Chapter 164
JAKE’S POV
The packhouse was quieter than usual. A storm had rolled in overnight, casting a somber gray across the skies and soaking the earth with a relentless downpour. I welcomed the gloom; it matched my mood. Joseph’s accusations against Ayla were spreading like wildfire, and even though I knew they were baseless, the pack was uneasy.
I needed someone I could trust, someone who saw through lies as easily as they breathed. That person was Sophie.
Sophie wasn’t just my cousin; she was my confidante, someone who had stood by me through the worst of times. She had a way of seeing the truth when everything else seemed muddled. If anyone could help me unravel this mess, it was her.
I found her in the kitchen, kneading dough with a precision that spoke of years of practice. Her dark hair was tied back, and her sleeves were rolled up to reveal muscular forearms. Sophie had always been unassuming in her demeanor, but beneath her calm exterior was a sharp mind and a fierce loyalty.
“Sophie,” I said, leaning against the doorframe.
She glanced up, her brow furrowing as she took in my expression. “Jake. What’s wrong?”
I gestured for her to follow me. Without hesitation, she wiped her hands on a towel and followed me to my office.
As soon as the door closed behind her, I began pacing. “It’s Joseph,” I said. “He’s trying to destroy Ayla.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “You’ve been saying that for weeks. What’s changed?”
“He set her up,” I said, my voice low. “He made it look like she tried to kill him. There was blood, a weapon, her scent in his room—he made it airtight.”
Sophie’s lips thinned into a line. “And now the pack’s divided.”
“Exactly,” I said, stopping to face her. “He’s manipulating everyone, Sophie. I can see it, but I can’t prove it.”
She nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing in thought. “If this is a power play, it’s a long game. Joseph isn’t stupid—he knows he needs the pack’s support to make a move against you. This isn’t just about Ayla. It’s about you.”
The weight of her words settled heavily on my shoulders. “You think he’s trying to turn the pack against me?”
Sophie tilted her head, considering. “It’s possible. If he can make you seem weak or untrustworthy, he can step in as the hero. And if he manages to frame Ayla in the process, he kills two birds with one stone.”
I clenched my fists, anger bubbling under the surface. “I need proof, Sophie. I need something that clears Ayla’s name and exposes Joseph for what he is.”
Sophie’s gaze softened. “We’ll find it, Jake. But we’ll need Ayla’s help. She knows Joseph’s patterns better than anyone.”
I hesitated. Ayla was already under so much pressure. Asking her to get involved could put her in even more danger.
“She’ll want to help,” Sophie said gently, as if reading my thoughts. “She’s stronger than you think, Jake.”
I nodded, finally relenting. “Let’s bring her in.”
Ayla’s room was on the other side of the packhouse, and as Sophie and I walked there, I couldn’t shake the unease that had settled in my chest. Ayla had been through hell these past few weeks, and the strain was starting to show.
When we knocked on her door, it opened almost immediately. Ayla stood there, her expression wary but hopeful.
“Jake? Sophie? What’s going on?”
“We need to talk,” I said, stepping inside.
We explained everything—Joseph’s motives, the suspicions about his past, the likelihood that this was a long-term plan to undermine me and frame her. Ayla listened intently, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
When we finished, she took a deep breath. “I’m not surprised,” she said quietly. “Joseph has always been…calculating. But I still don’t understand why he’s so determined to get rid of me.”
“Because you’re a threat,” Sophie said matter-of-factly. “You’re Jake’s mate, and that makes you powerful. If Joseph can take you out of the picture, it’s easier for him to manipulate Jake—or replace him entirely.”
Ayla’s eyes widened. “You think he wants to be Alpha?”
“It’s a possibility,” I said. “But we need proof. And that’s where you come in.”
She looked at me, her gaze steady. “What do you need me to do?”
I felt a pang of guilt. She shouldn’t have to shoulder this burden, but there was no one else I trusted as much.
“We need access to Joseph’s private quarters,” I said. “Sophie and I will handle most of it, but we might need you to distract him or keep an eye out while we search.”
Ayla nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Sophie smiled approvingly. “Good. The sooner we start, the better.”
The rest of the day was spent making plans. Sophie suggested a small reconnaissance mission to observe Joseph’s movements and identify the best time to search his room. I agreed, knowing that rushing in blindly would only make things worse.
As the evening approached, Sophie left to gather some supplies while Ayla and I stayed behind. The tension in the room was palpable, and I could tell Ayla was struggling to hold herself together.
“Are you okay?” I asked, sitting beside her on the couch.
She nodded, but her eyes betrayed her anxiety. “I just want this to be over, Jake. I’m tired of feeling like I have to prove myself.”
I reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing a hand on hers. “I know. And I’m sorry you’ve been dragged into this. But I promise, we’ll get through it.”
She looked at me, her expression softening. “Thank you. For believing in me.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” I said. “It’s the least I can do.”
For a moment, we sat in silence, the weight of the situation hanging heavy between us. But there was also a flicker of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, we were one step closer to the truth.
When Sophie returned, she had a detailed plan laid out. We would take shifts observing Joseph, looking for patterns in his behavior and interactions. Ayla would help by noting who he spoke to and when, while Sophie and I focused on preparing for the search.
It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it was a start. And for the first time in weeks, I felt like we were finally gaining the upper hand.
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