Chapter b83 /b

bChapter /bb33 /b

b“You/bb?/bb” /bOrik’s bvoice /bcracked with disbelief. b“/bbYou /bthink you’re the right one to seduce Caelb?/bb” /b

Co gave Mi a loving but worried nceb, /bgently sping her hand. “Sweetheart, I adore your confidence. But juggling bAlpha /bThorne and bnow /bCaelb? /bYou might burn yourself out.”

Mi flipped her hair, her chin lifted like a queen already addressing a loyal court. “This is about strategy, not feelings, mother. You said it yourself–without Cael’s support, bra /bbis /bnothing but ban /baverage she–wolf with an attitude”

She crossed her blegs /band leaned back like she bwas /balready bdraped /bin victory. “And let’s be honest, no one else is pretty enough to turn his head. Certainly not that ugly brute, bVessa/bb./bb” /b

Co chuckled and brushed Mi’s cheek. “Tell us your bn/b, darling.”

“Well,” Mi bit her lip bcoyly/bb. /b“He tried talking to me a few times back at Direstone Keep. He was polite, maybe too polite. But Vessa kept sticking herself between us like ba /bdamn shield. I’m convinced she has a crush on him.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Ruvan added, pouring himself more tea. “You’re not just any girl. You’re Mi bDiaz/b. bIf /byou want him, you take him.”

Mi smiled bsweetly/b. “Exactly.”

Orik leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. “And what if Cael wants… you know, more than just tea?”

Co’s cup paused mid–air. Ruvan looked up. Mi blinked once.

Orik shrugged. “What? It’s a fair question.”

“If that’s what it takes,” Mi said calmly, “then I’ll sleep with him.”

She didn’t even flinch. If anything, she looked smug.

Thorne was still her endgame. But if seducing Cael destroyed ra’s standing, she’d make the sacrifice.

Co reached out to tuck a strand of Mi’s golden hair behind her ear. “Just don’t let Thorne find out, darling. He’d never forgive you.”

“He won’t,” Mi said with a confident grin. “Cael will be mine before the week is over.”

Three days passed.

By the time I returned to the training grounds, my body had healed, but my mood hadn’t. I hated resting. Lying in bed while everyone else trained gnawed at my nerves. But even I had to admit–I needed the recovery.

Cael hovered like an overprotective hawk until I swore not to touch a de until the doctor approved it. So, here I was, back on the field, leading Ashfang Hollow Pack’s first session after our victory in the hunting challenge.

The reward? Full bess /bto thergest training arena.

bAs /bbI /bstepped toward the gates, bI /bcaught sight of someone slipping around the corner. The crisp air shifted, and I called out.

“Trissb!/bb” /b

She stopped abruptly and turned, her posture rigid. Even from a distance, I could see the bruising around her left eye. She looked like she hadn’t slept in bdays/b.

bChapter /bb33 /b

“Gamma rab,/bb” /bshe said softly, avoiding my gaze.

I walked up bto /bbher/b. “You alright?”

She nodded, but her body screamed otherwise.

b“/bAnd… thank you,” she mumbled. “For standing up for me.”

I didn’t bwaste /btime. “Did Garron ckmail you into taking the me?”

Triss hesitated–too long.

Then, she shook her head. “No. bIt /bwas my fault. I did it.”

Her voice was hollowb. /b

“Trissb, /bif he’s threatening you, I can-”

“Don’t talk to me again,” she whispered. “Gamma Garron doesn’t like it when I… when anyone talks to me.”

And she turned baway/b.

I didn’t stop her. Not yet. But something about the way her shoulders sagged told me the truth was still buried.

I walked back to the field and gathered my team. After a brief speech to boost morale, I paired everyone up forbat drills.

While monitoring the sparring pairs, I noticed Vessa ring into the distance. Her expression was thunderous.

Following her line of sight, I found Cael leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching silently. He wasn’t even smirking, which was rare for him.

I flicked Vessa’s forehead.

“Ow!” she yelped. “What the hell, ra?”

“No daydreaming about my brother during drills.”

She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

I paired with her for a few rounds, correcting her form and blocking her attacks. Her movements were stiff, distracted.

When we finally broke for water, I nudged her. “Alright. Spill it. What happened with Cael?”

She dumped cold water over her head before answering.

“He’s an asshole, that’s what. I asked him what we were, what we were doing… you know. And do you know what he said?”

“What?”

“That it’s physical. Nothing more. He said he needs to marry someone noble–like a Luna type. That we don’t have a futureb./bb” /b

My bjaw /bclenched.

b2/3 /b

“He said if I wasn’t okay bwith /bbthat/bb, /bwe should bstop/b.”

1 stared at her.

“I know, right?” bVessa /bbgrowled/b. “I’m doneb. /bSo doneb./bb” /b

She hurled the empty bottle into the dirt and bcrossed /bher arms.

“No offenseb,/bb” /bshe added bitterly, “but your brother bis /bba /bbfirst/b–ss dick.”

“No offense taken,” I muttered. “That was low. Even for him.”

I was about to say more when something bizarre caught my eye.

bA /btent.

Right on the edge of the training field, beyond the fencing, a group of servants had set up a pic barea /bplete with white linens, parasols, and fine porcin.

bVessa /bsaw it too.

“What the hell…b” /bshe breathed. “Are they… having a tea party? Out here?”

My eyes locked on the ringleader of the group.

Mi.

She was lounging like she belonged on a throne, fluttering her fan andughing at something one of the girls whispered. Her dress looked like it came straight out of a royal wardrobe.

“She’s here to make a scene,” I said tly.

Vessa snorted. “She’s about to get one.”

I watched as Mi turned her head slowly toward the field–and locked eyes with Cael.

She smiled. Sweet. Innocent. Weaponized.

I took a deep breath.

Let the games begin.