CHAPTER FIFTY THREE


    CHAPTER FIFTY THREE


    Talia’s POV


    +25 Bonus


    Two guards took hold of Viki by her arms and dragged her away from the stage. She struggled before giving up. Her heels scraped the floor, and her hair hung loose, now out of its borate updo. Her tears streaked her makeup into dark smudges, revealing her pale skin and dark circles under her eyes.


    I felt sorry for Viki. She was so close to getting what she wanted. My wolf huffed, ‘She’s getting what she deserves. Don’t forget she threatened to kill us.’ I hadn’t forgotten and it didn’t make me feel any less sorry for her.


    When Viki reached the aisle where I stood, her head whipped toward me. “This is all your fault!” she hissed, her voice now hoarse from screaming. “You promised me! You swore you’d let me have this! You’ll pay for this, Talia!” T


    I wanted to argue, to defend myself, but it wouldn’t matter. Viki wouldn’t believe me. There was nothing to say, nothing I would give her in return that would make this situation right for her. So, I stayed quiet, my gaze t as she was dragged past me, her sobs fading in the distance.


    From the opposite side of the hall, Nn rose from his seat. He looked at the watch on his wrist before saying, ” Well, since this ceremony is cancelled, I have other matters to attend to.” Without another nce at Jason, he turned and left the hall. Marco followed right after him.


    The remaining Alphas exchanged nces. Some with faint smirks while others had visible disdain. One of them stood, straightening his jacket.


    “I think I’ve seen enough,” he said curtly. “I’ll follow Alpha Nn’s lead.” Nn and the Alpha seemed to have a ripple effect as more Alphas got up to leave.


    One by one guests rose from their seats and followed their Alphas out. They offered no farewells, no empty pleasantries. This was an embarrassment on a grand scale. There was no fun in gossiping about this.


    “Wait, there’s still food and…”


    Jason’s attempt to keep them from leaving was on deaf ears. I noticed Michael, his father, was barely containing his rage. As soon as everyone left, Jason would be feeling the brunt of his rage for this disaster of a luna ceremony. Michael met my gaze, and I could see hatred within his eyes. My wolf bristled, ‘I think it is time to leave.’


    ‘I am not afraid of him,’ I responded. I was no longer the she-wolf that shrank under his gaze. Michael could torment Jason, but I wouldn’t allow him to torment me again.


    ‘No, but we don’t need to cause any more scandals tonight,’ my wolf warned, and she was right. There would be repercussions for this due to Michael being a very vindictive man. I turned away and left the aisle.


    “Talia, are you leaving too?” Jason asked.


    Solon stepped forward to stand beside me. “Why are you still concerned with Talia’s whereabouts? Are you not upset about your fiancé? Your father just sentenced her to death.”


    Jason frowned. “She deceived me. She is no longer my fiancé.”


    Solon’s brow furrowed. “That’s a little harsh even for you, Jason. Did you truly not know she was taking the Redbone Flower?”


    “Honestly, I sensed something was wrong with her. I thought she was stressed or having a stressful pregnancy, but I didn’t think she would go so far as to fake a pregnancy. I would never have continued with the ceremony if I


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    had known,” Jason replied.


    “So, that’s it. You’re not going to speak for her?” I questioned.


    Jason exhaled sharply and red at the doors where Viki had been taken. “She deserved it.”


    I kept my expression neutral, but I didn’t believe Jason. He was too calm, too rational. Jason should have been inplete rage right now unless his love for Viki wasn’t real.


    I recalled thest time Jason apologized to me. His words had felt empty and rehearsed, and again his words right now felt as empty as they did before. Except this time, I didn’t care whether he was telling the truth or not.


    I turned toward Solon. “Let’s go.”


    Solon nodded and began leading me to the exit. Before we reached the exit, Jason moved quickly to block our path. I felt Solon tense.


    “I’m getting sick of this,” Solon muttered only low enough for me to hear.


    “Jason, is there anything else?” I asked.


    “Talia, wait. I need you to believe me this time. I didn’t know,” Jason pleaded.


    I met his gaze. “Whether you’re telling the truth or not doesn’t matter to me anymore. That is between you and Viki.”


    “Talia, please just listen.”


    “No, I have listened enough, Jason. I need you to understand that we’re done. We are no longer mates, and we will never be mates again.”


    For a moment, something like pain flickered in his eyes, but I stepped around him before he could speak again. Solon quickly escorted me to his Rolls Royce and we both got in before Jason could beg me to stay again.


    As we were pulling out of the parking lot, I finally asked, “How did you know about the Redbone Flower?”


    “Because Marco gave me the pouch,” Solon answered. “He asked me to stop the wedding.”


    I stopped short, my mind racing. “Marco? Nn’s Beta?”


    “Yes. He found it in Viki’s lounge and said it would be bettering from me,” Solon exined.


    I frowned. “Better for who? Certainly not for Jason.”


    Solon raised an eyebrow. “Wait, don’t tell me, you wanted me to wait until Jason was bound to Viki where it would have almost been impossible for him to break the mate bond with her. That’s vicious, little sister.”


    I shook my head. “No, that’s not what I meant.”


    I had so many questions. Why would Nn care enough to interfere on Jason’s behalf? Nn was not a man who acted out ofpassion. Everything he did was for a reason.


    So, what game was he ying? 13