Chapter 23
Ace’s POV:
I am shocked when Celine tells me that Carla is the one who tried to end her life. The weight of the revelation settles heavily on me, and suddenly all the dots that were once scattered start coming together.
It all makes sense now. Of course, Aiden’s sudden, interest in Celine would have caused a tornado. How could Carla not have felt threatened by Celine’s presence? But to stoop so low as to attempt to harm her own cousin? It is a despicable act I never imagined Carla capable of committing. Even though I know she’s a disgusting fox, I never expected her to go that far.
As Celine recounts her harrowing experience, anger surges through my veins, and begins to engulf my every sense. How dare Carla hurt my mate? How dare she try to end her life?
Karl growls at the thought, and I struggle to maintain my composure. As though noticing my bubbling rage, Celine suddenly reaches out, and delicately placed her hand on mine. Her touch is a comforting relief, and it makes me exhale softly in a bid to cool off.
“Ace, we need to stay calm and think this through before confronting Carla or telling Aiden, “She advises, her tone steady and composed, and I raise a brow with my mind racing with questions
“What do you mean? Why should we wait? Why can’t we just expose her?” I question with a furrowed brow, and Celine sighs, “Carla has a manipulative hold on Aiden. If we accuse her without concrete evidence, it could backfire. We need to tread carefully. “She replies and I fall silent.
“Carla? Manipulating Aiden? How do… You mean? I question, and she looks away from me with a grave expression.
“I’ve been watching them.. For years. There have always been signs. Everyone is just not looking well enough to see them. So, we can’t act hastily because Carla is a snake and accusing her without proof would be foolish. Instead, I propose a plan. We need to keep a close eye on her. She failed at this attempt to take my life, so I’m suuspecting that she will make another attempt. “She says, and in shock, I gently hold her arm
“You think she’ll try to hurt you again? We can’t let that happen! “I say apprehensively, and she nods.
“I know. And that is precisely why we must be prepared to catch her red–handed, to expose her true intentions.
However, for this to work, Ace, we need to be patient, gather concrete evidence, and avoid unnecessary risks. “She says, and I can’t help the surge of admiration that feels me as I watch Celine’s calm and calculated approach,
As I stared at her, I knew that Celine’s plan was the best course of action. We have to remain vigilant, gathering the evidence needed to expose Carla’s true nature.
But still my anger bubbles underneath.
“I hear you, Celine. I understand the need to keep our emotions in check, ‘I day, my voice laced with restrained fury.
“But I cannot simply act as though I am unaware of what Carla has done to you. I cannot stay silent as if nothing has happened. How dare she do that? And what if she succeeded!? “I growl, and Celine gazes at me with pleading eyes. A mix of sadness and understanding evident in her eyes.
*Please, Ace. You need to calm down. We can’t act out of anger if not we’ll lose to her. You have to understand. ‘She begs, and I shut my eyes as I try to calm down.
Til try. Fil try to keep my cool. But I can’t make any promises. You mean a lot to me, Celine and I can not stand the thought of someone hurting you. I can’t reply, and just as Celine opens her mouth to talk, a mind link from Aiden interrupts our conversation.
What’s going on, Ace. You’ve been there for quite some time. Come back and give me a report now. I’m at the meeting hall. He says, and I sigh.
-I’ll be with you shortly, Alpha. I reply, and then I turn to Celine.
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Chapter 23
I’m sorry, Celine. But I have to go now. Aiden calls for me.
sadness seep into her eyes.
וויד
try
see you some other time. “I say, and I see a tinge of
She reluctantly withdraws, acknowledging my need to leave, and I relevantly pull myself off the bed.
Before leaving, I turn to her.
“Stay strong, Celine. Try to recover swiftly from this ordeal so you can go back to your normal life. Emily misses you. And 1 miss you too.” I say, and with that, I make
my way out
Leaving the room, I take a deep breath, attempting to gather my thoughts and control the seething anger that pulses within my veins. Carla’s audacity has ignited a flame inside me, urging me to reveal her deceit and protect the one I hold dear. But I know better than to betray the trust Celine has in me like that. I can’t tell Aiden anything not yet, but with every step I take towards Aiden, I vow to myself that justice will prevail, and Carla’s true colors will be exposed.
I will expose her. Not only that, but I will seek justice for Celine. I will protect Celine and I will make Carla pay, no matter what
it costs
I walk into the meeting room, and as I enter, I am shocked to see Carla standing there behind Aiden. I glare at her, and she Jooks away from me.
Aiden, not wasting any time, turns to me and asks a question I was expecting, with a sense of urgency.
“Did Celine tell you anything. Ace? Did she tell you who tried to kill her? “He questions, and my gaze involuntarily shifts. towards Carla. I see the fear etched across her face, and I take a deep breath as I look away from her. I have to do right by Celine.
“No, Alpha, Celine didn’t say anything to me. Instead, she was pleading with me to talk to you to release her. “I lie, and I watch disappointment cloud my brother’s features. His disappointment is palpable, and I can almost feel sorry for him
He clenches his jaw tightly and turns away, his anger simmering beneath the surface. Without another word, he storms out of the room, leaving me alone with Carla
As the door slams shut, the room envelops us in an uncomfortable silence, and Carla’s trembling hands betray her anxiety as
she loo
ks at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of uncertainty and fear.
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