chapter 17 Secret unfolded

The towels in the room were soaked with blood, and the water in the bowls had turned a deep crimson. It was a battle against time, a fight to save Calista's life.

At the entrance to the room, Prince Ezekiel paced back and forth, his hands behind his back. His face appeared calm, but his tightly clenched jaw betrayed his inner turmoil. His mind raced, unable to shake the image of Calista lying in a pool of blood. The thought made his heart ache, his anger bubbling just below the surface.

He gritted his teeth. How could Emily be so cruel? He vowed to ensure she paid for what she had done. But for now, all he cared about was Calista. His heart was in his throat as fear clawed at him. What if I'd been just a few seconds later? The thought was unbearable. He shook his head, trying to dispel the rising panic. He was grateful he had gotten to her in time, though the guilt of not preventing her pain gnawed at him.

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At Beta Mateo's Mansion

The atmosphere in Jacob's room was suffocating. The air reeked of alcohol, and shattered glass littered the floor. The room was a mess, reflecting the chaos inside Jacob's mind. He sat in the corner, disheveled and hollow-eyed, his hair unruly and his beard seemingly grown overnight.

His beast had shut him out completely, retreating into silence after Jacob had rejected their mate. Now, he was left alone with the weight of his actions, and it was suffocating.

Images of Ava haunted him. Her scent lingered in his mind, intoxicating and unforgettable. He clenched his fists as a mirage of her smiling face appeared before him. "Ava?" he whispered desperately, his voice hoarse and broken. He reached out to touch her, but the vision disappeared, leaving him grasping at nothing. Tears spilled down his face like molten lava, searing his soul with regret.

Gripping his hair in despair, Jacob let out a guttural cry, his heart shattering further. He had lost her, and the pain was consuming him from the inside out.

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In the mansion's sitting room, Beta Mateo stood trembling with fury. The news of Emily's actions had reached him, and his rage was palpable. "How could you be so reckless, Emily?" he roared, his voice echoing through the room. "You've ruined everything!"

He grabbed the edge of a table and hurled it against the wall, the crash startling both Rachel and Emily, who stood frozen in fear. Rachel's face paled, knowing she had also played a part in this disaster.

"I didn't think she'd go that far, Mateo," Rachel tried to explain, her voice wavering. But Mateo wasn't having it.

"You were supposed to keep her in check!" he shouted, stalking toward her. His bloodshot eyes glared with barely contained malice. He grabbed her jaw, his grip firm. "I won't let you or your daughter ruin my plans. Do you understand me?" His voice dripped with menace.

Rachel's eyes darted nervously, and she nodded quickly. "I'm sorry, Mateo. I didn't know."

Emily fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Father, punish me. It's my fault. I let my emotions get the better of me," she pleaded, her claws digging into her palms so deeply that blood dripped onto the floor.

Mateo released Rachel, who exhaled in relief, and turned his attention to Emily. "You said Ezekiel took her away?" he asked, his mind racing to form a new plan.

"Yes, Father," Emily confirmed. Her voice trembled, but beneath it was a bitterness she couldn't hide. "What do we do now?"

Mateo's lips curled into a calculating smile. "The prince won't be able to protect her for long. Don't worry—this changes nothing." He looked down at Emily, his tone softening slightly. "Stand up. I won't punish you for today, but control your temper. I won't tolerate another outburst."

Before their conversation could continue, a guard rushed into the room. "Alpha Mateo, King Alexander and Prince Ethan are here," he announced breathlessly.

Mateo stiffened, his veins pulsing with tension. "Bring them in," he commanded. He turned to Rachel and Emily, silently signaling them to compose themselves. They all stood as the demon king and the dragon prince entered the room.

King Alexander entered with his usual air of dominance, his sharp eyes scanning the room. His fingers lightly traced one of the paintings on the wall as if he had all the time in the world. Behind him, Prince Ethan followed, his smirk as chilling as the cold breeze that seemed to follow them.

"King Alexander, Prince Ethan," Mateo greeted, bowing low. Rachel and Emily mirrored the gesture, though their bodies were tense with unease.

Alexander ignored the pleasantries, his piercing gaze landing on Mateo. "We're looking for a man with green eyes," Ethan said smoothly, his tone deceptively polite. But his smile didn't reach his eyes.

Mateo feigned confusion. "A man with green eyes? There's no such person here," he lied. His tone was even, but his pulse betrayed his nerves.

Ethan tilted his head, his skepticism evident. "Are you certain? We wouldn't have come here if we weren't sure," he said, his voice like velvet masking steel. "Just hand him over, and we'll be on our way."

"I assure you, no such man exists in my household," Mateo insisted.

Emily's eyes widened in realization, and a sly smile spread across her face. "Oh, I know who you're looking for," she said, drawing Alexander's attention.

His dark gaze pinned her in place. "And who might that be?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"It's not a man," Emily replied, her smirk deepening. "It's a woman. My younger sister, Calista."

Alexander and Ethan exchanged a knowing glance, their suspicions confirmed. Alexander's lips curled into a sinister smile. He stepped closer to Emily, his imposing frame towering over her.

"Where is she?" His voice was a growl, and his aura grew suffocating.

Emily gulped, her confidence faltering. She bit her lip, stealing glances at his face. "Prince Ezekiel took her to his residence," she finally admitted.

Alexander turned to Ethan. "Let's go," he said curtly before striding out of the room, his presence leaving an oppressive silence behind.

As the door closed behind them, Mateo turned to Emily, his brows furrowed in confusion. "What's going on, Emily?" he demanded.

Emily clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. "I told you, Father, Calista always ruins everything."

Mateo's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the situation. Whatever the demon king wanted with Calista, it couldn't be good. And whatever was coming next, it would change everything.