Chapter 0053
He flushed, and I smiled. I looked at Theodore whose eyes were wide as he stared at me. I cocked an eyebrow. Did he expect me to let Owen’s jabs slide? I wasn’t royal, but I was an alpha in my own right, and there was no way I was going to give him even an inch against me.
I knew the game all too well of where that would lead. Besides, Lycaon and St. Luna were the only reputable schools of thought about our mating instincts, including the mating drive as it was called. Neither of them had ever said anything that supported what he was saying.
“Theodore told me you aren’t actually close at all, so it’s interesting that you have such an interest in my relationship with Theodore.”
A flicker of annoyance crossed Owen’s face. “A good ruler should have a interest in significant changes in his noble class.”
“Are you speaking of Lucas or me?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You, of course. You seem less and less the type of woman Theodore would be fated for. Alpha Lucas always described you as a rather cold woman. You were hardly ever pictured doing more than holding hands with him.”
“She’s not-”
I scoffed. “I don’t need for you to speak for me, Theodore.” I narrowed my eyes at Owen. “And I cannot see how my disposition in a relationship is of any interest to you, given Theodore’s lack of interest in noble politics.”
Theodore pulled me close to him. The heat of his body, his breath on my neck, all of a sudden felt suffocating. Irritating. I had anticipated it. Theodore wasn’t the type to let go of a plan, even if it was shitty. It was disappointing in a very expected way, and more irritating than I had thought it would be.
“Darling, don’t you think that’s enough?”
I looked at him. “Is it? I-”
Theodore leaned closer, aiming his mouth for mine. I pulled away and shoved him back, growling at him.
“Knock it off. We talked about this-‘
“Violet-”
“No,” I said, pushing back. I glared at him. “I told you how I felt about all of this before we came. I have better things to do with my time than be a pawn in whatever game is going on here.” I jabbed a finger at him. “You have better things to do.” I pointed at Owen. “And he damn sure better have better things to do. I’m not going to deal with this, so either we carry on in absolute silence and go home having wasted our time or we go home now having wasted significantly less time. I don’t mind moving up my nail painting party with Helena by several
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0053
weeks.”
He blinked, yet there was no understanding in his eyes. I saw Owen and his mother flinch out of the corner of my eye. My plan was working.
“Violet-”
“I said no.”
Theodore shut his mouth, meeting my gaze. Something flickered in his eyes. He reached out to me, and I pulled my hand away.
“You’re blowing this out of proportion,” Theodore said. “He just-”
“Everyone knows you two aren’t close, so don’t try to bullshit me.‘
”
He shut his mouth. I tossed my napkin on the table beside my plate.
“With all due respect, my appetite was ruined before we even got here, but I have been trying to play nice and comply, but my sense of duty only goes so far. Can we skip the lead up?”
Theodore worked his jaw, and then Owen laughed. Theodore looked at him and I barely glanced at him, taking in the malicious glee in his eyes.
It was so much worse than I had expected. Owen sat back, grinning. My stomach churned with disgust as I met his gaze, taking in every reaction and flicker of emotion on his face. He was enjoying this. Part of me wondered if he had ever seen their father with Theodore’s mother. “You’re refreshing, Violet. Oddly perfect for Theodore, actually…. My concerns about your bond are not without reason. And even though you are a Donovan, I have no need to share my reasons with you.” He gestured vaguely. “Since you seem to be so invested in doing away with the charade, there is a way to verify your connection, a method used by witches for centuries. The Moonstone.”
He paused, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. “If you truly are fated, the stone will glow, but if not, consider your claim to Darkmoon forfeited.”
