Chapter 43: Night Owl
Cer 43: Night Ow!
The soft crash of waves outside the mansion provided the perfect background melody after the conflict at the Council gathering. I’d eaten more than
Twarlier thanks to Roman and Aiden’s insistence
The shrill but of my phone echoed through the quiet room. I groaned as a quick glance revealed her name lit up on the screen. Of course, Sophie
wouldn’t let a day pass without trying to get under my skin.
“Whatever this is, make it quick” I answered, my tone a mix of boredom and irritation. “I have better things to do than listen to you drone on
ice came sharp and mocking “Well, aren’t we high and mighty tonight? Still licking your wounds from the Council? Or has the reality of Alexander athvandoning you finally sunk in?”
I leaned back into the plush chair with a smirk, her attempt to provoke me only amusing. “Abandoning me?” I repeated, drawing the words out as though they were foreign to the “You do realize I publicly rejected Alexander, don’t you? Or are you so delusional you’ve convinced yourself otherwise?”
Scches
hardened immediately. Rejected him? Please. You can tell yourself whatever you want, but everyone can see the truth. Alexander’s
one with you–he’s finally chosen Grace. Meanwhile, you’re left with nothing. Not even your pride.”
laughed coldly Sophie’s venom barely fazed me. It was almost entertaining watching her twist the situation into something she could stomach.
Done with net echoed mockingly. “That implies there was ever anything for him to be done with Let me make this perfectly clear, Sophie. Alexander
trach. And trash? I throw away. End of story”
I could practically hear her seething on the other end. “You’re unbelievable,” she hissed. “You act like you’re better than everyone else, but look at you.
alone. You gave up your only chance at becoming anything important, and now you’re left with-”
care me the monologue,” I interrupted, my tone sharp and cutting. “Or better yet, save it for someone who cares. Because it sure as hell isn’t me.”
“On, but you will care” Sophie snapped. “You think you’re untouchable, sitting up there on your high horse, but newsflash–you’ve lost everything that
red. Meanwhile, Alexander hadn’t wasted a moment. He’s working around the clock to secure that beachfront mansion for Grace. It’s only a matter
fore she’s living her best life, while you rot in whatever hole you crawled into.”
Her words were so ridiculous I couldn’t contain myself. A genuine laugh burst from my throat, loud and sharp. “Alexander? Negotiating? For the
mansion i repeated, the amusement clear in my tone. That’s adorable. Really. When he actually manages to acquire it–which we both know he won’t-
maybe you can give me a call. Until then, don’t waste my time.”
think you’re so clever Sophie snarled, but her voice cracked slightly, betraying the frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
She was flailing, and I had no interest in humoring her further. With a satisfied smirk, I hung up, letting the call end abruptly. Whatever pathetic comeback she’d prepared would have to wat
e urgency in her mental touch
Barely moments later, Emma’s familiar voice pressed gently against the edges of my mind through our private bond. The u told me she wasn’t interrupting without reason
- assume you’ve heard about Alexander’s latest trade? Emma’s voice resonated with palpable annoyance as she initiated the connection.
The heard enough?” I replied without hesitation, already anticipating what was coming next. He’s desperate. Grace has him right where she wants
Emma sighed deeply her frustration evident. “She’s playing him like a damn fiddle Scarlett, it’s disgusting to watch. She’s using her deteriorating state to whip him into a frenzy He’s lost all sense trying to make this mansion thing work, using her supposed last wish as an excuse.”
leaned back further into the char, casually twisting a strand of hair around my finger “Grace is good at this game.” I said thoughtfully. “Pitiful doe eyed maden, fragile and dying, in need of her mate’s every ounce of devotion. It’s her most effective trick”
“And Alexander’s falling for it,” Emma shot back, her voice filed with disdain. “Honestly, Scarlett, it’s pathetic. He’s not even running the Northern tertones anymore–Grace is Every decision he makes in hers in disguise”
“And?” I asked dryly “Grace can have him. Let her chain him up with her sob stories, for all I care. It’s almost entertaining, in a sad sort of way”
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er voice caring uncertainty don’t understand why you so calm about the
figure out
skiption came through clear’s “How can you be so sure about that? Scarlett, they putting all er efforts into finding whoever own
There was silence agar thick
ons she was too unsure to voice. I decided to and her suspense
Her gas was audible even through the mental bond “What
“The mansion” continued smoothly. Try mine. Roman acoured it for me years ago. Its been mine from the moment
keep chasing it but they never touch it. Not Alexander. Not Grace. No one
the Them Pack. They
velation had left her speechless, and I couldn’t help but my thes
For a long moment, Emne said nothing. The sheer y
flowed. When the frally spoke her tone was a max of self and awe
“You you’ve known this entire time?
I smiled, though she couldn’t see it. “Of course I have. Why do you think I’ve been so urbothe
s been more artertaining than ❘ eorded”
Emma’s voice softened, her intial shock fading into quiet understanding “You’re cruel sometimes”
her efforts? Watching them spin ther
sad, though there was a herd of a
“And unapologetically so” I replied, the satisfaction in my words undenable
wasn’t long after my conversation with Emma that Roman entered the room his presence shifting the atmosphere immediately. Even after years
apart, his amal still commanded the
His hair was damp from a recent shower, and the faint scent of soap and something uniquely him lingered in the at His piercing blue eyes found me
instantly, scanning me with that protective intensity I was still trying to get used to.
“You’re still awake?” he asked after a long moment, his voice cam but edged with intimation’s late You should be resting”
I shruggedly gesturing toward the untouched cup of tea den had learer “What any manight owl replied casually
Roman’s eyes narrowed as he approached, his gaze landing on the cup. “You didn’t drink (e.”
“t’s tea, Roman” I said, rolling my eyes. 1 wasn’t in the mood. Don’t act like
He didn’t respond right away but the tension in his shoulders was telling. Without a word, he turned toward the door and called for Hunter hoce
Hunter appeared moments later, looking mildly imitated. “What’s the emergency now?”
“Moonflower tea” Roman commanded, his tonebrooking no argument
Hunter sighed dramatically but disappeared to full the order
When he returned, he cared a steaming cup of moonflower tea, the soothing aroma watting through the room. Roman took the cup and handed it to
me his expression leaving no room for refusal
“Drink,” he said simply
I sighed but obeyed, bringing the warm cup to my lips. The tension in my chest eased almost immediately the tea’s calming properties working mage
the
As I drank, Romanis features softened, his icy exterior melting just a fraction. His satisfaction was subtle, but it was there a quiet reassurance that, no matter how strong I thought I was. I wasn’t alone.
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