Chapter 54\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
For all of Nolan\u2019s complaining about being late, we arrived basically right on time. The pack elders were still hovering around the door, waiting for us, making their formal greetings as soon as we walked in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stood beside Nolan, holding onto his arm, smiling politely and playing my role perfectly, regardless of how nauseous I felt or how overwhelming it was to be here in a pom full of people who hated me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And it only got worse once the elders started talking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At first, it was the usual chatter about pack affairs: border issues, the economy, and all of that. But one particular elder kept staring at me. And while I wasn\u2019t completely unused to that, it still irritated me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, I kept smiling that ridiculous, polite smile until the elder finally said,\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen can we expect you to grace the pack with an heir?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My smile froze in place. I felt Nolan go stiff beside me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s quite a personal question,\u201d Nolan said coldly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The elder smiled, waving his hand dismissively. \u201cIt will strengthen the union between the two of you-and the pack as a whole. It\u2019s only natural that we\u2019d be curious.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll happen when the time is right,\u201d Nolan replied simply\u00a0<\/p>\n
It felt like ice had been poured down my back, the way they were talking about it, like it was some given, some duty I owed them. My stomach turned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had to make sure they never found out about the baby.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If Nolan knew I was pregnant, he would never let me leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The thought stuck in my head as we made the rounds, greeting all of the guests. If anyone noticed that I was distracted they didn\u2019t say anything. Not that I would expect anyone here to care enough to ask.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was on my best behavior, which basically meant I smiled and made small talk all night. Finally, Nolan and went to dance with Felicity and gave me a moment to myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was standing alone near the wall, silently cursing my high heels and my swelling feet. I didn\u2019t notice that someone was approaching until they spoke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I recognize this beautiful woman,\u201d a smooth voice said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to see Kieran approaching, a charming smile on his face. \u201cNo one could forget a face like yours,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I wonder if you remember who I am?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cKieran,\u201d I replied easily. \u201cYou know, you got me into a lot of trouble last time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His smile widened just a little. \u201cI\u2019m sure I did. I can\u2019t imagine Nolan was very happy about our little dance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s putting it lightly. Are you here to get me into trouble again?\u201d I asked warily. As much as I enjoyed Kieran\u2019s presence, I wasn\u2019t willing to risk another fight with Nolan tonight. I was too tired to deal with that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cActually,\u201d he said, \u201cI just wanted to ask what\u2019s making a lovely woman like you frown so much.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not frowning,\u201d I replied, though I could hear the defensiveness in my own voice.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot exactly frowning, maybe. But I can see in your eyes that you\u2019re not having a good time,\u201d Kieran replied. His\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
17 54\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
eyes were searching mine with an intensity that made me bush.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you\u2019re very observant,\u201d I replied quietly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to you, I\u2019d like to think so,\u201d he said with a mile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou really think you\u2019re smooth, don\u2019t you?\u201d I put my hands on my hips, irritated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDarling, I know I am. Just like I know something\u2019s bothering you. I\u2019m here if you care to talk about it.\u201d His gaze seemed to soften as he looked at me and I found myself sigling despite my attempts to hide my frustration.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nothing worth speaking about. Nothing new,\u201d I answered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd yet you\u2019re so obviously upset.\u201d His tone softened further, almost to a whisper. \u201cIn all sincerity, Ellie, if it\u2019s something you want to talk about, I\u2019m here to listen.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just\u2026 Nolan,\u201d I admitted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you mean, \u2018it\u2019s just Nolan\u2019?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My emotions were so hard to hide lately and at that moment I couldn\u2019t seem to hold them back. I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest as I looked out at the dance floor where Nolan was dancing with Felicity. The sight of them together like that in front of everyone made my anger spike.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m tired of having to play the part of his perfect Luna. Of standing beside him with this fake smile on my face and pretending everything is great all the time-so that these fake-ass friends and out-of-touch elders can stand around judging me.\u201d 1\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words spilled out rapidly, my voice low and tight as I struggled not to shout.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, that just sounds like hell,\u201d Kieran said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment I thought he was making fun of me, but when I met his eyes, I could see the sincerity in them. I exhaled slowly, trying to release my anger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt could be worse,\u201d I replied, my voice coming out softer than I meant it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it could be a whole lot better too. If I\u2019m overstepping, don\u2019t feel pressured to answer-but if that\u2019s how you feel, then why are you with him?\u201d Kiera asked. He stepped lightly in front of me, blocking my view of Nolan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s my husband. This is my job as his wife,\u201d I answered, looking up at Kieran.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it doesn\u2019t have to be that way, you know. If you ever wanted to leave\u2026 if you ever needed help to leave, I would be more than happy to offer you that assistance,\u201d he said softly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you serious?\u201d I asked in disbelief.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re obviously unhappy with him. And no one deserves o be trapped in a loveless marriage. So yes. I\u2019m very serious,\u201d Kieran said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt my shoulders slump in defeat as his words sank in. I was miserable and I wasn\u2019t sure that I would be able to leave, even when my deal with Nolan was up. Especially if somehow found out that I\u2019m pregnant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kieran\u2019s fingers brushed up my arm, startling me with the gentle touch. I looked up at him questioningly, finding\u00a0<\/p>\n
a smile on his face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I ever did want to take you up on that offer, how would contact you?\u201d I asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kieran\u2019s fingers lingered on my arm as he produced his phone and handed it to me. I quickly added myself as a contact and gave it back before I could lose my nerve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 54\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kieran\u2019s fingers moved higher, adjusting the strap of my dess.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to hearing from you, Ellie.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGet your hands off of my wife.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I startle at Nolan\u2019s words, a growl rumbling beneath the words as he appears out of nowhere and yanks Kieran away from me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNolan,\u201d I say in surprise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell game are you playing?\u201d he demanded, keeping a firm grip on Kieran\u2019s arm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kieran just grinned at him, pulling his arm free. \u201cI\u2019m merely keeping Ellie company while you dance with your friend.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The emphasis Kieran put on the word \u2018friend\u2019 drew another low growl from Nolan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you touch her again, I\u2019ll break your damn arm,\u201d Nolan snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He put his arm around my waist and led me away, but not before I caught the smile and wink that Kieran threw my way as we left.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was using me to get under Nolan\u2019s skin on purpose, and I kind of liked it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A Cold Marriage That Turned Warm 54 Chapter 54\u00a0 Ellie POV\u00a0 +25 Bonus\u00a0 For all of Nolan\u2019s complaining about being […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-unremembered-mate-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23623"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23623\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}