CHAPTER TITS ONE


    +25 Bonus


    CHAPTER FIFTY ONE


    Nn’s POV


    From my seat near the edge of the hall, I had a clear view of the main aisle. Talia entered beside her brother, guiding him toward their seats. There was something about her demeanor that caught my attention.


    Her posture was perfect, yet her eyes weren’t on the ceremony or the crowd. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts. Her eyes kept darting to the entrance as if she was worried about something.


    ‘She’s distracted. Something happened,’ my wolf said within me.


    I shouldn’t have cared, but I did. My gaze lingered too long, long enough for Marco to notice. He nudged my shoulder and muttered, “Careful, Alpha. If you keep staring at Talia like that, people are going to start whispering.”


    I didn’t look at him. I swirled the wine in my ss and took a slow sip before answering, my tone t and cold. “Of course I’d be interested in the daughter of my enemy.’


    Marco’s eyes went wide, and he shot a quick nce around us. “Keep your voice down,” he hissed. “What if someone hears you?”


    “She doesn’t look right,” I said quietly, ignoring his warning. “Go check the lounge. Now.”


    Marco crossed his arms, not moving. “You do realize how this looks, don’t you? First you stepped in earlier and ruined Viki’s little stunt, now you’re eyeing Talia like you actually give a damn. You keep this up, and people really will think you’re interested.”


    I turned, fixing him with a sharp re. “Do as I say.”


    Marco leaned closer, his voice low and firm. “No. Not until you admit what this is. You tell me she’s your enemy, but you keep circling around her. You’re being reckless, Nn.”


    A growl rumbled in my chest. “I said go.”


    We locked eyes for a long moment. Marco’s jaw flexed before he finally muttered, “Fine, but don’t expect me as your Beta to not tell you that this is ill advised.” He stalked off, weaving through the rows of guests with a scowl.


    The wedding music swelled. Jason stood tall at the front, looking like a proud peacock. Viki entered in her new gown. White silk clung to her thin frame, herplexion ghostly pale under heavy makeup. She trembled faintly with every step.


    ‘Pathetic,’ my wolf snorted. ‘He rejected his mate for this?’ I had to agree. Viki paled inparison to Talia’s beauty.


    Jason had done well to bring so many Alphas here despite the scandal. I’d give him that much. But arrogance only carried a man so far.


    Viki and Jason met and began their slow walk toward the stage. Whispers rippled through the crowd. Some admired the couple, others mocked Viki’s choice of dress, but no one voiced what I could already smell from here: the disgustingly sweet foul scenting from her.


    What was it?


    Jason’s voice carried as he began the ceremonial vows, but my attention shifted when Marco returned.


    “You’re not going to believe what I found,” he said. There was a glint in his eyes as he slid into the empty seat


    CHAPTER FIFTY ONE


    +25 Bonus


    beside me. Marco ced a small cloth pouch into my hand.


    The scent hit me instantly. It caused me to grimace and my wolf snarl within me.


    “Redbone Flower?” I muttered, narrowing my eyes.


    “Yes, and it is fresh. Someone must be growing it in Shadoww,” Marco responded.


    “This was in the lounge?” I asked.


    Marco nodded once. “Found it tucked behind a chair in the lounge. But you’ll never guess whose scent was all over the lounge.”


    “Talia?” I asked. It would make sense she would be as cunning and evil as her father.


    Marco shook her head. “No. The Luna-to-be today. Her blood had stained the floor.”


    My gaze flicked back to the stage. Viki’s trembling, her pale skin, and the sickly sweet perfume. It all made sense.


    “She’s faking her pregnancy,” I said under my breath.


    Marco nodded. “Do you want me to call her out now? End this farce in front of everyone?”


    I took another sip of wine, face impassive. “No. Jason still believes we’re allies. I won’t be the one to ruin his ceremony.”


    Marco scowled. “So what, we just let this slide?”


    “Not quite.” I leaned closer. “Take the pouch to Solon. Tell him it was found in Viki’s lounge. He won’t ignore it. And when he reacts, he’ll be responsible for destroying Jason’s big moment.


    Marco gave me a hard look. “You want to pit Solon against Jason. Make the Alpha King’s son the viin.”


    “Exactly,” I said simply and handed him back the pouch. Marco slipped away again, moving as though he were just another guest moving for a better view.


    Around me, the other Alphas cast wary nces my way as they saw Marco weaving through the rows to get to Solon. They rarely saw me at events like this, but my reputation followed me everywhere. Rumors said I was dangerous and unpredictable. I could read the fear in their eyes and the way they quickly looked away when I met their gaze.


    I snorted. They could have at least hid their fear better. They didn’t matter in the long run. I turned my attention back to the stage.


    Jason spoke with pride as he recited his vows to Viki. He had no idea the rug was about to be snatched from underneath him. It worked out for me. I needed to stoke the fire of hatred between Solon and Jason. They already had bad blood. This could be the catalyst I needed.


    The ceremony continued on stage. I couldn’t help but smirk, Jason was a fool. How could he allow himself to be duped into casting aside his mate for a fraud?


    ‘His loss, our gain,’ my wolf said. I wanted to argue with him, but I decided against it. My wolf still believed I was going to im Talia as my mate eventually no matter what I said.


    I shifted my attention to Marco as he finally reached Solon. Solon’s eyes flicked to the pouch, his brow furrowing as Marco murmured something in his ear. He untied the cloth, leaned forward slightly, and sniffed.


    I saw the shift from neutral expression to pure rage. Solon’s gaze cut toward the stage, then snapped back to the


    CHAPTER TIETY ONE


    pouch. Talia, however, did not react. She ced a calming hand on Solon’s arm.


    Did she already know about the Redbone Flower? Was that why she looked so distracted? 1


    “This is just getting more and more interesting,” I murmured.


    I knew one thing for certain was this ceremony would not end the way Jason expected.


    The show was just getting started.


    D


    Support


    Share


    +25 Bonus