+25 Bonus


    “Because everyone else is eating without a problem – you''re just causing drama for no reason."


    "You can''t honestly believe someone would poison your food in front of all these people," Nn said.


    "Just test it," I snapped.


    I felt heated, embarrassed, and angry that he wouldn''t believe me. People were staring, whispering — this was thest thing I wanted, but I knew that I wasn''t wrong.


    That was when I noticed someone approaching from behind Nn. Tall, with silver- brown hair — a lean man, older. I recognized him: Alpha ric of the Moonstone Pack.


    "What is this talk about poison?" he asked, his tone filled with barely contained fury, the look he gave me full of concern - so much so that it shocked me.


    Nn''s jaw tightened. I knew he didn''t want to do anything to jeopardize his deal with Moonstone. I took Nn''s arm, holding it like I had earlier, and smiled sweetly at ric.


    "It''s nothing to be concerned about," I said calmly. “Nn is just being overly cautious. The food tasted off to me, and he insists we have it tested, just to make sure there''s nothing wrong. We don''t want the guests to get food poisoning if something is spoiled."


    Nn went stiff. I could tell from his bodynguage that he was shocked I''d try to manipte him like this — but he couldn''t call me out, not with everyone watching.


    “I see,” ric said, though he looked unconvinced.


    "That''s right,” Nn said, his smile tight and forced. “Just being cautious. We''ll have the servants check the food."


    He grabbed my te from the waiter and kept his grip on my arm as he pulled me into the kitchen. He mmed the te down, ring at the head chef. "Test it," he ordered.


    I watched with interest as the staff moved around the kitchen, obviously ufortable under Nn''s icy stare. I recognized some of them - I knew they lingered around Felicity.


    I tried to watch carefully, but it was hectic in the kitchen, and it was entirely possible they were hiding something, covering up what they''d done.


    And that suspicion was confirmed when they reported back to Nn a few minutester.


    "There''s nothing wrong with it, sir."


    "That''s not true!" I insisted. "It tasted bitter."


    Nn gave me a strange look, and I saw his eyes flick down to my stomach. My face turned red.


    I''d heard that pregnancy could make your senses behave strangely, make things taste off, but it hadn''t even urred to me — not until I saw that suspicious glint in Nn''s eyes.


    I opened my mouth to insist I wasn''t imagining things, but Nn spoke first.


    +25 Bonus


    "Are you satisfied now? Have you made enough of a public spectacle other way?"


    or do you want to ruin the party in some


    It wasn''t that he was taking Felicity''s side again – I expected that. The rage building in me was entirely because whatever had been done to my food could have hurt the baby. I knew Nn didn''t know about the baby - or he shouldn''t but the way he looked at my stomach...


    If he suspected I was pregnant, and this was still his reaction, then what kind of man was he? I red at him, furious, but he kept his grip on my arm. Before I could say anything more, the kitchen door opened.


    I saw Nn react before I looked myself – a stony re that he quickly covered up as Alpha ric stepped in.


    "Could I have a word with Ellie for a moment?" he asked, open concern clear on his face.


    Nn started to deny the request, but I shook off his arm and stormed toward the door.


    “Of course you can, Alpha,” I said, casting a withering re over my shoulder.


    As the door swung shut behind me, I heard Nn''s incredulous voice.


    "She''s getting even bolder."