bChapter /bb194 /b

    bra’s /bPOV

    I barely had time to inhale before his lips brushed my forehead, hot and demanding, sending a jolt straight through me. My pulse hammered, a stato rhythm I couldn’t ignore.

    But before I could pull myself together, a voice sliced through the stillness.”

    “ra?”

    My heart stuttered, the blood in my veins freezing.

    It was Dorian.

    “ra, are you there? I swear I heard you.”

    His voice was close, too close, and before I could think, Thorne’s hand shot to my mouth, his grip firm as he yanked me behind the tree, forcing me to hide.

    Dorian’s shadow stretched long across the yard as he appeared around the corner. My body tensed, every muscle screaming to move, but Thorne held me in ce, his eyes locking with mine.

    Dorian stood, scanning the empty yard. The swing swayed in the wind, but there was nothing else to be seen.

    Seconds felt like hours.

    When Dorian finally turned and walked away, Thorne let out a quiet exhale, though I didn’t feel any relief. Not yet.

    I shoved him away, seething.

    “What the hell was that?” My voice cracked from the tension.

    “Help you avoid him,” Thorne muttered, unphased by my anger.

    “Who said want to avoid him?” I hissed. “Maybe I want to talk to him!”

    “No, you don’t,” he countered, his tone unyielding. “One thing I know from tonight? You hate his wolf.”

    I stared at him, my heart pounding for reasons I couldn’t exin. “I don’t hate it,” I snapped.

    “Yeah, but you can’t ignore how different he is. How far removed from us he is.”

    I sucked in a deep breath, my chest tight. How did he always know?

    “You don’t know how I feel,” I shot back, my voice colder than I meant. “And let me tell you something: you’re losing. I find Dorian charming, Attractive. Meanwhile, you’re just an ego–jerk.”

    I spun on my heel and marched off, the bitterness thick in my throat.

    Days bled into each other without much to show for it. Not because thepetition between them had stopped, but because I’d buried bmyself /bbin /bVessa’s room, doing everything I could to avoid both of them.

    Vessa eyed me over her ss of iced tea, the edges of her lips curling. “You know you can’t hide from them forever, right?”

    Kimberly, lounging beside her, snickered. “Or maybe she can. After all, she’s the Blood Moon Pack’s Alpha’s sister and Gamma. The Rogue King’s bformer /bsubordinate. She can tell them both to get lost if she wants to.”

    bfrolled /bmy eyes. b“/bYeah, right. Tell them to get lost and start a war? Sure, that’ll and well?

    Kimberly and Vessaughed as they clinked their sses together, the sound almostforting as the sunlight warmed the balcony around us. I feared bback/b, letting the sun soak into my skin.

    “So,” Kimberly piped up, “who’s leading in the battle for your heart? Thorne or Dorian?”

    I sighed, exasperated. “It’s still a tie.”

    “Still?!” Kimberly nearly spit out her drink. “Those two are practically killing themselves trying to win you over! Thome got on his knees, for crying out loud. Dorian shifted for some thieves. And you’re still sitting on the fence?”

    Vessa shrugged. “She’s a tough nut to crack.”

    “Hey! Don’t make it sound so easy!” I protested, “You two gave me two weeks. TWO WEEKS, to make the biggest decision of my life. Do you think that’s easy for me?”

    Kimberly leaned forward, her eyes glinting. “Alright, alright. Let’s make it a game, then.”

    I raised an eyebrow. “A game?”

    “Yup! Lightning rounds. Quick fire questions. We’ll get to the bottom of this. Ready?”

    “Uh, okay…” I sat up, bracing myself.

    “t or high heels?”

    “t.”

    “Chardonnay or Pinot Noir?”

    “Pinot Noir.”

    “Gun or sword?”

    “Sword.”

    She grinned, clearly enjoying herself. “Alright. Thorne or Dorian?”

    I froze. My brain seized, and for a moment, I couldn’t form a word.

    “See? You were about to say Dorian, weren’t you?” Kimberly smirked. “You like him more!”

    Vessaughed, nudging me. “Yeah, we caught that. What’s going on, ra?”

    I sank back against my lounge chair, frustration building. “I–I don’t know.”

    I ran a hand through my hair, the confusion gnawing at me. “I iknow /iI’m attracted to him. But every time I try to settle on himb, /bsomething in my head just… snaps. Like a warning, Like I’m making a huge mistake. Just now, when I almost said his name–my brain just shut it down.”

    Both of them exchanged a look. Vessa was the first to speak. “It’s because he’s a Lycan.”

    I nodded, biting my lip.

    Kimberly shot me a sympathetic nced. “Yeah, it’s that whole ‘he’s a Lycan, and you’re not‘ thing, isn’t it?”

    “Exactly,” I muttered, rubbing my temples. But if I choose him, I need to know it’s the right choice. I can’t just follow my feelings. He’s going to bwant /bme to go to his homnd. And I need to be sure it’s worth everything he’s asking of me.”

    bKimberly /bbsat /bback, twirling ba /bstrand of her hair. “Wellb, /bwhy don’t you talk to him about it? See If he’d be willing to stay here?”

    bIshook /bmy head. “I know he wouldn’t. He’s the Lycan King. He can’t just stay here.”

    bVessa /bgroaned in frustration.

    Kimberly sighed, gazing up at the clear sky. “And when you tell Thorne the truth, the poor guy is gonna be crushed. Imagine that heartbroken look

    The mere thought of it made my stomach drop. I didn’t want to hurt him. But I had no choice.

    “If I tell him now, he’ll know,” I whispered. “And I don’t want that to be the way it happens. I want to do it my way. When I’m sure.”

    Kimberly just shrugged. “Sure. But you’re gonna have to make a decision soon.”

    A servant appeared at the balcony’s edge, bowing low. “Luna Vessa, Princess ra, Lady Kimberly, afternoon. Alpha Thorne and King Dorian wish to see you.”

    Kimberly grinned mischievously. “Speaking of the devil…”

    Vessa gave me a knowing look. “You’ve been avoiding them for too long. They’re here for you, ra.”

    I rolled my eyes but stood up anyway. “Guess I don’t have a choice.”

    When they walked in, the tension was immediate. Dorian’s smile was wide, but there was something colder behind it.

    “Afternoon,dies. Beautiful day,” he said, his voice smooth.

    “I hope we’re not interrupting,” Thorne added, his tone less casual but equally determined.

    Vessa turned to them, sitting up straight. “Actually, I could use your help.”

    They exchanged a quick nced, waiting.

    “There’s a bottle of wine I need for my wedding. Mona Estate Vineyard, Cabe Sauvignon, 2016. I tried calling, but the owner isn’t answering. Could you go and get it?”

    “Of course,” Thorne agreed easily.

    i“/iAnything for you, Luna,” Dorian added, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

    As they left, Kimberly leaned in, her voice low. “You’re setting them up for anotherpetition, huh?”

    I chuckled softly. “You’re diabolical. I love it.”

    “Hey, it’ll give you some peace,” she replied with a wink.

    But I wasn’t sure how much peace I’d have once this whole thing was over.