CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FOURTEEN
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FOURTEEN
Talia’s POV
“What are you doing? Don’t call him over here!” I hissed at her.
“I’m helping you get over this awkwardness,” De responded with a grin. “I’ll prove that he likes you.”
“No, wait, De,” I started but the damage was done. The guards had already opened the gate to the rose garden to allow Nn in. He moved with his usual calm stride. He scanned the garden before focusing on us. I forced myself to look indifferent.
“Alpha Nn,” De greeted first.
“Good afternoon,” I greeted, trying to sound calm.
Nn didn’t take his eyes off me. I maintained his gaze. Right when I was starting to feel ufortable, he nodded and said, Princess. Miss De.”
”
De smiled. “No need to be so formal. I haven’t had the chance to thank you properly,” she said. “You saved Talia’s life. We all owe you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. I did what anyone in my position would have done,” Nn responded.
Hearing him say that again made me think aboutst night. He might as well have rejected me again. “You make it sound so simple,” I said softly.
Nn didn’t respond right away. I could’ve sworn he looked guilty for a moment. “I need to leave. The Alpha King requested my presence.”
“So you weren’t visiting?” De asked.
“No, I was only passing through,” Nn stated before walking away. He paused and looked back at me. “But it’s good to see you’re recovering.” Nn continued back toward the gate.
“Thank you,” I managed to say.
Nn didn’t turn around but raised his hand in goodbye.
I watched him leave. He was distant today. The warmth and care he briefly showed during my recovery was gone. I wonder if the mate bond affected me more than him.
“He’s acting strange today,” De said, bringing me out of my thoughts. “I guess that was one hell of a question you asked himst night.”
I nodded slightly. “Perhaps, He could just have a lot on his mind. Meeting my father does stress him out.” Deep down, I knew it was more than that. By forcing him to admit to the mate bond, I felt as if I pushed him further away.
Before I could dwell on it further, a familiar voice called out. “Talja!”
I turned and saw Jason approaching from the main path. I could hear De growling next to me. I gripped her wrist and shook my head.
“Fine,” she muttered. “If he does one thing, I mean one thing, I’m kicking his ass.”
“Alpha Jason,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
He stopped in front of me, his eyes sweeping over me. I resisted the urge to cringe. “I came to see how you’re recovering. You look much better,” Jason said.
“I’m fine,” I said. “And I heard you found Healer Leslie. Solon told me everything. Thank you for your help.”
He gave a self-satisfied smile. “Yes, I was the one who found her. I had hoped you’d hear it from me, though.”
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FOURTEEN
+25 Bonus
De crossed her arms and scoffed, “We’ve been busy keeping her alive. You’ll have to forgive us for not sending a thank-you note.”
Jason chuckled awkwardly. “I understand.” His tone shifted, bing more serious. “Actually, I didn’te just to check on you. There’s something important I need to tell you.”
“Oh, here we go,” De groaned.
I nced at De. “If it’s important, she can stay. I trust her.”
Jason hesitated before saying, “It might be better if we spoke alone.”
“No,” I said firmly. “Say it here.”
“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You need to be careful around Nn.”
“You’ve said things like this before. What is your reasoning this time?”
“Do you know why your wolf disappeared? It wasn’t an ident. Nn ordered Marco to take her from you,” Jason answered.
I stared at him, speechless. “That’s impossible. Nn wouldn’t do that.”
De moved between us, she pushed him back and away from me. “You’re absolutely disgusting, Jason! You’re such a liar! Nn saved her. We saw what he did.”
Jason red at her before turning his attention back on me. “I’m not lying. Nn told him to use the Nightveil herb on Talia to suppress her wolf. That’s how the rogues managed to take her.”
My heart raced. I shook my head slowly. “You’re twisting things. Nn risked his life for me. Why would he do that if he nned this?”
“Because he’s trying to cover his tracks. He knew saving you would clear suspicion. That’s what makes him dangerous,” Jason exined.
De took a step forward, ring. “That sounds like something YOU would do, not Nn.”
“Talia,” Jason said, ignoring De. “Listen to me. I once wanted to marry the princess because of duty. I wanted to unite Shadoww and Silverfang, but the truth is, that isn’t where my heart is. I care about you. I want to protect you from him.”
“You got to be kidding me?” De groaned, rubbing her temples.
“You deserve someone who values you, not someone who treats you like a tool,” Jason continued.
De scoffed, “That’s riching from you. If Viki hadn’t been a fake, you wouldn’t even be worrying about Talia right now. Why can’t you just leave her alone?”
“I’m telling the truth,” Jason said again. “I don’t care if you believe me, but Talia, please believe me.”
I shook my head. “No, you have lied so many times.”
“If you don’t believe me, ask Marco yourself. Ask him who told him to use the Nightveil herb on you. You’ll see I’m right,” Jason suggested.
I felt cold all over. Jason had that smug smile on his face. He only smiled like that if he knew he had the upper hand. Did Marco really poison me?
De ced a hand on my arm as if she knew what I was thinking. “Don’t listen to him. He’s trying to drive a wedge between you and Nn,” De reassured me. “He’s just a jealous asshole. Ignore him. Guards!”
“Think what you want, but I’m the only one telling you the truth.” Jason quickly turned and left before the guards came.