Chapter 68
Lisa’s POV
By the time we reached the pack house, the sky was turning dusky. I sat in the backseat of the SUV, my fingers wrapped tightly around my phone. The video I had recorded played again and again in my head- Alexandra sitting across that terrifying man, her expression full of fear and helplessness. And then the way
he vanished… like a shadow.
I couldn’t keep this to myself.
“Thank you,” I murmured to the guard as he opened the car door.
“Of course, ma’am. Should I inform Alpha Rylan that you’re back?”
I hesitated. “No. I’ll speak to him myself.”
Inside the pack house, everything felt too quiet. My boots clicked softly on the polished wooden floor as I
hurried past the foyer. My heart pounded harder with each step.
“Sierra,” I whispered in my mind. “What if he doesn’t believe me?”
He will, Sierra said gently. He trusts you. Just tell him everything.
I reached the meeting room first, but one of the guards outside informed me that Rylan was still inside. He
was busy and I could not disturb him.
I sighed and backed away. I was pacing slowly down the hall.
Minutes passed. Then more.
Come on, Rylan. I need to talk to you.
Sierra’s voice stirred in my head. He’ll come. Be patient. But yes… we need to talk to him. Something’s not
right. That man… he didn’t feel normal.
I rubbed my arms, trying to shake off the chill I felt. Just then, the doors creaked open. Rylan stepped out,
his expression focused as he said a few words to the elders behind him.
I didn’t wait.
“Rylan,” I called out, my voice sharper than I intended.
He turned toward me immediately. His eyes scanned my face, reading every line of worry.
“What’s wrong?” he asked and stepped closer. “You look pale. Did something happen?”
I glanced around. There were too many guards. Too many ears.
“Can we talk somewhere more private?” I asked softly. “Please?”
He nodded without hesitation. “Come with me.”
He reached for my hand. His palm was warm. I let him lead me through the hallway. We climbed the stairs
together. The silence was heavy between us. When we reached his room, he opened the door and let me
in first. Then he closed it behind him.
He turned to me. There was concern etched across his face. “Lisa, what’s going on? Is this about…. last night? Are you having second thoughts about us?”
I blinked. I was startled by his question. “No. No, Rylan, it’s not about us.”
His shoulders relaxed a little, but only slightly. “Then what is it?”
“It’s about Alexandra.”
His entire expression changed. His jaw tensed. His eyes sharpened. “What happened to her?”
“Nothing… not yet,” I said quickly. “But I followed her today.”
“You what?”
I held up a hand. “Please let me explain. I didn’t do it to invade her privacy. I was just worried. She has
been acting strange. She is always tense and always distracted lately. I had a feeling something was
wrong.”
Rylan nodded slowly. He was motioning for me to go on.
“She met someone,” I continued. “A man. At a restaurant in town. I watched them through the window.”
His eyes narrowed. “What kind of man?”
“He was creepy,” I said. “He wore sunglasses inside the restaurant. He didn’t smile. He seemed to be
dangerous, Rylan. He had this cold and commanding presence. Alexandra looked scared.”
Rylan’s expression darkened. “Did you record it?”
“Yes. I have a video.”
I took out my phone, unlocked it, and opened the recording. I handed it to him and watched as he stared
at the screen.
He watched the entire thing without saying a word. Then he rewound it and watched it again.
And again.
“Do you recognize him?” I asked softly.
He shook his head. “No. And with those sunglasses, it’s hard to get a clear view. But you’re right. Something is off. He is not acting like someone who cares about her. He seems to be threatening her. And she’s definitely not acting like she is comfortable with him.”
“I thought the same,” I said. “And when he showed her something on his phone, her reaction… she looked
horrified.”
Rylan looked up at me. “Where did you get this video?”
“I followed her,” I admitted again. “And I filmed it myself. I’m sorry if that was wrong, but I was scared for
her.”
He sighed and handed me back the phone. “Don’t apologize. You did the right thing. I would’ve done the
same.”
He paused. “But now I’m worried too. That man could be dangerous.”
“I don’t understand why she wouldn’t tell us,” I said. “Why she would keep this a secret.”
“There’s only one way to find out,” Rylan said. He was already walking toward the door. “We ask her.”
He took my hand again and we moved quickly through the hallways. We didn’t speak, but the silence said
everything.
When we reached Alexandra’s door, Rylan knocked once before opening it.
Alexandra was seated by her window. She was reading a book. She looked up, surprised.
“Rylan? Lisa? What’s wrong?”
Rylan didn’t answer right away. He held up my phone and tapped play.
The video played. The sound was muted, but the images were clear. Her face. The man. The fear.
Alexandra’s face turned pale.
“Where did you get that?” she whispered.
“I sent a guard to follow you,” Rylan lied smoothly. “He gave this to me.”
Alexandra’s lips parted. “You had me followed?”
“Don’t change the subject,” Rylan said while stepping into the room. “Who is that man? Why have you been
meeting him? What’s your connection to him?”
She was silent for several seconds. Her hands trembled slightly as she placed the book aside.
“Why are you invading my privacy?” she finally asked. “That man is my boyfriend. We were on a date. That’s all.”
Rylan’s eyes widened. “Boyfriend? Since when?”
“I haven’t told you yet. I was waiting for the right time.”
“Why didn’t you introduce him to me?” Rylan asked.
“Because I wanted to keep it private for now,” she said and crossed her arms. “Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Because that didn’t look like a date,” I said softly. “You looked terrified.”
She turned to me. “You were spying on me too?”
“I was worried,” I said gently. “That’s all.”
Stain
She looked between us, her eyes guarded. “You both need to respect my space. He’s my boyfriend. I don’t want to talk about him right now.”
Rylan’s voice was tight. “If that’s really the truth, then fine. But if you’re in any kind of trouble….”
“I’m not,” she interrupted. “Please. Just leave it alone.”
Rylan hesitated. Then he sighed. “Alright. We won’t bring it up again.”
He reached for my hand and led me out of the room.
As I turned back, I saw Alexandra watching us leave. Her face was blank, but her eyes were full of
emotion.
She’s lying, Sierra whispered.
I know.
But what is she hiding?
And who was that man?
We needed answers.
Before it was too late.
