Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games

Chapter 2

Her mother's excited voice immediately came through the mindlink: “That's fantastic, sweetheart!

We'll start the pack transfer ritual right away-once it's done, there's no turning back. It's a point of

no return."

Her fingertips trembling, but her voice remained unshakeable: "I won't change my mind."

Her mother was about to end the mind-link but hesitated, cautiously asking: "What about that alpha mate of yours? Didn't you chase after him forever? I thought you were head over heels for him."

The word "mate" felt like a knife twisting in her chest.

Aria's mind instantly flashed back to the healer's room-the cruel laughter, Lucas sprawled carelessly on the bed scrolling through social media, his friends' vicious mockery, and the devastating realization that he'd wasted three years pretending to accept her solely to execute some twisted revenge plan for Leila Blackwood.

Her heart constricted so violently she could barely breathe, like someone had reached into her chest and was squeezing it with bare hands.

"I'm done with him," she heard herself say, her voice raw but eerily steady. "Completely done. Forever."

After the mind-link, Aria stood motionless on the sidewalk, letting the bitter wind whip through her hair. She stared up at the bleak gray sky, drew in a deep breath that burned her lungs, and turned toward what she had foolishly called "home."

The moment she pushed open the door, the familiar scent punched her in the gut. Aria froze in the entryway, staring at the living room she knew so well, feeling like she was trapped in someone else's nightmare.

This was Lucas's den-the one he'd casually invited her to share after accepting her.

That day, he had leaned against the doorframe with that trademark smirk and shrugged: "Wanna

move in?"

Back then, she'd blushed like an idiot, heart soaring with joy, believing it was the beginning of their bond rather than what it actually was-convenient access for his ongoing psychological torture

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Dilli

Chapter 2

campaign.

beside him, dreaming about their future mating ceremony, picturing their cubs running around, fantasizing

like

together? Just another calculated move to maximize her pain when the final

life with someone he despised, to let her sleep in his den,

build the perfect illusion before destroying

three days, Aria didn't

the den and systematically purged

found the journal where she'd documented her pathetic crush-a thick, worn notebook with every page filled

Charcoal V-neck + those black jeans = DYING. Had to pretend to patrol because I couldn't

ME TODAY!!! Just asked me to pass his coffee but I swear our fingers touched and there was a MOMENT.

Lucas Thornwood is letting ME

cringe-worthy page, tears streaming down her face, each drop burning like

with such force it tore through the plastic, her hands shaking with anger-at him, but

gifts she'd

pendant she'd saved three months for. The limited-edition ceremonial knife she'd stood in line overnight to purchase. The leather jacket that cost more than her rent. Each item representing

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Chapter 2

forgotten on his.

photos she'd secretly taken and

the training grounds, holding court in hallways surrounded by admirers-each one had once made her heart flutter like

everything into the trash, methodically erasing every

evening of the third day,

of the now-barren living

like shedding a skin that had grown

the front door swung open and Lucas walked