Chapter 200 200
Chapter 200 200
Auren POV
When I heard Novalie had been sacked from the diner for the crime of giving Lorien a Fae a free pie, I didn’t hesitate to approve her request to apprentice under the pack doctor. Teen or not, she had drive. While half the pack folded their arms and turned their noses up at Lorien, Novalie had tried to welcome her. She had a good heart and an impossible work ethic. We needed more people like that.
“Don’t touch me,” Lior snapped, stumbling back the moment Novalie reached for him. I moved faster, pulling Lorien to my side so Novalie alone could be there to catch Lior as he began to sway.
Rion shot me an eyebrow he knew exactly what I was doing. I shrugged, not bothering to hide it.
Lior had pined for Novalie until about a year ago, until his ego pushed him too far and he’d come off like a pompous prick. Ever since, he’d been sulky and sour. Maybe this was karmic payback for how crabby he’d made everyone feel for so long.
“Don’t be a big baby!” Novalie called, slipping into the space under Lior’s arm like she owned it. Her hand latched on to his wrist, the other arm looping around his waist to keep him upright.
“Auren Orlin! I taught you better than to speak to a woman that way!” Mother’s voice cut sharp. Color flamed across Lior’s cheeks half shame, half anger his pride betrayed him again in front of the woman he’d been hung up on for as long as I could remember. “Go with her now and be seen to. I will not tolerate another word of disrespect from you!”
Lorien buried her face against my chest to smother a laugh; I kissed the top of her head because she looked absurd and utterly endearing as Lior finally surrendered and let Novalie lead him out.
“This is going to be entertaining,” Rion said, springing to his feet, but Olyssia set a hand on his shoulder.
“Nope. I think this is one of those things he should do alone,” she said, and Rion rolled his eyes before collapsing back into his seat.
“Well, then I’m bored. What are we doing today?” Rion asked, scanning the room like a child hunting for mischief.
Mother ignored him and turned to Lorien, placing a warm hand on my mate’s arm in a small gesture that felt like acceptance the kind that seals someone into the family.
“We’re going to deal with Lysandra and Lucen,” Olyssia announced, shooting me a glare that smelled of irritation. “The guards have been complaining all night that she won’t shut up.”
She did the imitation lips pursed, hands flailing, hair flipping her voice climbing into a caricatured soprano. “Do you know who I am? I demand to see Auren right now! You have no right to keep me in a cell! This is all Lorien’s fault she’s turning Auren against us with her magic! I need water! You call this food!” Olyssia sighed theatrically and dropped the act. “I went down to hear for myself, thinking it couldn’t be that bad, and I almost ripped her tongue out just to make her stop.”
I groaned. This would be unpleasant. I’d warned Lysandra this morning she had a habit of weaponizing lies and I expected her to try to wound Lorien with them. Still, despite the strain it might put on my relationship, Lorien had to be there when I questioned Lysandra.
Presence would unnerve her. Heightened emotions and humiliation are two of the easiest levers to pry a captive open when negotiation fails. I intended to find out the truth by any means necessary; I only hoped I wouldn’t have to resort to violence with Lorien watching. If I could avoid that if Lysandra could be broken without crossing that line I would. But I wouldn’t stop until I’d stripped away every shred of their bullshit.