“Ty, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he repeated, but the tremble in his voice betrayed his words.
My anger boiled over, and I growled low in my throat. “Don’t play dumb, Maximus. I’ve heard about what you’ve been up to. For your sake, I hope it’s just rumors.” Each word dripped with menace. I didn’t give two shits if it offended him.
“Look—” Maximus tried to speak, but I cut him off with a sharp wave of my hand.
“Let me make myself clear,” I warned, my voice deadly calm. “I have connections everywhere. There isn’t a corner of this world where you could hide from me if I wanted to find you. You and everything you own would be mine in an instant.”
He swallowed hard, sweat glistening on his brow. “Ty, I swear, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Enough!” The thin thread that held my patience at bay snapped, and I allowed the rage of my alpha to pour forth, filling the room with its intoxicating scent, forcing obedience upon all those who dared to challenge me.
I stepped closer, pointing a finger directly at Maximus’s face. “You do not want me as your enemy, Maximus,” I snarled, my words laced with venom. I never thought myself capable of beingvicious, but when it came to Liza, my mate, I would burn the whole damn world to the ground to keep her safe.
“Ty, please…” Maximus attempted to interject, but I spoke over him, making sure every word seared itself into his mind.
“Listen carefully. If I so much as hear a whisper about Liza being connected to any dirty dealings you’re trying to make, I’ll ensure you’re licking the dirt off my boots just to earn a penny.”
I allowed my wolf to let out an ear-piercing growl, its power reverberating through the room. Maximus’s eyes widened in terror, and he stumbled backward onto the steps, his body trembling uncontrollably.
“Understood?” My expression was cold and unforgiving, not giving an ounce of room for Maximus to misinterpret my words.
He nodded, too afraid to utter a single word.
The staff members around me scattered like frightened mice, their eyes wide as they hurried to escape my alpha presence. Fear laced Maximus’s voice as he continued to play dumb, assuring me I wouldn’t hear anything else about Liza’s involvement in his business.
“Ty, I promise you, I had no idea,” he stammered.
My gaze swept over his councilors, who had backed themselves up against the wall, desperate to put as much distance between us as possible. Their faces were a mixture of shock and horror, clearly not accustomed to seeing their leader so thoroughly cowed. Bitter satisfaction welled up within me at the sight.
“Good,” I growled, turning away from Maximus, and stomping toward the door. “I hope this little display has taught you a lesson.”
As I stalked past the remaining staff members, their bodies stiffened, and they averted their eyes.
Maximus’s council and staff would remember this day, and it would serve as a reminder of the consequences of crossingme. Adrenaline pulsed through my bloodstream, the protective instincts for my mate fueling my every move.
Embarrassing Maximus in front of his staff and council should do the trick. If it didn’t… well, I’d have no qualms about tearing him apart, limb by limb.
“Remember, Maximus,” I called over my shoulder as I walked out the door. “Liza is off-limits. Cross me again, and you’ll regret being born.”
With that, I slammed the door behind me, leaving him to contemplate the gravity of his actions. I reveled in the power I held over him. It was thrilling, invigorating, and it left me feeling more alive than ever before.
“Maximus,” I said under my breath, my eyes narrowing. “You’d better pray this is the end of it.”
The engine of my car roared to life after I climbed in, gripping the gear shift tightly. With one last look at Maximus’s house, a cold resolve settled over me.
“Because if it’s not, I’ll bring your fucking world crashing down around you.”
86
LIZA
Ty’s side of the bed was still empty. My fingers traced the spine of the book I had attempted to read, but the words swam across the page, refusing to make sense. Anxiety gnawed at me like a damn jock itch. I rubbed my temples in a circular motion, which had zero effect on my mood.Where the fuck was he?The techniques Anna had given me didn’t seem to be working. My peppermint tea sat forgotten on the bedside table. I was lying on the bed, repeating the same mantra repeatedly:seethe curtains,hearthe wind,touchthe paper. It wasn’t helping, neither were my visualizing and breathing exercises.
The door creaked open, and finally, Ty entered the room. I turned to face him as relief pulsed through my very being.
Before he could speak, I cut him off. “I’m too tired to worry about the letter tonight. Can we just deal with it in the morning?”
He nodded, his eyes shadowed with the same exhaustion that weighed on me. When he sat down on the bed next to me, I could practically feel the ache in his muscles, and the wearinessseeping into his very bones. We’d been through a fucking lot. Maybe we could ignore it all for one night.
