---- Chapter 6 Elena never expected Connor to turn on her like that. His powerful Alpha presence nearly suffocated her. A flicker of panic, barely noticeable, crossed her eyes. Then, tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks like broken pearls, her voice full of hurt and fear. "Connor... you're hurting me..." she looked at him, all pitiful and innocent. "How could you think that of me? When would I ever have a chance to be alone with Aria? I've been by your side for so long, of course I know how important your plan is to you. Why would I ruin things for you now, of all times? Today is our Marking ceremony, the most important day!" "Did that little bitch Aria tell you lies again? She's a traitor's daughter, what good could ever come out of her mouth? She probably wants something to go wrong with our union so she can keep clinging to you, hoping to win back your favor!" ---- Elena had whispered similar things in his ear countless times over the past few years, never tiring of it. "A traitor's daughter, how could she ever be truly loyal to you? She's probably just after your Alpha status and your family's power, waiting to completely bewitch you, then team up with her good-for-nothing mother to overthrow you!" "What good could come from a lowly beta? Those little handmade trinkets she gives you? That's just her trying to get a lot for a little, trading cheap submissiveness for your Alpha protection! She doesn't just want you, she and her bitch mother are after the entire pack's power!" "Connor, you have to be careful! Don't let her pitiful act fool you! All those 'accidental' injuries, being 'bullied' by pack members - I bet it's all an act, a sob story to get your sympathy and protection!" Before, Connor had always believed Elena's 'well- ---- meaning' warnings without question. Plus, after Aria's mother became his stepmother, his father had announced his retirement, handing over control of the pack and the family businesses to him. He'd never doubted Elena's words. He'd always seen Aria, and her 'bitch' mother, as potential threats to watch out for and eventually get rid of. But now, with Aria gone, he couldn't connect Elena's vicious descriptions with the beta who had always seemed so pure, innocent, and even a little timid in front of him. Six years together. Aria had always kept to herself, rarely getting involved in any disputes unless it was a necessary pack activity. Even when he was dealing with pack business, with top-secret files and computers right there, Aria never showed the slightest curiosity. She even seemed to deliberately avoid them. In their daily lives, she always steered clear of topics related to his ---- family's power. How could someone like that be the ambitious, power-hungry, scheming she-wolf Elena described? After a moment, he swallowed, his throat dry. His Alpha aura was still fierce. Seeing Connor staring at her with a scrutinizing gaze instead of immediately comforting her like usual, Elena started to panic a little. "Connor, what's wrong? You don't actually believe that little bitch Aria's nonsense, do you? You can't believe a word she says! Don't forget your plan, today's the final step! You're about to avenge your mother!" "You said you wanted to completely wipe out that bitch's bloodline!" "I'll go arrange for those videos to play on time right now! The guests are almost all here! Aria's good-for-nothing mother, I don't know if she