Chapter 84\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 84\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
88\u00a0<\/p>\n
255 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my goddess, I can\u2019t wait, Selene. There will be so many people at the banquet, important elders, nobles, I even heard some alphas will be there. No, forget them. Most importantly, he will be there. Adrian will be there. We can finally talk, spend time together\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna\u2019s voice filled the carriage without pause, each word tumbling over the next. I leaned back against the cushioned wall, closed my eyes, and pinched the bridge of my nose, forcing myself to breathe slowly. Just listening to her was exhausting, and my body was already stretched thin. Heat simmered beneath my skin, and the last thing I needed was this.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Selene,\u201d she continued brightly, \u201cwhat are you even wearing? Your outfit is strange. I mean, it\u2019s pretty, but you\u2019re covering your whole body. At a banquet full of important people, don\u2019t you think it looks kind of tacky? If you didn\u2019t have any other things to wear, you should have asked me to lend you something.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I said nothing. If I opened my mouth now, I might say something I wouldn\u2019t bother taking back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The carriage rocked gently as it moved, the rhythm doing nothing to drown her out. I wondered briefly what sin I\u2019d committed in this lifetime to be trapped in such a small space with her. Of all the carriages in the world, I had to be placed with a parrot that never stopped talking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSelene?\u201d she pressed, leaning closer. \u201cDid you hear me? Why aren\u2019t you saying anything? You-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The carriage suddenly slowed, then stopped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A knock sounded against the door. \u201cWe have arrived.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The voice was familiar, though in my current state I didn\u2019t bother to place it. Sienna gasped as if she had been waiting for that exact moment her entire life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh my goddess, we\u2019re here!\u201d she exclaimed. \u201cOpen the door.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The door swung open, cool night air brushing against my face. I opened my eyes and froze.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Standing there was Lucas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He leaned casually against the carriage frame, one hand resting lazily at his side, the other tucked into his pocket. His usual careless appearance was gone, replaced by elegant dark clothing that fit him far too well. His golden eyes glinted with amusement, and that familiar, infuriatingly lazy smile curved his lips like he\u2019d planned this entire moment just to see my reaction.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sienna, beside me, stared openly. \u201cWhoa\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She had never seen him before. Lucas rarely left my courtyard, spending his days eating, lounging, and watching me as if I were some strange creature he hadn\u2019t quite decided what to do with yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWho are you?\u201d she asked, clearly intrigued.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e1e\u0e23\u00a0<\/p>\n
83\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 84\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas didn\u2019t even spare her a glance. It was as if she didn\u2019t exist. His eyes were fixed on me, sparkling with\u00a0<\/p>\n
mischief.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d he drawled. \u201cAre you starstruck? I know I\u2019m breathtaking.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes, any shock dissolving into irritation. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d I demanded, narrowing my gaze. Then it hit me. \u201cDon\u2019t tell me you drove the carriage. What happened to the rider?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He shrugged, entirely unbothered. \u201cI did. And don\u2019t worry, the rider\u2019s still alive\u2026 I think.\u201d He tilted his head slightly, thoughtful. \u201cI just knocked him unconscious and exchanged clothes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I scoffed as I looked at him. This man was truly strange, admitting everything so casually, as if knocking someone unconscious and stealing their job was the most normal thing in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sighed, already tired, and asked, \u201cHow do you even know how to ride a horse?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas tilted his head slightly, his expression lazy but his eyes sharp. \u201cI\u2019ve lived for a long time,\u201d he said simply. \u201cIt\u2019s easy for me to copy what you people do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou people?\u201d Sienna repeated, her voice cutting in sharply, reminding me that she was still very much present.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She looked from me to Lucas, her gaze lingering a second too long on him before she frowned. \u201cWho is he, Selene? How do you know each other?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glanced at her indifferently. \u201cHe\u2019s my personal guard.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her expression dropped instantly. \u2018Why does this bitch get a hot personal guard? Isn\u2019t Silas enough? He\u2019s gorgeous. She doesn\u2019t deserve anything good.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t even need to look into her mind to know what she was thinking. The jealousy was practically written on her face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked back at her, my lips twitching with mockery, but I said nothing. There was no need. Sienna was not her main focus today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Realizing I was watching her, she quickly adjusted her expression, forcing a bright smile. \u201cOh, is that so?\u201d she said sweetly. Then she turned to Lucas. \u201cHi, my name is Sienna, Selene\u2019s younger sister. I\u2019m so happy you\u2019re serving my sister. Please take good care of her. She\u2019s very delicate and makes a lot of mistakes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She laughed lightly. \u201cBut don\u2019t worry, if anything happens, you can always tell me. And I hope you\u2019ll take care\u00a0<\/p>\n
of me too.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She was already acting, laying it on thick, using the same tricks she used on every man she met.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas still didn\u2019t even look at her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead, he extended his hand toward me. \u201cCome,\u201d he said calmly. \u201cLet\u2019s go. I\u2019ll be your escort tonight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I glanced at Sienna just in time to see her face flush red from being completely ignored. If only she knew, Lucas wasn\u2019t like other men. He wasn\u2019t someone who could be swayed by charm. He was one of the greatest\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Fri, Dec 26\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 84\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
beings to ever exist, and her little act meant nothing to him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0e1c\u0e25 68\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
I smiled, placing my hand in his. He helped me down from the carriage with ease. As my feet touched the ground, I could feel Sienna\u2019s glare burning into my back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, you!\u201d she snapped at someone nearby. \u201cCome and help me down!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d the servant replied hurriedly, rushing to her side as Lucas led me forward, his grip firm, leaving her fuming behind us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As we walked into the hall, I felt a shift in the air, countless gazes snapping toward us all at once. My hand rested lightly atop Lucas\u2019s arm as we moved forward at an unhurried pace. The hall, already filled with nobles, elders, and alphas from different packs, slowly fell silent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas noticed it too. His posture didn\u2019t change, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the room with clear displeasure. \u201cWhy are they all staring?\u201d he muttered, his voice low and edged with annoyance. \u201cDo they have a death wish?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I kept my expression calm, lowering my voice as well. \u201cPeople always stare at things they like to gossip about,\u201d I replied. \u201cAnd besides, I\u2019m used to their gazes by now.\u201d My eyes swept across the hall briefly before I added, \u201cIf anything, I think you\u2019re the bigger problem. Your face is attracting far too much attention.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even from where I stood, I could feel the lingering stares from noble ladies across the hall, eyes that followed Lucas with open fascination and interest. He stood out far too much. He had the kind of presence that drew people in before they even realized it, and tonight, it was impossible to ignore.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As we continued walking, a sudden jolt shot through my body without warning. My steps faltered for a second as I clenched my jaw, the reaction sharp and unpleasant. The sheer number of men in the hall was starting to affect me. I could feel their attention on me, even though none of them had caught my scent yet. My heat was reacting regardless, my body trembling faintly as warmth pooled uncomfortably, my face draining of color.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, fuck,\u201d I muttered under my breath. The banquet hadn\u2019t even started yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lucas\u2019s hand tightened instantly around mine as he looked down at me with a raised brow. \u201cAre you okay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded quickly, straightening my posture and forcing my breathing to steady. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d I said quietly, even though he clearly didn\u2019t believe me. I took a slow breath, pulling my control back into place as we continued forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He kept watching me from the corner of his eye, suspicion written plainly across his face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To distract myself, I spoke again. \u201cWill you tell me now why you\u2019re really here?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He glanced at me. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you, Lucas,\u201d I said calmly, meeting his gaze. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t come all the way here without a reason. Don\u2019t tell me you\u2019re here just for the food.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His lips twitched, almost like he was offended. \u201cYou have very little faith in me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I wouldn\u2019t put it past you. A lazy phoenix causing trouble for food alone wouldn\u2019t surprise me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
18:37 Fri, Dec 26\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 84\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
55 vouchers\u00a0<\/p>\n
He looked at me for a long moment, his expression shifting into something more thoughtful before he finally spoke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right. I don\u2019t actually know why I\u2019m here,\u201d he admitted slowly. \u201cOr why that man wanted me to keep an eye on you today.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped walking.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My head turned toward him, my earlier discomfort momentarily forgotten. \u201cWhat did you just say?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
AD\u00a0<\/p>\n
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18:37 Fri, Dec 26<\/p>\n
Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 84 Chapter 84\u00a0 Chapter 84\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 :\u00a0 88\u00a0 255 vouchers\u00a0 \u201cOh my goddess, […]<\/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-27878","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\/27878","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=27878"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27878\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27878"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}