Chapter 25 "I don't care about my end, but I will ensure that my woman will never end like Mom," Damien shot back, voice unyielding. "I am not you. I won't let the blind hunger for power dictate my life, Father." He spat the last word in disdain. The room went tense; unspoken words filled the air. Maximus's gaze dropped again to the pink hair tie around Damien's wrist, lips curling into a sneer. "This damn woman will ruin you, Damien. Mark my words." Damien smirked, hatred sharpening his tone. "Funny. That's exactly what they said about you when you mated my mother. Let me tell you, Father, I have not forgotten our past nor forgiven the things you did." Maximus flinched, then straightened into his usual stony posture as Damien continued. "If I become Alpha of the Blackthorn pack, the first thing I might do is ruin your favored son Adrian along with his conspiring mother. Better not hand me such power on a silver platter." "Are you threatening me, Damien?" Maximus laughed, then went on. "I never considered Adrian my legal heir. Do you think I'd blink if you acted? I mated Elizabeth for stability, but she forgot her place and threatened my position. I will force you to return, Damien-this conversation isn't over." Maximus turned on his heel and strode for the door. "You will regret this. I do not forgive disobedience." Unaware of the argument at Damien's den, Selene was at the market near her own den when she felt eyes on her and heard whispers. "Isn't that her?" "Definitely. I almost fell for that innocent act." Selene quickened her pace toward home, heart tight, when her eccentric caretaker appeared at the stairwell. "Selene!" John shouted. She recoiled. John staggered, bloodshot eyes and the sour smell of spirits making her wince. He was shabby, leaning on the railing, closing in with a leer. Assuming he was drunk, she tried to avoid him. "Evening, John," she said cautiously. "What is it?" "Don't 'evening' me, Selene," he barked, slurring. "You owe rent. I'm not waiting another day. Pay up." Selene frowned. "I paid last week by transfer. Check your records." "Liar!" he roared, stumbling up a step. "You think I'm stupid?" "I'm not lying," she said, steady despite trembling. "If there's a problem, we can sort it when you're sober," "So you won't give in easily, huh?" He laughed harshly; the sound echoed in the narrow stairwell. Before she could reply, two burly men appeared behind him, leering. 411 CH 212 16.7% 9:44 pm PD "This one's a beauty, boss. Why argue with such a pretty thing?" one sneered. "This little thing thinks she doesn't have to pay rent," John said. "Says she already did." The second man stepped forward with a leer. "Maybe she spent all her money elsewhere. You know, on her...special needs." Selene stiffened. "What are you talking about? Leave me be." John's grin widened. "Oh, don't play innocent. What's the rush, sweetheart? Customers waiting at home, perhaps? You think we don't know?" "Know what?" Selene snapped, voice stronger than she felt. The first man pulled out his phone, tapping before shoving it into her face. "Your figure is something else. You are one hot bitch." Her stomach turned. The screen showed a pale, blurry image of a woman who looked like her- partially unclothed, kneeling in front of a man in a cheap guestroom. Sensational headlines flashed across other tab thumbnails: [Cheating Mate Exposed] [Prostitute Frames Mate to Escape Responsibility] [Destroying Adrian's Name-Selene Rivers Sows Discord in Blackthorn Pack] "You know how to seduce a man, sweetchick. How about pleasing me today and forget the rent?" one of them drawled. "Hey slut, what do you charge a night?" the other added. "We'll pay a lot. Spend a night with us." "T-That's not me... no, that can't be true," Selene stepped back, voice breaking. "This is fake!" "Oh, sure," Grayson-John's companion-slurred. "You expect us to believe that? Word's out." "I don't care what lies spread," Selene shot back, voice trembling but firm. "I'm pregnant, and you're harassing me. The sentinels won't let this stand." "Sentinels?" the men mocked. "You think you can threaten us?" "There are cameras in this block; there's evidence," she said, refusing to back down. "I'll report all of you." The men laughed cruelly. "Go ahead," John jeered. "Let's see who they believe: the kind old caretaker or the woman plastered all over the nets as a whore." Her heart pounded, but she refused to give in. "Get out of my way," she said through clenched teeth. The first man smirked. "Or what?" A voice snapped in fury. "Or I will teach you a lesson you'll never forget! I am her mate, Adrian-and she is not some whore!" Chapter 25 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!