Chapter 22
22
~Darlon’s POV
The lounge lights glowed low and warm, throwing soft shadows across the marble floor. The movie flickered on the huge screen, but I barely noticed the characters talking. My mind wasn’t on the plot; it was on my wife.
She was curled up on the couch, her knees pulled close, her eyes fixed on the TV like she was trying so hard to focus. Her hair brushed her shoulder every time she shifted. The scent of her shampoo, lavender and something faintly sweet, filled the space between us.
Every time she moved, I felt it. Every time she breathed, I noticed.
And I hated that I couldn’t stop.
I tried to act casual, resting my hand along the couch, close enough to feel her presence but not close enough to touch. She always seemed cautious around me, like she was still unsure how to exist beside me without folding into herself. It made me want to say something, anything, to make her feel safe. But words were hard when all I could think about was how easily she made my heart misbehave.
The sound from the movie faded into background noise. I didn’t even know what scene we were in. I just watched the way her eyes blinked slowly, the way her lips pressed together when she concentrated.
Then my phone buzzed on the table. Once. Then twice. The sharp vibration cut through the calm like a blade.
I leaned forward and grabbed it, expecting a useless message. But the screen flashed red, CODE BLUE.
My chest tightened instantly. Code Blue wasn’t a joke. It was the emergency signal from my WolfTech Headquarters. It meant one thing: a full-scale security breach. Someone had hacked into the central system, and the data of every pack under my command was at risk.
My grip tightened around the phone. I felt my wolf surge up inside me, hot and violent. A low growl rumbled out of my chest before I could stop it.
Elara flinched beside me, eyes wide.
Her reaction snapped me back. I turned quickly, forcing the growl down. “Hey… I’m sorry,” I said, my voice softer now. “It’s not you p>
She nodded hesitantly, still watching me like she wasn’t sure if she should speak.
I stood up, jaw locked. “Excuse me for a second,” I muttered, stepping toward the hallway as I dialed David’s number.
He picked up almost immediately. “Alpha p>
“Who the hell is behind this?” I cut him off, pacing across the lounge like a storm trapped in a cage. My voice thundered, echoing off the marble walls.
His voice trembled through the line. “Sire, we’re trying everything, but the system’s firewall was bypassed. Whoever did this p>
“Don’t finish that damn sentence,” I snapped, my tone sharp enough to slice air. “Don’t tell me you’re standing there watching while someone hacks into my central network p>
“Sire, we’ve tried every countermeasure,” David’s voice cracked with panic. “Nothing’s holding. The breach keeps spreading p>
I stopped pacing and gripped the phone tighter. “Good-for-nothing idiots,” I muttered under my breath, my knuckles turning white. “What the hell is the security team doing? Sleeping on duty p>
“They’ve been at it for two hours, sire p>
“Two hours?” I barked, cutting him off again. “And you’re just calling me now? What kind of useless team lets a hacker crawl into my system for that long p>
“Sire p>
“No!” I slammed my palm against the wall, the sound echoing across the lounge. Elara flinched where she sat, eyes wide, fear flashing in them like lightning. I instantly cursed myself.
I pressed the phone back to my ear and stepped a few feet away. “Listen, David,” I growled, lowering my voice. “You tell me…who’s the bastard behind this? Who’s stupid enough to cross me p>
“We don’t know yet,” he said. “But this isn’t a normal hacker. The breach reached the prototype core. They’re targeting WolfTech’s master server p>
I froze for a moment, my blood running cold. “That system is supposed to be untouchable p>
“I know, sire. Only your code can override it p>
I let out a deep growl, one that rumbled from my chest. “I can’t just leave my wife, David p>
“Sire, I understand, but if you don’t come, we’ll lose everything. The mainframe’s collapsing p>
“Fix it!” I roared. “Find something to do about it! You’re the head of the damn security team for a reason. Do something p>
“We’ve done all we can. Nothing’s working,” David said, voice small now.
I clenched my jaw so hard my teeth ached. “All useless. Every single one of you.” My tone dropped, dangerous and quiet. “When I get there, I’m firing that entire team p>
I turned back toward Elara. Her shoulders were stiff, her eyes glued to the floor. “Give me a few minutes, okay?” I said, forcing my voice calm.
She nodded faintly, trying to smile. “Sure p>
I walked off quickly to my room. The moment I stepped inside, I shut the door behind me and yanked open my system. My fingers flew across the keyboard as the screen glowed with red alerts and flashing codes. The central firewall had been stripped apart like paper. Every second that passed felt like a dagger to my nerves. My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
“Come on,” I muttered under my breath. “Come on, Darlon. Think p>
I typed faster, entering override commands, tracing the breach point. My code danced across the screen, but the resistance was too strong. Whoever was behind this wasn’t just skilled; they were a damn ghost. Someone who knew my systems better than they should.
I slammed my fist against the table, a growl rumbling through me again. Doing this remotely wasn’t enough. I needed access to the master core, and that meant going to headquarters.
I inhaled deeply and stood, running a hand through my hair. “Damn it,” I hissed.
I went back toward the lounge.
Elara was already standing now, her delicate hands folded in front of her. The movie had ended, the credits rolling behind her, but her attention was on me.
“You should go,” she said quietly. “I can see you’re busy p>
Her voice wasn’t cold, just small. Controlled. Like she was swallowing whatever emotion was trying to crawl out.
I frowned, taking a step closer. “Elara, it’s our honeymoon. Work can wait p>
She let out a soft, almost tired laugh. “You’re the Alpha of Alphas, Darlon. I don’t expect you to babysit me during a crisis p>
The way she said it, babysit me, stung a little. She tried to smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
“Elara I started, but she shook her head gently.
“It’s okay,” she said. “Go. The pack needs you more than I do right now p>
Then she turned away before I could answer. The sound of her soft footsteps faded down the hallway.
I stood there for a long second, my pulse still heavy. Anger burned in my chest, not at her, but at whoever thought it was smart to attack my systems now, of all times.
“By the Moon Goddess I muttered, raking a hand through my hair. “I’ll destroy whoever did this p>
The fury inside me sharpened into focus. I walked toward the bedroom, grabbed my jacket, and switched off my system on the desk.
I grabbed my coat, and the thought of leaving my wife alone in our suite made my stomach twist.
On the desk, I pulled out a notepad and wrote quickly.
Elara,
I’ll be back soon. Please don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.
— Darlon
I folded the note neatly and placed it by her door, where I knew she’d see it first thing, and stepped outside.
The cold air hit my face as soon as I opened the door. The mansion driveway stretched out before me, the black limousine parked at the far end with its headlights glowing.
David stood beside it, hands clasped nervously in front of him. He straightened the second he saw me.
“Sire,” he said, bowing his head slightly.
I didn’t respond immediately. My expression stayed cold, focused. “Let’s move p>