E’s POV


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    Alexander spotted me approaching and waved me over. His smile was so radiant, so warm andforting, that I immediately forgot all about everything else that was weighing on my mind. I felt weightless as I glided to his side, and the moment his arm looped around my waist and tugged me close against him, the rest of the world fell away.


    He pressed a kiss to my lips that would have lingered for much longer had we not been surrounded by How did your appointment go?” he asked quietly once we pulled apart.


    so many people. “Hey.


    “Well enough,” I replied. Turning, I regarded the woman who was still standing nearby, politely sipping her champagne and pretending not to notice our tender exchange. Up close, she was even more beautiful, with an almost foxlike countenance and a sparkle to her eyes that seemed to catch the light.


    “E, this is Jane,” Alexander said, gesturing to the woman. “She’s one of the opened up.”


    for the advisor position that just


    Right. I recalled how one of Alexander’s advisors had quit on the spot because of me. My stomach knotted with guilt at the reminder.


    Jane smiled and extended one fair, slender hand. “Luna, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person,” she said.


    I shook her hand, and as I did, it hit me; I knew where I recognized this woman. I had seen her on several asions before, usually at parties and gs much like this one where the guest list wasrge and the chances of seeing people I didn’t want to see were high.


    Like Sophia.


    This woman had been in Sophia’s circle back before… well, back before everything. In fact, she had been one of Sophia’s closer friends.


    Not a best friend, necessarily–Sophia was too much of a narcissist to see people as more than simple tools for her grand designs, and thus was incapable of calling anyone a “best friend“, but this woman, Jane, was definitely always pinned to Sophia’s side and often sneering right along with her whenever she got up to her usual antics.


    I froze mid–handshake, and my face must have shown everything, because Jane paled. As if that was even possible. Her skin was already like porcin.


    Her face fell. “Oh. I see…”


    I pulled back, mouth opening wordlessly. Did Alexander not recognize her? <b>If </b>Jane was one of Sophia’s cohorts, then she was definitely not fit to be an Alpha King advisor. Who knew what trouble she would cause!


    But to my surprise, Jane said quickly, “I know what you’re thinking that I’m trouble.”


    I pressed my lips together. “No offense, Jane, but your previous choices in


    “No, I get it.” She sighed, finishing off the rest of her champagne and set the empty flute on a nearby table. “Look. I know how it seems: one of Sophia’s old cohorts, showing up to apply for the position of Alpha King advisor. Fishy, right?”


    “Sort of.”


    Jane spread her hands wide. “Well, I don’t me you for feeling that way. But I’d like to exin myself, if you don’t mind.”


    I nced at Alexander, but he remained silent, Judging from the unchanging expression on his face, I hazarded a guess <b>that </b><b>he </b>already knew. Sensing the question in my eyes, he nodded and said softly, “Hear her out.”


    I really didn’t want to–Sophia and her little gang were always cruel and vindictive—but I forced myself to anyway. Folding <b>my </b>arms, I turned to Jane and said, <b>“</b>I’m listening.”


    <b>The </b>woman looked a little relieved at that and wet her lips. “Yes, it’s true: once, I was Sophia’s ‘friend‘ Minion<b>, </b><b>more </b><b>like </b>Sophia doesn’t have friends, not really, She’s got orbiters, women who think they can gain something by doing her <b>bite </b>


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    was one of those.”


    She went on, “I often giggled along with all the others when she tormented other women; especially you.” My brows must have lifted, because Jane said, “Yes, E. I believe your story. Anyway, yes: for a long time, I pretended to be okay with Sophia’s antics because I thought she could provide me with things I otherwise couldn’t have. And for a while, she did.”


    I narrowed my eyes as I looked Jane up and down. “What could Sophia give you that you didn’t already have?” She was beautiful and well–dressed, and she didn’t have the scent of a rogue or an Omega.


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    <strong>Sara Lili</strong> is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.