Chapter 46
(Zion’s POV)
It had been days since Lily slapped Lucien.
I still didn’t know what caused the sudden outburst between them, but it left a mark… not just on Lucien’s face, but in the atmosphere of the entire palace.
Things shifted, and though no one spoke directly about it, I could feel the tension every time Lily walked past Lucien like he was non–existent.
Her coldness wasn’t reserved for just him either. She looked at me the same way now, like we were both made from the same rotten piece of wood.
And maybe we were.
I had tried to keep myself occupied, but Zelda kept saying I looked like a mess. I caught my reflection in the mirror this morning and didn’t argue.
My usual well–kept hair had turned wild and unruly. The dark circles under my eyes betrayed how little I had slept, and the stubble on my jaw was no longer attractive.
I felt heavy, inside and out. Lily hadn’t spoken to me properly since forever, and Celeste’s constant presence wasn’t helping anything.
I was walking through the palace hall when I heard that high–pitched voice echo down the corridor.
Celeste was scolding one of the maids. “Can’t you do anything right? How dare you do my laundry like this?!”
I didn’t stop, I kept walking.
I had no interest in getting dragged into her drama. She always seemed to have something to complain about, and today, I didn’t have the patience..
When she saw me, she perked up like a flower to sunlight, immediately rushing toward me.
“Zion!” she called.
I didn’t stop walking. She tried to touch my arm, but I sidestepped. “Go away, Celeste,” I said bluntly.
Her smile fell, replaced by a wounded pout. “I’m just trying to help and…”
“Help by being quiet,” I muttered.
She flinched like I slapped her, but I didn’t care. Celeste had always loved me in her own clingy way, but I never loved her. I had accepted her company because it was expected of me; our parents were best friends after all, but it had never been more than convenience.
She deserved someone who would love her back.
I walked off before she could say anything else. As I turned the corner, the sound of busy feet and chatter filled the halls.
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Chapter 46
Decorations hung from the ceilings; lavender silk, golden lights, and a hundred blooming flowers arranged with precise elegance.
Zelda’s birthday party was tomorrow.
The entire palace buzzed with preparation. Maids bustled past carrying trays of silverware and crystal glasses. Some were arranging floral centerpieces, others hanging ribbons across the grand staircase.
It was going to be huge.
Everyone at school spoke about it. Alphas, Lunas from various packs, nobel vampires, and emissaries from the High Council were expected to attend. The palace would be filled with different species, each with their own reasons for being there.
My hands remained in my pockets as I observed everything. The work was coming together beautifully. It should have made me feel something.
Instead, all I could think about was her.
I found myself walking toward the Queen’s wing. My mother had been coordinating the event alongside Zelda, and of course Lily.
I reached the chamber door just as I heard voices from inside. I was about to knock when I paused.
“Are you sure you want to remove the intimate dance from the program?” That was the Queen’s voice, gentle and curious.
“Yes,” Lily answered firmly. “There’s no need for that anymore.
The Queen hesitated. “I thought you and Lucien… weren’t you two mates?”
Lily let out a small scoff. “No. We’re not. And as far as I’m concerned, I’m still single and hope one of the guests will end up being my mate.”
My heart slammed into my ribs.
Single? She hopes that she’ll have another mate? Someone who wasn’t me?
Her words rang in my ears like a war drum. There had been rare tales of people getting second chances when their fated mate rejected them.
Was Lily hoping that the Moon Goddess would give her another mate?
Pain gripped my chest like a claw.
No
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