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Chapter 12

ELIZA’S POV The early morning sun cast long shadows across the palace courtyard as I walked out of the building, purse in hand and a proud look on my face. I had a pep in my step as I walked down those steps, my heart high that I had gotten what I wanted from the meeting with the king. It wasn’t everything I wanted but it was a step in the right direction. My morning was going great but just as the universe always reminds me, there’s always evil lurking around. A notion that was made evident by the voice that reached my ears. "Leaving so soon, little mutt?" Derek’s mundane voice scraped against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I didn’t need to turn around to picture the smirk on his face or the way that Maya would be clinging to his arm like a designer accessory even though they had just received the shock of their life. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, her hackles raised in apprehension. “Tear them limb from limb. Let’s show them what we’re capable of Eliza.” She said to me, her growl becoming even more evident. I don’t say a word to her, choosing to still not cause a scene after all the bad things that they had done to me. "I heard the homeless shelter downtown has vacancies," Maya's voice dripped with false concern as she spoke up. "Though they might not take strays." She ended with venom. I turned around slowly, my lips curved in a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "You two seem awfully concerned about my living arrangements after everything you had just witnessed with the Lycan king. If I were the both of you, I'd focus more on the property settlement." I said, cocking my head to the side. “Tick tock." I retorted, liking the way their faces faltered at my snark comment. Derek snarled at me. "Is that meant to be a threat?" He asked me, baring his teeth at me to show superiority. "Oh no, just friendly advice. I do hope you're both still smiling when everything comes to light." I told them with a shrug. My wolf purred with satisfaction as uncertainty flickered across their faces. Maya opened her mouth to say a retort when another voice caught our attention. "What's going on here?" Alexander's deep voice cut through the tension. He emerged from the shadow of a marble column, his presence commanding immediate attention. "Eliza’s just leaving. Good riddance." Derek said, wrapping an arm around Maya's waist. "You don't have to go," Alexander said, his piercing eyes fixed on me, ignoring Derek’s earlier comment. "There are plenty of rooms in the east wing. You could stay." "Thank you, but no." I cut him off firmly, not wanting to be a burden but more importantly not wanting to be anywhere near Derek and Maya any longer than I had to. "I have other arrangements." His brow furrowed. "We've barely had a chance to talk since I…" “I don’t think catching up after turning down your proposal was on my to do list for today.” The words slip out before I can stop them. I quickly apologized. “I’m sorry Alexander but I have other things to attend to today.” Alexander's expression shifted, something unreadable passing behind his eyes. Still, he shot me a small smile showing that he understood why I turned him down. “Fair enough.” He replied, letting it go. I returned his smile and as I turned to leave, his voice rang out once more. "You traded a pearl for a shell, Alpha Derek. Never forget that." I didn’t bother turning back to know that Derek and Maya felt insulted by that quip but it didn’t stop a small smile from tugging at my lips as I walked through the gates, my wolf preening at the compliment. “So, he’s not just hot, he’s also a gentleman. Good to know.” She purred, making me chuckle. She had a point but men were not in my purview for now even though the man in question seemed perfect. I had been burned once before. I needed to focus. After leaving the castle twenty minutes later, I swept through the lobby of The Grand Aurora, one of my own five-star properties. As soon as I walked in, the eyes of the staff widened in recognition. "Luna Eliza. We weren't expecting…" The floor manager started but I didn’t allow him to finish. Despite my win last night, I was tired and needed to rest. "The presidential suite, please, Thomas." I said as I handed him my ID and credit card. Normally, I didn’t need to but I always stood by the discipline of paying even when I was in a place that I owned. "And absolute privacy." I ended, not wanting to be disturbed. An hour and two glasses of rose later, I sank into the jacuzzi's warm embrace, cucumber slices cooling my closed eyes as a honey-lavender face mask worked its magic. The tension began to melt from my shoulders. I sighed in relief. “Finally. Some peace and …” My words were cut off when my phone began to buzz violently on the marble countertop beside me. I frowned and ignored it, smiling to myself when the line went dead. Good. Back to my peace and quiet. Well, that’s what I thought until the phone started up again. Then again. And again. "For moon's sake," I muttered in annoyance, reaching for it with wet fingers. Derek's name flashed on the screen. "The hell?” I whispered to no one in particular, my brows furrowed at why he of all people was calling me. Regardless, I answered the call. "You vindictive bitch!" His voice crackled with rage, making me wince at how loud he was. "What did you do to my mother?" I sat up straighter, ripping the mask off my face. "Excuse me?" "My mother is in the hospital because of you! If anything happens to her…" He began to threaten me. "I have no idea what you're talking about, and I don't appreciate being accused of…" "Save your innocent act. You've always hated her. Just because our marriage failed doesn't mean…" I ended the call, my blood beginning to boil. I blocked his number in one swift motion but unease churned in my stomach. Diana might be a manipulative and possibly vindictive woman, but I hadn't wished her harm. And I wouldn't be blamed for something I hadn't done. My fingers moved swiftly across the screen, finding Diana's contact. A contact that I was glad I didn’t delete when it all went down. The phone rang three times before connecting. "Hello?" Diana's voice sounded weak, but very much alive. I took a deep breath. "Diana? We need to talk."

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