Chapter 24 - Jealousy unleashed
1882 Words
A knock on the door startled Chloe and she sprang up from the bed, ready to meet whoever it would be… Sincerely, she hoped it wouldn’t be Iron Praetor again. She felt so lost and vulnerable without her phone, and no one from her pack to mindlink to.
"Come in," she called, keeping her hands hidden behind her back with her claws extended. One could never be too careful...
However, the door swung open, and in walked Cassiopeia, looking stunning in a vibrant purple dress that hugged her figure gracefully. As her gaze fell upon the flowers in Chloe's room, a sudden rush of color swept across her cheeks, causing them to glow with a flush that traveled all the way down to her throat, looking like she was having an allergic reaction.
"Hello, cousin," she sneered as she walked over to the rack of dresses, her blue eyes glaring with fury. "Looks like you're settling in quite nicely."
"I didn't ask for any of this," Chloe gestured towards the flowers adorning every corner of the room. "If I had known, I probably wouldn't have come."
Cassiopeia stopped in front of Chloe, eyeing her up and down. "And this is what you're going to wear? Apparently, white is your color. What are you aiming for, looking like Snow White?"
"All I want is to see my friends and call my mother," Chloe said calmly. "Could you lend me a phone?" She was pretty unfazed by her cousin’s attitude. She had seen envy many times enough to know there was no point in going into debate.
“Don’t you have one of your own?” Cassiopeia looked taken aback momentarily, losing her sour attitude.
“It’s gone,” Chloe held out her hands and shrugged. “It went missing after I went to see your father.”
"I don't have mine with me," Cassiopeia said, eyeing her suspiciously. "But I'm sure we can arrange a new phone for you if that's what you want."
“I kind of would prefer to get my own back,” Chloe smiled wryly. “I have my whole life in it.”
"You've probably forgotten it in the car," Cassiopeia shrugged. "Anyhow, it's time to go. My father has invited Iron to dinner to have a look at you."
"Oh, he already has," Chloe hissed. Cassiopeia spun around, looking at her with venom in her eyes.
"He has, hasn't he," she spat. "I guess you've already wrapped him around your little finger, you slut."
Oh s**t! Chloe had forgotten that Cassiopeia was in love with Iron. She needed to be more careful with her words. "No, we're no match in heaven," she crossed her arms over her chest. "You can have him."
Cassiopeia gave her a cold stare before turning around and walking away. "Come," she said through clenched teeth. "We don't have time for this."
Chloe sighed. This just got worse and worse… What was wrong with these people? Her cousin was so young, yet already so bitter.
After taking several turns and staircases through the castle, Cassiopeia obviously knowing her way around but Chloe still being terribly confused, they finally arrived at two large doors that stood open, revealing a large dining room with a long table. Chloe could hear the murmur of people talking, relieved when she recognized Marcus’ and Freya’s voices. Finally! She would go to them immediately and tell them they had to go home.
However, just before laying her eyes on them, the sound of Freya's delightful giggle reached her ears. To her utter surprise, as she stepped into the room, there stood Freya, clinging to the arm of none other than the very same young man Chloe had crossed paths with a few hours ago. Freya was gazing at him with eyes filled with adoration, evidently amused by something he had said. What astounded Chloe even more was that Marcus appeared equally entertained? They were standing amidst a small cluster of other young men and women, all seemingly having a very good time. It was a scene she never anticipated, catching her completely off guard.
Chloe just stopped and stared, taking in the vibrant atmosphere. The room was vivid with people dressed as if they were attending a formal event, and Chloe realized this was not some small family dinner… But it didn’t matter. She had to go tell Marcus and Freya immediately that they needed to leave first thing in the morning. She knew her relatives wouldn’t appreciate her causing a scene here, but it couldn’t be helped.
As she was about to make her way towards them, her uncle materialized out of nowhere, his arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture. "Cassie! And Chloe," he exclaimed with evident delight. "We've been waiting for you to join us." A broad smile adorned his face, but Chloe couldn't help but regard him with suspicion. Why did he suddenly behave so differently?
Chloe's attention was drawn to her grandmother, comfortably settled at the expansive dinner table, offering her a nod of approval. Just as she entered the room, Freya's eyes lit up at the sight of her and she dashed over with excitement.
"Chloe! Wow, look at you, you look amazing!” Freya exclaimed, enveloping her in a warm embrace before taking a step back to admire her. Freya herself had changed as well, wearing a sleek black dress with a daring high slit. "I had no idea you had this dress tucked away in your wardrobe!" she remarked when she eyed Chloe's white dress.
“I didn’t,” Chloe replied stiffly. “My grandmother chose this for me.” Why was Freya so cheerful? Didn’t she notice the strange vibe these people had?
“Great taste,” Freya smiled. “Come and say hello to Mister Praetor! He’s hilarious,” she giggled, before she continued with a whisper. “And he's smoking hot! I think I’ve found my Northern wolf,” she winked at Chloe as she dragged her along.
Oh Goddess, no! Chloe felt her heart sinking as she saw Freya take the Northern wolf by the arm, flirtatiously touching his shoulder. Freya was obviously ignorant of the games these families were playing, not knowing she wasn’t part of their game!
He looked at Freya with an amused expression on his face before he shifted his gaze to Chloe, who shuddered as she met those steel-blue eyes again.
“We’ve already met,” Chloe muttered.
“Indeed, we have,” he grinned at her. “But I’m pleased to meet you again.”
From the corner of her eye, Chloe saw Cassiopeia giving them a suspicious glance before she suddenly lounged at Marcus and wrapped him up in her arms. “Marcus Borg!” Cassiopeia's voice was sweet as honey as she gave him a suggestive smile. “I’m so happy to see you here back up North.”
Chloe noticed how the young Praetor by Freya’s arm tensed up as Cassiopeia cooed with Marcus. So much for not being interested in her! He obviously cared a little… Which was a good thing. Maybe, she could just seam these two up together and get rid of all her troubles?
Freya, seemingly ignorant of the increasing tension in the room, continued the introduction. “Theodor here is one of the amazing ice artists that has created some of the ice sculptures outdoors,” Freya beamed as one young man with brown hair and blue eyes took Chloe’s hand, bowing deeply while kissing her hand.
“Well, they are nothing compared with the pieces of art that adore this room,” he grinned.
“Oh?” Chloe looked around, noticing a few art objects that really weren’t that impressive.
“He means the pretty ladies,” another girl with strawberry blonde hair rolled her eyes. “So cheeky! But hello, I’m Sophie. I’m Cassie’s best friend.”
“Nice to meet you,” Chloe smiled genuinely. Finally, someone who behaved like a normal person! Cassiopeia, on the other hand, was still shamelessly flirting with Marcus, and Chloe couldn’t help but feel a little pang of jealousy. Marcus didn’t seem to mind Cassiopeia’s advances. On the contrary…
“Cassie,” Marcus laughed. “You’ve grown up to become a fine lady, I must say!”
“Well, thank you, Marcus,” Cassiopeia beamed. “And you’re even more handsome than I remembered,” she playfully fiddled with the top buttons of his shirt before she stood up on her toes, whispering something in his ear that made him laugh again.
“Seriously?” Chloe’s wolf scoffed with jealousy.
Absentmindedly, Chloe accepted a flute with bubbly champagne from a silver tray carried by an omega when a tall figure hovered beside her. Thinking it was her uncle, she turned towards him. “Uncle, I would like to ask you to…” her voice trailed off as she looked straight into a pair of sparkling silver eyes, belonging to a very tall and handsome man, with a strong jaw and broad shoulders.
“Hello there,” he gave her a wry smile. “I don’t think we’ve met… You must be Chloe.”
Chloe swallowed. Goddess, he was handsome! And very, very tall. And no… they had definitely not met before. She tried to come up with some clever reply, but her mind was blank.
“I hope you enjoyed the flowers,” he chuckled, noticing her bewilderment.
“Uhmm… I’m sorry, I…” Chloe was confused, her gaze jumping between the man in front of her and the man by Freya’s side.
“Iron!” her uncle called out cheerfully as he approached them with large strides. “You made it!”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” the man in front of her smiled. “But I should probably introduce myself. I’m Iron Praetor. Welcome to the North.” Taking Chloe's hand in his, he lifted it up to his lips, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“But…” Chloe tried to refocus. If this was Iron Praetor, who was the man with Freya on his arm?
Iron followed her gaze, noticing her confused stare.
“Did you think I was him?” he raised his brows with a wry smile. “I’m offended!”
While Argen urged them to take their seats at the table, Iron took her under the arm, guiding her to the other side of the room where he pulled out a chair for her. “That other one is my brother. Arnulf,” he leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “Stay away from him... He always wants to have what is mine.”
“Yours?” Chloe couldn't help but gasp at his daring remark. Just as she was starting to think that the older of the Praetor brothers was at least a little decent, he proved himself to be just another self-righteous prick.
“Yes,” he stopped in his tracks, towering over her. With a soft hand, he caressed her cheek, his eyes lingering on her lips. “Mine…” he smiled.
A sudden growl at the other side of the table made them both look up in surprise, only to see Marcus glaring, his eyes shooting daggers at Iron.
- Writer
