~ RONAN ~

Ronan was restless. Even as Kael continued quipping about tearing Mara apart piece by piece, Ronan barely heard a word. His mind was elsewhere, focused on one thing alone.

Rejecting her. As for the accusations she’d thrown around so confidently, he’d deal with those too. He had already instructed Nikolai to retrieve and review every second of the CCTV footage.

Mara thought she was clever. She wasn’t. He had survived far worse than the schemes of a desperate woman, and if she believed she could outsmart him, she was about to learn just how badly she’d miscalculated.

A knock echoed through the office.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Mara walked in with her long legs walking with an elegant confidence.

She wore a dress so scandalously short it clung to every curve. The deep neckline framed her chest, while the fitted gown hugged her hips so tightly. Her lips were painted a striking crimson, and her perfume reached him long before she did.

It was an outfit chosen for one purpose. Seduction.

Ronan’s jaw tightened. He could have ordered her to leave and return dressed appropriately. But that would only delay the inevitable.

He hadn’t summoned her to admire her appearance. He wanted to end this once and for all.

The moment Mara had heard the Alpha wanted to see her, excitement had coursed through her veins. She’d rushed to tell Selene and Kaia, practically glowing.

"I told you my plan would work," she’d said, unable to contain her smile. "He’s finally ready to claim me."

The thought alone had sent warmth flooding her cheeks.

She’d spent nearly an hour choosing the perfect dress, one she knew would tempt Ronan, one impossible for any man to ignore. Every detail had been carefully planned, from the flawless makeup to the bold red lipstick.

And for the finishing touch... She hadn’t bothered wearing panties. By the time she stepped into his office, she was convinced this meeting would change everything.

Ronan held her gaze, his expression unreadable. He didn’t understand when she had become this woman.

When had the fierce, capable warrior who stood shoulder to shoulder with him been replaced by someone who fabricated lies and manipulated the people around her? When had the woman who never hesitated to face their enemies, who always had a strategy to offer, who carried herself with strength and conviction, become someone so consumed by jealousy that she was willing to destroy his relationship?

He searched her face, hoping to find even a trace of the woman he once knew. But all he saw was a stranger.

Perhaps that was his fault. Perhaps sleeping with her had blurred lines that should have remained untouched. Perhaps he had unknowingly given her hope where none had existed, and in doing so, he had helped create the very mess now standing before him.

The realization left a bitter taste in his mouth. Whatever they had shared was over. And today, he intended to make sure Mara understood that once and for all.

Running a hand through his hair, Ronan exhaled slowly.

"Sit down," he instructed, deliberately ignoring the obvious attempt at seduction as Mara bit her lower lip before gracefully pulling out a chair and taking her seat.

For a brief moment, silence settled between them.

Then Mara slowly crossed one leg over the other, letting it drift toward him beneath the desk, the corner of her lips curling into a teasing smile.

"Drop the act, Mara," Ronan said coldly, his eyes never leaving hers.

She rolled her eyes with an exaggerated sigh.

"Oh, come on," she drawled. "You’re no fun."

Ignoring him, she inched closer again. "I said enough."

His voice exploded through the office, with the unmistakable authority of an Alpha.

The room fell deathly silent. The air itself seemed to come to a still.

Mara froze instantly, every trace of playfulness draining from her face as her little game came to an abrupt end.

"I’m going to give you one chance to redeem yourself," He warned in a low tone, "Tell me the truth."

Mara arched a brow, a smug smile tugging at her lips.

"What truth?" she asked mockingly. "That we slept together?"

His jaw clenched so hard it ached.

Fuck. He had known this conversation would be exhausting, but every word out of her mouth was pouring salt into wounds that hadn’t even begun to heal. His patience was wearing thin, and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could keep himself under control.

His palm slammed against the desk.

"That never happened," he growled. "And we both know it."

He drew in a slow breath, forcing his emotions back behind the walls he’d spent years building. When he looked up, his steel-gray eyes were as cold as winter.

"This is the last opportunity I’m giving you to save yourself."

He growled, his voice deep and menacing.

"When the truth comes out, and it will, I won’t hesitate to execute you, Mara."

The color drained from her face. "You know the punishment for falsely accusing your Alpha and attempting to frame him. It’s treason."

He leaned forward, his gaze fixated on her. "So think very carefully before you speak again."

One minute she’s staring at him, thr next, she lets out a wracking sob.

Fuck. Talking wasn’t going to solve anything. He has heard enough, his mind already made up.

"I could already be carrying your child," Mara shot back, her voice filled with emotion. "And you’re treating me like I’m nothing... like I’m some piece of trash."

"Leave."

The single word landed like a hammer. She blinked in disbelief, tears welling in her eyes before she quickly wiped them away. Throwing him one last wounded glare, she spun on her heel and stalked toward the door.

The office fell silent the moment it clicked shut behind her.

Ronan released a long, weary breath, dragging a hand through his hair before leaning back in his chair. A dull ache settled behind his eyes.

Minutes later, another knock sounded.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Nikolai stepped inside. One look at his Beta’s face told Ronan everything he needed to know. Something was wrong.

Nikolai shut the door behind him, gave a brief nod of respect, and lowered himself into the chair opposite the desk. The concern etched across his features was impossible to miss.

"What did you find?" Ronan asked.

Nikolai hesitated. "The footage has been tampered with."

Ronan let out a humorless scoff. Of course it had.

If Mara had gone this far to fabricate accusations against him, altering security footage was hardly beyond her. It only confirmed that he definitely didn’t touch her that night, and she’s not acting alone. Someone else was pulling the strings, and whoever it was had access to the pack’s surveillance system.

His gray eyes hardened.

"Find out who touched that footage," he ordered. "I don’t care how long it takes or whose name is attached to it."

His fingers curled against the armrest.