Chapter Thirteen : The Mask Slips NATHAN The former Alpha was poisoned . The dosage was subtle , administered over time . He shouldve had at least a month left . Someone wanted him gone sooner . The healers words hit me like a thunderclap . First , there was shock . Then , a wave of anger so consuming it made my chest ache . Id been in denial . I didn t want to accept that my father was dying , so I avoided him avoided the truth and now he was gone . No final words . No goodbye . Someone had stolen that chance from me , and Id made it my mission to find out who . It didnt take long . The healer who administered the poison confessed under pressure , but what stunned me more was his revelation : Nicole had ordered him to do it . 50 % 11:39 1/6 49+ Chapter Thirteen : The Mask Slips Nicole . The woman Id once trusted . The woman Id started to remember why I fell for in the first place . Now her screams echoed in my mind , tormenting me like a haunting melody . I didnt do anything ! Why won t anyone believe me ? Nathan , you have to stop this ! I didnt do anything . You cant take me away from my son . You cannot do this ! Her words clawed at something inside me , but I forced myself to remain stoic as my men dragged her to the cells . I couldnt let her see my turmoil . For the second time in my life , she had betrayed me , and this time , there would be no going back . The council had made their decision : Nicole would stand trial at sunrise alongside her accomplice . Blood for blood . Execution was the only outcome . And yet , sleep eluded me . I couldnt stop replaying everything her protests , her 50 % 11:39 2/6 Chapter Thirteen : The Mask Slips . desperation , the way her eyes had searched mine as though I could save her . I needed answers . I needed to ask her why . The hallways were silent as I made my way to the cells . A gnawing unease crept over me when I noticed the absence of guards at the entrance . My senses sharpened , the wolf inside me stirring with warning . Something wasn t right . I entered cautiously , my eyes scanning the dim corridor . Still no guards . My first instinct was to raise the alarm , but then I heard voices . Nadias voice . It was a tone Id never heard from her before low , venomous , and laced with malice . I froze , my wolf urging me to listen . No one is going to believe you , she spat . Nicoles voice followed , quiet but filled 50 % 11:39 3/6 494 Chapter Thirteen : The Mask Slips with exhaustion . Why would you kill a man who took you in ? Took me in ? Nadia s laugh was hollow , bitter . He gave the order that slaughtered my family . The only reason he took me in was out of guilt . Ive spent years pretending , smiling at him , enduring Nathan , when I hate them both so much . I felt the air leave my lungs . But now Darien is gone , Nadia continued , her voice dripping with satisfaction . Nathan will pay for what his father did to me . And the best part ? He wont even see it coming . Hes so obsessed with me , so eager to believe Im the best thing that ever happened to him . He doesnt realize how deep Ive sunk my claws into his pack . Once hes gone , no one will question my place when I take over . Im a Cross , after all . The words cut deeper than I thought possible . My mind screamed at me to move , to act , but my feet felt like lead . The 50 11:39 4/6 Chapter Thirteen : The Mask Slips betrayal was suffocating , wrapping around me like chains . Nicole s voice broke through my haze . So why frame me ? Because you re the reason Nathan is happy , Nadia snarled . And he doesnt deserve happiness not after what his family did to me . Besides , its not the first time Ive ruined him . Poor Nathan , so desperate to believe that all women destroy , betray , and leave . It wasnt hard to make him think you cheated . I knew hed fall for it because of what his mother did . And you ? You played right into my hands when you left . Her voice turned cold . You should ve stayed away . But now you re going to die for coming back into his life . Dont worry -Ill try not to make your son miserable . Too miserable , anyway . That was the final blow . The chains of shock shattered , and fury * 50 % 11.39 5/6 Chapter Thirteen : The Mask Slips took its place . I stepped out of the shadows , my every nerve ablaze . Nadia froze , her face going pale . Nicoles eyes widened in disbelief , and for a moment , all I could hear was the thunderous pounding of my heart . I fixed my gaze on Nadia , the woman I thought I knew . But the person before me was a stranger . The only execution being announced at sunrise , I said , my voice cold and final , is yours . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!