Ellie POV


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    For all of Nn''sining about beingte, we arrived basically right on time. The pack elders were still hovering around the door, waiting for us, making their formal greetings as soon as we walked in.


    I stood beside Nn, holding onto his arm, smiling politely and ying my role perfectly, regardless of how nauseous I felt or how overwhelming it was to be here in a pom full of people who hated me.


    And it only got worse once the elders started talking.


    At first, it was the usual chatter about pack affairs: border issues, the economy, and all of that. But one particr elder kept staring at me. And while I wasn''tpletely unused to that, it still irritated me.


    Still, I kept smiling that ridiculous, polite smile until the elder finally said,


    "When can we expect you to grace the pack with an heir?"


    My smile froze in ce. I felt Nn go stiff beside me.


    “That''s quite a personal question," Nn said coldly.


    The elder smiled, waving his hand dismissively. "It will strengthen the union between the two of you-and the pack as a whole. It''s only natural that we''d be curious."


    "It''ll happen when the time is right,” Nn replied simply


    It felt like ice had been poured down my back, the way they were talking about it, like it was some given, some duty I owed them. My stomach turned.


    I had to make sure they never found out about the baby.


    If Nn knew I was pregnant, he would never let me leave.


    The thought stuck in my head as we made the rounds, greeting all of the guests. If anyone noticed that I was distracted they didn''t say anything. Not that I would expect anyone here to care enough to ask.


    I was on my best behavior, which basically meant I smiled and made small talk all night. Finally, Nn and went to dance with Felicity and gave me a moment to myself.


    I was standing alone near the wall, silently cursing my high heels and my swelling feet. I didn''t notice that someone was approaching until they spoke.


    “Well, I recognize this beautiful woman,” a smooth voice said.


    I turned to see Kieran approaching, a charming smile on his face. "No one could forget a face like yours,” he said. "But I wonder if you remember who I am?"


    “Kieran,” I replied easily. “You know, you got me into a lot of troublest time."


    His smile widened just a little. "I''m sure I did. I can''t imagine Nn was very happy about our little dance."


    "That''s putting it lightly. Are you here to get me into trouble again?" I asked warily. As much as I enjoyed Kieran''s presence, I wasn''t willing to risk another fight with Nn tonight. I was too tired to deal with that.


    "Actually," he said, "I just wanted to ask what''s making a lovely woman like you frown so much."


    “I''m not frowning,” I replied, though I could hear the defensiveness in my own voice.


    "Not exactly frowning, maybe. But I can see in your eyes that you''re not having a good time," Kieran replied. His


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    eyes were searching mine with an intensity that made me bush.


    "Then you''re very observant," I replied quietly.


    "When ites to you, I''d like to think so,” he said with a mile.


    "You really think you''re smooth, don''t you?" I put my hands on my hips, irritated. "Darling, I know I am. Just like I know something''s bothering you. I''m here if you care to talk about it." His gaze seemed to soften as he looked at me and I found myself sigling despite my attempts to hide my frustration.


    “It''s nothing worth speaking about. Nothing new,” I answered.


    "And yet you''re so obviously upset.” His tone softened further, almost to a whisper. "In all sincerity, Ellie, if it''s something you want to talk about, I''m here to listen."


    "It''s just... Nn," I admitted.


    "What do you mean, ''it''s just Nn''?"


    My emotions were so hard to hidetely and at that moment I couldn''t seem to hold them back. I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest as I looked out at the dance floor where Nn was dancing with Felicity. The sight of them together like that in front of everyone made my anger spike.


    "I''m tired of having to y the part of his perfect Luna. Of standing beside him with this fake smile on my face and pretending everything is great all the time-so that these fake-ass friends and out-of-touch elders can stand around judging me." 1 The words spilled out rapidly, my voice low and tight as I struggled not to shout. "Well, that just sounds like hell," Kieran said.


    For a moment I thought he was making fun of me, but when I met his eyes, I could see the sincerity in them. I exhaled slowly, trying to release my anger.


    "It could be worse," I replied, my voiceing out softer than I meant it. "And it could be a whole lot better too. If I''m overstepping, don''t feel pressured to answer-but if that''s how you feel, then why are you with him?" Kiera asked. He stepped lightly in front of me, blocking my view of Nn.


    "He''s my husband. This is my job as his wife," I answered, looking up at Kieran.


    "But it doesn''t have to be that way, you know. If you ever wanted to leave... if you ever needed help to leave, I would be more than happy to offer you that assistance," he said softly.


    "Are you serious?" I asked in disbelief.


    "You''re obviously unhappy with him. And no one deserves o be trapped in a loveless marriage. So yes. I''m very serious," Kieran said.


    I felt my shoulders slump in defeat as his words sank in. I was miserable and I wasn''t sure that I would be able to leave, even when my deal with Nn was up. Especially if somehow found out that I''m pregnant.


    Kieran''s fingers brushed up my arm, startling me with the gentle touch. I looked up at him questioningly, finding


    a smile on his face.


    "If I ever did want to take you up on that offer, how would contact you?" I asked.


    Kieran''s fingers lingered on my arm as he produced his phone and handed it to me.


    I quickly added myself as a contact and gave it back before I could lose my nerve.


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    Kieran''s fingers moved higher, adjusting the strap of my dess.


    "I look forward to hearing from you, Ellie."


    "Get your hands off of my wife."


    I startle at Nn''s words, a growl rumbling beneath the words as he appears out of


    nowhere and yanks Kieran away from me.


    "Nn," I say in surprise.


    "What the hell game are you ying?" he demanded, keeping a firm grip on Kieran''s arm.


    Kieran just grinned at him, pulling his arm free. "I''m merely keeping Elliepany while you dance with your friend."


    The emphasis Kieran put on the word ''friend'' drew another low growl from Nn.


    "If you touch her again, I''ll break your damn arm,” Nn snapped.


    He put his arm around my waist and led me away, but not before I caught the smile


    and wink that Kieran threw my way as we left.


    He was using me to get under Nn''s skin on purpose, and I kind of liked it.


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