CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY


    +25 Bonus


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY


    Talia’s POV


    I hadn’t expected Nn to step forward.


    For a moment, I thought he might stop halfway, but he didn’t. De, once again, had been right. I didn’t know what Nn was thinking, but it was starting to look like he had no intention of rejecting me.


    My father’s posture stiffened beside me. Solon’s expression was more telling. His eyes narrowed in silent warning. Both men kept theirposure, but I could feel their disapproval as clearly as if they had spoken it aloud.


    “So be it,” my father said.


    “Thank you, your majesty,” Nn replied with a smile.


    My father didn’t respond to Nn and addressed the remaining Alphas. “You may enjoy your time here in Silverfang, but please leave after nightfall. May the Moon Goddess forever bless your path.”


    The hall slowly emptied. I knew this would be all over the tabloids today. Three of the strongest Alphas were vying for my affection. I should have felt excited, but all I felt was anxiety. I stepped off the stage and began walking towards the exit when a


    voice called out behind me.


    “Talia, you could have told me,” Jason said.


    I looked at him, surprised by his boldness. Was he really going to get into an argument with me in front of my father and Solon? His boldness always bordered on recklessness.


    “About what?” I asked, feigning ignorance.


    Jason’s eye twitched and his face became flushed. He took a calming breath before saying, “That you were the Silverfang princess. You lied to me.”


    “I had nned to tell you,” I responded. “But you made it clear that you didn’t need to hear anything from me when you chose to betray the mate bond by cheating on me.”


    The color drained from his face. Michael stepped forward and said, “Jason was deceived. I understand that is no excuse, but I have punished him on your behalf. I assure you, Princess Talia, he deeply regrets his mistakes.


    Disgust rose in my chest. His attempt at diplomacy made my skin crawl. “Deceived?” I said, keeping my voice level. “He wasn’t drugged when he slept with Viki, knowing it would cause me pain. He was fully aware when he humiliated me and allowed Viki to humiliate me multiple times.”


    Before Michael could reply, my father interrupted. “The past is finished,” he said coldly. “If Jason intends to court my daughter now, he will do so with respect. It will be up to my daughter to decide whether he has another chance to be her mate again.”


    “Then I’d like to request time alone with her. As part of my Hunting Rite reward, I’m owed a personal favor,” Jason requested.


    “That reward was not meant for this purpose,” Father said.


    “It’s still mine, Your Majesty,” Jason said firmly.


    My father weighed his response carefully. He was worried about how it might look if he refused, Jason and Michael would surely tell anyone who would listen that he was biased, which would cause unnecessary problems for him and Silverfang.


    Before he could speak, I said, “I agree.”


    All eyes turned toward me.


    “Talia, you don’t have to agree to that,” Solon stated.


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & FORTY


    +25 Bonus


    “There’s no harm in conversation,” I responded. My father’s mouth thinned into a line, but he nodded once. Solon exhaled audibly beside him. Nn’s expression darkened.


    “I am so d that you are reasonable, Princess. I…” Michael started.


    “Don’t push your luck. If you keep talking, I will change my mind,” I warned.


    Michael nodded, bowed, and left. Colin maintained his calm expression. He gave a polite smile, bowed, and quietly excused himself. Nn gave a quick re at Jason before he left as well.


    Solon pulled me over to him and whispered, “You don’t have to do this.”


    “I know,” I said.


    “Then why agree?”


    “Because Father would rather not appear partial in front of the other Alphas,” I replied. “Jason and Michael would cause a scene if I didn’t agree.”


    “Then, I will chaperone this lunch,” Solon suggested.


    “No.”


    “No?” Solon frowned. “You’re sending me away?”


    “You need to find Leslie and check on her,” I reminded him.


    Solon paled. With everything happening with me, it seemed as if he had forgotten that we all found out that Leslie was his mate. He hesitated before saying, “I would rather not.”


    “Well, you don’t have a choice. Go. Find her. Sort it out,” I told him. “Or would you want another male to im her?”


    Solon sighed, defeated but unwilling to argue in front of our father. “Fine, but you will keep guards with you.”


    “Of course,” I said.


    Solon bowed to our father and left the hall. When he passed Nn, they exchanged a brief, tense look before they both left the hall together. I only hoped Solon would go to find Leslie and not pick a fight with Nn.


    “I will leave you under the care of the guards,” Father said and I nodded. He squeezed my hand before leaving as well.


    The moment we were alone, Jason’s confidence returned. He had that smug smile on his face that I hade to hate. I resisted the urge to grimace and stared nkly at him.


    “So,” he said lightly, “since you’ve agreed, how about lunch? It’s been a long day, and I’d rather not spend itpeting for your attention in front of everyone else.”


    I studied him carefully. “Lunch?” I repeated.


    “Yes. Just a meal,” he said quickly. “I only want an honest conversation.”


    Honesty. The word sounded strangeing from him. All he knew how to do was lie and twist the truth to benefit himself.


    “Fine,” I agreed. “Let’s have lunch.”


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