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Chapter 96
NB: There are 3 POVs in this chap, kindly don’t get confused.
~Ivan’s POV~
I sighed in relief but his words cut my joy short. "But know this—I don’t work under anyone, Ivan. We do this as equals, or not at all."
"Understood," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. This wasn’t how I’d imagined the conversation going, but the point was, Marcus was in. And that was all that mattered.
"Expect my men to reach out soon. But I’ll handle Zara personally," he added, his voice dripping with dark satisfaction. "You may want her broken, but I want to see her regret every choice she’s ever made."
"Do whatever you need to," I agreed, a wicked smile creeping onto my face. "Just make sure that by the end of it, she has nowhere to turn to but to me."
As the line disconnected, a strange satisfaction settled over me. Snow might have thought he’d won, but he hadn’t yet seen the lengths I was willing to go to reclaim what was mine.
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~Snow’s POV~
Returning to the estate, I could feel the thick tension like a warning. I walked through the front door, my mind already racing through possibilities.
Ivan wanted control, and Zara had become his way in. But it wouldn’t be his way forward. He’d pushed too far, and I intended to make sure he felt it.
As I passed through the foyer, I caught my reflection in the hallway mirror, the fierce look in my eyes confirming what I already knew.
This had affected me in a way that spoke I was becoming soft if just anyone could think they could hurt what’s mine and get away with it.
I wasn’t about to let Ivan corner Zara—or anyone connected to her.
My mind wandered to a distant memory of Ivan’s family connections. His grandmother’s company had long been his steady source of influence and resources, quietly backing him and his father.
If she suddenly found herself in trouble, it would throw Ivan off balance. He’d be too busy cleaning up his own mess to meddle with Zara. And if I did it right, he’d never see my hand in it.
Of course, I’ll do it right. Everything would fall on his mishandling of funds and resources. Knowing my father’s mistress, she was sure to go ballistic over the matter.
That alone should corner him and put a leash on his neck.
I smirked, pulling out my phone. I knew exactly who to call.
"Dare Devil, get me every inch of data on Wellington Investments," I said, referring to his grandmother’s business. "We’re about to put her company under the microscope."
The man didn’t miss a beat, already typing on the other end. "Consider it done, Snow. It won’t take long."
Ending the call, I settled into my study as I opened my laptop and began working while plans took shape as my phone buzzed intermittently with updates.
Every move Ivan had made against Zara would be systematically unmade, but I’d make sure he never saw me coming. And when he finally realized, it would already be too late.
My lips curled upward in a dangerous smirk.
"Ivan Zephyr, I am coming."
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~Author’s POV~
~Ivory Crescent Pack~
Koda was waiting just outside Aira’s door when she stepped out, shocked to find him. She didn’t expect to see him standing there, especially after the tense days that had passed.
"Koda," she greeted him, glancing around. "I thought you were busy preparing for your leave."
He looked down, a shadow crossing his face. "That’s... actually why I’m here. I wanted to say goodbye."
Aira blinked, the smile she wore faltering slightly. "Have you spoken to your mate?"
Koda parted his lips to speak and diss her words but the disapproving look in her eyes made him pause. He did not answer but Aira knew the answer.
"You’re leaving without talking to Tempest?"
He looked away, silent for a moment, before nodding slowly. "She made her choice clear, Aira. I can’t force her to see things differently."
Aira let out a quiet sigh, her brow creasing. "Koda, I know my sister. She’s hurting—probably more than either of us realize. Maybe if you spoke to her, gave her the chance..."
He shook his head, his gaze distant. "She saw me with you, Aira. There’s nothing I can say that she’d believe. She’ll only see what she wants to. And besides, it is you I am in love with."
Aira took a step back from him as she shook her head. "No."
"Aira, come on, please. I’ll reject her and we can be together and..."
Aira’s eyes flashed with anger. Reject her twin?
Knowing how terribly painful and broken a mate’s rejection is to someone, Aira never wished for that to anyone let alone someone close to her and he brown twin.
"Hell no! Whether you accept her or not, I won’t be with you. So better start removing those thoughts from your mind."
Seeing ehr flare, something spark in Koda’s eyes. "You’re not being fair to me either. Just because she is my mate, doesn’t mean you get to push me to someone I do not love. Aira... please. I..."
She stepped back some more, shutting her eyes. "I’m sorry Koda."
Koda reached out, stopping a few inches from her. They stood in silence, the words hanging between them as the sound of their voice became the only calm they took.
After some minutes, Aira’s voice softened. "She doesn’t want to lose you, Koda. And I think that’s exactly why she’s acting like this."
"And i do not want to lose you. Doesn’t taht count for anything?"
Aira finally lifted her eyes. "It does. However, I do not love you, Koda. I tried before but I don’t and now that Tempest is in the picture, I can’t even begin to start so please.... Just please. Rethink your decision with her."
But Koda’s resolve was unyielding. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Take care, Aira," he murmured. "And look after her."
And with a final nod, he turned and walked away. Unknown to both of them, Tempest who had walked over to her balcony for fresh air saw both of them speaking and watched.
Her eyes burned with rage and something else, gritting to keep her anger within.