Chapter 32
Gemini’s POV
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, and I groaned as I turned my face away from the intrusive rays. My eyes ached, swollen from the tears I’d cried all night. The sting of King Asher’s reaction was still fresh, like it just happened minutes ago.
I sat up slowly, wincing as I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror. Puffy, red–rimmed eyes gazed back at me, a distinct sign of my weakness. With a sigh. I grabbed a pair of oversized dark shades and slid them on. No one needed to see the mess I’d become
By the time I arrived at the dining hall for breakfast, everyone was already seated and diving into their meals, except for Asher, who remained absent from the table.
Could he have skipped breakfast because of what happened last night?
I shook my head internally: he could never be that petry, or could he?
1 hurriedly made my way to my seat, my eyes avoiding the questioning gaze of everyone seated. Cain’s sharp eyes immediately found me as I quietly slipped into a seat.
“Gem1” he asked, his brow furrowing. “What’s with the shades?”
I offered a weak smile, waving a hand dismissively. “Oh, just a sore eye. Didn’t want anyone to catch it.
Cain raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to believe me or not, “Sore eyes? What does that even mean!”
Before I could answer, Becca’s all–too–familiar voice cut through the air, sharp as ever. “Is it an eyesore,” she paused, smirking, “or have you been crying all night”
1 stiffened, my fingers tightening around my fork. My chest burned with both embarrassment and anger, but I kept my gaze down, refusing to let her see how much her words affected me
“Becca,” Mr Blackwood’s firm voice interrupted, his tone brooking no argument, “enough. Everyone, focus on your food.”
Becca huffed but didn’t push further. I could feel Cain’s concerned gaze on me, but thankfully, he didn’t press,
Asher’s seat remained empty from start to emotions threatening to surface.
to finish. His
is absence only added to the heaviness in my chest, but I forced myself to eat, biting back
my back the
After breakfast, as I made my way to leave, Mrs Blackwood approached me, her expression unreadable, an expression that ran throughout the family.
“Gemini,” she began, her tone deceptively calm. “I need to speak with you”
I nodded, following her out of the dining hall and into a part of the sitting room where there were no guards or maids eavesdropping on our
convenuation
moon, and it’s an important tradition in our
place on the e full moon a “There’s a mutual we need to prepare for,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly. “It tak family. Aber has chosen you as his mate, so it’s necessary for you to undergo this ritual.”
1 frowned, suspicion prickling at the edges of my mind. “What kind of ritual?”
Mrs Blackwood’s sale was beginning to trouble my mind, the thought of what she was
is trying to achieve lay unresolved in my mind. “It’s meant to strengthen the bond and make you more, suitable as Asher’s mate, It’s nothing to be scared about,”
Her words sent a chall down any spine. I didn’t trust her, but the mention of the ritual piqued my curiosity. If it was tied to Asher and their family. I should most definitely perform it as well
But why did Acher never mention anything of this might to me?
I don’im
be rude, but why are you bring nice to me?” I asked cautiously
She dropped her façade, raising my
y chin to meet her eyes. “Is this what you prefer?”
1 shook my chán off her hold, a stare of defiance in my eyes. “Now this is the Mrs Blackwood I know”
The crossed her hands over her chest, a flicker of anger dancing in her guze “You know, I never found you worthy of my Asher, not BOLE, BOL ever Werewolves have no business with tar Royal Iycan family, they’re meant to be our
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Chapter 32
“So if I were you, I would hold onto this opportunity with all my might, ‘cause this is the only way that the Lycans can recognize you as Asher’s mate. You may be weak, but I know you’re not stupid. So think about it, Gemini.” She gave me a small back pat before turning to leave, her heels clicking against the polished floor.
As 1 headed back to my room, my phone buzzed. My mom’s name flashed across the screen, and Lanswered quickly.
“Gemini,” her voice was calm, yet I could sense the worry in it. “How are you doing?”
“Tin fine, Mom”
There was a pause on her own end. “Hello!” I called out to check if she was still with me.
She sighed heavily as if burdened by something “Are you sure you are okay?”
| hesitated, unsure of what to tell her. “Everything is fine, Mom. I’m fine”
“I’ve been having this strange feeling that something is about to go wrong-
“Come on, Mom” I interrupted, “Nothing will go wrong King Asher is here to protect me.”
She let out another sigh, clearly not convinced. But I didn’t wait for her to say another word; I grabbed the moment, shifting the topic. “Mom… found something strange in King Asher’s room the other day. A file. It looked really.. suspicious. Like it had something to do with me. But before I could see its content, he walked in. I really don’t know what to think”
The silence on the other end was deafening.
“Mom” 1 prompted, my heart pounding.
When she finally spoke, her voice was strained. “Gemini, listen to me carefully. You need to
“Wait.” I cut her off, my mind racing. “Do you know why King Asher paid so much for me?”
Her silence this time was telling. The seconds stretched, her hesitation feeling heavier with each passing
“Mom!” I pressed, my voice shaking
“Gemini, the elders and I thought it would be safer to keep you in the dark about it.”
“About what?” I demanded, my chest tightening
moment.
She sighed heavily, and I could almost picture her pinching the bridge of her nose as she always did whenever she was hiding something. “We’ll talk about this soon. Just be careful”
“Mom!”
The call ended abruptly, leaving me staring at the screen, my heart racing with brignswered questions.
