The Rogue is a Female Alpha novel Chapter 563

Cupid

I arrived at the terrace of the underworld as the late–evening sky bled into deep indigo.

79

Finished

My footsteps echoed sharply on the stone stairs as I hurried upward, chest tightening with the need not to keep Father waiting longer than necessary.

When I finally emerged onto the open rooftop, I slowed, dragging in a steadying breath.

My eyes flicked briefly to the armed men stationed in the shadows behind him, then to Desmond, already seated at the long glass table, silent and watchful, his expression unreadable in the low light.

Father stood at the railing, broad shoulders silhouetted against the sprawling dominion he had governed from the dark for decades.

I approached quietly, coming to stand just behind him, close enough to catch the faint, familiar scent of his tobacco.

He was smoking slowly, the ember glowing orange with each measured draw, but he paused as though sensing my presence without turning.

A subtle nod, eyes still fixed ahead on the sprawling factory floor far below, where rows of men worked beneath harsh floodlights at the long tables, rolling and packing cigarettes.

“What do they do there?” He asked, making me step closer to the railing.

“It’s a cigarette factory,” I answered, voice low and even. “We’re testing new flavors, exclusive blends, before we launch them officially under the Godlike legal empire.”

“Have you sent the documents to Yenda yet?”

“Not yet. We’re still in the early stages. Everything’s on pause for now.” I explained as he exhaled a thin stream of smoke. “We’re focusing on the drugs that were supposed to hit the streets.”

“Only they haven’t,” He finished quietly.

Father sighed, the sound heavy with years of calculated risks. He turned then, his sharp gaze settling on my face for a long, quiet moment. I lowered my eyes instinctively, respect and unease warring inside me.

“Dad, I…”

12:38 Tue, Sep 15

Chapter 563

79

Finished

“I was wrong,” he cut in, the words so unexpected I stiffened, head snapping up. Had I heard him correctly?

“I shouldn’t have kept the truth about Marlik from you. Nor should I have called him a thief.” A faint, wry twist touched his mouth. “In the end… we all are.”

I swallowed hard, shaking my head.

“Don’t say that, Father.”

He studied me a beat longer, something almost tender flickering behind the steel, then smiled faintly and walked toward the table.

One of his men pulled out the heavy chair with practiced deference, and Father sat, settling into it like a throne.

“I was only joking,” he murmured. But the heavy silence that followed told another story. Even Desmond’s brows lifted slightly. He was as stunned as I was.

The great Ruis Godlike… apologizing.

“Come sit,” Father said, gesturing to the chair across from him.

I crossed the terrace and lowered myself opposite him, watching as he reached for his silver cigarette case, shaking one free with a soft tap.

He picked up the lighter, but I leaned forward and flicked it for him, the flame briefly illuminating the hard lines of his face.

Silence stretched, thick and expectant, until he spoke again, not a request, but a command wrapped in calm.

“Before Christmas, I want the drugs on the street, Cupid.”

A cold chill raced down my spine, but I held still. I knew more was coming.

One of his men stepped forward from the shadows, handing Father a thick file. He slid it across the glass table toward me.

“I know you won’t want to sign the deal now that he is still striking but this will help you,” he said. “Your mission is to ensure H.O.W.L. arrests Feroz. Once he’s behind bars, we finish it, kill him inside. Clean. Final. You understand?”

I swallowed at the mention of H.O.W.L., fingers brushing the file.

“I do, sir.”

C

12:38 Tue, Sep 15

គ 79

Finished

He nodded, leaning back, smoke curling lazily from his lips.

“Do you know a profiler at HOW… named Snowflakes Frost?”

The world tilted. Ice flooded my veins. My heart plummeted, and for a heartbeat I couldn’t breathe. Why was her name on his lips?

“Y…yes, sir.” I managed, forcing steadiness into my voice. Desmond’s sharp glance told me he’d caught the tremor.

“This profiler is targeted by Feroz,” Father continued, tone matter–of–fact, as if discussing the weather. “That’s the report from my intel inside H.O.W.L.. She’s exceptional. One of a kind. Feroz had her removed from the case to distort the truth. But you will not let him succeed. The file I gave you contains loopholes the H.O.W.L. staff likely missed. Use them. Solve the case.

1 Clear Marlik completely from Feroz’s grasp. Then we move forward.”

I nodded, throat too tight for words.

Father sighed, eyes lingering on me one last time.

“Don’t get hurt while you’re at it. Okay?”

“Okay,” I answered softly.

He rose, I stood immediately, bowing as he left the terrace, his men trailing like shadows. Only when his footsteps faded did I release the breath I’d been holding.

“What the hell did he mean Snow is targeted by Feroz?” I demanded the instant we were alone, turning to Desmond.

He sank into Father’s vacated chair, exhaustion etched across his face.

“Our mole inside H.O.W.L.. passed it along. In fact, tonight, midnight, the Mr. Lins case officially closes. They’re saying the culprit has been found. His housekeeper.”

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