Chapter 194 Two Pretty Best Friends


    TESSA


    37%


    s


    I told myself I wouldn’t stay. That was my condition for going. Spoiler! I stayed. How could I leave when Arden pleaded with me? I can’t just deny the bride’s request.


    And now, somehow, Arden was glued to my side instead of her groom, though it appeared they were both happy about it. Cade kept ncing at us from the head table, his grin so obnoxiously proud.


    “Arden.” I whispered, nudging her arm lightly with mine. “Shouldn’t you go back to your seat? You know, the one beside the man you just vowed forever to?”


    She shook her head without hesitation. “Oh, I’m going to sit here until the end of dinner. The speeches are done anyway. Besides, we’ll be together forever after this one.”


    I chuckled and shook my head in amusement. Her tone and way of speaking were still the same, which wasforting. It felt like the distance and time hadn’t changed us.


    Somehow, despite her tears earlier, her makeup hadn’t budged. Her lipstick was still untouched, her cheeks glowing with just the right warmth. She looked exactly the same as she had hours ago. Props to the makeup artist. That person deserved a raise.


    “You really are so pretty,” she suddenly said, her gaze softening.


    My eyebrows raised. “Huh? What was that for?”


    She shrugged. “Well, you were already pretty before. But you’re so much prettier now.”


    “Speak for yourself,” I shot back. “The glow you have is different.”


    She tilted her head<i>, </i>eyes sparkling in the candlelight. “It’s the glow of being loved by your husband.”


    I yfully rolled my eyes. “Rub it in my face, will you?”


    Herugh was soft, and I found myself chuckling with her. And they, without warning, we burst into giggles, inappropriate for the elegant setting of a wedding banquet.


    But that was how it was with Arden. With her, I never had to measure my words. It always feltfortable with her.


    Just then, someone cleared their throat.


    My breath hitched before I even turned. Some instincts never dulled.


    It was Zaria.


    She stood with her arms crossed, wearing a perfectly polished expression that made people think she was carved by the Moon Goddess herself. But the scowl that flickered across her face when her eyesnded on me–ah, there she was. The same sister who used to sneer when I spoke too loudly, the same one who perfected disdain before she perfected diplomacy,


    I couldn’t help it. My lips curved into a smirk. She hadn’t changed at all.


    14:15 Sat, 30 Aug


    Chapter 194 Two Pretty Best Friends


    “Good evening, Practor Luna,” she said, greeting Arden. She even inclined her head slightly.


    “My name is Zaria.”


    Arden turned to her with a smile. “Tessa’s sister, right?”


    Zaria’s jaw tightened at being reduced to that. I bit my lip to keep theughter from spilling out.


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    “Sorry,” Arden continued, voice dipped in kindness that killed more thoroughly than cruelty ever could. “I want to speak with Tessa right now. I would appreciate it if you would leave.”


    My lips trembled, theughter wing up my throat.


    Zaria’s face didn’t crack, but I knew her well enough to catch the fury in her eyes before she spun on her heel and walked away..


    The second she was out of earshot, I lost it. My lips parted, and the giggles I’d been holding back erupted.


    Arden caught it, and then she wasughing too, clutching my hand as we leaned into each other.


    I wiped at my eyes, breathless, my chest aching from too muchughter. “You-“I wheezed, pointing at her. “That was brutal.”


    Arden only shrugged, her eyes mischievous. “She’ll live.”


    After our giggles died down, Arden cleared her throat and nced at something behind us. I leaned back against my chair and drank some water.


    “Well, it seems you have a shadow,” he chimed.


    I didn’t even need to ask who. I could feel his stare on my skin before I even turned. When I finally did, <b>my </b>suspicion was only confirmed.


    ss in hand, dark eyes narrowed slightly, lips pressed at the rim as he drank.


    I clicked my tongue loudly and tipped back my own ss, letting the sweetness of the cocktail flood my mouth before the burn chased it down. It was smoother than I expected, almost deceptively sweet.


    “Whoa,” Arden said, her eyes widening with amusement. “Since when did you drink?”


    I tilted the ss back, watching the liquid swirl, and forced a smile. “Since now.”


    She snorted, shaking her head at me.


    Then, Arden adjusted her posture, cleared her throat, and ced her hands on herp.


    “We’ve been talking for a while,” she started. “But I’ve meant to ask.”


    Her eyes caught mine. “How have you been?”


    The words hit deeper than I expected. How have I been?


    I bit my lip, debating how much to share. Finally, I let out a slow exhale.


    14:15 Sat, 30 Aug


    Chapter 194 Two Pretty Best Friends


    37%


    <b>+5 </b>Free Coins


    “I’m in a small pack,” I said carefully. My words felt heavier than they should have, but once they left, I couldn’t take them back. “I can’t say where it is for now. But… I like it there.”


    Her expression softened instantly. I could see her shoulders rx.


    “I became the pack doctor,” I added, surprising myself at how proud it sounded when I said it out loud.


    Arden gasped so loudly that she covered her mouth with both hands. “I knew it!”


    Her joy was genuine, bright enough to chase away the shadows that lingered inside me. “I always expected it,” she said, beaming. “It suits you so well, Tess. I mean–look at you. Of course you’d end up there.”


    “And 1-”


    I cut myself off before I could share that piece of information about myself.


    I have a daughter, I was about to say, but in the end, I couldn’t.


    Instead, I shifted the focus. “How about you?” I asked softly.


    Arden bit her lip. Her hand was sped in herp as she prepared to answer.


    “Well,” she said slowly, “it’s been… hectic.”


    I frowned. “Hectic how?”


    She let out augh, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “The rogue situations.”


    “I thought that was better now?” I asked, my voice hopeful. Owen always told me it was better now.


    Arden’s lips pressed together. She bit down harder, and my stomach dropped.


    My frown deepened. “…It still hasn’t stopped?”


    Her silence was the only answer I needed.


    “No, she muttered after a while. “In fact, I fear it’s something that would take Fenra by storm even worse than Mr. Winters had.”