Chapter l288

Chapter 0288

Even imagining Julian in love felt like a stretch, though I felt like a jerk for thinking so.

Why shouldn’t he fall in love?

She would have had to be a special woman to keep his attention.

I wondered what kind of woman Bridget really was. It was possible Julian had rose colored glasses, remembering her and the past. But I just didn’t know.

“I can’t see it,” I said. “Nicholas does not have one vindictive bone in his b*dy. He’s not selfish. He wouldn’t actively try to hurt you.”

Julian sighed as he slowly shook his head. “I’m not upset with you, Piper. You’ve only seen him at his best side. But just wait. Someday he’ll show you his true colors.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree,” I said.

Julian added, “For now.”

That afternoon, I sat out in the grasses near the woods with Susie, watching Elva play with Silver and Night.

Across the gardens, Nicholas was standing beside Olivia. They were deep in a lively conversation. One leaning in to hear the other speak and then vice versa.

I didn’t want to be jealous. They were just talking. But jealousy still sat, cutting, behind my ribcage.

Susie, bless her, was trying to distract me.

“Elva is doing quite well with the wolves,” Susie said, smiling softly. “They speak to each other now like dear friends. They would probably accept her into their pack if she wasn’t already welcomed in another.”

A sense pride settled deep within me. I always knew Elva was talented, but to have it acknowledged by others gave me no shortage of happiness. If only such strength of talent did not also place Elva in danger.

No, I couldn’t think like that. We were on our way to bringing down Terry. The rest of the underground organization would soon follow.

“Thank you,” I said to Susie. She nodded.

After a moment, I noticed she was distracted too, though when I followed the length of her gaze, I found that it ended with Mark, standing also on the other side of the gardens near his prince.

+15 BONUS

I very nearly turned to tease her about him, when my gaze snagged on where Olivia had placed her hand on Nichola s’s wrist, so very near his hand. She wouldn’t try to hold it, would she?

I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

“Rumors say that Olivia might be the new favorite for Nicholas,” Susie said.

“What about Lilliana?” I asked.

“Too many bad showings,” Susie said. “Olivia, meanwhile, has been steady in every event since the start. She’s from a prominent pack, too. And from what hear, she does well on camera too…”

Susie’s voice trailed off. Susie herself wasn’t so great at the social matters. I gave her a small smile to help lift her spirits. She gave me one in return, but it didn’t last.

“Olivia is on top of the standings,” Susie said. “I’m next to last.”

“You are doing fine,” I said. “Prince Joyce seems to think so.” I cleared my throat. “Mark sure agrees.”

A light blush dusted her cheeks. She dipped her head to hide it.

I was pleased by her happiness, for her and Mark stealing what rays of sunshine they could. for themselves.

It gave me the courage to ask, “If you are next to last, then who is lowest in the standings?”

It couldn’t be Jessica, as she was Joyce’s first choice. And though Lilliana had dropped in the rankings, I couldn’t imagine her as last, simply from the high respectability of her pack.

Susie hesitated, worrying her bottom l*p with her teeth.

“Susie?” I prompted. A growing feeling of dread rooted in my stomach.

“It’s you, Piper,” she replied. “You are the lowest in the current standings.”

+15 BONUS