Chapter 37
Adeline West
I stared at him, my heart pounding against my chest. His intoxicating musky smell rushed through my nose, wrapping my senses. I could feel his slow and deep intake as he stared at me, s face, ches away from mine.
“Mr. Volkov,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I pushed at him. He didn’t let go and kept holding me. I stared at him, confused.
Why isn’t he letting me go?
“Adeline,” he said, his voice a low, menacing growl. His grip on me was firm, and he moved his head towards my neck. I could feel his breath on my skin, sending a shiver down my body as he buried his face in my hair. I shuddered, trying to push away from him.
I tried to move away from his hold, but he didn’t let go. “Mr. Volkov, let go of ine” I said, staring at him. After a few seconds. he blinked and quickly let go of me, and I stepped away from him.
“I didn’t see you there,” I said. “What are you doing here?” I asked, clearing my throat.
He looked at me with a mix of frustration and something unreadable. “Adeline. I didn’t expect to see you out hour.” He said, glancing at my neck.
of bed at this
“I could say
the same,” I said. I couldn’t help the annoyance dripping in my tone. I didn’t want to talk to him or even roeet him. I just want to stay away from him. It was the main reason why I hesitated to agree to stay here.
“I see you have built quite a life for yourself with Sebastian Cooper.” He said, looking at me, almost glaring at me.
“Mr. Volkov, my personal life shouldn’t concern you.” I said, trying to be as polite as I could since I was staying at his home.
“It does concern me when you, with your boyfriend, targeted Laurel, accusing her of something she didn’t do.” He said.
“What?” I said, shocked at his words. “Sebastian is not my boyfriend,” I said, my tone serious.
“It does look like he is.” Killian commented. I noticed his jaw clenched in anger.
“Alpha Killian, whatever Alpha Sebastian is to me shouldn’t bother you,” I said, looking straight into his eyes. “We are here because your grandfather asked us to stay, and that’s the only reason; if you don’t want us staying here, we could leave.” I said, gritting in anger and annoyance at him.
He frowned, clearly not convinced. “So, you and your.. friend are here because Grandpa asked you too, right? You’re not using this as an opportunity to get back at Laurel?” He said, looking at me with accusations and suspicion.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my temper in check. “I’m not here to target anyone. I’m here because I need to ensure my children’s safety and seek justice for what happened. If you have a problem with that, then that’s your issue. But accusing me of some grand scheme is not going to change anything.” I said.
Killian’s face hardened. “It’s hard to ignore the fact that Sebastian is always by your side. He’s not just a friend to you, is he? There’s more going on there. And it seems to me that you’re both working together to make Laurel’s life miserable.” He said, her eyes staring into mine.
My anger flared “Sebastian is just a good friend. He’s like family to me, but nothing more. I wish you’d stop making assumptions about my personal life. And as for Laurel, I’m here to prove that she’s the one behind the attack, not to make her life miserable. If you’re so quick to defend her, then maybe you should consider why she might need defending” I said it with a hard and serious tone.
“I know well enough what Laurel is capable of,” he said, his tone hard. “She would never do something like this,” he added.
14:54 Wed, Dec 11
Chapter 37
“But she did.” I said. “And I won’t back down until she’s held accountable for what she did.” I added.
Killian’s gaze hardened, his jaw clenched. “You think you’re so noble, don’t you? Using Sh attack Laurel with these baseless accusations.” He said. “It’s pathetic.”
as your shield while you
His words struck me like a physical blow, each word dripping with venom. “What are you talking about? Sebastian is not my shield or anything He’s here because of what Laurel did, he was there when the attack happened.”
Killian’s expression was twisted with scorn. “I know very well what you are doing. You’re just using Sebastian because he’s the Alpha of the Crystal Moon Pack. Just like you used me four years ago.”
Used him?
When did I use him?
The accusation hit me hard, and I could feel the sting of his words deep in my chest. “What are you implying, Mr. Volkov? Did I marry you for money? That I’m somehow using people to get what I want?” I asked, my heart heavy.
He didn’t hesitate. “Isn’t that exactly what you did? Your father’s company went bankrupt, and suddenly you needed a way to secure your future. You quarried me for my position and my money. You’ve always been about using people for your own gain.” He said, his eyes filled with hatred and his tone dripping with contempt.
I struggled to maintain my composure, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill “You have no idea what I went through, Killian Volkov. You think you understand me, but you don’t. You have no idea how much I suffered after you rejected me and banished me for something I never did.” I said, trying so hard not to let those tears stream down’ny eyes.
Something you never did? You killed my sister and played victim… Spare me the sob story, Adeline; I’ve heard it all before. You were always good at playing the victim. But now, you’re just using Sebastian and his position to get back at Laurel He said, his anger evident in his tone.
“I don’t care what you think of me, I really don’t,” I said. “I didn’t come here to cause trouble. I came here to get justice for my children and to prove that Laurel is behind the attack.” I said.
Killian’s expression was a mix of anger and disbelief. “And you think you can just waltz in here and expect everyone to believe your side of the story? I’ve seen how you operate. You’re just as manipulative now as you were before.” He said.
Manipulative?
His words felt like a crushing weight on my shoulders, and I struggled to keep my voice steady. “You can hate me all you wait. You can believe whatever you want about me. But the truth is that Laurel is responsible for the attack, and I will fight for what’s right, regardless of what you or anyone else thinks.”
Killian’s face was a mask of anger and frustration. “You have no idea what you’re up against. Laurel is loyal to me, and I will always stand by her. If you think you can just bring her down with your lies, you’re sorely mistaken,” he said.
The intensity of his words and the hatred behind them were almost overwhelming. I could see the deep–seated anger in his eyes, and it was clear that he still clung to strong feelings about our past.
“I’m not here to bring anyone down. I’m here to find the truth and to protect my children. If you can’t see that, then that’s your problem.”
With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, leaving Killian standing in the hallway with his anger and resentment. As I made my way back to my room, I couldn’t shake the feeling of hurt and betrayal that lingered from our argument. Despite everything, I was determined to see this through, to fight for my children, and to ensure that Laurel paid for her actions.
I was resolute in my mission. No matter how much Killian hated me or how difficult the path ahead seemed, I would not back down.
14:54 Wed, Dec 11 GG.