Chapter 128

Chapter 128
It was unfair of me after everything that I put her through. But I had always been a selfish man. I knew that about myself.
Ellie POV
Moonstone was quieter than I’d expected. The boys had been buzzing with energy since the moment we arrived- Cassian dragging Lance into sparring matches at every opportunity, Lance dragging Cassian into taverns just as often-but today, the village square was peaceful.
I sat near the low stone wall outside the training yard, watching them both bicker as they cooled down from a match. Sweat glistened on Cassian’s brow, Lance’s grin wide and infuriating as ever.
I had a blanket spread out on the grass and a variety of toys scattered around. My attention was mainly on the twins as they cooed and wobbled on their bellies, playing with the toys and reaching for each other.
Seeing them again was a balm to my heart. I couldn’t keep my hands off of them. I kept stroking their hair and their soft, chubby little cheeks. Leaving again was going to break me, but at least this time I was here for a few days and not just a few hours. I could rock them to sleep and hold them as much as I needed to make the guilt
ease.
“You’re too predictable,” Lance said, dodging when Cassian swatted at him. “All power, no strategy. You’d never last in the city.”
“Please,” Cassian shot back. “If I fought you seriously, you’d be face-down in the dirt.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You two are hopeless.”
Lance plopped down beside me, stretching his legs out with a groan. “You’re just jealous you don’t get to beat up Cassian as often as I do.”
“Tempting,” I said dryly.
But the smile faded as the weight of Kieran’s words pressed against me again. I chewed my lip, debating whether to say it aloud. They deserved to know.
“Kieran made me an offer,” I said finally, my voice softer.
Both their heads snapped toward me.
“What kind of offer?” Cassian asked, suspicion already darkening his tone.
I took a breath. “A marriage. Political, he said. To strengthen my position, to give me protection.”
Lance let out a low whistle. “That’s… bold of him.”
Cassian scowled. “Bold? It’s manipulative. He’s trying to tie himself to you before the news of the divorce goes public. You know that, right?”
“I know.” I twisted my hands together. “I told him no, but he didn’t exactly take it as a final answer. He kept pressing, making it sound like he was only worried about me. Like he was doing me a favor.”
Lance leaned back, arms crossed. “That’s Kieran’s whole game. He hides threats inside pretty words. You can’t let him push you into anything.”
Cassian’s voice was firmer, his eyes sharp. “Ellie, listen to me. If you agree to that, even as a joke, you’ll be giving him leverage over you. He’ll use it, and he won’t let you go easily. Be careful.”
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Chapter 128
+25 Bonus
Their concern eased something tight in me, though it didn’t erase the unease that clung after that lunch.
“I don’t want to marry anyone,” I said quietly. “Not for politics. Not for security. Not ever again, unless it’s because I choose it.”
“Good,” Cassian said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Lance’s grin softened. “Then we’ll make sure you don’t have to. You’ve got us, remember? Who needs some pompous alpha when you’ve got me?”
Cassian groaned. “Gods, spare us.”
I laughed, the sound easing some of the tension in my chest. For a moment, surrounded by my family, I almost believed everything would be simple.
But Kieran’s shadow lingered. And Nolan’s eyes during that dance lingered too.
And I had no idea which one would end up pulling me closer.
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