I kept holding my ankle, sucked in a sharp breath, and batted my eyelashes until I could force out a few tears.
“I didn’t push her that hard! Luther, she’s faking it, she set up,” Jennifer whined, pointing at .
“But you did push her, didn’t you?” Luther asked, crossing his arms and glaring at Jennifer.
“I... well... yeah, but not hard enough to hurt her,” Jennifer said again.
I just held my ankle tightly and let out a low sigh. If I kept my silence, Jennifer would look more and more guilty. She’d even look a little wacky. I’d remain innocent.
“Luther, please, you have to believe ! I didn’t an to hurt her,” Jennifer insisted, stomping her foot like a rebelling child.
“I don’t have to believe you,” Luther muttered. “Especially, when my eyes can tell that you are lying.”
“But I...”
“That’s enough. I will deal with you later,” Luther said. He took a knee beside . “Ciana, are you okay?”
“I... my ankle is twisted pretty bad,” I muttered, looking at him with wide, glassy eyes.
Behind him, Jennifer fud, her hands balled into fists again. If Luther hadn’t been there, she probably would have attacked .
I ignored her. I needed to keep playing the role of the injured victim.
“Let see,” Luther muttered, taking my hands tenderly and pulling them from my ankle.
“I probably just need so rest. Is there sowhere I can lie down?” I asked, biting my lip innocently.
“Yes, of course.”
I struggled to stand up, but gave a soft whimper of pain. Before I could try moving, Luther scooped up in his arms, princess style. My legs bent over one of his strong arms and his other looped around my back. He cradled against his chest.
“Luther, I’m sorry,” Jennifer said, reaching for him as Luther walked by her.
“You’ve done enough. Don’t worry, I’ll follow up with you when I get Ciana settled,” Luther snarled under his breath.
Jennifer looked like she was ready to cry. I sighed inwardly. I believed she did really care for Luther.
After we left the banquet room, I sighed, “Luther, Jennifer isn’t a bad person. She just cares about you a lot.” Although I sowhat used Jennifer for my plan, I didn’t want her to really get punished because of .
“You’re still speaking for her after what she’s done to you?”
“It was sowhat an accident.” I told the truth. Sort of.
He carried out of the banquet hall to a lounge and laid down on a couch. He grabbed a pillow and gently lifted my ankle, propping it up on the pillow.
Luther gave a soft look and stepped away for a mont. He ca back with a cold bottle of water and a blanket. Gently, he laid the blanket over and pulled the edges so it covered completely.
“How is that?” he asked, handing the bottle of water.
I nodded, unscrewing the cap and taking a quick sip.
“This is just what I needed. I’m sure I’ll feel better in no ti,” I said, offering him a sweet smile.
Luther grinned back, his eyes lighting up. He pulled a chair up next to and removed the blanket from my ankle, looking at it more closely.
“It doesn’t seem to be swelling,” he said. “That’s good. Hopefully, it is a minor injury.”
“Should I put ice on it, or maybe heat?” I asked, taking another sip of water.
Luther slid his eyes to and chuckled. “Why don’t you just rest it for now. If it starts to swell or get worse, I’ll get you so ice.”
“Alright, that sounds good,” I said, nodding.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?” he asked as he covered my ankle again.
He was being so sweet and tender, I almost felt sorry for what I was about to do. I might not agree with his thods of seeking revenge, but I did feel sorry for what the king did to his pack and family.
Since my arrival, Luther had been polite and decent to .
“I think I’m all set. Thank you and... I’m sorry.”
Luther’s eyebrows lifted and he cocked his head at . “What are you sorry for?”
Damn! I shouldn’t have said that. Now, I was making him suspicious.
“Oh... I, well, I’m sorry for causing trouble and ruining your party,” I said, thinking quickly.
“The party is getting boring. It isn’t as interesting as you,” he said with a shrug. He cracked a quick smile and reached out, covering my hand with his.
“Still, this was a nice event,” I said, looking down at his fingers curled around mine. I tried to pull my hands away, but failed.
“This isn’t your fault, Ciana. Jennifer can be... passionate at tis. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she leaves you alone in the future,” he assured with a nod.
“Luther I... I apologize for making a scene,” I muttered, stopping myself before I said sothing I’d regret.
Luther’s eyes stuck on like glue and he stared hard. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to his. His bright orbs were full of curiosity.
“Ciana, tell if I’m crazy for asking this but... Is it possible that you have feelings for ?” he asked.
My jaw slackened slightly, and I swallowed quickly, composing myself.
“I told you, we don’t have to be enemies,” I reminded him, smiling lightly to try and change the seriousness of his question.
“That’s not what I an and you know it. Do you have real, romantic feelings for ?” he asked, tightening his fingers around my hand.
I sighed and thought carefully about how to answer. If I shut him down, he’d put up his emotional walls again and it would be harder for to slip away. If I gave him the wrong idea, he might try to follow through on sothing right here, right now.
This was not the ti for to try and spurn an unwanted romantic advance. I had to choose my words carefully so Luther didn’t beco suspicious but also didn’t take things the wrong way.
Finally, I smiled, “Um... that’s a good question.”
Luther smiled and waited for to continue. I shifted my eyes to the ceiling, coyly, like I was pretending to think about the answer.
“I’ll have to think about it. If you’re gentler with than Prince Theo, maybe I could.”
Luther smirked and nodded, like I’d just given him a challenge. “Well, I’ll just see what I can do about that.”
A knock on the door interrupted our banter and a maid ca in. She looked at her feet while she approached.
“My apologies, Alpha Luther. There are guests at the party wondering where you are,” she said, keeping her eyes down. Her cheeks burned red.
The poor girl wasn’t a very good liar. I recognized her as one of Jennifer’s maids. She’d probably sent her here to check on Luther and and report back. Jennifer didn’t want Luther and to be alone, so she was using her maid to separate us.
“My guests can wait. I’m helping a wounded friend,” Luther argued, waving to dismiss the maid.
She stood her ground, probably ordered not to leave until Luther did. I was sure Jennifer assud we wouldn’t do anything with a maid in the room.
“Luther, you should get back to the party. I’m sure there are a lot of people you haven’t talked to yet,” I urged.
As grateful as I was for his assistance, my plan hinged on him being distracted at the party and far away from .
Luther sighed and nodded. He squeezed my hand once more and stood up. “Ciana, tell if you need anything else. I’ll be in the banquet hall,” he said.
“I know where to find you.”
“Great. I’ll be back to check on you shortly,” Luther assured. He winked at as he headed to the door.
“I promise I’ll be fine.” I gave him a light grin.
The maid glared at behind Luther’s back, seeming angry that I was talking to Luther.
I simply gave her a nod and turned away from her gaze. I didn’t see Luther that way. Why didn’t anyone believe when I said I wasn’t interested?
First Sophia, now Jennifer...
I waved after Luther as he left with the maid following close behind.
As soon as the door latched closed, I jumped up and stretched. It was dangerously close to the ti I was supposed to et “Tallis” out at the garden. Luther had wanted to stay and talk and I hadn’t thought of a way to get rid of him.
I wondered what Jennifer’s reaction would be had she known that by sending her maid in, she did a great favor.
I snuck out of the lounge, keeping light on my feet as I headed down the hall. I was careful not to attract the attention of any maids or guards still on duty. Fortunately, with the party going on, that was where most everyone’s attention was.
“Tallis” was already in the gardens when I got there. He was standing in the shadow of a tree. I could tell it was him based on his stiff posture.
The mont he saw , he let out a breath of relief and his whole being seed to soften up a bit.
Had he been worried about ?
A surge of warmth flowed through my heart. After all, he did care about , right?
“Hey, thanks for waiting,” I said, jogging up to him at the tree.
He almost gave a smile. But then he sniffed a couple tis and crossed his arms, giving a hard look. I could clearly sense the vibe of irritation he gave off.
What was going on with his swift change of attitude?
“You’re late,” he sulked.
I swore it seed impossible to please him sotis, and for a mont, I wondered why I was going with him just to be reminded how much I irritated him when Luther had been nothing but nice.
Maybe I could turn around and get back in the mansion and stay with Luther instead.
But I imdiately shook my head and got rid of that silly thought.
There were people who had a nasty outer shell but good heart; And there were people who could appear to be nice but were vicious deep down.
I knew for sure Theo, or Tallis, or whatever he wanted to be called, was the first kind.
“I know, as I just said, thanks for waiting.” I arched an eyebrow at him. “But I’m here now, so we can go ahead with the plan.”
“Did you enjoy dancing with that usurper?”
#
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