before Azalea could process that thought, Bennett’s voice broke through again.
“I’m here on a particular assignment, Federico,” Bennett said, his tone casual, but there was an undercurrent of menace in his words. “And I’m sure you’ll find it very interesting.”
Federico stepped closer, his body tense. “What assignment?”
Azalea felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She couldn’t breathe. Her chest tightened, and she knew she needed to get out of there before she collapsed. She turned again, her legs wobbling beneath her as she tried to make her way toward the door, but Ophelia’s voice stopped her once more.
“Where are you going, Azalea?” Ophelia’s voice was sweet, dripping with false concern. “Stay a little longer. I think we all want to hear what Bennett has to say.”
Azalea turned slowly, her vision swimming as she struggled to stay upright. Her eyes met Bennett’s, and for a moment, she saw a flash of the boy she used to know. The boy who was once her best friend, who she had trusted with everything. But that boy was long gone.
“I’m here for Azalea,” Bennett said, his voice echoing in the grand hall.
A murmur rippled through the crowd, and all eyes turned to Azalea. She felt her knees buckle slightly, her body threatening to give out under the weight of the moment. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t face him, not now.
Federico’s eyes darkened, and he stepped protectively in front of Azalea. “You’re not going anywhere near her.”
Bennett’s grin didn’t falter. “Oh, I think you’ll find she and I have unfinished business.”
Azalea’s stomach churned, the memories of that night rushing back with brutal clarity. The night she had found the body. His girlfriend’s lifeless form on the floor, her neck twisted in an unnatural angle. And Bennett… Bennett had been standing there, his hands covered in blood, his expression wild.
She hadn’t thought. She had just reacted. She called the cops, and when they came for him, she made sure no one could help him. No one to bail him out. No one to vouch for him. She had cut him off completely and made sure that he had no support from the pack or anyone else. He had promised her he would come back for her, and now he had.
“I told you I’d be back, Azalea,” Bennett said, his voice low and dangerous. “I always keep my promises.”
Azalea’s throat was dry, her hands shaking as she forced herself to speak. “You… you killed her.”
Bennett’s eyes flashed, his grin widening. “I didn’t kill anyone.”
A wave of confusion washed over her. “What… What are you talking about? I saw her body. I saw the blood. You were-”
“I was set up,” Bennett interrupted, his voice cold and hard. “And you fell for it.”
Azalea’s mind reeled, trying to make sense of his words. “No… no, I saw you.”
Bennett shook his head slowly. “You saw what you were meant to see. And you did exactly what they wanted you to do.”
Azalea’s heart pounded in her ears. “What are you saying?”
Bennett stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers. “I didn’t kill my girlfriend, Azalea. But someone wanted you to think I did. They wanted you to turn on me. And you did. You didn’t even ask questions. You just betrayed me.”
Azalea’s breath hitched, her hands trembling. “I… I didn’t know…”
Bennett’s expression hardened. “You didn’t care. You were so eager to see me locked up that you didn’t even stop to think. And now, I’m back to making things right.”
Azalea shook her head, her mind spinning. “But… Why are you here now? What do you want?”
Bennett’s smile returned, but there was nothing friendly about it. “I’m here to make sure you pay for what you did.”
Federico stepped forward, his hand reaching for Azalea’s arm. “You’re not touching her.”
Bennett’s eyes flicked to Federico, his expression darkening. “You have no idea what she’s done. No idea who she is.”
“I know exactly who she is,” Federico said, his voice firm. “And I’m not letting you near her.”
Bennett chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re in over your head, Federico. You don’t know half of it.”
Azalea’s heart raced, her mind spinning with everything Bennett had said. Could he be telling the truth? Had she been manipulated into betraying him? And if so, who was behind it?
Before she could ask, Bennett’s gaze shifted, landing on Maya. Azalea followed his line of sight, and for the first time, she noticed the look of panic on Maya’s face. Maya’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes wide with fear, but she didn’t say a word.
“Maya,” Bennett said softly, his voice carrying across the room.
Maya flinched but remained silent.
Azalea’s mind whirled. Why was he looking at Maya like that? What did Maya have to do with any of this?
“Maya,” Bennett said again, louder this time. “Why don’t you tell them?”
Maya’s hands clenched at her sides, her face paling even further. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Bennett’s smile widened. “Oh, I think you do.”
Azalea’s heart pounded in her chest. “What is he talking about, Maya?”
Maya shook her head, her voice trembling. “I… I don’t know…”
Bennett’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “You were there that night, weren’t you?”
Maya’s eyes widened, her breath hitching as the words left Bennett’s lips. Azalea’s world tilted as the pieces started to fall into place.
“You were there?” Azalea whispered, her voice barely audible.
Maya’s eyes darted to Azalea, and for a moment, her mouth opened as if she wanted to speak. But then she closed it again, her face contorting with fear.
Federico, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, moved closer to Azalea, his eyes narrowing at Bennett. “What the hell is going on?”
Bennett laughed softly, his gaze returning to Azalea. “I’m here to finish what was started. And Maya knows exactly what that is.”
Azalea felt a chill run down her spine as Bennett’s words hung in the air. Everyone was staring, and waiting, and the tension in the room was unbearable.
“Tell them, Maya,” Bennett said. “Tell them why I’m here.”
Maya’s lips trembled, and she glanced nervously at the others, but still, she remained silent.
Azalea’s mind was spinning. She had thought she had been the one to put Bennett away, but now… now everything felt wrong.
“Why are you here?” Azalea whispered, her voice barely audible.
Bennett’s smile turned dark, his eyes gleaming with malice. “I’m here for you, Azalea.”