Chapter 98
Chapter 98
Dante’s POV
国外念76%
+23)
I leaned back in the chair, the rich mahogany frame creaking faintly as I crossed my legs. The meeting room was one of the smaller ones in the pack house, tucked into a secluded corner to ensure that no prying ears overheard our discussion.
It was dimly lit, with a single chandelier casting a warm glow over the polished table where Aiden sat across from me.
His silver eyes were sharp, unwavering. Despite being deep in enemy territory, surrounded by people who could very easily overpower him, Aiden Kallistar sat like a man unbothered, his composure stoic. It was impressive, really. A lesser man would have been sweating bullets by now, but not him.
Still, even the best of façades crack. My gaze drifted to his hands, where his fingers tapped against the edge of the table, a small, subtle movement that betrayed his nerves.
Sir Joseph entered the room silently, his presence commanding but not overbearing.
The light from the chandelier caught in his hair, the streaks of gray in his blonde giving him a distinguished air. He came to stand by my side, his posture straight, his sharp silver eyes landing on Aiden with an unreadable expression before he set down the file in his hand.
Aiden’s composure faltered for the briefest of moments, the tap of his fingers stopping entirely. His jaw tightened slightly, and I caught the way his eyes flitted to Joseph, lingering for a second too long.
Ah, so he saw it.
The resemblance was undeniable–the sharp cheekbones, the greek nose, the silver eyes, the shade of blond hair. But Aiden said nothing.
“Do you recognize him?” I asked, tilting my head slightly. My voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.
Aiden’s lips pressed into a thin line. “No,” he said curtly.
I allowed a smirk to tug at the corner of my lips. “Interesting.”
Caius, who had been leaning casually against the wall, straightened slightly. “You know,” he said, his tone light and conversational, “he’s already signed the NDA. So whatever he learns here, he can’t disclose it to anyone. Not to the Wolfe pack, not to Drogo, not even to his beloved sister.”
Aiden’s silver eyes narrowed at Caius, but he didn’t take the bait. Instead, he turned his attention back to me. “What exactly do you want?” he asked, his voice clipped.
A smirk grew on my face, though I didn’t bother making a show of it. “Don’t worry, brother–in–law,” I said smoothly. “I’m not threatening you. Not right now, at least.”
Aiden’s jaw ticked at the title, but he didn’t interrupt.
“Aren’t you curious why Sir Joseph looks so familiar to you?” I asked, gesturing vaguely toward the older man. “You’re already aware that Drogo Kallistar is not your biological father, correct?”
His reaction was subtle–a tightening of the jaw, a clench of his fists–but I saw it.
“I have no interest in knowing who my biological father is,” Aiden said coldly, his gaze darting to Joseph for only a split second before looking away. “I have only one father, and he is Drogo. The second–in–command of the Wolfe pack. The only man who gave shelter to someone like me.”
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11:00 Sat, Jan 25 GT.
Chapter 98
76%
(+23)
Ah, there it was. That subtle thread of self–loathing woven into his voice, barely noticeable butanmistakable. It was a tone I’d heard before, in many unwanted children. Children like Valencia
“I see,” I said, leaning forward slightly. “Well, then, you won’t be needed here. You may leave.”
1 turned to Joseph. “Oh, and let’s keep this little discussion between us, shall we?”
Joseph nodded, his silver eyes glinting faintly in the dim light. He wasn’t an idiot. The our discussions could be disclosed, unless it pertained directly to Father’s safety.
And with that Joseph took his leave.
contract ensured that none of
Aiden’s silver eyes burned with frustration as he turned back to me. “If you’re trying to get a rise out of me, I’d say forget it
I chuckled softly, cutting him off. “I have no interest in playing games, Aiden. I was hoping to make this deal mutually beneficial for both of us.”
His brow furrowed. “What kind of deal?”
“I want someone dead,” I said simply, the words hanging in the air for a moment before I continued. “And in return, you get what you want most.”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face, his feigned composure faltering. His voice, when he spoke, was low and cautious. “What… do I want most?”
I leaned back in my chair, a slow smile spreading across my face. “Revenge.”
His silver eyes widened slightly, the surprise in them quickly replaced by wariness. He didn’t answer immediately, but I could see the tension in his frame, the way his hands clenched into fists on the table.
“You’ve thought about it, haven’t you?” I pressed, my voice calm but sharp. “The years you’ve spent under Drogo’s thumb. The way Lethia treated you like an unwanted stray. You’ve thought about what it would feel like to finally be free of them. To make them pay.”
Aiden’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t deny it. Instead there was clear frustration in his eyes as he stood up.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low and rough. “Why would I want revenge?”
“Sit down,” I said, my tone firm. “Your oath of loyalty won’t put you in any danger.”
That’s right.
Drogo Kallistar had made his six year old step–son take an ‘Oath of Loyalty‘ to protect their family secret and to never betray them.
Which had left Aiden with the cursed scar on his face, forever binding him to his step–fathers orders.
So he was probably worried that him divulging anything or even speaking about this might harm him.
This was information that Caius had dug up after bribing an older, retired servant of the Wolfe mansion. Aiden’s eyes widened, his hands twitching slightly. “How–how do you know?”
Caius, who had been silent until now, smirked. “Oh, we know a lot more than
you think.”
Aiden’s gaze darted between the two of us, suspicion and unease clear in his expression. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, finally, he exhaled sharply and sat back down.
11:01 Sat, Jan 25 GT.
Chapter 98
“Who do you want dead?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I met his gaze, my expression unchanging. “Jaxon Wolfe.”
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