A Vendetta Unearthed

FABIAN

I was drowning in self-loathing. My father would have been ashamed—hell, I was ashamed. The memory of Seraphina's lips on mine made my stomach turn. In one moment of weakness, I'd betrayed not only Vanessa but everything I stood for as Alpha.

Sleep had become impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Vanessa's devastated face when she discovered what I'd done. And now she was gone—somewhere on a beach with my son—both of them in danger while I sat uselessly in my office.

I slammed my fist against the desk, sending papers flying. The clock read 2:17 AM. Another sleepless night.

"Pathetic," I muttered, running my hands through my hair.

My wolf, Arcturus, paced restlessly inside me, angry and on edge. He'd been this way since Vanessa left, sensing something wasn't right. His instinct to protect our mate and pup was overwhelming, yet we were stuck here, paralyzed by our own failure.