Page 89 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

The taxi raced through the streets. I sat in the back, fingers gripping the bag strap tight.

When I reached the shop, I froze.

A dozen people crowded the entrance—men and women holding handmade signs. "Unethical Business" "Toxic Fragrance" "Give Us Our Health Back." A ring of onlookers surrounded them, some taking photos, others recording videos.

I took a deep breath and pushed the car door open.

"That's her!" A woman pointed at me, voice shrill. "Her shop sells toxic fragrance!"

"Unethical business!"

"Give us our health back!"

I tried to keep my voice steady. "That's impossible. My fragrance uses all-natural essential oils with no harmful components—"

"Still lying!" The woman stepped forward. "We have medical diagnoses!"

The crowd started to surge. People pushed forward, waving signs and shouting slogans. Someone shoved me. I stumbled back, but I stood my ground at the entrance, spreading my arms to shield the employees behind me. "What do you want?"

"Move!" A man reached out to push me.

I staggered—

An arm suddenly wrapped around my waist from behind, holding me steady.

That familiar scent surrounded me. Cedar and amber. My wolf shot to attention. I looked up to see that familiar jawline and throat.

"Enough."

Lucifer's voice came from behind me—low, cold, carrying Alpha authority.

The crowd went silent.

His arm circled my waist, pulling me closer to him. Then he raised his head, gaze sweeping over the people holding signs. The scene went quiet, frighteningly so. I grabbed his sleeve. Lucifer glanced down at me. We didn't speak, but his eyes told me what I needed to know. He was fine. He had this under control. He turned, shielding me behind him. "Disperse."

The people exchanged glances. No one spoke, but no one moved either.

"I said," Lucifer's voice turned colder, Alpha pressure crushing down like an invisible force, "disperse."

The sign-holders began to shake. One raised his sign higher. "Your Majesty!" His voice wasn't loud but clearly held suppressed anger. "Are you protecting the guilty party?"

"Your Majesty!" I looked over—it was a reporter, a man beside her holding a camera. She thrust her microphone forward. "You endorsed Windsor Fragrances. Did you know the materials were problematic all along?"

"Your Majesty, we're the victims—" The woman's voice trembled.

Led by them, the previously calm crowd began to stir again. I didn't know what to say. Lucifer didn't move, but in an instant, the Alpha pressure rolled out, fiercer than before. Several people dropped to their knees involuntarily.

"Hale will investigate this thoroughly—"

Lucifer turned, hand on my shoulder. "Let's go."

Marcus had already pulled the car around to the back entrance. "Get in," Lucifer said, helping me into the car. The vehicle sped off, scenery rushing backward. Lucifer sat beside me, taking my hand.

"I'll get to the bottom of this," he said, voice softening. "Elena, you should stay home for now."

My fingers still trembled, but Lucifer's warmth somehow calmed me. He squeezed my hand gently. "Don't worry."

Over the next few days, things escalated.