EVA.

There was still one loose end.

One very dangerous loose end.

And I couldn’t afford to ignore it.

I leaned back slightly, my gaze drifting toward my phone resting on the table. For a brief second, I simply stared at it, my thoughts calculating, aligning, sharpening into a single, undeniable priority.

Ella’s pregnancy...no one else could know because the moment that truth slipped out... everything would spiral beyond control.

My fingers moved without hesitation as I picked up the phone and dialed a number I knew all too well. The line rang once, barely and then connected instantly, as though the person on the other end had been waiting.

"Hello, ma’am Eva..."

The male voice came through, respectful, careful, laced with just enough nervousness to make it clear he knew who he was dealing with.

I didn’t bother with pleasantries.

"Doctor Jeffery," I said coldly, my tone sharp and direct. "Have you really been doing your job well?"

There was a slight pause on the line, followed by a subtle shift in his breathing.

"Yes... yes, ma’am, I have," he replied quickly, but the hesitation in his voice didn’t escape me.

My eyes narrowed.

"Really?" I pressed, impatience creeping in, my fingers tapping lightly against the desk.

I wasn’t in the mood for excuses.

"Yes, ma’am," he repeated, this time rushing his words as though trying to convince both me and himself. "According to your instructions, I ensured the test results regarding the drugs were not attached to her files."

I listened in silence, my expression unreadable.

"I also instructed a few nurses who work closely with me," he continued, his voice slightly steadier now, "about the situation. No one will issue any treatment. Everything has been kept strictly confidential."

A bitter scoff slipped past my lips.

Confidential?

"Then explain to me," I snapped, my voice rising suddenly, cutting through his explanation like a blade, "how she got pregnant?"

Silence was thick and heavy.

On the other end of the line, I could almost hear the panic settling in.

"That’s not... that’s not possible, ma’am," he stammered, his earlier confidence completely gone. "I...I followed every instruction..."

"If you still like your job, Doctor Jeffery," I interrupted coldly, my voice dropping into something far more dangerous, "I will advise you to ensure that the news of her pregnancy remains... and dies... with us."

I leaned forward slightly, a slow, chilling smile forming on my lips as I added, "Remember, the hospital belongs to Bloodfang."

That alone was enough, and it was something he could never ignore.

"Do I make myself clear?" I demanded, my tone rising just enough to send the message across unmistakably.

"Yes, ma’am," he replied immediately, his voice tight with fear and submission.

Without another word, I ended the call. The line went dead, leaving behind a heavy silence that filled the room.

I lowered the phone slowly, my grip tightening around it for just a moment before placing it back on the table.

Everything was falling into place, it had to because I wouldn’t allow anything to ruin what I had planned.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself before turning toward Alex’s study. My steps were measured, but my heart wasn’t nearly as calm. Something felt off, something I couldn’t quite place, but I pushed the feeling aside and kept moving.

As I got closer, I could hear voices from inside, muffled and low, almost completely swallowed by the soundproof walls.

I paused just outside the door, tilting my head slightly as I strained to listen. My wolf stirred faintly within me, urging me to focus, to push past the barrier, to catch even the slightest hint of what was being said.

I tried.

I really did.

But the technology held firm, blocking everything out.

Just then, my leg brushed against the door slightly, the faint sound echoing louder than I intended in the quiet hallway.

Damn it.

I didn’t have the luxury of hesitation anymore.

Before I could overthink it, I pushed the door open.

"Who is there?" Alex’s voice rang out instantly, sharp and alert.

I stepped in without missing a beat, forcing a bright smile onto my face.

"It’s me, baby," I said lightly, my tone warm as though nothing was out of place. "I’ve missed you a lot, so I came to check if you were in here."

My eyes flickered briefly toward Philip.

"Hi, Philip," I added with a small wave, as if everything was perfectly normal.

Then, without giving the moment a chance to stretch, I walked past him and straight into Alex’s arms, wrapping mine around him in a familiar embrace.

But the moment I touched him...something felt wrong, as his body went completely still.

The warmth I expected... wasn’t there.

I pulled back slightly, confusion flickering across my face, though I quickly masked it.

"What’s wrong, baby?" I asked softly, my fingers trailing lightly across his chest in an attempt to ease whatever tension had settled there. "Don’t you miss me too?"

Before he could respond, Philip cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Alpha Alex," he said, his tone careful, "I’ll take my leave now."

And just like that, he slipped out of the room, the door closing quietly behind him.

I felt a faint blush creep up my cheeks, though I couldn’t tell if it was from the situation or the strange atmosphere lingering in the room.

I tried again.

"Do you need a massage?" I asked, my voice softening as I offered a small smile, hoping to lighten whatever mood had taken hold of him.

But Alex didn’t respond the way I expected.

"Eva, I’m tired right now," he said, his voice cold, far colder than I was used to. "I had an emergency. I need rest."

The words landed heavily.

Still, I stepped closer, refusing to back down so easily.

"I can help you rest," I murmured, positioning myself directly in front of him. My fingers moved to the buttons of my shirt, slowly undoing them one after the other, trying to draw his attention back to me, as I tried to regain control of the moment.

But before I could go any further...

"Get out!"

His voice thundered through the room, sharp and commanding, laced with unmistakable authority.

I froze instantly, my hands halting mid-motion as I flinched at the force behind his words.

"Now!" he added, his Alpha aura pressing down heavily, leaving no room for argument.

My breath caught.

That... wasn’t normal, especially not toward me.

Without another word, I quickly stepped back, gathering myself as best as I could before turning and walking out of the room.

The moment the door shut behind me, I exhaled shakily.

That... was scary.