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The boardroom had fallen into a silence so loud it was almost deafening.
Marcus’s words still hung in the air, refusing to dissipate. A few of the board members exchanged confused glances, uncertain whether they had misheard or just stumbled into a family drama they wanted absolutely no part of.
Alexander sat at the head of the table, every line of his posture rigidly controlled. Only the faint twitch at his jaw betrayed the storm beginning to rise beneath the surface. His wolf pressed harder against his skin, claws scraping, demanding to confront the stranger whose
scent carried unmistakable blood ties.
Across from him, Marcus appeared utterly at ease. Leaning back slightly, wearing that infuriating smirk, he looked like someone who had just walked into a room he already owned.
The tension inside the room thickened in seconds–two wolves reacting to each other
instinctively, sparking a challenge neither could hide.
Alexander was the first to reclaim full control. “Meeting adjourned,” he said.
The board members flinched at the tone.
“Sir?” one of them asked timidly. “But we haven’t-”
“I said we’re done.” He didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need to.
Chairs scraped, papers shuffled. Anxious glances darted between the two men–Alexander and the stranger with the same last name. A few whispered questions lingered, but no one was brave enough to ask them out loud.
One by one, the executives hurried out, stumbling over polite excuses as they left. One of the staff who had tried to stop Marcus earlier lingered in the doorway, clearly wanting to ask if he should call security, but Alexander’s cold stare froze the words in his throat. He bowed lightly and disappeared.
Within a minute, the boardroom was empty.
The door clicked shut behind the last person. And then there was silence–a heavy, coiled
silence that settled between the two brothers.
Marcus was the first to speak, unsurprisingly.
He clicked his tongue softly. “What’s wrong, little brother?” he asked, all smug amusement. Afraid of what would happen if they found out who I am?”
”
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Chapter 195
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Alexander didn’t answer immediately. He leaned back against the chair, arms folded, studying Marcus like something poisonous that had wandered into his territory uninvited.
“You must really have guts,” Alexander said finally, voice low, “to walk into my company and sit there like you belong in front of me.”
Marcus laughed lightly. “Ah, there it is. That famous ego I’ve heard so much about.” He pushed his chair back slightly, resting one ankle over his knee. “You’ve always been too full of yourself, Alexander. That arrogance is exactly what’s going to end you. And I won’t even have to do much.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not qualified to talk to me like you know me.”
“I know you more than you think,” Marcus countered calmly. “In fact, I know you better than you know yourself. I have allies who know you too well. People who should naturally be in your corner.” He let his smile sharpen. “But you’re too arrogant to understand the power of alliances. Thanks to you, I now have all the necessary alliances everywhere–the pack, pack territory, even within this company.”
He leaned forward slightly. “I have eyes everywhere.”
Alexander looked utterly unimpressed–and bored.
“That’s it?” he asked flatly. “You came all this way to brag about your little alliances? Is that what you expected to rattle me?” He shook his head slowly. “Pathetic. I thought that if you’d finally grown the spine to show your face… instead of sending rogues to do your dirty work… you’d at least say something that mattered.”
Marcus’s smirk faltered. Just for a heartbeat. Then he stood.
And this time, everything shifted.
He stepped around the table, every movement losing its earlier casual arrogance and becoming serious.
“Fine,” he said. “Let’s skip the warm–up.”
Alexander didn’t move; he just watched.
Marcus stopped only a few feet away from him. “You’re sitting on my throne, Alexander,” he said quietly. “That’s why I’m here.”
Alexander stared at him without interrupting.
Marcus continued, “I’m here to tell you to relinquish the position of Alpha of Blood Crescent…
for a start.”
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<Chapter 195
The words hit the room like a thunderclap.
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“And,” Marcus added, “you’re going to hand over my portion of the company. I’m not greedy; I don’t need all of it. But I am the rightful heir. So I’ll take my share.” His eyes darkened. “I don’t care how you make it happen, but it will happen.”
Alexander exhaled slowly, the sound almost a laugh.
Marcus wasn’t done.
“If you refuse,” he said, voice dropping to a dangerous, almost feral register, “there will be blood. A lot of it. And you’ll regret it… but by then, it’ll be too late.”
Silence.
Then Alexander tilted his head slightly, studying him the same way one might study a delusional stranger on the street.
“How dare you,” he said softly.
Marcus blinked. “Pardon?”
“You heard me.” Alexander stood up and stepped away from the table. He walked toward Marcus with a calmness that made the room feel colder. “You need to understand something.” He stopped just inches away. “I could rip you apart where you stand.”
His wolf flickered under his skin.
“And dead men,” Alexander continued, “don’t get to walk around demanding a share of my
sweat.”
Marcus’s lips curled. “Maybe you could rip me apart. But you won’t. Because you wouldn’t want this entire company to see what a savage you actually are.”
He leaned in. “And let’s be honest… this isn’t your sweat we’re talking about. The company belonged to our father.”
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