Chapter 9. Lila’s Scheme

“Kaden?” Lila’s voice wavered, her eyes searching his face. “Are… are you okay?”

He forced himself to nod, his jaw tight. “I’m fine.”

But he wasn’t…

Because no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t forget her face…

As soon as she left Kaden’s office, Lila’s sorrowful expression melted away, replaced by a cold, calculating smile. It had been easier than she thought. One mention of Ella’s name, a few tears, and Kaden had banished her without a second thought.

Weak, foolish Alpha. He was so easy to manipulate.

She made her way down the hallway, her steps light, her heart dancing with victory. But banishment wasn’t enough. Ella was still a threat. She was too resilient, too stubborn. If she survived as a rogue… if she found her way back…

No. Lila couldn’t take that risk.

She reached the servants’ quarters, her eyes narrowing as she found who she was looking for. A man stood in the shadows, his body tense, his eyes dark and calculating. A r