Chapter 8
CHLOE'S P.O.V.
I meet up with Malcolm Blayne the following afternoon. The moment he steps into the small café, I notice how unkempt he looks. His shoulders are tense, his eyes tired. Even his clothes look wrinkled. He scans the room for a moment before finally spotting me.
“Luna Chloe.” He greets with a nod.
“Malcolm.” I respond with a nod as well.
He pulls out the chair opposite me. “Josephine said you wanted to see me.”
“I do.”
He studies me for a moment and then asks. “This is about Yvette, isn't it?”
I stiffen. “You know about her?”
“I heard about what happened at Lucas's party— "
“The party hasn't happened yet.” I interject.
He looks confused, so I quickly correct myself. “I mean, it hasn't been held officially.”
He nods slowly. “Okay.”
I place my phone on the table. “I need you to tell me what you know about Yvette Reed's death.”
His expression immediately turns cold. “I already told the pack authorities what I knew.”
“I don't care what you told them. I want the truth.”
He looks away. “I never saw her body.”
My heart skips. “What?”
His gaze falls on me as he repeats, leaning forward, “I said I never saw her body.”
“Then how did you know she was dead?”
“Jasper told me.”
“Jasper?”
“Yes.”
I lean forward. “You never went to the morgue?”
“No.”
“You never identified her?”
“No.”
I stare at him in disbelief. “Then why did everyone believe she was dead?”
“Because Alpha Jasper said he identified her.”
“And everyone trusted him?”
Malcolm sighs. “He is the Alpha.”
My fingers dig into my skin as I stare out the window into the streets. “Not a very good one, it seems.”
Malcolm looks at me as though he has misheard. “What?”
"Nothing." I unlock my phone. “I have something to show you.”
I turn the screen toward him; his eyes widen as he simply stares at the picture, his jaw dropping slightly. For several seconds, he doesn't speak.
“Where did you get this?”
“Does it matter?”
"Chloe—"
“That's Yvette.”
He shakes his head. “No, it's impossible.”
“It isn't.”
“She died.”
"Well, clearly, she didn't.”
Malcolm picks up my phone, staring at the picture.
“Where is she?”
“Woodvale.”
His jaw tightens. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “Josephine confirmed it.”
He slowly places the phone down. “Then Jasper lied.”
“Yes.”
Malcolm's expression darkens. “Why?”
“That's what I'm trying to find out.”
He drags his palms down his face. “If Yvette is alive, then…”
“Then what?”
He looks at me complicatedly. “Donald's death needs to be investigated.”
My heart pounds. “You think it wasn't a simply rogue attack?”
“I don't know.”
“But you suspect it.”
He remains silent.
“That’s enough confirmation for me.” I take my phone back.
“Malcolm, I need you at Lucas's birthday party.”
He cocks his head at me. “Why?”
“You'll see.”
His brows draw together.
“Luna Chloe, what are you planning?”
“You'll find out soon enough.”
He studies me. “You should be careful. Jasper isn't one to be messed with.”
“Neither am I. And I've been careful for three years.” I rise to my feet. “Now I'm done being quiet.”
Later that afternoon, I meet Briella at her office. She looks up when I enter.
“Chloe.”
“Briella.”
She gestures for me to sit. “Any progress?”
“I want you to investigate Jasper's financial transfers.”
She lifts her brows. “Do you have reason to believe he's hiding something?”
“Yes.” I hand her the information Josephine gave me.
“I suspect he's been sending money to Yvette."
She scans the documents briefly.
“This is substantial.”
“I want everything traced.”
“Bank accounts?”
“Yes.”
“Company accounts?”
“Yes.”
“Personal transfers?”
“Everything.”
She nods. “I'll handle it.”
I stand.
“Bri?”
She looks at me. “Yes?”
“If I find proof that Jasper has been supporting Yvette for years, can it be presented at the council as evidence?”
“Absolutely.”
I nod. “Good.”
When I return home, I hear laughter coming from the sitting room. I pause in my steps and slowly walk closer towards the direction. I catch sight of Jasper sitting on the couch with Lucas, a phone being held up in front of them.
Lucas was playing the piano.
“That's it, buddy!” Jasper says proudly. “Again.”
Lucas laughs. “Did I do it right, Father?”
"Perfectly," Jasper beams.
I stare at them, my heart lurching painfully in my chest. I've never seen him look at Sophia like that. Not once. He looks at Lucas like the boy is the greatest thing he's ever accomplished.
My chest aches. That's my daughter's father. And yet, he had never shown her this kind of love.
Lucas finishes playing, and Jasper applauds. “That's my boy.”
My nails dig into my palms, my wolf growling inside me. He loves him.
I swallow at the thought.
Or perhaps he simply loves him because Lucas may very well be his son. The thought makes my stomach twist. Jasper finally notices me.
“Chloe."
I force a smile. “Sounds like someone is talented.”
Lucas grins. “Father says I'm getting better.”
“I'm sure you are.”
Jasper looks at me proudly. “See? I told you he'd make a wonderful Alpha one day.”
I smile. “I'm sure he will.”
But inside, I make myself another promise. I'd uncover every skeleton in Jasper's closet someday.