Chapter 116: The Power Shift
Natalie~
The moment we stepped inside, the heavy wooden doors slammed shut behind us, cutting off the last murmurs of the pack outside. The entire space had been redecorated, it was different from when I had last seen it. The room was draped in dark leather and polished mahogany, a space designed to intimidate. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Darius always did have a flair for the dramatic.
Darius led us to his office, the place he had once marked me against my will. The office brought back dark memories but I pushed them away. The air between us was foggy with tension, and Darius wasted no time. He moved toward a sleek black chair at the head of a long table and gestured for us to sit. His every step was measured, controlled—but I didn’t miss the way his jaw clenched when his gaze flickered back to me.
Jacob and I exchanged a glance before settling into our seats across from him. I leaned back, draping an arm over the chair, my body language deliberately relaxed, while Jacob sat forward, exuding quiet confidence.
Darius folded his hands on the table, his black eyes locked onto me before they shifted to Jacob. "Who are you and what is the purpose of your visit?" His voice was smooth, but there was an undercurrent of unease, as if he already knew this conversation wouldn’t go the way he wanted.
Jacob tilted his head slightly before offering a slow, easy smile. "Garrick Wilson," he said smoothly. "And I’m here to make sure your little coup doesn’t collapse before it even begins."
Darius’s gaze sharpened, a flicker of surprise flashing through his dark eyes before he masked it behind an easy smirk. But there was no warmth in it—just cold calculation.
"Interesting," he drawled, his voice smooth, deliberate. "But I’m afraid you’ve lost me. I have no idea what you’re talking about." He leaned back slightly, tilting his head as his eyes flicked to me, his smirk widening just enough to be infuriating. "What intrigues me more is why you decided to bring her here."
His gaze lingered on me again, his nostrils flaring just slightly as if he was fighting some internal battle. His fingers curled against the table, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
Jasmine stirred in my mind, laughing darkly. "Oh, he’s seething. I love it."
I arched a brow, meeting his stare head-on. "Something on your mind, Alpha?" I asked, voice dripping with mock sweetness.