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345. INSINUATIONS
KATHERINEThe carriage moved through the bustling streets.I couldn’t stop looking through the sheer curtain at the people passing by, watching the lively sway of the night markets.The air was thick with festivity. It was my first time visiting these lands, outside of Everhart’s Duchy and the territories of other nobles.Suddenly, we came to a halt, perhaps because something was blocking the carriage’s path.My attention fell on a pair of lovers standing in front of a trinket stall.The man looked like a farm laborer, his skin tanned by the sun, but his face bore the foolish expression of a man hopelessly in love as he gazed at the petite woman beside him.He picked up a few pendants, trying them on her.The woman looked embarrassed, and then he whispered something in her ear, leaning in so close that it made her smile and blush like a tomato.I sighed wistfully.I had always been a hopeless romantic—so much so that a few sweet words and tender gestures were all it took for me to fal
346. ZAFIRO
NARRATORFrom the second floor of the grand and glamorous Coral Mansion, a woman watched furtively from behind the heavy crimson curtain.Brenda’s pupils shifted color the moment she spotted Elliot stepping out of the carriage.Immediately, the night breeze carried to her those masculine, seductive pheromones exuding from that powerful, virile male—she loved it.But her excitement quickly faded when she saw him extend his hand to support a brown-haired woman accompanying him.Brenda examined her closely, like a female assessing her rival.She vaguely remembered seeing her before—that pitiful creature who pretended to have a class she didn’t possess.But tonight… she wasn’t sure… something about that woman seemed different. She projected an aura of confidence, an indomitable self-assurance.She wore a flowing, stunning blue gown.The corset cinched her waist into a delicate silhouette.The square neckline couldn’t hide the sensual fullness of her breasts. Did that idiot always have suc
347. THE TRUE AND THE FALSE
KATHERINEMurmurs suddenly arose near me. I felt Elliot’s arm grow slightly tense.I tried not to jump to conclusions, but as that beautiful voice drew closer, the woman sang a ballad filled with passion, as if meant for a forbidden lover, and her gray eyes casually searched through the crowd—until they locked onto a man.Intensely, without much pretense, that striking singer, the so-called Zafiro, seemed to be dedicating her love song to Elliot.“...Oh, Brenda is bold. Look at her, not even respecting the man's wife being right there...”“...Pft, honestly, that’s an open secret. I don’t even know why the Duke brought her…”“...To humiliate her, obviously…”Some whispered words reached me from behind.I lifted my chin and glanced at Elliot from the corner of my eye, assessing his reaction.He sipped from his glass, not looking at Brenda, who now seemed completely assured of herself. She was his mistress.He had brought me to this party where his lover was—who, on top of it all, was no
348. I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN MYSELF TO YOU
NARRATOR"Duchess, what a shame. Deborah, why did you mention the pendant?" Katherine watched as Brenda feigned surprise, even embarrassment.This had been her plan from the very start.Her sister must be rolling in her grave because right now, Katherine was cursing her in every possible way.How could a woman stoop so low for a man?"Duchess, I’m so sorry, I only mentioned the pendant to my friend because, well, you… you believed it was a gift from the Duke for your anniversary, and, well, it turned out it wasn’t…" the shameless woman said with a guilty smile. "He had it made for someone else."There was no need to specify who that someone was; it was obvious. The woman wearing the real one around her neck was not the rightful wife."It seems she liked it so much she had a fake one made. I imagine that with the noble’s pension the Duke gives her, she wouldn’t be able to afford something that valuable," one of the women behind Brenda murmured maliciously.Katherine clenched her fists
349. VISUAL TRICKERY
NARRATORThe Duke heard hurried footsteps in the hallway.The door opened and closed. Elliot was waiting."Elliot, I thought you’d never call for me," Brenda immediately walked toward him, her she-wolf stirring restlessly at the pheromones of that powerful male.Despite the Duke’s strange ways, he had never revealed his inner wolf to her, nor did he allow her wolf to get close—but they always tried.Even during sex, when he lost some of his self-control, he remained remarkably guarded.Brenda didn’t know much about her own kind either. She had been an orphan taken in by noble elementals who couldn’t have children.She had been a pretty girl, learned to sing, to be obedient, to manipulate hearts.She had learned to hide her true nature until her first heat, when the powerful man standing before her had discovered her. From that day on, Brenda had truly coveted him, deep within her soul.With Elliot, she could be herself—no masks, no lies."Don’t get so close. I don’t know what the hell
350. AMAGED EVENT
NARRATORKatherine composed herself at lightning speed, dabbing her face with a handkerchief—thankfully, she hadn’t broken down sobbing like Magdalena.She tried to slip away, but in the end, some guests caught her and brought her back to the hall for one of the evening’s main games.*****Elliot had settled his business with Brenda, putting her in her place.What the hell was that nonsense about love and feelings?He wasn’t an idiot. Elliot knew very well that what truly drove that she-wolf was her interest in his wealth and title.With disgust, he wiped the traces of her lipstick from his mouth, along with her irritating scent that still clung to his nose.He didn’t want Kath to suspect anything—or worse, misunderstand.He considered placing more spies around Brenda, just in case. He didn’t trust her in the slightest."Baroness Hildaly, good, I’ve found you," he strode toward the woman, who was ordering a drink. "Where is my Duchess?"Elliot scanned the small catering lounge.At the
351. WIFE ON THE RUN
NARRATORThe girl had subtly placed this sphere in her hand—not the one she had actually touched.What exactly was Elliot playing at? If this was his doing.Kath’s eyes caught the moment Brenda entered the hall. She was wearing different clothes.The Duchess didn’t even want to imagine why she had changed. There was no point denying it—she was drowning in useless, bitter jealousy.Amid laughter and jokes, Brenda was called to pick in the draw.A rather defeated thought was forming in Katherine’s mind. She had grown a little tired of pretending for today.She stood up subtly, slipping through the crowd, taking advantage of the dimmed lights and the shadows that sheltered her.The pairs began to be announced.Each time a man called out his number, a soft light illuminated him, and then it was his exchange partner’s turn.Brenda smelled that woman’s disgusting scent—the Duchess.She was approaching her position.She braced herself for a scene. Maybe she was coming to confront her about t
352. DANCING WITH THE PLEBS
ELLIOTI followed Katherine’s trail, a creeping fear settling in as I realized she was heading deeper into the forest.A thousand conspiracies ran through my mind. Had someone captured her? Taken her away by force?But there were no other scents. Still, I didn’t trust it.I was so anxious I imagined every possible scenario—except the one I actually found.Shielded by the darkness, I reached the outskirts of the commoners’ celebration.Lively music filled the air, nothing like the refined melodies played in the ballroom.Voices and laughter flooded the night, but among them, I heard one that was too sweet for my ears.Her scent, that lavender filled with joy, engulfed me.I searched for her among the circle of dancing people—then I saw her.She moved while holding up her skirt, lifting it to an indecent height as she jumped from side to side, following the other women.Her eyes sparkled under the torchlight.For a second, I was hypnotized, drunk on the sight of this woman.I had never
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