CHAPTER TWO: BETRAYAL RUNS DEEP

( Reese's POV)

Seth Kingston. The name alone was a melody I could hum for hours.

Memories of him flashing before my eyes as I tried to fully understand what I was looking at.

"I hacked into Kingston Enterprises' server," Orca said, his voice barely above a whisper.

I shot him a look. "You what?"

"I know, I know, it was risky. But I had a hunch, and... well, look."

The emails were between Finn Kingston and his son.

My stomach churned as I read them. Seth's name was mentioned multiple times, along with phrases like "gather intel" and "use his weakness."

"Weakness!!? That's what I'd been to him? A pawn in his father's game." I yelled.

My heart thudded heavily in my chest, a rhythm that betrayed the calm mask I wore.

I loosened the neck button on my shirt as it seemed to choke the life out of me along with the emails I was looking at.

"No!! Seth wouldn't do this to me!" I repeated, trying hard to convince myself rather than my audience.

"Wouldn't he?" Sasha interrupted, her gaze unyielding.

"Think about it, Reese. He shows up out of nowhere, sweeps you off your feet, and conveniently leaves out the fact that he's tied to the man who wants to see your empire crumble?"

The papers in front of me were neatly arranged, yet I couldn't muster the courage to read a single word, as I feared what more I might discover.

Sasha stood across from me, her face twisted with concern.

I turned to face her, searching her face for answers, but all she had was pity.

"Seth isn't who you think he is," she said, her voice softer now.

"He's the son of Finn Kingston. The same Finn Kingston who's been trying to sabotage Elite Group for years."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

I shook my head, pacing the room. "No, you don't understand. The bond—it's real. I felt it, Sasha. He's my mate."

"And he's also a Kingston," she countered. "Has he ever called you mate? Or acknowledged the mate bond?" Sasha asked.

Realization hit me like a tsunami and I staggered a little.

"Reese, I know how much this hurts, but you need to look at the facts. He's been feeding information to his father.

Look at the discrepancies in our deals over the past few months. The timing aligns perfectly with when Seth entered your life." Sasha continued.

My hands clenched into fists at my sides. I couldn't believe this was happening.

"You're saying he's been playing me? That everything between us was a lie?"

Sasha's expression softened, but her resolve didn't waver.

"I'm saying you need to be careful. I don't know if it was all a lie, but there's enough here to warrant caution.

He's dangerous, Reese. Finn Kingston is ruthless, and if Seth is working with him..." She trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.

I slammed my fist on the desk, the sound echoing in the room. "Damn it, Sasha! Why now? Why tell me this now?"

"Because you deserve to know the truth," she said firmly. "Before it's too late."

The weight of her words settled heavily on my shoulders.

My mind raced, memories of Seth flashing before me like a cruel slideshow.

"I was going to propose," I said, barely audible.

"I was going to spend the rest of my life with him," I added, now talking to myself.

The betrayal clawed at me like a wild beast that refused to be tamed.

Orca who had been quiet all along finally spoke. "Reese, I didn't want to believe it either. I know what he means to you".

My vision blurred with unshed tears as I scanned the screen.

More emails, more damning evidence. Plans to undercut Elite Group, detailed notes about my schedule and routines—things only someone close to me could have knowledge of.

Things only Seth had access to.

I looked up at Orca, my voice breaking. "Why didn't you come to me sooner? Why wait until now?"

He shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Sasha for support.

"I needed to be sure. You've always been so guarded, Reese. You deserve the truth, but I didn't want to bring you half-baked suspicions."

My mind was a storm, flashes of Seth's smile, his touch, his whispered promises swirling around with the damning evidence they had presented.

My knees gave out as the weight of everything pressed down on me.

I sank into a nearby seat, my head in my hands.

The pain was unbearable, a gaping wound that refused to close.

I could feel my heart snapping out of my chest.

I questioned everything including my existence.

Wasn't it bad enough that my parents died way too early, leaving me with a heavy responsibility?

Why did the bond choose him? Of all people, why Seth?

A part of me wanted to scream at the universe, to demand answers from the moon goddess who had cursed me with this connection, fated me with a mate bound to betray me, after years of waiting!!!

Another part of me just wanted to curl into a ball and disappear.

A sob tore from my throat as I couldn't keep it in.

I sank deeper into my seat, clutching what's left of my broken heart.

I didn't notice my little sobs where audible until Sasha appeared beside me, trying everything she could to console me.

Orca stood there, confused and shocked. He had never seen me like this.

I have never seen myself like this either, even when my parents passed.

Eventually, I staggered to my feet, Pulling myself together I know I had to make a decision.

And as much as it hurts, I knew one thing for certain: I couldn't let my feelings for Seth cloud my judgment. Not when the stakes were this high.

I needed to confront him. Needed answers.

Sasha stepped closer, her hand resting on my arm.

"Reese, whatever happens, I've got your back. But please... be careful."

As I spun around ready to walk out of the boardroom, I caught a familiar scent that stirred my wolf and halted my movement.

My eyes darted around the room, looking for where it came from, but it was just Sasha, Orca and I in the room.

I was sure I sniffed it because it was strong for a moment.

But Seth wasn't here.

Why did I perceive my mate's scent this strong?