Chapter 171

Chapter 171:

“You’re lying,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “Your heart rate just spiked p>

“I’m fine,” I insisted, standing. “I just remembered — I need to pick up some supplies for the studio. Special brushes. The art store closes in an hour p>

Dallas rose with me, his expression darkening. “I’ll drive you p>

“No!” I said, too quickly. “I mean… you’ve done enough today. I need to do this myself. It’s just down the street. I’ll be back in twenty minutes p>

He caught my wrist. “It’s dark, Adella. You are not walking alone p>

“I have pepper spray,” I lied, patting my purse. “And the tracker. You can watch me the whole way. Please, Dallas. Let me have this one small piece of independence p>

He stared at me, his jaw working. He knew something was wrong — I could see it in his eyes. But he also knew he couldn’t keep me locked away forever.

“Twenty minutes,” he growled, releasing my wrist. “If you are one minute late, I am coming for you p>

“I promise,” I whispered.

I grabbed my coat and hurried out the door, guilt gnawing at my insides with every step. I wasn’t going to the art store. I was going to the shipyard.

𝘠𝗼𝘂𝘳 𝗻ex𝘁 𝘧𝖺𝘃𝗈𝘳іt𝘦 𝘳𝗲a𝖽 іs o𝗇 𝗴𝖺𝘭ոоvelѕ.𝖼𝗼𝘮

And I prayed I wasn’t walking to my death.

Dallas

The air in the Elder’s Library tasted of dust, old parchment, and the cloying scent of judgment. My aunt, Augusta Marshall, stood by the fireplace, her silhouette sharp against the dancing flames. As the matriarch of the Marshall family and a high-ranking Elder, she wore her authority like a second skin — stiff, unyielding, and suffocating.

“You are moving out of the main estate,” she stated, not asking but accusing. Her gray eyes narrowed as I entered. “For her. A wolfless girl from the Hyde Pack. A liability, Dallas p>

I didn’t stop walking until I was towering over her, my shadow swallowing hers. My Lycan, Ragnar, paced restlessly at the back of my mind, irritated by the delay. I had a promise to keep. I had a mate to claim.

“Careful, Aunt,” I warned, my voice a low rumble that vibrated the crystal decanters on the shelf. “You are speaking of your Queen p>

“I am speaking of a weakness!” Augusta snapped, stepping closer. “You built her a sanctuary. You guard her like a dragon hoarding gold. This obsession unbalances the Pack. You are the Lycan King, not a lovesick puppy. What is she to you that you would risk our stability p>

I looked at her — really looked at her — and let the mask of the polite nephew slip. My eyes burned, shifting from human brown to the glowing amber of the beast. “You think this is new?” I laughed, a dark, humorless sound. “You think I just stumbled upon her in a restaurant last week p>

Augusta faltered, the scent of her confusion spiking in the air.