Chapter 50

Three days had passed since I walked out of Candido’s office. I knew that his wedding was happening soon, but I didn’t want to think about it. I wanted him to feel my absence and get used to it because as soon as they were married, I would have to leave. Maybe I wouldn’t be kicked out of the pack, but there was no way I would share the house with her.

I’d just move onto campus and never come back for any reason. Maybe Claire would want to get an apartment off campus. I’d officially be a carefree adult, provided that the vampires didn’t attack and destroy everything.

I avoided meals, not bothering to eat, no matter who tried to offer me food or how loud my stomach growled. I distracted myself from the hunger by focusing on my investigation into the attacks and everything I had learned from listening to the meeting.

The military problem was bigger than I first thought. I didn’t want to admit it, but maybe Francium’s father was right. Mobilizing now would almost be ineffective. I sent a message to Moon Shadow’s forces, telling them to get ready for battle. With everyone in our forces, we might stand a chance if we all used our powers to defend the territories, but the rest of the forces would have to be under Candido’s command.

Another knock sounded on my door, and I ignored it, feeling Candido’s presence outside the room, but I didn’t care. I had locked the door last night, and I wasn’t keen to let him in.

“Hedy,” he called through the door. “Talk to me. Please talk to me.”

I said nothing. I grabbed my bag and packed my things, including the key to my bedroom door, and climbed out of the window, scaling down the side of the estate until I reached the ground floor. I rounded the estate and found Candido waiting in front of Team Gamma-2’s car.

“Hedy, this has gone on long enough,” he said. “You can’t keep avoiding me.”

I looked at him blankly. Then, the car. I turned down the road and headed towards the city, walking away from him.

“Hedy!” He yelled, coming after me. He ran ahead of me and cut me off. The clouds above us rumbled dangerously. It made me think of the first time I had met Candido, running from the Wolf Fang Pack’s house through the rain.

I had never imagined that I would have to leave his estate on foot. I knew I probably couldn’t outrun him, but I also knew that I probably wouldn’t have to. He wouldn’t chase after me because he didn’t love me, and it would take him away from the rest of his duties. His phone rang, and he grit his teeth before answering it.

“What is it, Sibyl?”

I didn’t even flinch at her name. I turned and walked around him, not speaking or acknowledging him. My heart clenched in anger and longing, but there was nothing to be done unless I found a way to bring down that Red Moon Pack or make Candido see reason before the wedding. There was nothing more I could do. There was nothing more to say since he seemed so hell-bent on doing this.

I put in my headphones, turning on some pop song that always made me feel better. I was halfway down the estate’s main road when Team Gamma-2’s jeep drove up and opened the door. A member stepped out as the clouds rumbled and the air grew humid, signaling rain was coming.

“Miss Hedy, please get inside. His Majesty has instructed us to take you wherever you’d like.”

I hesitated, but I decided in the end to get into the jeep. Candido wasn’t inside, and I was grateful for that. The ride to campus was silent, and I didn’t mind it. When I got out of the car, I went straight to the dorms. Classes were still cancelled. As I reached Claire’s room, my phone rung, and I thought about the last time I’d been there.

Was Francium still there? That would really put a damper in what I wanted to achieve, but I guess I could just go to the library and kill some time there. Or, if he was dressed and not sex drunk, I could ask him what he knew about what was going on in his territory.

I knocked and soon, Claire opened the door, fully dressed and not hesitating to step aside. I wiggled my eyebrows at the empty room behind her.

“So, Francium’s not here? He’s got to recharge?”

Her eyes narrowed. I frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Dad called to tell me that you’re fighting with His Majesty. I figured you’d show up here to talk.”

I sighed and shuffled in. I threw myself onto the large bean bag on the floor as she sat on her bed. Her door room wasn’t spacious, but it was cozy and every bit hers. I sighed. I should have moved onto campus when she did last year instead of clinging to the comfort of the estate. At least then I wouldn’t be avoiding my room there.

“I don’t want to talk about Candido right now.”

“He also said you haven’t been eating.” She offered me a bucket filled with snacks. “Indulge me. You can go back to rebelling when you leave. I promise I won’t tell a soul.”

I huffed and took one of her protein bars and tore it open. At the first taste, my stomach roared. She busied herself warming something up and before I could think better of it, she’d placed it in my hand. The scent of hot meat and garlic struck me and I ate, glowering at her as she texted someone.

“Texting Francium?”

“Dad. Letting him know you’re here and that you’re still refusing to eat.”

I smiled at her. “You’re the best.”

“I try,” she turned her gaze on me. “Now, what happened?”

“I—” my phone rang and I glared at it as I pulled it out. It was Candido. I pressed end and turned it on silent.

Claire hissed. “IT had to be bad if you’re hanging up on him. Was it about Sibyl?”

“He’s being stupid. I know he promised to marry Sibyl, but there was no way he could have known what a terrible person she would turn into.”

Claire frowned. “While I agree that Sibyl is terrible and not fit to be queen, would you still be going on strike if it wasn’t Sibyl?”

My lips twitched. “I… couldn’t say.”

I wanted to say that so long as she was nice and perfect for Candido that I wouldn’t be so upset, but I couldn’t honestly say that.

If she wasn’t me, I think I would always have an issue with it.

She hummed and looked at her phone. “They’ve announced it.”

I grit my teeth. “And?”

“It’s being held at the temple in the capital city,” she said.

I growled. “That… I hate her.”

She sighed. Want to know what I think?”

I glanced at her. “What?”

“You should be brave and show that you’re serious.” She said, “The way he looked at you at the award ceremony… the way he treats you tells me that he really does love you no matter what he says.”

“Then why tell me that he doesn’t think I know what love mean? Why push me away like this when he knows how I feel?” I jumped to my feet. “Why marry her at all?”

“Duty. Honor…” Claire shrugged. “You just have to show him that you’re more important than all of that.”

Her phone chimed and she shook her head, standing. “He’s headed this way. Best to get a move on. Come on, I’ll drive you back.”

I chuckled and followed her out of the building. “You’re the absolute best.”

Candido called again and sent at least ten text messages, but I ignored them. I got in the care with Claire and texted Team Gamma-2 that I was getting a ride, but I didn’t tell them where I was going.

Soon enough, we reached the estate and I jumped out. Allen came down the stairs, shaking his head.

“Such mischief.”

Claire beamed at him. “Best friends before alphas, sorry, Dad.”

He rolled his eyes and looked at me. “Miss Hedy, please answer His Majesty. He’s… He’s worried.”

I glanced down at my phone and tucked in my back pocket before heading up the stairs.

“I have already given him my answer,” I said, feeling oddly mature when I said it. “There’s nothing else to say.”

I walked inside and upstairs. I unlocked the door of my bedroom, walked in, and locked it behind me. I closed and locked my window before climbing onto my bed and pulling out my Moon Shadow laptop to distract myself from what was to come.

My phone kept ringing, but I didn’t answer even as tears were sliding down my cheeks.