<b>Chapter </b>39
Nyssa pov
<b>I </b><b>stared </b>at myself in the mirror, taking in my reflection- my dark makeup and outfit consisting <b>of </b><b>a </b>pair of <b>jeans </b>and a <b>crop </b><b>top</b><b>. </b><b>A </b>small smile tugged at my lips <b>as </b>I nodded in satisfaction, <b>pleased </b>with how the makeup matched the edgy vibe of my clothes<b>. </b><b>I </b>could <b>already </b>picture the disapproving look my father would give me the moment he <b>saw </b>what <b>I </b><b>was </b>wearing.
I <b>had </b>worn it–just like in the <b>past</b><b>, </b>knowing it would <b>piss </b>him off.
<b>I </b>remembered being thirteen, in the middle of my rebellious teenage phase<b>. </b>I’d started wearing <b>ck </b>clothes mostly tight <b>jeans</b><b>, </b><b>crop </b>tops, or mini skirts that showed off my thighs <b>because </b>I wanted to be like the older girls. I hated how my father always treated me like a child.
<b>So</b><b>, </b><b>every </b>time I wore something like that, his mood would shift instantly. He’d scold me and then ignore me for days<b>. </b><b>Back </b>then, I didn’t care<b>. </b><b>I </b>was stubborn and childish, and it was always Calen and Benjamin who tried to y <b>peacemakers</b><b>, </b>trying to mend the rift between us<b>. </b>
A chuckle escaped me at the memory of my father’s face turning bright red from frustration. That was <b>exactly </b>why I dressed like this today- to bring that memory back to life.
I popped my lips together and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, smiling at my reflection. It felt good to <b>see </b>a hint of the glow I used to have before I married Kieran, before the sickness, before the silence.
I ced the lipstick on the cab and gave myself onest look before stepping out of the room, whistling a soft melody <b>as </b><b>I </b>strolled down the hallway.
“Good morning, mydy,” the maids greeted as I passed. I offered them a cheerful grin and a wave, but just a few stepster, I caught the hushed whispers trailing behind me.
“Why <b>is </b>she in such a good mood today? I heard the rejection ceremony is tomorrow, and the king hasn’t changed his mind.”
<b>“</b><b>Yes</b><b>… </b>and the Alpha is losing it over all this.”
Their voices were low,ced with disbelief, but I didn’t slow down. My smile lingered, even deepened slightly. Let them talk.
It was a beautiful day. Serene’s birthday. Onest day to spend with the people I cared about, onest <i>day </i>to breathe, to feel, to <b>exist </b>freely.
I started skipping down the hall, light–hearted and carefree.
Nothing was going <i>to </i>ruin my mood today-
“Miss<b>! </b>Good morning, you seem to be in a good mood today!”
I froze<b>, </b>my smile vanishing, reced by a scowl. I cursed under my breath, recognizing that voice.
<b>Cassian</b>.
He <b>wasn’t </b>the problem- not really. The problem was who I knew stood behind him. I’d caught his <b>scent </b>just before Cassian called my name.
“Perfect,” I hissed, fighting the urge to pretend I hadn’t heard and walk away. But I knew <b>better </b>than to do <b>that</b>.
“Huh? Didn’t she hear me<b>?</b><b>” </b>Cassian asked, confused.
<b>I </b><b>slowly </b>turned around<b>, </b><b>facing </b>the <b>group </b><b>of </b>men behind <b>me</b><b>. </b>
Cassian, <b>Drake</b><b>, </b>and <b>Zayn- </b><b>the </b><b>pack </b><b>doctor </b><b>were </b><b>all </b>staring at me.
Cassian and Drake’s smiles faltered immediately, <b>their </b><b>eyes </b>sweeping down my figure. <b>I </b>caught <b>Cassian </b>whispering <b>a </b><b>low </b>“Oh my” under his <b>breath</b>.
Zayn, <b>however</b><b>, </b>didn’t look surprised. <b>His </b><b>gaze </b><b>was </b>calm<b>, </b><b>steady</b>, and he offered me a kind smile.
? ? :
And then there <b>was </b>Darius<b>. </b>
<b>He </b>was unreadable <b>as </b>always. If he <b>ever </b>showed emotion, it <b>was </b>only that familiar <b>trace </b>of disdain he reserved for being his unwanted mate<b>. </b>
But this time… it felt different.
His <b>eyes </b>dipped to my exposed <b>waist</b><b>, </b>and for the first time, I noticed the faintest tug of a frown at his lips.
It <b>wasn’t </b>disdain. Not quite.
<b>It </b>was something <b>else </b>entirely.
Anger?
As his gaze lifted to meet mine<b>, </b>I gulped, my mind shing back tost night. The way he held me. The sharp sting of his fangs sinking into my neck. A shiver ran through me and warmth flushed my cheeks.
I quickly shook the memory away, lowering my head respectfully.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” I said, my voice polite and formal.
As expected, he didn’t respond. But I didn’t let it bother me. Instead, I turned to the three men behind him and offered a small smile and a nod in greeting.
Cassian blinked, parting his lips to say something, but I averted my gaze before he could speak, pretending not to notice
him at all<b>. </b>
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll take my leave first,” I murmured and turned sharply, not waiting for a reply. I walked away, not sparing a nce at anyone behind me.
Just great. My mood was officially ruined.
I sighed and made my way downstairs, already dreading the awkward tension that would settle over breakfast especially if the king decided to join us again.
But the moment <b>I </b>stepped into the dining area, I felt it- the weight of everyone’s attention snapping onto me like a trap.
I froze<b>, </b>lifting my <b>gaze </b>to find my father, Calen, and Benjamin already seated. Serene stood nearby but everyone of them had the same expressions on their faces<b>. </b>
Shock. Pure<b>, </b>unfiltered shock.
My eyes flickered to my father<b>, </b>seated at the head of the table. Slowly, I watched <b>as </b>his <b>gaze </b><b>trailed </b><b>over </b>me<b>, </b>his <b>eyes </b>widening until they looked like they might pop out of their sockets. Disbelief washed <b>over </b>his <b>face- </b>only <b>for </b>it to twist into rage a heartbeat <bter </b><b>as </b><b>his </b>gaze shifted <b>past </b>me, likely spotting the king and his men behind me<b>. </b>
His face turned a furious shade of red as he jabbed a trembling finger in my direction.
“Y–you!” he stammered.
1 smiled sweetly, lifting a hand in a casual wave.
“Good morning, Father,” I said cheerfully, my mood lifting up.