CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT.

(OWEN'S POV)

After listening to that damning audio recording from James, I spent a restless night tossing and turning, my mind spinning endlessly over the disturbing revelation.

Zoey and Arthur - those two snakes had been conspiring together the entire time and were behind Meliora's downfall.

Their arrogant voices mocked me every time I replayed the clip, cackling over their twisted schemes like it was all some big joke.

But the brutal realities - Meliora's wrongful death, her father's murder, my own framing and exile - those were no laughing matters. My blood boiled with scarcely restrained fury.

As dawn broke through my window, pale rays of morning light filtering in, I forced myself to take several deep, calming breaths.

As much as I wanted to fly into a rage, I knew I had to maintain a level head, at least outwardly. Reckless actions now could jeopardize everything and put those I cared about at risk.

My father, and poor James were still back within the pack, so I couldn't allow my thirst for vengeance against Zoey and Arthur to endanger them. Not after all they had sacrificed already in the name of helping me uncover the truth.

No, I needed to move cautiously, like a wolf stalking its prey through the underbrush.

Let those two vipers keep arrogantly slithering around for now in their false confidence that they had outwitted everyone. When the time was right, I would spring the trap.

Resolved, I picked up my phone and typed out a careful reply to James, hoping against hope that the brave idiot hadn't gotten himself captured after recording that smoking gun audio file.

"Thank you for the latest update," I wrote, my thumbs tapping out each word methodically. "I have to say, your efforts have been most helpful to me. Keep it up."

I paused, chewing my lip anxiously before continuing. As much as I hated to put any more scrutiny on James, I had to impress upon him the severity of the situation we now found ourselves in.

"But I have to warn you, my friend, to be more careful than ever. The dangerous Arthur and Zoey who we suspected killed Meliora and her father before spreading vicious rumors and lies about Meliora killing her own father - they cannot be underestimated."

Just recounting their unforgivable acts made my blood pressure spike anew. I forced myself to keep typing in as even a manner as possible.

"They also orchestrated the setup framing me with Meliora at Arthur's pack. I swear on my life I am innocent - I still have no idea how I ended up in Meliora's marriage bed that day. We don't know what depths of treachery those two are capable of."

My fist clenched convulsively at the memory of that fateful, horrific moment when everything had gone so wrong. If I lived a hundred lifetimes, I would never forgive myself for playing any role, however duped, in Meliora's downfall.

Gritting my teeth, I kept typing to James, imparting the vital instructions that could be our only hope now.

"We have to proceed carefully and make sure the pack does not install Zoey as the new Alpha until she and Arthur are properly exposed for their crimes. I need you to keep working closely, eavesdropping on any meetings or conversations you can, to hear what plots they are conspiring behind closed doors."

My heart was pounding harder now, a mixture of anxiety for James's safety and growing anticipation for what may finally lie ahead - the possibility of justice and retribution we had been craving for so long.

"Luckily, if we can find any solid proof of their direct involvement in the killings of Meliora and her father, that bombshell will ensure Zoey is never accepted as Alpha. Instead, she'll face justice for her heinous acts."

I allowed myself a grim smile at that thought before typing out one final warning carefully:

"But remember above all else - be careful, my friend. Your life is worth far more than accomplishing this mission. I'll be reaching out to my father as well, advising him to stand firm and object to Zoey ascending the direct position of power as alpha of the pack at all costs."

With that, I tapped the send button, letting out a heavy sigh as I hoped beyond hope that James would heed my cautions. I couldn't bear to lose another of my dwindling circle of allies and loved ones, not after all the heartbreak I'd already endured.

As the message whizzed away through the airwaves, I turned my gaze outward through my window at the emerald expanse of the forest surrounding my rustic hideaway.

My temporary refuge, yes, but not forever. One day, hopefully soon if the fates allowed, I would be able to return home and put all who killed Meliora to justice.

"Be safe out there," I murmured, sending up a silent prayer for James's protection as he risked everything investigating the ones responsible for Meliora's murder and the framing of her poor father. "We're so close now, old friend. Don't falter with the finish line in sight."

My wolf stirred restlessly within me, urging me to action, to take the fight directly to Zoey and Arthur's doorstep. But I steadied my resolve - patience was key now after waiting so long.

When the time was right, nothing would stop me from raining down the full force of justice and vengeance upon those traitorous snakes.

Until then, I would hold vigil here in my temporary haven, reaching out to my last remaining contacts back home and doing whatever I could to further erode Zoey and Arthur's grasp on power.

They had been unmasked as the villains at last; now all that remained was finding the full proof to bring them down once and for all.

"Rest in peace, my Meli," I whispered towards the forest, imagining Meliora's radiant smile warming a path straight to my heart as it so always had. "Your murderers will soon be put to justice. I promise you that."