Chapter 38

Adrian POV

I watch as Lily walks away back toward Julian and the party. I count to five and smother my frustrations. It was close. The wolf almost got what it wanted the moment she challenged me like that.

Granted, it was already growling the moment I saw Allen speaking to her. I never liked him. His family were beholden to Vanessa’s father, Glen, and their loyalty was constantly in question. I have no doubt he was planning something.

Maybe I’m just on edge because she’s been avoiding me all week. I’m not sure what happened to make her distance herself, but she’s actively trying to stay away from me. I’ve respected it, but it doesn’t mean I appreciated it.

I watch as Julian introduces Lily to more of his friends. The smile on her face is pleasant, but fake. She hates this party, and she’s been uncomfortable from the moment she got here. It was far larger than Julian had promised, and these were far from trustworthy people.

Yet she’s enduring it for him. I admire her for that.

Jealousy curls in my gut as I watch them, just like it did several days ago when I watched them leave on their date. A part of me was relieved when she came home alone. Though, another part of me hated myself for that.

My phone rings and I answer it.

“Edward, what did you find?” I ask my hacker. I asked him to start watching the guests as soon as I got the list of attendees.

“I found some interesting research and text messages between Glen and Allen.” Edward says. “Looks like they got ahold of some kind of drug that makes someone behave as though they’re incredibly intoxicated after only one drink. They were going to slip it to Lily.”

I think about the glass of champaign I tossed over the side and briefly consider tossing Allen in after it. I watch the younger man across the deck, laughing with a woman as though his life isn’t on thin ice.

I hang up with Edward and make eye contact with my Beta across the room. I look at Allen and without saying a word, the order is given. My Beta crosses the room and taps Allen on the shoulder, a few words are exchanged, and he’s escorted below deck.

Normally, I would leave this up to my Beta, but not this time. Not when my family has been threatened.

Allen is trembling by the time I get below deck to the engine room. He’s on his knees and the Beta is holding a vial in his hand.

“The idiot had this on him.” He hands the vial out to me, and I study the label.

“It was just a joke. We didn’t mean anything by it.” Allen manages to stutter.

“You find it an acceptable joke to hurt my family?” I ask calmly.

“No, no sir. Not at all.” Allen stammers, lowering his head in submission.

“You didn’t come up with this on your own. Who gave this to you?” I already know the answer, but I want the weasel to say it.

“No one!” He insists and I give a nod to my Beta who brings a fist to the other man’s face and sends him sprawling. Blood drips from his mouth, but I have no sympathy. He would have hurt Lily. That was unacceptable.

“Who?” I ask.

Allen hesitates and I nod to my Beta who delivers another blow.

I try a different tactic. “These are actions of disloyalty, Allen. It’s treason. You know what happens to wolves who commit treason.”

Allen’s face leaches of color and panic fills his eyes.

“They are removed from the pack.” I say. “Tell me who gave you the vial, and I will consider allowing you to stay. Refuse, and I will drag you up on deck myself and banish you to the life of a lone wolf.”

“Glen! Glen gave me the vial.” Allen barks out.

I nod, satisfied that he’s telling me the truth. “You aligned yourself with the wrong family, Allen. You should have known better than to hurt me and mine. Now you will serve as an example.”

I turn and walk away to the sounds of my Beta delivering blows and Allen’s cries for mercy. He won’t die, but he will bear the bruises and maybe a scar or two as a reminder.

I walk upstairs and with a few words with the captain, the yacht turns around and heads for shore. Now that I know there are people here who have conspired to hurt Lily, I won’t risk her being here a moment longer than she needs to be.

No one notices when the boat returns early. I’m grateful for that. I don’t need another altercation with my son. Lily looks relieved as we descend from the deck and onto the dock to leave.

Glen and Vanessa trail behind us. They’ve been oddly well-behaved today for those whose plans have failed. I’m not sure what to do with them yet. I have enough to banish them for treason already, but I want to see just how far their treachery runs. I decide to watch them. For now.

Lily POV

The day after the yacht party, I’m walking in the mall with Grace. After the last trip, we both were hesitant to come back here, but we finally mustered the courage to try again and get her new shoes.

Bags in hand, we are making our way to the car, when a familiar blonde with a sneer, cuts into my path.

“Excuse me.” I say to Vanessa and take Grace by the hand to lead her around. I won’t have a confrontation with this woman in front of her.

“You must think you’re completely untouchable.” She scoffs at me haughtily.

“What are you talking about?” I ask and then kick myself for taking the bait.

“You really should watch your back.” Vanessa answers, her voice laced with threat. “Next time, your precious Alpha won’t be there to protect you.”

“He’s your Alpha too.” Grace chimes in looking confused and a little offended.

“Hush, Grace.” I push her behind me, though Vanessa doesn’t pay her any attention.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I say and turn to usher the little girl behind me away.

“I’m talking about how I almost had you gone yesterday. You really shouldn’t accept drinks from strangers.” She laughs.

I ignore her and push Grace out the door. She and I really don’t have great luck at the mall.

I turn Vanessa’s comments over and over in my head as the image of Adrian snatching my champaign flute from my hand and tossing it overboard play on repeat.

What was in that glass? How did Adrian know and why didn’t he say anything?

I get Grace home and sit her down to lunch with the chef while I excuse myself to go upstairs. Adrian is in his study, pouring over documents and ledgers.

“What was in the glass?” I ask, completely bypassing any sort of greeting.

He looks up at me, drops his pen on top of his paperwork and leans back in his chair. “A drug to make you act like you had too much to drink.”

My heart races and I start to panic even though the danger has long since passed.

“How did you know?” I ask.

“I didn’t.” He confesses. “All I knew was that I don’t trust Allen. I discovered what he was doing later.”

I struggle to get my racing heart under control. “Vanessa was involved. She just threatened me and said next time, you wouldn’t be there to protect me. She will try again.”

“No one will help her.” Adrian tells me calmly. “Allen has paid for his crimes and will serve as a reminder to the rest of the pack on what happens when someone hurts my family. She will find herself without any allies.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, but my heart immediately speeds back up with his next words, “And I will always protect you.”

The assurance in his eyes and in his voice brings the reminder of why I ran straight to this room the moment I didn’t feel safe. Adrian had always protected me, and some part of me knew he always would.