Chapter 49 Blackmail?
SERAPHINA
“What the hell is going on here?” I slowly asked. It did not feel right on so many levels that all of them were here.
Finn was the first to speak, his voice quiet but certain. “We were summoned by the Alpha instructor. Just like you.”
I blinked, surprised. “Why? Shouldn’t you all be participating in the trial?”
Ronan said nothing. Dante’s gaze didn’t waver. But Asher finally glanced my way, his expression taut
“You really want to know?” he asked with a clipped smile. “Everyone involved in the in–fighting scandal was punished. None of us were allowed to join the last two trials. Even me, despite the fact I barely had a role in it.”
I blinked rapidly, the implications sinking in. That punishment would’ve impacted his rank too. No wonder he looked so pissed.
I pressed my lips together, unsure how to respond. I snuck a glance toward Dante and Ronan, but both were still staring- Dante with that cold detachment, Ronan with his usual unreadable expression.
I deliberately ignored them, especially Ronan. I refused to meet his gaze.
Crossing my legs, I sat up straighter, scanning the gathered Alphas. Why had we all been called here? Was another punishment coming? If so, it would be a disaster for my standing.
“Are you not going to apologize?” Asher’s voice cut into my thoughts.
“Apologize?” I arched a brow. “To whom? For what?”
He crossed his arms coolly, lips tightening. “Thanks to you, we were all dragged down. Some of us were stripped of rank. Others lost the chance to climb further. And you- his eyes narrowed.“–you sit here looking completely unaffected.”
A laugh escaped me, dry and humorless. “Ever heard the saying: don’t poke your nose into other people’s business?”
1 looked at each of them in turn. “None of you had any right to get involved. Finn wasn’t supposed to go in my place. You–1 looked pointedly at Asher, had no reason to follow me into that building.
Then I turned to Dante, my tone sharpening. “Someone was never supposed to mess with me.”
Finally, my eyes landed on Ronan. “And someone was never supposed to treat me like I was his sole source of entertainment.“
A heavy silence followed, thick with tension. Then Finn’s voice came, quiet and guilty. “I’m sorry, Seth. I acted on my own and only made things worse for you.”
I softened. “It’s alright. I know you were worried. But please don’t put yourself in danger like that again. I’d feel terrible if something happened to you.”
“Okay,” he murmured, lowering his eyes. He looked so pitiful, like a guilty puppy. It was actually kind of adorable.
Then Asher’s cold voice came from my right. “You understand him so easily His tone was almost accusing. “I followed you because I knew something bad might happen. I even helped you get Finn out of there!”
I couldn’t help but smile at how he was clearly fishing for appreciation. “Thank you. Alpha Asher. If it weren’t for you, Finn might not have made it to the combat trial. You turned out to be an unexpected ally.”
His ears flushed red, and he quickly looked away. “Yeah whatever.”
1 blinked. Was he actually shy? Again Gods, he really was cute when flustered.
Before I could dwell on it, a drej, lazy voice rolled in like thunde
There’s a thin line between messing up and getting yourself exterminated.”
Dante’s gaze met mine, slow and steady. “Don’t get confused. One wrong step, and it might cost you more than you can afford”
11:50 AM Pp.
Chapter 49 Blackmail?
For a moment, I froze.
That voice. That look. It held something dark. Something lurking just beneath his skin.
A threat?
Was I imagining it? Was this just because of Lily’s warning? No… maybe I was overthinking things.
+8 Pearls
I pasted a smile on my face–cold, tight. “Alpha Dante seems overly concerned for me. But do me a favor. Keep your precious attention to yourself. I might just return it–and when I do, people tend to lose what they never had to begin with.”
His expression darkened. A flash of something primal crossed his face, like his wolf was clawing just beneath the surface.
But I didn’t flinch. Didn’t look away.
He started this fire. Let him burn in it.
And then-
A soft, dangerously amused chuckle slid into the air.
My heart stilled.
I turned.
Ronan.
His lips curved at the edges, and he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees truly entertaining.”
My heart began to thrum.
“What’s so entertaining?” Asher asked, frowning.
Ronan didn’t even glance at him. His violet eyes were locked on mine.
“You are,” he said quietly.
Then–his gaze trailed downward, unhurried, from my face. to my chest.
My breath caught.
“You’re breathing just fine, right?” he asked.
My face went cold.
“What?” Finn asked, brows furrowing. “Why wouldn’t Seth be able to breathe?”
My stomach twisted violently.
Oh no. No. No.
“So entertaining, he murmured. “Really….
Ronan’s lips curled, eyes gleaming. “You’re not suffocating under all that, are you?”
ry single day.
He was talking about the bindings. The ones wrapped tightly around my chest every
He Loew
He wasn’t guessing.
He wasn’t speculating
He knew I was a woman
11:50 AM PP –
Chapter 49 Blackmail?
Ronan. Knew. Everything.
1 couldn’t breathe. Panic rose like a wave crashing in my chest. If the others caught on… if Dante-
Ronan looked at me like a predator toying with its prey. “You should loosen up a bit, you know. Even men have…”
His gaze flicked down again, and my skin burned.
“Alpha Ronan!” 1 shot forward, grabbing his wrist before he could speak another word.
Everyone stared at us, startled. Ronan’s brows lifted slightly in surprise, our eyes meeting.
“Let’s talk,” I said, my voice low and tight.
+8 Pearls
Everything fell silent, none of us moved as the moment later a small smile tugged in the corner of his lips, “Should we?”
Next, I held his hand tighter and dragged him out of there. Everyone’s eyes followed us while Dante had a different look in his eyes that was quite unsettling. Leaving the academy training grounds, we entered the academy’s empty hall and to my surprise Ronan did not speak a word or try to get out of my hold until we were in our room.
As the door was closed, I let go of his hand and glared at him, “What the hell were you saying in front of them?!” I demanded. furiously.
“What was I saying? Did I somehow offend you?” Ronan slowly tilted his head, “I only said to loosen up a little bit. I wonder if you have a large…” he paused his eyes going to my breasts again, that it had to be tied so tight to prevent showing?” heat rushed to the back of my neck and ears.
I clenched my fists. Could I still lie to myself that he did not know my secret or that he was just suspicious? Could I really…
I dug my nails deeper into my palm and met his gaze, “Are you just trying to blackmail me?”
He raised an eyebrow, “Blackmail”
“Then you are not doing that?” I growled lowly, “What you were saying in front of them…was not that blackmail?”
He took a predatory step toward me, decreasing the distance between us that was not much to begin with, “Blackmail is quite disturbing word you know,” he murmured.
“Then are you threatening me?” I asked, my breath becoming slightly uneven as his chest slightly brushed against my breasts.
“You think I want to expose you?” he whispered, his hand raising but stopping just a inch away from my cheek.
“Don’t you?” I whispered back.
“Sure I want to, he put his finger under my chin and titled my face up. “But to myself.”
I was taken aback to see the possessiveness in his eyes.
“All to myself. Only to myself,” he whispered.
My breathing hitched and my heartbeat quickened. “What do you mean?”
“I would strip this disguise off and see the real you…” he leaned down towards my face and whispered close to my lips. “Seraphina”
My heart skipped a beat.
He knew my name.
