Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Chapter 28 I was working in my office the next day when someone knocked.

“Come in.”

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Menu Beta Finn entered with a young man I didn’t recognize. The newcomer bowed. “All hail, Alpha.”

I didn’t respond, already swamped with work. I just wanted to know why he was here.

Looking at Finn expectantly, he explained, “This is Cole. Our intelligence officer. He has information about Axel.*

That got my attention. I turned to Cole. “What did you find?”

Cole handed me a file, head still bowed. “Everything’s in here, Alpha. We’ll keep this confidential until you say otherwise.”

“You’re dismissed.”

After Cole left, I caught Finn eyeing the file eagerly.

Opening it, I found Axel’s background check. As I read through his personal history, some details jumped out at me.

Contrary to rumors, he wasn’t from some prestigious family. He was orphaned young. Alpha Malcolm had taken him in, seeing potential in the boy. He’d grown up alongside Malcolm’s son, and Malcolm had trained him as a warrior.

“Interesting,” I muttered.

His close ties to the royal family had made him well–known among other packs.

Reading further, I found a quote from one of his pack’s elders: “Their beta can take down a hundred wolves single–handedly.”

I scoffed. “How many did I take down in the last war?” I asked my beta.

Finn looked startled, glancing at the file as he approached.

“Are you seriously comparing yourself to Axel?”

I shot him a look. “Why would I?”

He chuckled, shaking his head.

“Cut the smirking. Just answer the question.”

“Over a thousand.”

I couldn’t help but grin smugly.

“She must be so proud, having such a celebrated boyfriend. How pathetic!”

“Someone’s acting pathetic alright,” Finn muttered.

I looked up sharply. “What was that?”

He smiled nervously. “Just stating facts. You’re the most powerful Alpha around. Obviously your kill count would be higher than any beta’s.”

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Menu “Yeah? Well, she’ll be his past too.”

Finn just stared at me.

“What?” I demanded.

He shook his head. “I can’t figure out what you want. Pretty sure you can’t either.”

“Stop psychoanalyzing me. Did you get what I asked for last night?”

Finn nodded. “Our people are on it. You’ll have answers soon.”

I worked through the day. By evening, I moved to the couch, lit a cigarette, and stared out the floor–to- ceiling windows.

Thoughts of Selene crept back in. Those kids couldn’t be hers. Maybe she was their nanny. How else could she have children that old? It made no sense.

The door opened and Finn walked in, looking nervous. I frowned.

Exhaling smoke, I asked, “What’s got my beta spooked?”

He swallowed hard.

“What is it?” I pressed.

“Kane,” he said quietly.

“I’m listening,” I replied, looking back out the window.

His voice shook. “They’re Selene’s children.”

The cigarette nearly fell from my fingers. “What did you say?”

He placed a tablet in front of me, nodding.

I grabbed it, staring at the screen. The twins‘ birth date was five years ago!

“What the hell? How is this possible?” I shouted.

Finn just stood there, head down.

“Who’s the father?”

I knew for a fact Selene wasn’t pregnant when she left my pack. So whose kids were they?

“I’m not certain, but people always see them with Axel. He even goes to their school functions.”

My blood boiled.

“Were Selene and Axel together before our divorce?” I growled through clenched teeth.

Finn spoke softly. “You were the one who wanted the divorce back then.”

My fists clenched as I remembered Selene’s confession.

FLASHBACK 0 12:38 27.86%

#Menu Throughout our year of marriage, I’d felt nothing but disgust for Selene. Her innocent act made me sick.

“Kane, please don’t do this,” Selene begged, tears streaming down her face.

I glared at her. “Why not? Trying to hold onto your Luna status?”

She shook her head frantically and threw her arms around me. I tried pushing her away, but she held on tight.

“Please don’t say divorce. I–I love you, Kane...”

END OF FLASHBACK Coming back to the present, I felt like destroying everything in sight.

My emotions were all over the place. I’d thought she’d left me because of Ruby. But no – she’d been carrying another man’s children!

I jumped up from the couch, making Finn back away.

I kicked the coffee table. “LIAR!”

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