Chapter 75

Dominic

I clicked on the audio file and waited for it to download. When the message from Arielle finished downloading as I rubbed the bridge of my nose, my jaw aching from how tight I was clenching it. I opened it, it was labeled with an exhibit number and today's date.

Arielle's message was short.

This was recorded in the office today. I’m not settling this out of court. If you plan on protecting your daughter, prepare your legal team. I'll want corroborating surveillance records, uncorrupted and unedited.

I stared at the screen for a second longer. I hesitated to listen to the audio, but instead scrolled thorugh the other file of screenshotted text messages, all dated today and detailing how Renee's badge stopped working after she'd had a conversation with Vivian. Tampered coffee, tampered food, a run in with a manager that shouldn't have ever have been her manager in the first place, missing documents, computer issues and a slew of IT tickets.

I got to the last message in which Renee said she'd have to stay late to catch up before pressing play on the audio recording.

The audio crackled, then Vivian’s voice spilled through my speaker, clear as day.

"You're a real fucking bitch. An ungrateful fucking bitch for everything I've done for you."

My eyes bulged as I kept listening. My stomach turned and turned again. The mocking derision, the threat, and malice in her tone was earth-shattering. I had never really heard Vivian speak like this. This was more than the tantrum or frustrated, spoiled anger she showed me. This was a depth of malice I didn't know she was capable of. There was no remorse, no hesitation, either. She was fully confident in the horrible things she was saying. The entitlement in her tone made my skin crawl.

I didn’t listen to the rest. I didn’t need to. I’d already seen the pattern and heard enough. Ms. Leon came back with several young ladies, all of them with Brightclaw-issued phones. I opened the system to pull copies of all the files relevant to this. I had them all sit down and speak into a recorder as I interviewed them about what they knew.

Every story lined up with the videos. The pattern was undeniable, spanning back years. Vivian had made it a targeted campaign against Renee for years, for Neil of Blackfang. They had all heard about Neil, heard directly from Vivian about her plans. I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," the youngest of them murmured.

"No," I said. "There's nothing to be sorry for. You have shown yourselve to be far more loyal to me than my own daughter."

I shook my head. My eyes drifting to where Hazel's photo had once been. The lies were ridiculous. Vivian had certainly inherited her mother's talent for deception. Perhaps her malice too. I wondered if perhaps in Hazel's story if I was the Neil or the Tyler, and who the other man was in general.

"I will likely need to call on you again. For now, go ahead and continue to document things as you see fit. If you know anyone else who might have any more information, please let me know."

They all hesitated. "About… Ms. Mountainhowl?"

"About what my daughter has been doing to undermine the Brightclaw reputation."

They all winced, but nodded. "We'll… go and get the others."

They left, and I hit speed dial for the head of my legal team.

“James,” I said the moment he picked up, “get everyone to the estate. Tonight. I want depositions from every single member of the pack who’s been involved, or who’s seen or heard anything regarding Vivian and Renee, Vivian and Tyler, and anyone else Vivian has been using in her scheming against Renee."

"Alpha… you sound like you plan to… sue your daughter."

I clenched my jaw. It was the most likely outcome of it all at this point, but I wouldn't think about it right now.

When I had all the information in front of me, I'd make a final decision, whatever that decision came out to be.

"You have full authority to pull surveillance records from the estate and the offices. No on is safe. Anyone refusing to speak will be held in contempt. I've already started with some of the maid staff.”

“Understood,” James replied quickly. “Is this… public yet?”

“It’s going to be. Soon. And I’m not shielding anyone. If people have been complicit in this, if they’ve enabled her, then they’re not just fired. They’re going to be named and prosecuted alongside her. And if you find a single email or message that points to coordination within the company, have them brought in as well.”

I barely heard James’s acknowledgment before the next alert buzzed in. A text from an unfamiliar number flagged by my emergency contact chain.

Ms. Renee Mountainhowl was admitted to Brightclaw Medical ten minutes ago. She collapsed at work. Dehydration, exhaustion, possible stress-related complications. Tox screen in process.

The floor dropped out from under me.

I didn’t even grab my coat. Didn’t say another word to James. I was already moving out the door, down the hall, ignoring the stunned looks of the staff as I barked for my driver to get me to the hospital as fast as possible.

Renee

I woke to the too-bright glow of fluorescents overhead and the hum of machines, sterile and rhythmic. My mouth was dry. My limbs ached. My stomach cramped like it had collapsed in on itself.

I was in a hospital.

I blinked a few more times, trying to sit up, when a figure came into focus beside the bed.

It was Vivian.

My whole body tensed.

“What—”

My voice came out hoarse, and I struggled to push myself up on the pillows. My fingers clutched instinctively at the blanket, half-expecting to find blood or bruises or something worse.

Had she done something while I was out?

Panic gripped me like a vice until I saw the unmistakable bulk of the Mountainhowl guard stationed by the door, arms crossed, eyes locked on both of us. He gave me a subtle nod. It wasn't Elian, I assumed he was talking with Arielle or coordinating something, but Elian wouldn't have left someone here who didn't know the situation.

This man likely hadn't left my side this entire time. I exhaled shakily. Okay. I was safe. At least for now. Vivian smiled like she was auditioning for a daytime drama. It was perfectly rehearsed and sickening.

“You scared everyone, collapsing like that,” she said sweetly, smoothing a nonexistent wrinkle on her designer skirt. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

I stared at her, glaring at her.

She tilted her head. “I really think we need to talk, Renee. I mean, some of the things you said were really hurful. Why twist the truth about me and Tyler just to cover up your own mistakes? You should be owning up to them” Her voice was light, almost amused. “You’ve been so... scattered lately. Emotional. People are starting to notice, maybe you need a break. I'm sure the university would take your withdrawal well.”

I didn’t answer.

“And the dress,” she went on, undeterred. “It’s really so sad, the way this has spiraled. You know you gave it to me. You said it was a peace offering. That you wanted to make things right, to apologize for being such a terrible friend. I mean... it’s not like you have anywhere to wear it now that you’re a rogue.”

That smile of hers sharpened like a blade.

I sat up straighter, the heart monitor reacting with an angry beep. “Get out.”

Vivian blinked, mock-wounded. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t get to come in here and spin your garbage while I’m stuck with an IV in my arm,” I snapped, voice low and bitter. “I don’t care what stories you’re peddling. You stole the dress. You damaged all of my stuff. You’ve been harassing me. And I’m done not calling you out on all of it." I glared at her. "Dominic is going to hear about everything you've done and the next time I see you, it'll be in court."

Vivian’s expression twitched for just a second. “Well,” she said coolly, standing, smoothing her skirt again, “if you’re going to be dramatic about it... Just remember, Renee. If you don’t fix this misunderstanding, things will only get worse. At some point, there won't be any mending it, now will there?”

She walked out without another word.

I waited until the door clicked shut, then slumped back into the pillow, throat tight, eyes burning. The Mountainhowl guard didn’t say anything, but he stepped a little closer, like he could feel how badly I wanted to cry.

"Luna will be here soon, little one," he said softly. "And that wench will be the only one suffering by the time this is all done."

My lips twitched. "Thank you for being her."

He nodded. "You are a cub of ours. We protect our own."