"I need you to investigate someone," I said, eyes locked on that closed door. "Ella Ross. Jewelry designer in Victoria. I want everything on her. Every detail. Whatever it takes."
"Understood." Evan paused. "Alpha, what happened?"
"Highest priority, fastest speed." I didn't answer his question, continuing with precise orders. "Focus on her family situation. Especially her kid."
Evan fell silent briefly before responding. "Copy that. Fifteen minutes."
The door opened. I instantly hung up, stepping out from the corner.
Layla emerged, eyes red and swollen, makeup smeared. When she saw me still standing in the hallway, she froze completely.
"You..." She stepped back twice, her heels wobbling. Her voice trembled, fear flashing in her eyes. "Why are you here?"
I didn't answer. Just looked at her. At her swollen eyes, her pale face, the panic she tried to hide but couldn't.
My expression was blank, my mind settling into unprecedented calm, conveying only one message.
Layla Gray could only be mine.
"Were you eavesdropping?" Layla's voice turned sharp. She pointed at me, overwhelming shame and anger making her brows furrow slightly, devastatingly attractive. "Kayden Blackwood, you followed me and listened in on my conversation?!"
"Yes," I admitted freely, walking toward her. Her anger gave me a dark pleasure—it was for me, her emotions still moved because of me, she was so alive, she still cared about me.
"You..." Layla was frightened by my undisguised aggression. She retreated but had nowhere to go. "You're insane! This is an invasion of privacy!"
"I don't care." I shrugged indifferently, continuing to close in. "But first, answer me one question."
"I won't tell you anything..."
"That child." I cut her off, my voice turning dangerous, eyes completely gold, locked onto her every micro-expression.
"Since when do you babysit for people?"
A test.
Layla froze. She bit her lip instinctively, then released it, feigning composure, some complex emotion flashing in her eyes. Then once again, she masked herself with that bluffing anger.
"I'm watching a friend's kid. What's it to you?"
She denied it. But that wasn't what I wanted.
Layla's eyes were evasive, her right hand unconsciously gripping her dress tight.
She was lying. I could tell.
"A friend?" I laughed coldly, anger at my mate's deception burning inside. "What kind of friend makes you so nervous? So scared?"
"I said it's none of your business!"
"Tell me." I grabbed her wrist, using all my self-control not to hurt her. "Layla, tell me the truth."
"My name is Ella Ross!" She struggled against my grip, but I held tighter. "Stop calling me that!"
"Ella." I accommodated her words, but my tone was mocking. "Miss Ross."
"Whose child is he?"
I stared at her lips, praying she wouldn't speak a truth that would shatter me. Layla's lips parted slightly, intense emotions forcing her to breathe heavily.
