Chapter 17
1096 Words
Chapter 17
LUCAS
I stared at my phone in disbelief, my hand tightened around the device as the dial tone buzzed, sounding like it was mocking me.
Miranda Ashworth had just hung up on me. Actually hung up on me, as if I were some insignificant pack member rather than the heir to one of the most powerful supernatural families in North America.
Running my free hand through my hair as I tried taking deep breath to steady myself from blowing up, but it was barely working as I felt frustration building in my chest like a brewing storm.
I knew better than to cross Miranda, especially when the alliance between her family and Kieran's was so crucial for both our packs and it would be f*****g stupid of me to lose such a huge goldmine like this, because she was acting up, feeling that her position might be threatened.
The Ashworth resources and political connections had played a huge significant purpose, in maintaining and keeping the delicate balance of power that kept our territories secure.
But that didn't make her dismissive attitude towards me any less infuriating.
"What happened?" Seraphina's voice cut through my internal cursing, and I looked up to see her pacing around the medical suite like she was someone who had been caged against her will.
She'd been released from bed rest that morning, much to everyone's relief, but the restless energy radiating from her told me she was far from recovered emotionally.
"What did he say?"
I glanced over at Lionel, who was sprawled comfortably on the leather couch near the window, completely absorbed in his phone game. Candy Crush, if the colorful explosions on his screen were any indication. Even in the middle of a family crisis, my twin brother maintained his infuriating ability to appear completely unbothered by the chaos swirling around us.
"That's the problem," I said, pocketing my phone with more force than necessary as I continued speaking.
"Kieran didn't say anything. Miranda grabbed the phone before he could respond and told me he didn't need to be bothered with 'useless information about our family drama.' Then she hung up on me."
Seraphina stopped pacing abruptly, her silver-blue eyes flashing with anger that uncomfortably reminded me of our father when he was being ruthless to someone who had crossed a line they shouldn't have.
"She what?" The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as my sister's voice took on the quiet anger, that made grown Alphas back down during her teenage years.
"You heard me correctly," I said, sinking into the chair beside Lionel's couch. "Miranda Ashworth just dismissed your condition like you were some stranger, not the woman Kieran nearly started a war to save three days ago."
Lionel finally looked up from his game, raising an eyebrow at the tension crackling between Seraphina and me.
"Well, this should be interesting," he murmured, but there was steel beneath his casual tone. Despite his laid-back demeanor, Lionel was fiercely protective of our family, and Miranda's disrespect wouldn't sit well with him either.
Seraphina resumed her pacing, getting more agitated with each step that she took. I could practically see the wheels turning in her head, as she processed this new information and was deciding how to respond.
"I need to talk to Kieran," she said finally looking at me.
"And I need to do it soon, before that manipulative b***h convinces him that staying away from me is the noble thing to do."
"Sera—" I started, but she cut me off with a sharp gesture.
"Don't," she warned, spinning to face me with fire in her eyes.
"Don't tell me to be reasonable or to consider the political implications. I've spent five years being reasonable, Lucas. Five years trying to be someone I'm not, married to a man who drugged me and tried to force a marking. I'm done being reasonable."
Before I could respond, the soft murmur of the television in the corner caught my attention.
We'd had it on low volume all morning, mainly for background noise, but something about the urgent tone of the news anchor made me reach for the remote.
"Turn that up," I said, increasing the volume as images flashed across the screen.
"...confirming reports that Lycan King Kieran Nightshade and his fiancée, Miranda Ashworth, shared accommodations last night at the prestigious Ritz-Carlton in Chicago..."
The bottom dropped out of my stomach as photographs appeared on screen—intimate shots that made my jaw clench with protective fury.
Miranda in a short white gown that left little to the imagination, her body draped across Kieran's bare chest.
Their hands and legs were tangled together on the bedsheet, looking like they had some s*x, and gotten freaky last night. There was also an opened bottle of whiskey sitting on the bedside table.
Lionel whistled loudly from his position on the couch, his game forgotten as he stared at the screen.
"Well, damn. Miranda certainly doesn't waste time, does she?"
The news anchor continued speaking over the images, their voice trying to sound neutral, but clearly excited by the scandal.
"Sources close to the couple suggest that despite recent complications involving the king's former fiancée, Seraphina Blackwood, the royal wedding will proceed as planned. The formal announcement is expected within the week..."
I watched my sister's face as she absorbed the images, seeing her expression shift from anger to pain, as she clenched her fists.
"That calculating b***h," she said gritting her teeth.
"She's making sure everyone knows she's staked her claim."
"Sera, you need to think about this logically," I said, though I knew it was probably useless.
"Those pictures... they're strategic. Miranda is trying to smooth over the damage to their public image, especially after Kieran's rescue mission made it look like he was still hung up on you."
She turned on me with enough force to make Lionel look up from his phone again. "Are you seriously defending her right now?"
"I'm not defending anyone," I said quickly, raising my hands in a placating gesture. "I'm trying to help you understand what you're up against. Miranda Ashworth has spent years positioning herself as the perfect Luna, and she's not going to give that up without a fight. Those pictures? They're her opening salvo."
Seraphina moved to stand directly in front of the television, studying the images with an intense focus.
"She's good," she admitted grudgingly. "I'll give her that. But she's also terrified, or she wouldn't have felt the need to stage something this obvious."
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