Hope Is Not Optional — Manuel Flores 111
Chapter 111
Sienna
:
The sound of the slap echoed in my ears long after it landed.
.(61)
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I gasped sharply, my eyes widening as pain bloomed across my cheek, my head turning slightly from the force. For a moment, I couldn’t even breathe properly. I lifted my hand to my face, fingers trembling as they pressed against my skin, my mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened.
I had been hit by Princess Avery in front of everyone.
Before I could gather myself, her glare burned into me, her face flushed red with fury as she stepped closer.
“You know,” she said coldly, her voice dripping with contempt, “I’ve never really liked you. You always rubbed me the wrong way. That sweet, gentle act of yours? I never bought it.”
My heart pounded as I stared at her, shock rooting me in place.
“But this?” she continued, her eyes narrowing. “This is worse than I thought. Your sister is missing, and you’re standing here calm and collected, worrying about my brother instead of being angry at him for losing your twin.” Her lip curled. “Your behavior is disgusting. Honestly, I can’t help but pity anyone stupid enough to fall for your act.”
The sting on my cheek was nothing compared to the humiliation crawling through my chest. My vision blurred, not from tears, but from disbelief. I turned my head instinctively, searching for familiar faces.
“Kane… Cross…” I whispered silently as my gaze landed on my brothers standing behind Ian.
Relief flickered for a second when Kane shifted forward, as if about to step in, but it died instantly when Cross’s hand shot out, gripping Kane’s arm and pulling him back. Cross shook his head firmly. Kane hesitated, then glanced at me, guilt flickering across his face before he looked away.
My breath caught in my throat.
No. Impossible. They weren’t coming.
I stared at them in disbelief, my chest tightening painfully. My brothers, who had always defended me, who had always rushed to my side no matter the situation, were just standing there not saying a word. It felt as if something vital inside me cracked.
I turned fully toward Cross, my hands clenched at my sides, desperately searching his face for something familiar but his cold eyes met mine.
They were emotionless.
My heart dropped straight into my stomach.
Why… why was he looking at me like that?
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Chapter 111
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If Kane hesitated, I had believed Cross would never turn away from me. To him, I had always been everything. I was his whole world. He never looked at anyone else the way he looked at me, never chose anyone over me. And yet now, he stood there, unmoving, staring at me as if I deserved every word Avery had
thrown at me.
My nails dug into my palms as I bit my lip hard, the taste of blood blooming in my mouth.
It must be her.
Selene.
That bitch must have done something. There was no other explanation. She had poisoned them somehow, twisted things in ways I couldn’t see. First the princess, now my brothers, this couldn’t be a coincidence. I had planned too much, sacrificed too much, to let everything crumble because of her.
I wouldn’t let that happen.
Lowering my head slightly, I clutched my cheek tighter, letting my shoulders tremble as tears finally spilled over, trailing down my face. When I spoke, my voice wavered.
“I-I’m sorry,” I said, choking on the words. “I didn’t mean to sound indifferent. I really miss my sister. I’m so worried about her.” I sniffed, my tears falling faster now. “But Prince Adrian was unconscious… I was just scared something might happen to him too. I don’t want to lose either of them.”
I looked up, eyes glossy, letting my pain show. “I’m sorry,” I whispered again, as if it hurt just to breathe.
Princess Avery scoffed, clearly unconvinced, her expression sharp with distrust, but before she could say anything else, the Luna stepped forward. She wrapped her arms around me gently, pulling me into her embrace, her voice warm and soothing.
“It’s alright, Sienna, I know you were worried about Adrian. Thank you for caring about him.”
I leaned into her hug, hiding my face against her shoulder.
Inside, my tears dried instantly.
It doesn’t matter, I thought coldly. You can doubt me all you want.
I would fix this. I always did.
No matter what Princess Avery thought, no matter how sharp her eyes were, there were still people who believed me, who chose to see me as gentle, caring, and harmless. As long as that remained true, I still had
room to move.
The tension in the room thickened until the alpha finally coughed, the sound cutting through the room. Everyone paused. He didn’t address any of us, not even Adrian, instead turning his attention to the man seated calmly on the chair nearby.
Ian, my oldest brother.
The only man I had ever truly been afraid of.
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Chapter 111
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The moment my eyes landed on him, my stomach tightened. Since I was young, I had feared him, not because he was cruel, but because he saw too much. My smiles, my tears, my carefully chosen words had never worked on him. He looked through people as if peeling back layers of skin, straight into the bone. Being this close to him again after so many years made my skin prickle with unease.
I hadn’t seen him in a long time, not since he became the commander of the pack’s warriors and vanished into the front lines. He didn’t return even for the most important events. So why was he here now?
The alpha spoke carefully. “Commander Ian, I received reports that you left the front lines and returned to the capital. I didn’t believe them. You’ve never done something like this before.” His gaze sharpened. “But now I see it’s true. Is there a reason you’re here?”
Ian, who had been quietly observing everything with those cold blue eyes, finally lifted his gaze to meet the alpha’s. His voice was calm, and terrifyingly steady.
“A reason?” he said. “Is my sister being missing not reason enough for me to be here?”
Wait, what?
For a split second, my mind went blank. Don’t tell me… don’t tell me this cold-blooded man came all this way because of Selene.
That was impossible. This was the same man who hadn’t returned even when Father lay sick and near death. And now he was here because she was missing?
The alpha studied him before replying, his tone firm. “You don’t need to worry. I’ve dispatched warriors across the pack. The one who took her couldn’t have left the territory yet. We will find them.” He paused, then added, “No, we must find her. Selene is the moonborn. She is a priority.”
I frowned despite myself.
Why was everyone acting like Selene mattered so much?
She could die for all I cared. Kidnapped, killed, it made no difference to me. It never had. I was the one who mattered. I was the one with the white hair, the one people noticed, the one destined for more. Selene was nothing but a shadow that people suddenly decided to protect.
Ian’s gaze didn’t waver as he replied, “The war will be won. I don’t need to return to the front lines for now.”
The alpha frowned. “You-”
Ian didn’t let him finish. It was the first time I had ever seen someone cut the alpha off so easily. And the most unsettling part was that the alpha didn’t force the issue. Ian was too powerful, and valuable. There was no getting rid of him.
Ian stood, his towering figure filling the room, his presence alone making the air feel heavier.
“I will stay here and look for my sister,” he said flatly. “And I expect her to be found. If not, I will go on a killing rampage.” His eyes were ice-cold. “Even if I am killed, you know it will take more than half your warriors to do it. If you don’t want to lose half your pack, find Selene.”
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Chapter III
His words echoed through the room, the threat clear.
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He inclined his head slightly to the alpha, a gesture of respect, then turned and walked out. Cross and Kane followed immediately.
I swallowed hard.
Maybe it was better if Selene came back.
If Ian truly lost control, everything I had worked for would collapse. My future with Adrian would be ruined, and I couldn’t allow that. I had sacrificed too much.
So I needed that bitch back, to watch me take everything she’s always wanted.
Where are you, Selene?
曲
AD
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