Addicted To Her The Alpha'S Irresistible Contract Mate novel Chapter 26

26 Chapter 26 To your downfall cousin

Darius’s pov: @

I’d played my cards so carefully, leaking those damning revelations about Naomi’s lineage, her father’s treacherous alliance with our family in the plot against Elias’s parents. It should have ignited a wildfire between them, that insufferable mate bond twisting into a noose.

Elias, distracted by domestic chaos, would have left his empire vulnerable, ripe for me to sink my claws into Kingsley Industries. But no. The bastard was sharper than ever, beefing up security, sniffing out every shadow.

My spies reported him prowling the boardrooms with that predatory focus, as if the revelations had forged him into something unbreakable.

I slammed my fist on the mahogany desk, rattling the crystal decanter of scotch.

“Damn you, Elias,” I muttered, pouring a generous measure and downing it in one burn. The liquor did little to quench the jealousy that simmered in my veins like acid.

He’d always been the golden boy, stronger, quicker with that alpha charisma that made packs bow without question. Even as pups, he’d outrun me in the hunts, outmaneuvered me in the family councils. And when it came to business? He’d turned Kingsley Industries into a multibillion–dollar juggernaut while I scraped by with scraps from our uncle’s will. Hatred wasn’t strong enough a word; it was a living thing inside me, gnawing at my bones.

With a growl, I snatched my encrypted phone and dialed the old man. Father picked up on the second ring, his voice a gravelly rasp honed by decades of smoke and schemes.

“What is it, boy? This better be good news.”

I leaned against the window, staring at my reflection–sharp features, dark hair slicked back, eyes that mirrored Father’s but lacked his ruthless edge. Or so he always said.

“It’s not working as planned,” I admitted, hating the weakness in my tone. “The leaks about Harlan and Naomi, they haven’t fractured them. Elias is more vigilant. He’s locking down the company, sniffing out our moves before we make them.”

Silence stretched, thick and ominous. Then, a low chuckle that curdled my blood.

11:37

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26 Chapter 26 To your downfall cousin

“Stronger? Because of your incompetence.” His hand shot out, backhanding me across the face. The slap echoed, my cheek exploding in fire, the copper taste of blood filling my mouth where his ring caught my lip.

I staggered but didn’t fall, touching the welt rising on my skin. Humiliation burned hotter than the pain. “Father—”

“Shut your mouth!” he roared, spittle flying. “I’ve waited years for revenge. Harlan’s betrayal cost us everything–our allies scattered, our territory carved up by that whelp Elias. And you can’t even manipulate a girl? You’re a disgrace to our bloodline.”

The words landed like blows, fueling the seething hatred I’d nursed since childhood. Elias, always the hero; me, the villain by default. I’d watched from the sidelines as he claimed the alpha mantle, as women fawned over him, as business tycoons shook his hand. Jealousy twisted into a vow: I’d destroy him, piece by piece, until he begged for

mercy.

I straightened, wiping the blood from my lip. “No more failures,” I said coldly. “I’ll escalate. Naomi’s our key tied to him by that bond but poisoned by doubt. I’ll make her use the vial we slipped her. One drop in his drink, and his empire crumbles.”

Father eyed me skeptically but nodded. “See that you do. Or don’t come back.”

I left the estate with my cheek throbbing, the slap a badge of resolve. Back in my penthouse, I poured another scotch and activated the secure line to my spies.

“Status on Naomi,” I demanded when the first one answered.

“Boss, Elias has her on lockdown,” the voice crackled. “She’s confined to the grounds, no bar shifts, no outings without him.”

Frustration clawed at me. Of course Elias would cage her, the possessive prick. He probably thought he was protecting his precious mate, but it only made my hatred burn brighter.

“Find a way in,” I ordered, my voice a whip. “Bribe a guard, stage a distraction—maybe a false alarm on the perimeter, draw the security away. Extract her temporarily, just long enough for a meeting. I need to deliver a warning, push her buttons about her father, remind her Elias sees her as tainted blood. Get her to use the poison. She’s our last viable pawn–if she turns, Elias falls.”

“Understood,” the spy replied. “We’ll scout tonight.”

11:37

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