Chapter 83\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 83\u00a0<\/p>\n
Adrian\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her voice wouldn\u2019t leave my head.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to reject you, Prince Adrian of the Mooncrest Pack.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
88\u00a0<\/p>\n
#55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Those words kept echoing in my head like a cursed chant. They repeated with every breath I took, every shift. of the wind, every hoofbeat of my horse beneath me. It was like someone had forced a terrible song into my mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ever since Selene Bloodrose\u2019s coming-of-age ceremony, since the moment she shifted and then immediately made a wish to reject me, I hadn\u2019t been able to focus on anything or anyone. It was infuriating. She was infuriating. And worst of all, I couldn\u2019t even understand why.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why was the girl I barely looked at more than twice in my entire life, lingering in my\u00a0<\/p>\n
mind?\u00a0<\/p>\n
My jaw clenched, the muscles tightening with irritation. I snapped the reins sharply in my hand, and my horse responded with a loud snort before sprinting forward, hooves pounding against the frozen ground. The faster we rode, the more I felt the familiar burn in my chest, anger mixed with something I refused to name.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What bothered me wasn\u2019t just the rejection, it was the way she acted. Selene used to follow me everywhere, practically tripping over her own feet just to walk a little closer to me. She used to watch me with that ridiculous lovesick expression, blush at every word I said, cling to every chance to stand near me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But now, she acted as if I was the last person she wanted to see, as though the very sight of me was some kind of burden she could barely tolerate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She treated me like I didn\u2019t matter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And for a reason I did not understand was why it pissed me off more than anything had in a very long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Did something happen to her? The thought crossed my mind, irritating me even more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just then, an amused voice broke through my thoughts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been like this the entire journey,\u201d Alpha Tristan drawled from beside me. \u201cIt\u2019s almost like you want to kill someone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I loosened my grip on the reins slightly and glanced sideways. On the next horse over, Alpha Tristan rode with that entertained expression on his face, as though my current misery were nothing more than a performance put on solely for his amusement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t know whether to ignore him or give him a sarcastic remark. Ever since the phoenix was released, Tristan had been lingering around the Mooncrest Pack like a bored wolf looking for chaos to bite. Instead of returning to his own territory, where any normal alpha would be reinforcing defenses, checking on his people, or at least pretending to take precautions, he followed me around.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His excuse had been simple, ridiculous, and knowing him, likely honest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Fri, Dec 26\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 83\u00a0<\/p>\n
A\u00a0<\/p>\n
65 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThings are more interesting in the Mooncrest Pack right now,\u201d he had said. \u201cAnd if the phoenix is really out, this territory will be the first to get attacked. I\u2019d hate to miss that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alpha Tristan was the type of man who didn\u2019t just seek out powerful enemies, he hunted them, salivating at the possibility of a fight to the death. And considering his own pack was one of the third strongest in the continent, protected by a defense system most alphas envied, it wasn\u2019t surprising that he wasn\u2019t worried about the phoenix breaking into his pack. If anything, he seemed disappointed it probably wouldn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled sharply and looked away from him, irritation building all over again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen are you leaving, Alpha Tristan?\u201d I asked, keeping my voice flat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tristan turned his head toward me, lips curving into that smirk that always made me want to punch him just to erase it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou say it as if you want me gone, Prince Adrian,\u201d he remarked casually. \u201cHow cold.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I still didn\u2019t understand Tristan. I didn\u2019t understand what his intentions were, or who he was truly interested in. He was unpredictable, like a blade someone had dropped on the ground, sharp edges waiting for the wrong person to pick it up. But one thing had bothered me ever since Selene\u2019s coming-of-age ceremony.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I carried her in my arms that night, Tristan had looked at her with an expression I did not like. It wasn\u2019t lust, not exactly. It was curiosity, and interest. There was something sharp glinting behind his eyes. And that alone was enough to make every part of me bristle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My wolf didn\u2019t handle it well either. The moment he sensed Tristan\u2019s attention on her, something fierce and possessive flared inside us. I hated the feeling. I hated the implication even more, that Alpha Tristan might be interested in Selene.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But despite how much the thought annoyed me, the truth remained, Tristan was a powerful alpha, and keeping a firm alliance between our packs was important. Even if I disliked him, even if something about the way he looked at Selene rubbed me the wrong way, I wouldn\u2019t let personal irritation ruin what generations had built.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Trying to keep the conversation neutral, I said, \u201cI only asked because I wasn\u2019t sure if you had other matters you needed to focus on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He saw right through it, but Tristan simply shrugged, unconcerned. \u201cI don\u2019t have any other plans. I\u2019m pretty free.\u201d His mouth quirked into that smile. \u201cAnd besides, there\u2019s a party tonight at your palace. Your father invited me. I\u2019d be rude not to attend.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I exhaled. This was the first time in my life I\u2019d ever heard an alpha claim he was free. Alphas were never free. They were always busy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Behind us, I could feel Ethan, my beta in training, riding silently with Tristan\u2019s beta. They seemed nervous about how the conversation was going. I didn\u2019t bother paying attention to them. My focus shifted forward as the palace came into view,\u00a0<\/p>\n
The moment the high walls rose in front of us, I snapped the reins, and my horse instantly surged forward. Snow scattered behind us as we raced toward the gate. We reached it in minutes, and as soon as the guards recognized us, they opened the gate with hurried bows.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:36 Fri, Dec 26\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 83\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
88\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rode through without slowing, stopping only when I reached the courtyard. I dismounted in one smooth motion, beside me, Tristan landed on the ground with the same case.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From a distance, warm lights glowed across the palace grounds. The decorations were extravagant. And a party was the last thing I needed right now.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I received his message yesterday, he demanded my return for an important event. I\u2019d almost ignored him. Strengthening our defenses was more critical than attending some celebration. There was a phoenix on the loose. But he insisted I return.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The eunuch and several servants rushed toward us. They all bowed low and said, \u201cWelcome back, Prince Adrian. Welcome, Alpha Tristan. The party has already begun. We have prepared several formal outfits for you to choose from.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t respond. I simply nodded, turned to Tristan, and gave him a brief nod.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He smirked slightly, as I walked forward, Ethan falling into step behind me along with the servants.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene.\u00a0<\/p>\n
No matter how many times her rejection echoed in my head, no matter how strangely she\u2019d been behaving, it didn\u2019t matter.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There was no way I was going to reject her. Selene was mine, and I wasn\u2019t going to let her go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
*****\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tristain\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched him walk away, his back straight, his steps firm, as if nothing in this world could affect him. The amused smirk that had been resting lazily on my lips didn\u2019t disappear, but the playfulness behind it did. My gaze sharpened, growing colder, more focused than it had been just moments ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Interesting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a low chuckle under my breath, the sound barely audible. Mooncrest was far more entertaining than I had expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Footsteps approached from behind me, familiar and measured. Axel. My beta stopped a respectful distance away and bowed his head slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Tristan,\u201d he said carefully, \u201cif I may, can I ask you a question?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I raised an eyebrow, glancing at him from the corner of my eye. \u201cGo on.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Axel hesitated for a heartbeat before continuing. \u201cWhy are you still in the Mooncrest Pack? I know the phoenix is part of the reason, but\u2026\u201d He paused, choosing his words wisely. \u201cYou\u2019re not the type to stay in one place just because of a single threat. There\u2019s something else keeping you here. I know it. Am I allowed to ask\u00a0<\/p>\n
what it is?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned fully to face him then, studying his expression. Axel had always been perceptive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Fri, Dec 26\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 83\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d I said calmly. \u201cThe phoenix alone wouldn\u2019t keep me here.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Axel waited, eyes steady, clearly expecting more.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shrugged lightly. \u201cThe truth is, I don\u2019t know what it is yet either.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His brows furrowed slightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
88\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut,\u201d I added, my gaze drifting back toward the palace in the distance, where lanterns glowed against the darkening sky, \u201cI have a feeling we\u2019ll find out today.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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18:37 Fri, Dec 26\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 83 Chapter 83\u00a0 Chapter 83\u00a0 Adrian\u00a0 Her voice wouldn\u2019t leave my head.\u00a0 \u201cI […]<\/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-27877","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\/27877","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=27877"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27877\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27877"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}