Chapter 14
“Ma’am, please… please hear me out. If I fail to bring you back, my post will be forfeit. From now on, Lord Adrian is not our Alpha anymore-he’s been removed from the council, and even his holdings have been taken by his grandsire.”
Selene froze, the crystal shard still pressed to her ear.
“What do you mean, cast out?” she whispered.
“Since Lord Adrian decided to wed your sister, all his rights are seized. We will offer you a place that suits you best in the Eastern Lands, my lady, so please don’t refuse.”
The link ended, and Selene stared at the shard in shock.
Walking into the great hall in the Eastern Territories, her heart thumped erratically as she approached the carved doors. Part of her dreaded seeing Adrian there. When she opened it, she found herself facing a tall, commanding wolf whose presence felt oddly familiar-black eyes that seemed to look straight through her. He beckoned her.
“Did you recognize me yet, Selene?” he asked.
She hesitated, studying him. Her eyes widened when she whispered, “Damien…”
Damien Blackthorn, her mate’s elder brother and a power in the clans, smiled gently at her. “We meet again, Selene Blackthorn.”
“Damien… how?” she breathed, remembering his kindness from that day, and finally accepting
that this male was indeed Adrian’s brother.
“Please call me Selene,” she added quickly. “I can’t afford to be a ‘Blackthorn’ anymore.” She shifted, trying to hide the bulge of her stomach with loose clothing.
“Selene, once a Blackthorn you will always be a Blackthorn. If you want to hide it, you must try harder than this.” Damien’s face shifted from professional detachment to concern as he noticed her pregnant belly. He removed his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. The room felt smaller under his presence.
“Does Adrian know?” she asked, clutching his arm in fear.
“No!” she whispered. “Please don’t tell him. He and Cassandra can go to any lengths to make me miserable. My children are my last hope; if I lose them I might as well die!”
“No… I will never let you die,” Damien whispered, his palm clutching hers in an oath of secrecy.
Later, Selene left. “Adrian!” Cassandra screamed, but the voice fell on deaf ears as the door slammed.
That night stretched long for both Adrian and Cassandra; Adrian refused to stay with Cassandra at the healer’s hall and left her alone overnight.
By morning Cassandra sat on the bed, eyes bloodshot from crying, while Adrian leaned against the wall, cold and indifferent. The healer entered with a sealed scroll.
“Lord Adrian, Lady Cassandra-here is the report.” The parchment was quietly placed in Cassandra’s hand, and the two were left alone.
Afraid Cassandra might fabricate something, Adrian snatched the scroll and tore it open. His face was void of warmth as he read the bloodline results.
Chapter 12
9:40 pm P
[Name: Adrian Blackthorn – Cassandra Rivers
Result: 99.98% Match]
“It’s mine,” Adrian muttered, laughing with miserable tears in his eyes as he realized he had no option but to proceed with the binding to Cassandra.
Cassandra’s eyes filled with hope; her body trembled with pain as she crawled toward Adrian. “See? Adrian, I-I really love you. I conceived a child for you when Selene could not for years-”
“Shut up! If you dare speak of my wife like that, don’t blame me for being ruthless. I’m taking you only for this child, so don’t get ahead of yourself!” Adrian snapped.
Cassandra pleaded, voice trembling. “Adrian… please don’t do this. We can move forward now that Selene is gone. We have a future-please. I am a victim too-”
“A victim?” Adrian barked. “Roaming in luxury chambers while Selene slept in a storage den through freezing winters-is that what you call a victim?” Cassandra froze, hands trembling.
“Do
you think I am a fool? When Selene first came to my house she didn’t have a decent robe because you-a complete fake-took her things and left her with rags! I was a fool to believe a heartless wolf like you saved me!” Adrian spat.
Cassandra shook her head, tears streaming. “You don’t understand. It’s not my fault-my brothers-no, Selene’s brothers forced me to do this, to drive her away from home.”
She reached for his hand, but Adrian pulled away roughly. “Tomorrow at the mating feast I will act like the perfect couple, but don’t mistake it for love.”
Suddenly the door slammed open as his grandfather stormed in, staff thudding on the floor. Adrian tried to force a smile but the old wolf’s gaze burned with rage.
“Grandfather?” Adrian said weakly.
Without a word, the elder raised his hand and struck Adrian across the face; the sound echoed.
Cassandra gasped, opening her mouth, but the next words were swallowed by fear when the grandfather stared at her with contempt and then turned back to Adrian.
“Is that true?” the old man spat, eyes blazing. “Did you make this female pregnant? You are already bound, you brat!”
“Not anymore,” a voice at the door said. All three in the room turned. “Adrian has already severed Selene and even invited her to his mating with his adopted sister…”
):41 pm PD
Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy DaisyNovel. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.