Chapter 17
“What?”
Celeste shot up from her chair, her fiilly purple dress hommeing along with her. Her curls quivered as if they ton were affronted. “Daddy, my friends say the Steele heir is super ugly!” he whineid, her voice high–pitched and grating
Across the table, Ash scoffed loudly, clearly impressed by her theatrics. August, the youngest, barely stifled an eye roll. “Insolence! Sit down!” Drogo’s booming voice reverberated through the room, startling everyone:
My fork froze mid–air. Did he really just raise his voice against precious princess? I blinked, half–expecting to wake up Celeste’s lips trembled as she slowly sank back into her chair, he pout firmly in place.
“Rumors are just rumors, Roman said, his tone sharp as his gaze shifted to her. “You’ll meet Dante Steele at the Blue Moon Festival ball thenight after tomorrow. I’ll personally ensure you satisfied with the arrangement. I will not allow any injustice to befall you?
Satished? My frown deepened as his words settled in.
This wasn’t how things were supposed to unfold.
If Celeste married Dante, wouldn’t that mean her and Jaxon’s future… their future betrayal–wouldn’t happen? My chest Lightened.
The shift in dynamics left me uneasy, and suddenly, the food on my plate looked revolting.
“Everyone must be dressed appropriately,” Roman continued, rising from his chair with a slow, deliberate motion. “This alliance must succeed for the survival of our pack. We can’t affor any more losses.”
He coughed into his handkerchief before excusing himself and leaving the room.
One by one, the others followed, though I stayed behind, lost in thought. My hand mechanically pushed an olive around my plate, the weight of my worries pressing down on me.
A quiet cough snapped me out of my trance.
I looked up to find Aiden standing over me, his expression awkward.
“Thank you… for this morning,” he said, scratching the back of his neck.
“This morning?” Lechoed, my brows furrowing.
“For sending Arthur,” he clarified, clearly uncomfortable. “You know, to check on me.”
O The butler.
I offered him a polite nod. “You’re welcome.” Anyways his wounds had already healed as far as I could see. Typical Alpha healing abilities.
There wasn’t a bandage in sight, except for the old jagged wound that ran down his cheeks, which had been there for as long as I could remember.
I expected him to leave after that, but he lingered. Most of the adults had already filed out, leaving only Aiden, Sebastian- who was still stuffing his face with shawarma–and Jaxon. The latter’s presence burned at the edge of my awareness like a smoldering ember.
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11:38 Tue, Jan 14
Chapter 17
I could feel Jaxon’s glare boring into me from across the room.
Frustration bubbled within me. If they weren’t going to leave, then I would
Pushing back my chair, 1 stood and headed for the door. The soul of two sets of footsteps trailing behind me made my jaw
clench
“Are you sure you’re okay? You barely ate.” Aiden’s voice called after me
I halted abruptly, spinning on my heel to face him. I was already completely frustrated and overwhelmed with everything that was happening. “Why do you care?”
He frowned, taken aback. “Excuse me?”
My patience snapped. “Listen,” I said, my voice low but sharp. “know you don’t like associating with me, and honestly? 1 don’t care anymore. Let’s just stay out of each other’s way, alright?”
His frown deepened, his silver eyes hardening. “When did I ever-” He paused, visibly struggling for words. “You’re the one who–why did you even talk to me this morning, then?”
I barely registered his jumbled response, only catching the last part
“I’ve already apologized,” I said, my tone colder than I intended I won’t make the same mistake again.”
With that, I turned on my heel and strode away.
Why was he acting like he cared all of a sudden?
Lethia. My thoughts churned as I climbed the stairs. This was the same man who had ignored my cries for help in the past. The same brother who had believed Ana’s lies over me when she accused me of poisoning
I clenched my fists as bitter memories yesurfaced.
Even though the war had ended with our pack’s victory, it came at a heavy cost. Two of the elder Alphas, including my father, had perished alongside Roman. Only the Armani Alpha and his eldest son had survived.
Jason, Jaxon’s brother, had fallen in battle. Ash, my other brother hadn’t survived either.
And Lethia… she had followed soon after.
The circumstances of her death were still a mystery, though everyone had their theories. Most pointed their fingers at me, accusing me of taking revenge for years of cruelty. They threw me into the dungeons, searching for proof they never found.
I had mourned every loss, cried for every soul.
But now? Now I saw them for what they were–cracks in a broken family.
So why was I even dwelling on them?
The best course of action was clear: finish my education, save as much money as I could, and leave this pack within two years. By then, the chaos would truly erupt,
Oh, and save Marcelene and her family along the way.
But one thought lingered, gnawing at the edges of my mind: If Celeste really married Dante, would Jaxon let me leave? Or
live?
11:38 Tue, Jan 14
