Aveline wasn’t sure why the rule had been changed so suddenly, but given how awkward her last exchange with Alistair had been, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he had changed the rule because of it.
Still, this was her one shot at changing her current life, and she wasn’t about to let it go to waste. If Alistair had misunderstood her, she’d clear things up–no matter what it took.
After all, being chosen by the Moon Goddess as his fated mate wasn’t her fault–it wasn’t something she could control.
Soon, Maren’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Alistair’s brilliant when it comes to research,” Maren gushed. “But let’s be real. Silver Claw Pack owns half the industries in America, and he’s the alpha of SilverClaw Pack. So I’m guessing he’s just here to enjoy some freedom before going back to manage that massive pack.”
Whether it was admiration or fascination, Maren clearly loved talking about him. Aveline said nothing, her expression unreadable and her thoughts tucked far away.
The vast territory and wealth of SilverClaw Pack didn’t impress her.
In her eyes, Alistair was simply a fellow researcher–nothing more, nothing less.
Oh, except for that whole fated mate thing.
Just thinking about him made the wolf in her mind instantly excited.
Though she figured her wolf would probably be disappointed soon enough.
Aveline let out a sigh, but then again, whatever his pack owned or controlled had nothing to do with her goals.
All she wanted was this opportunity–to get her foot in the door and never look back.
Maren, mid–ramble, suddenly lit up with a mischievous grin and elbowed Aveline. “Hey, imagine if you actually won over Alistair. Wouldn’t that drive your pathetic mate crazy? Just picture it–once this project wraps up, you’d have both a thriving career and a mate who’s way better than Jaxson. Sounds like a win–win, doesn’t it?”
Aveline let out a soft laugh. Maren’s imagination never failed to amaze her.
Right now, her mind was laser–focused on research.
Fated mates, love, revenge–none of that had a place in her current world. Getting into the team was all that mattered.
So, if Alistair was truly the one rechecking the list, then she needed to speak with him directly.
But then, this wasn’t the right place–not here at the research institute with so many people watching. She needed a better time and a more private setting to approach him.
Aveline looked up and asked calmly, “Maren, can you help me get a moment alone with Alpha Alistair?”
Maren’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Of course! Leave it to me!”
A private meeting? She was already daydreaming about being their matchmaker.
With that settled, Aveline felt a small sense of relief and threw herself back into her work.
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Chapter 19
That afternoon, when she got back to the pack house, she didn’t expect company, but Jaxson was there, sitting on the sofa like he belonged.
He lounged casually, flipping through a magazine while she silently changed out of her shoes by the door.
The moment he saw her, he stood up with a smile. “You’re home. Are you hungry? I can ask the kitchen to make something.”
He wore that same warm, attentive mask, acting like there had never been betrayal, never been distance.
Aveline couldn’t help but find his act utterly ridiculous–laughable, even. Jaxson used to tell her that work with the pack kept him swamped, claiming he couldn’t make it home regularly. And she had believed him.
Back then, before she learned the truth about him and Lirael, she had trusted his every word. She never once questioned why he stayed out late or
didn’t show up at all.
But now that everything had come to light, now that the illusion had shattered, he suddenly had all this free time to come back and play house?
If pack work had really kept him so busy before, then how was he finding the time now?
“I’m not hungry. Eat by yourself.” Her voice was cold, detached. She didn’t have the strength or desire to sit across from him and pretend things were normal. Even his smile made her sick.
She headed upstairs without sparing him
other glance, but Jaxson’s brows knitted together, clearly displeased.
“Aveline, skipping meals isn’t good for your health. Just tell me what you want, and I’ll have the beta bring it.”
Aveline paused at the bottom of the staircase, turned back slightly, and lifted an eyebrow. “Looking at you ruins my appetite.”
That shut him up. He glanced at the fading bruise on her head and knew she was saying it to humiliate him. Still, her words stung more than he expected. After a brief silence, he took a deep breath and tried again, “Didn’t you once say you wanted to visit Hoxphis for a vacation? I’ll be free next month. Let’s go together.”
Her brows lifted again. After they’d paired, she’d brought up the idea of going to Hoxphis more than once, but Jaxson always brushed it aside, either blaming pack work or promising he’d “arrange it later.”
Now, out of nowhere, he was eager for a trip? If she hadn’t pulled the plug on the pack’s collaboration, she knew full well he wouldn’t have even considered taking time off during such a crucial phase.
His efforts to please her now were painfully obvious. Anyone could see right through it. It wasn’t about love or reconciliation–it was about the patent
she controlled.
Just for that patent, he was now magically clearing his schedule and pretending to be the devoted mate again.
To Jaxson, she and Lirael were nothing more than stepping stones to greater power, and nothing more.
Aveline let out a dry laugh. “I don’t want to go to Hoxphis anymore. I’ve got better things to do. If you’re still set on that trip, why don’t you take Lirael instead?”
Jaxson’s expression turned stormy the moment she said that. His alpha pressure began to spread around him. “Aveline, don’t talk to me like that. I hate
it.”
Her bluntness annoyed him. He had apologized, hadn’t he? Why couldn’t she just move on?
He really did want to take her to Hoxphis.
It wasn’t like he ever held back when it came to making her happy, so what more did she want from him?
“Then how exactly am I supposed to talk to you?” she said sharply. “Should I just sit down and have a pleasant little heart–to–heart?”
Her sarcasm dripped like acid, but Jaxson missed the jab completely. “Yeah, we should definitely talk,” he replied seriously.
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Betrayed by Her Ex, Marked By the Alpha King
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Chapter 19
That made Aveline laugh–not from amusement, but disbelief..
Fine. If he wanted to talk, they would talk. She was curious anyway.
Was it just about the patent, or was he after something else too? Either way, she was done playing along.
