43 Points >


    Chapter 65<b>: </b>Cruel Alpha<b>, </b>Tender Mate–2


    I leaned against the doorframe, unable to suppress my smile. “I’m enjoying the view.”


    He turned then, his ice–blue eyes warming as they took in my disheveled appearance. His gaze lingered on my bare legs before returning to my face.


    “Hungry?” he asked, his voice deeper than usual.


    “Starving,” I admitted, moving closer to inspect what he was cooking.


    My eyes widened as I realized he had prepared all my favorite dishes: nched vegetables with herb seasoning, pepper–crusted ribs, spicy garlic shrimp, and winter melon bone broth soup.


    “How did you know these are my favorites?” I asked, genuinely surprised.


    Connor’s lips curved into a small smile. “I pay attention, Liv.”


    Something about the simple statement made my heart flutter. How many people in my life had truly paid attention to what I liked and disliked?


    “I didn’t know the big bad Alpha could cook,” I teased, my amber eyes sparkling with


    affection.


    Connor flipped the shrimp with expert precision. “There are many things you don’t know about me yet. I only show this side to you.”


    The implication behind his words–that I was special, that what we shared was unique–made me blush again.


    “Well, I’m impressed,” I said, reaching for a piece of pepper–crusted rib. “These look


    amazing.”


    Connor gently swatted my hand away. “Patience, little wolf. Everything will be ready in five minutes.”


    I pouted yfully but obeyed, setting the table instead. The domesticity of the moment wasn’t lost on me–how natural it felt to move around each other in the small kitchen, preparing to share a meal.


    When we finally sat down to eat, I couldn’t help but moan at the first bite. “This is


    < Chapter 65 Cruel Alpha, T


    incredible. Where did you learn to cook like this?”


    +8 Points <b>> </b>


    “Dorothy Jenkins,” Connor replied, his eyes watching my reaction carefully. “I used to


    visit her after she moved back to her hometown. She taught me your mother’s


    favorite recipes.”


    The mention of Dorothy–my mother’s former cook–and the connection to my


    mother made my throat tighten with emotion.


    “You visited Grandma Dorothy?” I asked softly, remembering the kind woman who


    had been like a grandmother to me.


    Connor nodded, his expression gentle. “She missed you. Said you stopped visiting


    after…”


    “After my mother died,” I finished quietly.


    We ate infortable silence for a few moments, the food bringing back bittersweet


    memories of my childhood.


    “These taste exactly like hers,” I finally said, my voice thick with emotion. “Thank you,


    Connor. This means more than you know.”


    His hand reached across the table to cover mine. “I know how much you miss her, Liv.


    I thought this might bring back some good memories.”


    The thoughtfulness of his gesture touched me deeply. This wasn’t just a meal–it was


    a connection to my past, to the happy times before grief had changed everything.


    “So,” I said, deliberately lightening the mood, “does this mean I get breakfast in bed


    every morning now?”


    Connor’s eyes darkened with heat. “That depends on how exhausted I leave you the night before.”


    I choked on my soup, coughing as my face med red.


    (Vanessa’s POV)


    “What do you mean they took her alive?” <b>I </b>hissed, my violet eyes shing with fury.


    Trevor ke stood impassively before me, his muscr frame blocking the sunlight streaming through the vi windows.


    三


    < Chapter 65 Cruel Alpha, T…


    “Connor Rivers‘ men intercepted our transport team in France,” he reported


    mechanically. “They retrieved Jessica Sullivan and eliminated our operatives.”


    +8 Points <b>7 </b>


    Rage boiled through me. Jessica Sullivan knew too much–about my connection to


    Frederick Warner, about our ns for Olivia Winters, about everything.


    “You ipetent fools!” I screamed, grabbing the nearest object–a delicate porcin teacup–and hurling it at Trevor’s head.


    It struck his forehead with surprising force, shattering on impact. Blood immediately began trickling down his expressionless face.


    Trevor didn’t flinch or move to wipe away the blood. His cold eyes remained fixed on me, waiting for orders.


    “Find an opportunity to silence that b***h permanently,” I ordered, my voice cold with rage. “She cannot be allowed to talk.”


    “Yes, Miss Reed,” Trevor replied tonelessly, blood continuing to drip down his face.


    “Get out,” I snapped, turning away from him in disgust.


    The door closed quietly behind him as he left. I paced the luxurious living room of my private vi, my mind racing with contingency ns.


    If Jessica talked–when Jessica talked–Connor would know everything. He would know I had orchestrated the k<b>********</b>g attempt on Olivia. He would know about my


    connection to Frederick Warner.


    He would never forgive me.


    The thought sent a fresh wave of hatred toward Olivia Winters. That b***h had stolen everything from me–Connor’s affection, my ce in the Rivers family, my future.


    I stopped before arge mirror, studying my reflection. My light brown hair fell in perfect waves around my delicate face. My violet eyes, unusual even among werewolves, glittered with malice.


    I was beautiful. I was a Rivers in all but blood. I deserved Connor, not that pathetic


    Olivia.


    Jessica Sullivan would have to die. Her father too. Anyone who threatened my ns


    had to be eliminated.