Chapter 688: That’s None of My Concern

Hayley’s POV:

“Put me up to this?”

Ryder scoffed. “Someone like me—educated, with a promising future—doesn’t need to take orders that would destroy everything I’ve worked for.”

“Besides, do you even have proof?”

He met my gaze with smug defiance. “You can’t prove anything, but I’m living proof that you’re a murderer!”

“You’re not bad-looking, but you’re so heartless!” Loretta snapped, glaring at him. “Do you even realize that if Hayley ends up in prison, she’ll be demoted and even lose her wolf completely?”

“That’s none of my concern,” Ryder said nonchalantly. “I only did what any responsible citizen should. If you’re facing the consequences, that’s on you.”

“You—” Loretta was so furious that she shifted into her wolf form, ready to lunge at him. But I held her back.

“So, you have no intention of telling the truth, huh?” I shielded Loretta behind me, my voice calm.

Ryder let out a slow breath, leaning back against the chair with a smirk. “What now? Planning to torture me for a confession?”

“Too bad for you! You underestimated me, Hayley. You killed those people, and no matter where I go, that’s the story I’ll stick to. Nothing you do will make me change my testimony!”

I raised an eyebrow, my tone light. “You sound pretty confident.” Slowly, I lifted my hand, revealing a silver needle. “Let’s test that confidence, shall we?”

Without hesitation, I pressed the needle into the exposed skin near his collar.

Ryder clenched his jaw, refusing to make a sound. But the way his bound fists curled tightly behind his back told another story. No matter how hard he tried to suppress it, the pain was clear on his face.

Even so, his endurance surprised me. The needle was coated with my blend of wolfsbane—far too strong for an average Beta werewolf to handle. That only confirmed my suspicion—he wasn’t just an ordinary werewolf.

“Are you struggling to hold on?”

Seeing the pain intensify on his face, I let out a cold sneer. My voice remained flat as I spoke.

Ryder’s body trembled, drenched in sweat. Despite his efforts to stay quiet, low, involuntary groans slipped from his throat.

After a while, he slowly lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes locking onto mine with defiant intensity. Clenching his jaw, he spat out, “Do your worst. If I beg for mercy, I’m no man!”

His glare was so fierce that even Loretta flinched and turned away. I had only ever seen that kind of fearless determination from my toughest rivals during Alpha training battles.

Taking a deep breath, I stood still for a moment before pulling out the silver needle and stepping away.