Chapter 16
The sodden we shared the quiet, and let out a startled scream, laut hing the book in my land across the garden. My heart pounded against
as 1 span ansand to glare at Nicole, who stood a few feet away, hotel managing to suppress her laughter.
is wrong with you?” 1 bissed, pressing a hand to my chest to cabas the hammering. “Where did you even come from?
senored my questions and strolled over to the stone bench, sitting beside me as if nothing had happened. “I told you. I’d find you,” she said wit igrin that somehow managed to be both charming and imitating-
You make that sound was scarier than it needs to be 1 mattered, crossing my arms. “Seriously, though, what are you doing here! Nicholas
ally told you to stay away from the, and I said we could hang out, but I didn’t incan biere. Not where he could catch me disobeying him
– plictul demeanor shifted. Her smile Eltered, and a flash of something dark crossed her eyes. “What did he da to you?”
Nothing” | said quiddy, 100 quickly. I cleared my throat and looked away, “What are you doing here, Nicole!”
– frowned, ber sharp gare boring into me. I came to check on you, Which, clearly, was the right call because you’re obviously not okay. Mieline,
him treat you like this. You have to push back, remember? Otherwise, he’ll never respect you.”
scoffed, shaking my head. “I don’t think the word ‘respect exists in Nicholas’s vocabulary. The only thing filling those pages is kill‘ and ‘frar me”
chuckled, though the sound was tinged with bitterness. “Il give you that one. But listen, if he’s already told my father that you’re his Luna to–be, the news is out. More Lycans will know soon enough
sanced in to his entire pack.” I mittered, the weight of that truth pressing down on me again.
clapped her hands together a mischievous spark returning to her eyes. “Even better! Everyone sees you as the Lycan King’s Luna–to–be. That means he can’t afford to harm you. If anything happens to you under his watch, it’ll make him look weak And trust me, the last thing Nicholas
prins is to selen were just like any Lycan.”
shiver through me. Memories of that teenage boy I’d once crossed paths with–his pride, his wrath—flashed through my mind. I kadt under the consequences of
of demeaning him back then. I understood them now…
dding. “But it doesn’t change the fact that he’s terrifying. You don’t know how much it means that at least one person knows this.
The interruption came with a growl from my wolf, who instantly recognized the presence that had encroached on our conversation. I turned to ser Rose standing a few feet away, flanked by one of Nicholas’s younger guards.
The man bowed his head respectfully, though his eyes flicked suspiciously between Nicole and Rose. “Luna,” he addressed me, his tone hesitant, “wlud. of diem os related to you? They both claimed to be your sisters,”
I groaned inwardly. Of course, thurs how Nicole had gotten in
My gate shifted between the two women. Nicole rated an eyebrow, her expression daring me to deny her. Rose’s scowl, on the other hand, was filled with venom, her lips already forming words of protest Without much thought, I pointed to Nicole..
“Nicole,” I did. Then, with as much feigned indifference as I could muster, I added. “I don’t know who she i
“You litle bitch” Rose snarled, nepping forward as the guard grabbed her arm “Adeline, tell him to let go of met You think I want to be here! T came to talk about what’s happening with Father”
I sighed, rubbing my temples as the tension built. “Let her go,” I said finally, looking at the guard.
Hayes flickered with hesitation “Luna-
“Just let her go” I repeated, forcing a polite smile. “I’ll handle this. Thank you”
The guard reluctantly released Rose, who yanked her arm away and shot me a murderous glare. “Is this how you treat your pregnant sister!” she
Nicole’s laugh cut through the air like a blade. “You mean the pregnancy that came from sleeping with her mate and then announcing it on her wedding day?”
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Chapter 16
om the bench and stepped to my siele
Rose’s face darkened as lier glare timed on Nicole. Hut Nicole, unfazed, rose Immi
“Considering your
presence here is dimptive at best,” Nicole said coldly, her voice dripping with authority. “I suggest you say what you came to say
Rose’s eyes flickered to black as her wolf pushed forward. Before I could react, Nicole’s aura birst forth, powerful and commanding, forcing both Rose and me to take an involuntary step back.
“Well” Nicole’s voter had returned to is usual tone, but the unspoken warning lingered in the air
Hose’s gaze shuffed between us, and that’s when it hit me the landn’t come here because of our father. She was here to dig at me, in find something she could twist into a vreaquin.
Tsighed, exhaustion seeping into my voice. “Just go, Rosse. Fin not in the mood. I krone it kills your that I’m going to be the Luna to the Lycan King. but unfortunately for you, there’s nothing you can do about it. In a week, well he married, and you’re not invited Consider this both a favor and a warning stay the hell away from me.
For a moment, I thought she might lange at one. But then her lips twisted into a cruel smile, the kind that always made me want to disappear.
“You think just because you’ve slept your way to the tops, you can stay there?” she sneered “Women like you will never be good enough for men like the Lycan King. No enjoy your moment. Addy. Because it won’t last.”
She turned to leave, but I wasn’t done.
Today is the last day you’ll step foot here, I called after her, my voice steady and unyielding “From now on, you’re banned”
Rose stopped mid–step, spinning around to face me, her eyes wide with shock. “What?”
“You heard the,” I said, my gaze locking with hers. “Like you said, this is my moment. And as the Luna to the Lycan King, I’m declaring that you are no longer welcome here. Do yourself a favor and leave before I love you thrown out.”
Her eyes blazed with fury, “You’re a real bitch, she hissed,
Ismiled, finally allowing myself a moment of triumph. “Tiramed from the best”
w from her, es
With that, I turned away
exhaling a long, shaky breath. My hands trembled slightly as the adrenaline began to wear off
Nicole placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch grounding me, “You did good,” she said softly. “Now let’s just hope she actually listens.
behind her like a storm
She won’t,” I replied, glancing back to see Rose stalking toward the gate, her anger trailing b
when the time comes.
cloud. “But I’ll deal
Nicole nodded, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile. “You’re stronger than you think, Adeline. Don’t forget that.”
al with her
I wanted to believe her, buttle weight of my situation made it hard. Still, I held on to her words, letting them settle over me like a fragile shield.
The rest of the day passed surprisingly smoothly. Somehow, Nicole and I managed to aspid Nicholas entirely. Either he was out or he had no interest in seeking me out, which suited me just fine. It gave Nicole and me time to sift through some job postings I’d been considering–though, truth be told, I hadn’t been able to bring myself to apply to any
It wasn’t just about finding a job. I was about everything I’d left behind, and the reasons I’d walked away from my last one were a story I wasn’t ready to share, not even with Nicole. She didn’t press me, though, and I had to admit she made for good company, keeping me distracted enough to actually enjoy the afternoon.
By the time seven rolled around, I was ready for dinner–dressed neatly in a soft, enterald–green dress that seemed formal enough to survive Nicholas‘ scrutiny. Nicole lingered in the corner, scrolling on her phone while humming some pop song under her breath. For once. 1 feltalinost
Then there was a
here was a knock at the door.
Nicole’s head snapped up, and I hesitated, my heart stuttering for a beat.
“Are you expecting someone?” she whispered.
“No” I replied, my voice barely audible.
Taking a deep breath. I walked to the door and opened it. My pulse quickened the moment I saw bini.
Nicholas stood there, tall and inenacing, his dark eyes fixed on me like I’d done something wrong simply by existing. His gaze swept påst me and landed on Nicole. His expression shifted in an instant, his eyes narrowing with cold, cunting intensity.
Then he spoke, two words that I knew wouldn’t end well for me, “Leave its.”
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