Lethal Temptation (by Michelle Ray) novel Chapter 277

277 No More Running

Vander

We walked into the hotel, and as always, it was crawling with beautiful women from Goldenpeak. Too beautiful, too polished-not a hair out of place. And all I could think about was Alaric.

There was a good chance some of them were his. I wouldn’t put it past him. That bastard had no limits. He’d pimp out women like currency-even his own wife. The same woman he claimed to love. The same

one he burned with jealousy over. That kind of sickness doesn’t come from passion; it comes from rot.

When I saw his broadcast, I knew he’d snapped. He hadn’t expected Martha to leave him-let alone stand

against him. He thought fear would keep her loyal. But how do you expect love from someone you’ve

made terrified of breathing wrong in your presence?

He wanted her back, in his twisted way. But he was too late.

She’s mine now.

And I love her, too-but my love isn’t weak. It’s dangerous. I’ll burn down everything before I let him near

her again.

“We’ll check in, and then Lucian and I will visit his cousin and grandaunt,” I said, breaking the silence.

Lucian glanced at me, surprised by the sudden shift.

“Yes, Lucian,” I said firmly. “It’s time to fix that relationship. Lydia should be in your life. Natasha would

have wanted that.”

He nodded. No questions. No resistance. That told me everything-he wanted it too. Maybe he had for a

while.

At the front desk, the receptionist informed me that both the former Alpha and the current one would be

arriving soon to pay their respects.

“Send them to our suite when they get here,” I said without missing a beat.

If I was going to rebuild what I’d broken, it had to start now. No more running. No more hiding behind grief or pride. This time, I was facing everything head-on-with Lucian and Darian beside me, and Martha in my

heart.

We took a suite. I wanted all of us in the same space-close. I didn’t trust Alaric, and I sure as hell didn’t trust the women working the hotel. There was something too perfect about them, too rehearsed. They

could easily be his eyes and ears.

The suite was decent-comfortable, quiet-but it was Darian’s mood that stood out. He was practically

glowing.

“Why are you so giddy, son?” I asked, raising a brow at him.

1/2

277 No More Running

Cham

He grinned wide, and in that moment, I saw the boy he used to be-the little whirlwind who used to dash through the hallways wearing a cape, convinced he was indestructible. That same fire was still in his eyes, just more focused now.

“I can’t wait to see you give it to that bastard,” he said, voice charged. “Once we’re done with him, we can finally move on. I won’t have to look over my shoulder anymore. Tiffany and Emma will be safe. My mother will sleep without fear. Lucian and Mara can live without worrying about his shadow creeping back.”

He shook his head with conviction. “Mooncrest will finally have peace. That bastard picked the wrong Alpha to mess with.”

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