Chapter 16
Delilah didn’t crawl out of bed until nearly noon.
She’d been up all night, her mind racing between Theron’s bizarre behavior and those ice-cold eyes that definitely didn’t belong to the Sylvae she knew.
She rubbed her temples and decided to grab some food before figuring out her next move.
But when she walked into the dining room, there was only one place setting. Sylvae sat there casually eating toast, a mug of black coffee steaming beside her
plate.
Where’s my breakfast?” Delilah demanded.
Sylvae didn’t even look up, finishing her last bite before giving her a bored glance. “You want food? Ask the kitchen staff to make you something.”
he dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “I made this for myself. Didn’t think about you.”
Delilah’s chest burned with anger, but she kept her voice controlled: “Then tell them to cook something now!”
ylvae laughed softly, stood up, and walked right past her without another glance.
elilah’s hands clenched into fists as she stormed toward the kitchen, only to find it mostly empty except for a young omega washing dishes.
Where’s the head cook?!” she snapped.
he omega flinched at her tone, answering carefully: “She’s off today, visiting her son…”
Then how did Sylvae get breakfast?!”
una… Luna cooked for herself…” The omega kept her head down, voice barely audible.
elilah’s face went thunderous as she stalked out.
le returned to her room starving and seething, too furious to even think about finding food elsewhere.
hat’s when her phone buzzed-the private investigator.
le grabbed it immediately. His voice was cautiously quiet: “Ms. Vexley, I’ve got some very interesting intel.”
ell me!” she ordered eagerly.
Night before the bonding ceremony, security cameras caught someone identical to Sylvae Fenwick leaving the Ashgrave territory.” He paused for effect. “Plus, 1 und records of a major financial transaction between the Fenwick pack three years ago-looks like it involved some kind of stand-in arrangement.”
elilah’s eyes went wide, her grip tightening on the phone: “You have proof?”
‘hotos, financial records, the works. Want to meet up?”
end me the location-I’m coming now!”
fter hanging up, Delilah quickly threw on clothes, grabbed sunglasses and a baseball cap, and snuck out of the pack house.
alf an hour later, she met the investigator at a sketchy diner on the territory border.
le slid a thick manila envelope across the table, speaking in low tones: “Everything’s in there-surveillance shots, bank transfers, the whole thing.”
elilah ripped it open and flipped through the contents, her smile turning vicious.
he knew it! The bitch living in Ashgrave estate was a complete fraud!
he paid his fee, stuffed the evidence in her purse, and practically skipped back to her car.
Let’s see how long this fake could keep up her act now!
But the moment she got back to the estate, she nearly collided with Sylvae, who was heading out.
Sylvae stopped dead, fixing her with that unsettling stare.
Delilah waved the evidence folder: “I know exactly who you are now. So here’s the deal-get on your knees, apologize for everything, or I tell Theron his precious Luna is a lying fraud!”
Sylvae studied her for a long moment, then actually laughed “You’re fucking delusional.”
She turned to walk away
That dismissal shattered Delilah’s control. She lunged forward and grabbed Sylvae’s arm: “Don’t you dare ignore me! This evidence will destroy you-”
Before she could finish, Sylvae jerked free violently. Delilah stumbled backward, her feet tangling, and started tumbling down the front steps!
“Shit!”
In desperation, she grabbed at Sylvae’s jacket, dragging them both into a painful tumble down the stone stairs.
They crashed into each other and the steps repeatedly before slamming into the ground, Delilah’s evidence scattering across the entrance hall.
