\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 53\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 53\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDid she just ask Prince Adrian to reject her\u2026.?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cY-yes. She just did. The woman who\u2019s always been obsessed with the prince wants to reject him?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The whispers echoed, rippling through the courtyard, each word laced with disbelief. I could feel their eyes on me but I kept my chin high, my expression calm and indifferent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I knew exactly what I was doing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I had been looking for a way to reject Prince Adrian since the moment I came back to this world. But it wasn\u2019t easy. I couldn\u2019t just reject a prince. The Alpha wouldn\u2019t allow it, and Adrian himself would never accept rejection. He would never allow a woman to reject him. His pride would never let it happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And I wasn\u2019t strong enough to defy either of them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why I had waited for the moment to get my wolf. And the contest with Sienna had been the perfect opportunity. Alpha Rhydian was a man of his word; once he made a promise, he kept it. If I asked for this wish now, in front of everyone, he wouldn\u2019t be able to dismiss it so easily.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So when all eyes turned to me, when the world seemed to go still, I met Adrian\u2019s gaze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His face had darkened completely, his eyes glowing faintly, his jaw set tight enough to snap. He looked seconds away from losing control, and tearing something apart.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Around us, everyone had different reactions. The Alpha was silent, eyebrows raised in shock. My father\u2019s face was blank. My step mother was smiling. My brothers stared at me like they couldn\u2019t process what they\u2019d heard. And Sienna was practically glowing. Her lips trembled from how hard she tried to hold in her smile, but her eyes screamed victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was really obsessed with Adiran.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cChild\u2026 what did you just say? You want to reject Adrian?\u2019 Alpha Rhydian asked\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Alpha,\u201d I said aloud, meeting his gaze steadily. \u201cI do. I want to reject Prince Adrian.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Alpha raised an eyebrow, clearly taken aback. He opened his mouth to speak, but Adrian\u2019s voice cut through the silence first.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re really bold, Selene.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His tone made the hairs on my arms rise. He took a slow step forward, the sound of his boots echoing against the marble ground. I didn\u2019t move back, I stared at him. Before he could take another step, Alpha Rhydian\u2019s voice boomed across the courtyard. \u201cWait, Adrian.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The tension crackled between them like lightning. Adrian\u2019s jaw flexed, his entire body rigid. For a man known for his control, he was anything but calm now. His eyes burned into me, and I could feel the storm in him. But he obeyed his father, and stopped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Rhydian sighed, leaning back slightly in his chair, his expression unreadable. \u201cI know I promised you anything you wanted, Selene,\u201d he said carefully. \u201cBut this\u2026 is a rather complicated situation. I will need time to think it over.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He paused, eyes flicking briefly toward his son before returning to me. \u201cWhen I\u2019ve made my decision, I will call you to the palace.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The courtyard filled with murmurs again, people whispering, exchanging glances.\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:52 Tue, Dec 23\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 53\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t say anything. I didn\u2019t argue, or plead, or look away. I simply bowed my head slightly and whispered. \u201cUnderstood, Alpha.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I already knew what that meant, he wasn\u2019t going to let me walk away so easily. But that didn\u2019t matter. Because I wasn\u2019t giving\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even if I had to tear the bond apart with my bare hands. Even if I had to make the whole world my enemy, I would reject him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a celebration for the White Wolf,\u201d Alpha Rhydian said, his gaze sweeping over Sienna and I. \u201cI believe the two of you were able to pass the wolf trial. You both got your wolves, yes?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beside me, Sienna flinched. Her lashes fluttered, and then that delicate smile curved her lips, the one she always wore when she was about to lie through her teeth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cY-yes, Alpha,\u201d she said, bowing slightly. \u201cI got my wolf.\u201d She hesitated, glancing at me as if she pitied me. \u201cBut Selene didn\u2019t. She\u2026 she wasn\u2019t able to pass the trial.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her voice dripped with fake concern, but the satisfaction hiding behind it was impossible to miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The murmurs started immediately.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe failed?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWolfless? The Moonborn, wolfless?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow embarrassing\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My father\u2019s gaze hardened, and I didn\u2019t even need to look at him to know what came next.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re completely useless,\u201d he spat, his tone dripping with disgust. \u201cIf nobody has any expectations for you, you could have at least gotten a wolf.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Rhydian looked at me, disappointment shadowing his expression especially now that I was revealed as his son\u2019s mate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adrian looked furious. But whether it was at me or the situation, I couldn\u2019t tell.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy sister doesn\u2019t have a wolf,\u201d Sienna said, turning toward the Alpha with big, innocent eyes. \u201cEven though I might be blessed by the Moon Goddess, I don\u2019t want to transform in front of her tonight. Can we postpone the ceremony to tomorrow? I just care about my sister\u2019s feelings.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Murmurs of admiration rippled through the crowd.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow kind she is\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s such a good sister\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTruly blessed by the Moon Goddess.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt my lips curl up. Alpha Rhydian sighed, nodding. \u201cFine, I suppose we can postpone it until tomorrow-\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho said I don\u2019t have a wolf?\u201d My voice sliced through the air, silencing everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna froze, her perfect mask cracking for a fraction of a second. I took a slow step forward, my eyes locked on hers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you hear that from my mouth, Sienna?\u201d I asked calmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her throat bobbed. \u201cW-what are you saying, Selene?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
12.32\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tue, Dec 23\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 53\u00a0<\/p>\n
I tilted my head, letting my smile widen. \u201cI should be asking you that. Why tell everyone I don\u2019t have a wolf? How would you even know that? I never said anything like that to you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her eyes darted, panic flickering behind them. Then, under her breath, so low only I could hear, she hissed, \u201cWhat are you doing? You promised, Selene.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPromise?\u201d I echoed. \u201cDo you honestly believe I\u2019d do something that stupid? Just so you can spread rumors tomorrow that I stole your white wolf with witchcraft?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:52 Tue, Dec 23\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 34<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 53 \u00a0 Chapter 53\u00a0 Chapter 53\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 \u201cDid she just ask Prince Adrian […]<\/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":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27847","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-ruthless-tycoons-obsession-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27847","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=27847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27847\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}