During one of the council hearings, it became painfully clear that Marcus’s chances of winning the case were nearly nonexistent.
They had no evidence strong enough to disprove Clara’s accusations.
Aria’s hatred toward Caleb deepened even further when she discovered what he had done next.
He had bribed their advocate before the council.
A heavy pouch of gold had been enough to make the man abandon Marcus’s defense entirely.
Caleb’s influence and Alpha power were being used in the dirtiest possible ways.
He was determined to crush them.
But Aria refused to surrender.
She would fight until her last breath.
---
“Marcus?” she called softly one evening. “Where are you? Dinner is ready.”
Silence filled the apartment.
Her brows knit together.
Normally Marcus would at least answer.
“Marcus?” she called again as she walked toward his room.
Still nothing.
A strange unease crept into her chest.
She pushed the door open.
And the air vanished from her lungs.
Marcus lay on the floor.
Dark blood pooled beneath him, spreading across the wooden boards from deep wounds carved into both of his wrists.
“Marcus!”
Her scream shattered the silence.
She dropped to her knees beside him, tears flooding down her face.