Chapter 14
Chapter 14:
I pulled out my phone and opened my messages. I needed a tether—something to remind me I wasn’t entirely alone in this massive, empty estate.
I snapped a photo of my empty bedroom window frame and sent it to Kain.
Cleaned house. Literally.
The three typing dots appeared almost instantly. My heart gave a pathetic, hopeful flutter. Then his reply came through.
Good. I have a business dinner tonight. Won’t be home. Stay safe.
I stared at the glowing screen, the words blurring slightly. Won’t be home. The phrase felt like a cold needle slipping between my ribs—a stark, brutal reminder that this manor was not his home, and I was not his true Mate. I had won the battle for my den, but standing in the freezing morning air, I had never felt more like a stray.
Adelina POV
The profound loneliness of the morning bled seamlessly into the suffocating tension of the evening.
у𝘰𝘶𝗋 𝘯𝗲x𝘁 𝗳a𝗏𝘰𝗋і𝘵𝗲 𝘳𝗲𝖺d і𝗌 𝗼ո
The cavernous dining room of Wolfe Manor was dimly lit by a crystal chandelier that hadn’t been dusted in months. The aroma of roasted lamb should have been comforting, but it was entirely polluted by the scents rolling off the two people sitting across from me. Bryan Parrish reeked of sour greed and bruised ego, while my mother, Carolyn, emitted a sharp, faded floral scent laced with pure resentment.
I sat rigidly at the far end of the long mahogany table, carefully slicing my meat with the stainless-steel cutlery I had brought down from my suitcase. I refused to touch the Pack’s silver.
“So,” Bryan started, swirling his expensive red wine with feigned casualness. “This new Mate of yours. What Pack does he hail from? What is his surname p>
I kept my eyes on my plate. “His name is Kain p>
Carolyn let out a harsh, mocking scoff. “Don’t bother, Bryan. A nameless Rogue who can’t even provide a last name. He’s probably hiding from gambling debts. Did you really think marrying a stray would intimidate us, Adelina p>
I didn’t take the bait. Let them think Kain was a nobody. Their arrogance was their greatest weakness.
Bryan smiled thinly, setting his glass down. “Well, regardless of his pedigree, we must formally welcome him into the fold. I’ve arranged a private dinner this Friday at Le Coucou. An alliance dinner with the Vincent Pack p>
My knife paused.
Bryan continued, his eyes gleaming with calculated malice. “And you, Adelina, will bring your new husband. A show of Pack unity p>
My fork screeched violently against the porcelain plate. The blood drained from my face so fast the room spun.
“My Mate doesn’t do social events,” I choked out, my heart hammering against my ribs. I stood up, my chair scraping loudly against the hardwood floor. “We won’t be there p>
Bryan’s false smile vanished, replaced by the cold, hard authority of a usurper. “You will both be there, Adelina. Or I will petition the Pack Elders tomorrow morning for a full forensic audit of your sudden marriage. I can freeze your trust fund before noon p>