Alvin’s apartment was a disaster, and not just from my guards forcing entry. Empty bottles and takeout containers littered every surface; clothes were strewn across the floor; and what looked suspiciously like drug paraphernalia sat in the middle of the coffee table. The large windows overlooking the city were covered in handprints and lipstick smudges, and the hot tub on the patio outside was strewn with liquor bottles and women’s bikinis.

“Clear,” one of my guards called from the kitchen.

“Bedroom’s this way,” another said, gesturing down a short hallway. I could hear the faint sound of giggling and rustling sheets coming from that direction and knew instantly that my beloved cousin was behind that door.

I followed the guards, my heart pounding. As we approached the bedroom door, the sounds became more distinct—muffled laughter and the creak of bedsprings. My guard pushed the door open, revealing a scene that made my stomach churn. Alvin was sprawled across the bed, surrounded by three scantily clad women. His eyes were glazed over, a dopey grin on his face. It was clear he was high as a kite, and probably had been for days, judging by the state of the apartment.

“Woah, woah—Ah, if it isn’t my dear cousin, the Alpha of Silvermoon!” Alvin slurred, not halting his activities with one of the women.

I cleared my throat, trying not to show my shock. “Ladies, I’m going to have to ask you to leave,” I commanded. “Now.”

The women glanced at Alvin, who shrugged and shoved the woman who had been straddling him off his lap. I stood in the doorway as the girls scrambled to gather their things, shooting worried glances at my security team as they hurried out of the room.

Once they were gone, I approached the bed. Alvin didn’t seem fazed by my presence and simply reached for the oversized bong on his nightstand. I kicked it out of the way before he could reach it, the glass shattering against the marble floor.

“Wha—Hey!” he grunted, sitting upright.

With a nod from me, my guards surged forward and took Alvin by either arm, hauling him to his feet. The lazy smirk faded from my cousin’s face, quickly replaced by confusion and then fear. “What the fuck?” he whined. “Let me go!”

“Why did you do it?” I asked, taking another dangerous step toward him.

Alvin blinked, confused. “Do what? What are you talking about?”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. The audacity of him playing dumb infuriated me even more. “Don’t play stupid, Alvin. I know you’re the one who was lacing me with contraceptives.” I leaned in closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Were you trying to kill my baby, or were you trying to kill me as well?”

Realization dawned on my cousin’s face, quickly replaced by panic. He struggled against my guards’ grip, but it was useless. Emily alone was practically twice his size.

“Whoa, whoa, wait a minute,” he slurred. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. This is crazy, Hannah. You can’t just barge in here and accuse me of—”

“Of what, Alvin?” I cut him off, shoving the arrest warrant in his face. “Of trying to prevent me from having a child? Of potentially putting my life at risk and my baby’s life at risk? Because that’s exactly what I’m accusing you of.”

He shook his head vehemently. “No, no. You’ve got it all wrong. I—I want a lawyer. I’m not saying anything else without a lawyer present.”

I nodded to my guards, who moved in to handcuff him. “That’s fine. You can have your lawyer,” I said, watching as they hauled him toward the door. He stumbled, still clearly under the influence of whatever drugs he had taken. “But you’re coming with us now.”

As we led Alvin out of the apartment building, I saw Viona waiting by the car. Her face was calm, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her eyes darted between Alvin and me. She watched silently as the officers helped Alvin into the backseat, his protests muffled by the closing door.

“Are you going to tell Noah tonight?” Viona asked, turning to me.