<h4>Chapter 61: Chapter 61: SPREAD THE RUMOR</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>’S POV</strong>


    "Ivan and I are not resisting the ritual," I said, rising to our defense. Even though it felt strange vouching for Ivan’s intentions, I still felt inclined to do it. "It’s just like the priest said—the ritual is still missing some important parts. Once Revierrie figures it out, the ritual is bound to work."


    "Or maybe—" Francis drawled stubbornly, "the Moon Goddess values your bond and doesn’t want you to break it."


    "And why would Selene feel that way?"


    "Because there’s a great possibility that you and Ivan could still be together. This time around, it would definitely be better between you two. All you need to do is give it a chance."


    "No," I countered firmly. "I refuse to talk about this any further. I’m sorry to disappoint you, Francis, but there’s no way Ivan and I are ever getting back together. He made his bed with Serena five years ago, and now he has to lie in it."


    At the mention of Serena, Francis grimaced. For a moment, he wouldn’t meet my eyes.


    "I understand your inhibitions about Serena," he continued apologetically. "I know the issues it presents right now, but if you could just give Ivan some time and a chance to—"


    "I’m not giving him a chance to do anything," I snapped, losing some of my temper. "I don’t care about what you believe, Francis. I only care about what I know. And I know for a fact that Ivan doesn’t care about me. He never has, and he never will."


    That wasn’t entirely true.


    There was a time when Ivan had cared—a time when I felt happy and actually believed things could work out between us.


    But of course, my hopes had been dashed brutally.


    The same Ivan Francis was trying to vouch for now was the same Ivan who had crushed my dreams.


    More than that—he had used me of things I had never done, choosing to believe Serena’s lies time and time again. He stuck with her because, ording to him, she was the better choice.


    And even when his parents mocked me, antagonized me, and abused me, not once did he rise to my defense. His biting coldness and indifference had broken my heart more times than I cared to count.


    The hurt had been too much to bear. It blinded me, made my heart feel sick—so sick I feared I would erupt into mes of rage and despair.


    It drove me away from Ash Creek and straight into my ident. An ident that could have cost me my life... if Devon hadn’t shown up.


    Devon—my white knight in shining armor. My ray of hope. My safe space.


    I didn’t need Ivan’s morally gray intentions when I had someone as solid and stable as Devon.


    My meeting with Francis ended shortly after. My answer remained the same—there was nothing he could say to change my mind.


    Ivan could lose his goddamn mind for all I cared; it would be the least of what he deserved in the end.


    I made my way back to the pack house. In my chambers, Nina was still awake, cleaning a small de in front of the firece.


    She straightened when she saw me and put the de away.


    As an afterthought, I recalled how I had spoken to her yesterday morning when I found out Ivan had taken Asha on a spontaneous flight.


    I had been livid with blinding rage. I yelled and used her—then regretted it almost immediately.


    After I returned from the airport, I had pulled Nina aside and apologized for my rude behavior.


    In typical Nina fashion, she merely shrugged and asked about my earlier search for the ck book.


    "How did the ritual go?" she asked me now, studying my face closely, trying to guess the results. "I’m guessing it didn’t go well?"


    "No, it didn’t," I answered simply.


    I walked toward my bed and saw Asha already fast asleep in the center of the mattress, his lips slightly parted with a thumb tucked in his mouth.


    I smiled at the sight of him. When I ran my fingers through his tresses, his hair was soft andforting against my palm, soothing some of my tension.


    I kissed his temple and finally leaned away from him.


    When I returned to the firece, Nina had a ss of water waiting for me. She handed it over, watching me empty it in seconds.


    "Thank you, Nina. I needed that."


    She nodded and retrieved the ss from me. "So, now that the ritual has failed yet again, what’s next?"


    "The priest is going to return to his research. There’s also a chance that the coronation—ted tomence during the next full moon—might be postponed in favor of the ritual."


    "Wow. It would be great if the coronation gets shifted." Nina’s eyes glinted for a moment. "You’ve really got to find the ck book, Your Highness. Most of our ns are riding on it."


    "I will," I reassured her. "Like I told you, I searched the Luna’s rooms, but I don’t think the book is in there. Not to worry—I’ve got a bunch of other ces lined up to search. I lived here in Ash Creek for a long time, so I’ve got a hunch or two about where to look."


    "Okay then." Nina gave me a firm nod. "I’ll pass all of these details over to Marlo first thing in the morning."


    "How’s she going to manage to get the information to Devon?" I asked seriously. "I don’t mean to deter you, but the other day I overheard some of the guards discussing the council’s decision to strengthen security across Ash Creek Pack. Apparently, there have been sightings of spies around the marketce."


    "You’re right about all of that." Nina smirked. "But then, Marlo is quite resourceful. She’ll find a way."


    "Okay then." Just then, my eyes shed. At the same moment, I could feel the walls of my heart hardening.


    "One more thing, Nina."


    "What is it, Your Highness?"


    "I need you to find a way to spread a rumor around the pack starting tomorrow."


    "What kind of rumor?"


    "The rumor should carry actual urgency and state that Ivan’s wolf is unstable."


    "Is he? Really?" Nina’s gaze narrowed in surprise. I could tell this was news to her.


    "Yes, he is," I confirmed. "I heard it from his beta earlier. This is information that’s been kept secret for thest five years. Now, it doesn’t have to be a secret anymore."


    I gave her a pointed look, hoping she caught my meaning.


    "I’ll spread the rumor," she assured me. "I’ll start at the crack of dawn. By midday, all of Ash Creek will know about this. They’ll know exactly how much of a liability he is to the throne."


    Her glee was evident, and for some reason—despite the hardening of my heart—something inside me twisted. I didn’t care to figure out what it was before passing Nina a matching smile.


    "Thank you, Nina. I knew I could count on you."


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!