Chapter 16
ADELINE
“You don’t look so well”
The sudden vice shattered the quiet, and let out a startled scream, launching the book in my hand across the garden. My heart pounded against my ribcage as I spun around to glare at Nicole, who stood a few feet away, barely managing to suppress her laughter,
“What is wrong with you?” I hissed, pressing a hand to my chest to calm the hammering Where did you even come from?”
She ignored 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 with a grin that somehow managed to be both charming and imitating
“You make that sound way scarier than it needs to be,” I muttered, crossing my arms. “Seriously, though, what are you doing here? Nicholas specifically told you to stay away from me, and I said we could hang out, but I didn’t mean here. Not where he could catch me disobeying him again.“”
Nicole’s playful demeanor shifted. Her smile faltered, and a flash of something dark crossed her eyes. “What did he do to you?”
“Nothing” I said quickly, too quickly cleared my throat and looked away. “What are you doing here, Nicole?”
She frowned, her sharp gaze boring into me.” came to check on you. Which, clearly, was the right call because you’re obviously not okay. Adeline, you can’t let him treat you like this. You have to push back, remember? Otherwise, he never respect you.”
Escoffed, shaking my head. “I don’t think the word ‘respect‘ exists in Nicholas’s vocabulary. The only thing filling those pages is “kill” and “fear me.“”
Nicole chuckled, though the sound was tinged with bitterness. “I’ll 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.””
“He already announced it to his entire pack,” I muttered, the weight of that truth pressing down on me again.
Nicole 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 make him look weak. And trust me, the last thing Nicholas wants is to seem weak. Just like any Lycan.”
Her words sent a shiver through me. Memories of that teenage boy I’d once crossed paths with his pride, his wrath–flashed through my mind. I hadn’t understood the consequences of demeaning him back then. I understood them now
“I get it,” I said, nodding. “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 marriage is-”
“Is what?”
The interruption came with a growl from my woll, who instantly recognized the presence that had encroached on our conversation. I turned to see 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, “which of them is related to you? They both claimed to be your sisters.”
I groaned inwardly. Of course, that’s how Nicole had gotten in
My gaze shifted between the two women. Nicole raised 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 said. Then, with as much feigned indifference as I could muster, I added, “I don’t know who she is.”
“You little bitch” Rose snarled, stepping forward as the guard grabbed her arm. “Adeline, tell him to let go of me! You think I want to be here? I came to talk about what’s happening with Father.”
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tughed, rubbing my temples as the tension built, “Let her go,” I said finally, lucking at the guard.
His eyes flickered with hesitation. “Luna-”
“Just let her go,” 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 spat
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?”
Rose’s face darkened as her glare turned on Nicole. But Nicole, unfared, rose from the bench and stepped to my side.
“Considering your presence here is disruptive at best,” Nicole sald coldly, her voice dripping with authority, “I suggest you say what you came to say and
then leave.”
Rose’s eyes flickered to black as her woll pushed forward. Before I could react, Nicole’s aura burst forth, powerful and commanding, forcing both Rose
and me to take an involuntary step back.
“Well?” Nicole’s voice had returned to its usual tone, but the unspoken warning lingered in the air.
Rose’s gaze shifted between us, and that’s when it hit me–she hadn’t come here because of our father. She was here to dig at me, to find something she
could twist into a weapon.
I sighed, exhaustion seeping into my voice. “Just go, Rose. I’m not in the mood. I know it kills you 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, we’ll be 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 lunge at me. 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 top, you can stay there?” she sneered. “Women like you will never be good enough for men like the Lycan King. So 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 me,” 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 have you thrown out.”
Her eyes blazed with fury. “You’re a real bitch,” she hissed.
Ismiled, finally allowing myself a moment of triumph. “I learned from the best.”
With that, I turned away from her, 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.”
“She won’t,” I replied, glancing back to see Rose stalking toward the gate, her anger trailing behind her like a storm cloud. “But it deal with her when the time comes.”
Nicole nodded, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile. “You’re stronger than you think Adeline. Don’t forget that.”
I wanted to believe her, but the 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 avoid 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 sit through some job postings I’d been considering–though, truth be told,
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hadn’t been able to bring myself to apply to any
It wasn’t just about finding a job. It 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, emerald green dress that seemed formal enough to surve Nicholas scrutiny. Nicole fingered in the corner, scrolling on her phone while humming some pop song under her breath. For once, I felt almost normal
Then there 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 him.
Nicholas stood there, tall and menacing, his dark eyes fixed on me like I’d done something wrong simply by existing. His gaze swept past me and landed on Nicole. His expression shifted in an instant, his eyes narrowing with cold, cutting intensity.
Then he spoke, two words that I knew wouldn’t end well for me, “Leave us.”
