The Rejected daughter chosen by the Alpha (Maya and Atila) novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Chapter 123

– ÁTILA

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Cassian was already sitting in the armchair in my office, leaning forward with his hands clasped, wearing that serious expression he only used when something truly mattered. The moment I stepped behind the desk, he lifted his gaze and got straight to the point.

“Is she asleep?”

“For now,” I replied, pulling out the chair and sitting down. “Langford stayed with her. She’s still weak.”

“And Victoria?” he asked, his face hard.

“In the living room,” I said. “Like she owns the place.”

Cassian let out a short, humorless laugh.

“You let her stay.”

I held his gaze.

“I know.”

“Then explain it to me,” he said, his voice calm but edged with that irritating firmness of someone who refused half-answers. “Because from where I’m sitting, you’re collecting problems like you don’t already have enough.”

I took a slow breath, feeling the tension climb the back of my neck.

“Victoria showed up at the hospital,” I began. “She talked about Moonville. About Lucien.”

Cassian went still.

“What exactly did she say?”

“That he’s changed,” I replied. “That he’s paranoid. Obsessed with power. That he’s ‘starting a revolution.””

Cassian narrowed his eyes.

“I’ve noticed strange shifts over the past two years.”

“Exactly. I’d heard things, too, but now I can’t afford to ignore anything. Not after the attack.”

Cassian leaned back in the chair, crossing his arms.

“You think it was him.”

“I think he might be involved,” I corrected. “Or someone who hates me enough to want me dead.”

Cassian studied me for several seconds, reading my expression.

“You’re thinking about sending Maya away.”

I didn’t answer immediately, because the answer had been inside me from the moment I saw her collapse.

“She received an offer,” I said.

Cassian blinked.

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Chapter 123

“What kind of offer?”

“Paris,” I replied. “A program. Studies. A real chance to start over. Far from here.”

Cassian fell silent for a moment.

“And does she want to go?”

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“No,” I said without hesitation. “She used it as a threat today. Said she’d go if Victoria stayed. Said it in the heat of the moment. But I know that look she gets when she decides something. She won’t go.”

Cassian tilted his head.

“Did you tell her to go?”

“I suggested it,” I said. “She nearly tore my throat out with words alone.”

“Because she loves you,” Cassian said, reluctant. He was my friend, but I knew what he felt. “And because she’s stubborn.”

I dragged a hand down my face, exhaustion settling deep in my bones.

“Love doesn’t stop bullets. Or bastards.”

“No,” Cassian agreed. “But you can’t push the woman out of your life and pretend that’s protection.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“You think I don’t know that?”

“I think you’re desperate,” he said. “And when you get desperate, you start believing control is the answer.”

Theld his gaze.

“And you have a better solution?”

Cassian took a slow breath before answering.

“I have better questions,” he said. “First: why did you bring Victoria into this?”

“Because she might know something. Isn’t that obvious?” I replied. “If Lucien is behind this, she’s the closest person to him I have access to.”

Cassian’s eyes narrowed.

“Or she’s bait.”

“I considered that.”

“Second question,” Cassian continued. “If you believe someone’s watching you, why are you keeping Maya in the same place, the same routine, the same apartment that’s probably already compromised?”

My jaw tightened.

I took a slow breath, forcing my voice to remain steady.

“I increased security.”

Cassian raised an eyebrow.

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Chapter 123

“Security for who?”

“For us.”

Cassian let out a short laugh.

“So she automatically became a target.”

There was resentment in his voice.

“That’s why I want her out of London.”

“And you really think Maya will accept that?”

I didn’t answer, because the truth was obvious.

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“Knowing her,” Cassian continued, “she won’t go quietly. She’ll fight you. She’ll say she’d rather stay here. And if you push too hard, she’ll believe you’re giving up on her.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” I asked, more quietly.

Cassian looked at me seriously.

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