Chapter 125: A Calculated Confr…
Polt
Chapter 125: A Calculated Confrontation
Chapter 125: A Calculated Confrontation
(Celeste’s POV)
I strode toward Scarlett’s private wing, each step deliberate and unyielding. Nina followed closely, her silver–gray wolf radiating subtle anticipation. She had caught onto my intention the
moment I ordered her to spread the word strategically.
“Nina, make sure the right ears hear about this visit,” I instructed, keeping my voice low and
firm.
Her eyes gleamed with understanding. “Of course, My Lady,” she answered, her tone calm but dangerous. “Victoria and Lucas will know before long.”
I nodded, allowing myself the faintest smile. Scarlett would never willingly let Grace leave her
side–not without a dramatic display. And that dramatic display was precisely what I needed.
“When they hear it,” I added, stepping to avoid a servant bustling past in the corridor, “let it
sound like gossip, not an arranged scheme. Let them think the news slipped, not delivered.”
Nina’s wolf shifted slightly beside me, pleased with the clever maneuver. “Consider it done,”
she promised, her tone carrying both confidence and loyalty.
We reached Scarlett’s quarters within minutes. The grand, polished wooden doors stood tall,
marking the space as hers. Outside, a beta guard stood straight, his expression tight as he noticed our approach.
As I halted in front of the door, the guard’s wolf radiated discomfort. I could sense his tension
rising even before I spoke.
“I’m here to see Scarlett,” I announced coolly, crossing my arms.
The guard flinched slightly at my tone, but quickly recovered. “Miss Celeste, my apologies,” he
began, voice rough with forced authority. “Second Daughter is too ill to receive visitors right
now.”
Nina stepped forward, her silver–gray wolf emitting a low growl that sent a shiver through the
air. “III?” she asked, the mockery in her voice unmistakable. “That’s strange. I could’ve sworn I
saw her visiting Elder Eleanor just this morning.”
The guard’s wolf bristled with unease, and for a moment, he faltered. Just as I expected.
1/5
+3 Poin
Chapter 125: A Calculated Confr…
But I didn’t let Nina press. Instead, I smiled faintly, tilting my head as if considering his excuse. “Oh, I’m not here to inquire about dear Scarlett,” I said with syrupy politeness. “I’ve
come to collect Grace. There are matters requiring her immediate attention.”
It was almost amusing to watch the guard wrestle with himself. His wolf paced nervously beneath his surface as he hesitated. “Miss Celeste,” he started again, “Grace is attending Second Daughter through her illness. She cannot-
I held up a hand, cutting him off smoothly. My voice dropped an octave, enough to carry authority without shouting. “Grace cannot be spared?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
My tone sharpened as I stepped closer. “Are you suggesting that the entire pack house staff is
incapable of caring for our treasured Scarlett? That only one guard is competent enough to
tend to her needs?”
The guard’s wolf struggled visibly as he realized the trap I’d laid. Behind me, several passing
wolves slowed their steps, their curious glances confirming that my words carried.
“Surely,” I added, letting my voice rise just slightly, “the Luna wouldn’t allow her precious
daughter to receive such subpar attention. Perhaps I should bring this to her directly, for her
awareness?”
The guard opened his mouth to respond, but the sound of heavy footsteps approaching saved
him. I didn’t even need to turn to know it was Lucas.
My brother rounded the corner like a storm, his golden eyes already flashing with unbridled
anger. The controlled dominance of his wolf hit me the instant he appeared, though I held my
ground.
“What are you doing here?” he growled, his voice sharp enough to cut through steel. “Haven’t
you caused enough trouble?”
Nina tensed slightly beside me, her silver–gray wolf reacting to the aggressive nature of Lucas’s energy. But I placed a calming hand on her arm, refusing to rise to Lucas’s bait.
“Brother,” I began, keeping my voice deliberately calm, “I was just expressing concern.”
Lucas’s glare darkened. “Concern?” he spat, his tone laced with disbelief.
“Yes,” I replied smoothly, matching his hostility with feigned innocence. “Concern that Scarlett appears to have fallen deathly ill, requiring her personal guard’s constant presence.”
I let the sarcasm drip from the word “ill,” daring him to dispute it.
Lucas’s wolf snapped forward, his golden eyes narrowing further. “You’re harassing her, aren’t
2/5
+8 Point
Chapter 125: A Calculated Confr…
you?” His lip curled in a slight snarl. “You can’t stand to leave her in peace.”
I arched an eyebrow, keeping my composure intact. “Harassing her?” I echoed softly, as
though the very idea was baffling. Then I smiled faintly. “If she’s truly as sick as her staff
claims, surely she deserves better care than just Grace at her bedside. Doubtless, Luna Victoria would agree.”
Nina shifted subtly, her wolf radiating a calculating aura as more pack members subtly gathered nearby, drawn in by the drama.
Almost as if summoned by her name, Victoria’s voice rang out behind us. “Little Moon?” she
questioned, a note of concern in her tone.
Both Lucas and I turned to find her approaching hurriedly. Her wolf’s protective energy surged forward immediately, a mother detecting trouble concerning one of her pups.
“What’s happening here?” she asked, her emerald eyes moving between Lucas and me.
I tilted my head slightly, feigning surprise, “Luna,” I greeted her with polite deference. “I was
merely addressing Scarlett’s sudden and severe illness, as her guards reported.”
Victoria stiffened slightly at the word “illness,” her wolf reacting protectively. “Illness?” she
repeated, her gaze sharpening as worry flashed across her expression. “But Scarlett was
perfectly fine this morning…”
Before I could respond, I let my eyes subtly dart toward the door, drawing her attention.
Perhaps you should see for yourself, Luna?” I suggested lightly. “Surely nothing less than
maternal care can provide the comfort our Scarlett requires.”
Predictably, Victoria’s wolf surged forward, her instincts overtaking any hesitation. She
brushed past us, her robes swaying as she moved swiftly to enter Scarlett’s quarters. Lucas followed immediately after, his golden eyes shooting me a glare filled with warning.
I waited half a beat before stepping behind them, careful to maintain my carefully composed
expression.
Inside Scarlett’s grand chamber, I wasn’t surprised to find her lying dramatically in bed, the picture of feigned fragility. Her emerald eyes widened the instant she saw us, her wolf curling
in mock submission.
“Mother?” she whispered weakly, her voice trembling delicately. “Brother? What’s wrong?”
Victoria hurried to her daughter’s side, her wolf radiating protective warmth as she leaned over Scarlett. “Baby” she fussed, her hands hovering over Scarlett’s forehead. “Are you unwell? You
3/5
+B Point
Chapter 125: A Calculated Confr…
didn’t mention feeling sick earlier!”
Lucas placed himself strategically between Scarlett’s bed and me, his wolf emanating
dominance as he watched my every move.
“What is the meaning of this, Celeste?” Lucas demanded, his tone biting. “Are you happy now?
Disturbing her when she’s clearly unwell?”
I ignored him entirely, my gaze sliding past to focus on Grace. The beta guard hovered nervously near Scarlett’s bed, her brown eyes darting toward me before quickly dropping to the
floor.
Her disheveled appearance was clearly contrived, meant to add credibility to the lie of
Scarlett’s illness.
“Grace,” I said smoothly, addressing her directly for the first time. My voice didn’t rise, but it
carried an authority that made her flinch slightly.
She glanced at Scarlett for a split second before responding, her tone shaky. “Y–yes, My Lady?”
I stepped closer, ignoring Lucas’s immediate bristling. My violet eyes burned with calculated
interest as I studied Grace’s nervous posture.
“You’ve been tending to Second Daughter all day, I assume?” I asked, tilting my head slightly.
Grace nodded quickly, though my enhanced senses detected her wolf’s unease.
“I see,” I replied, my tone slipping into a false warmth that sent tension rippling through the
room. “Then I must ask…”
I let the pause hang as I smiled faintly. “Why was Scarlett seen speaking with Lady Eleanor
this morning, looking entirely well?”
Scarlett’s wolf immediately radiated distress, though she quickly masked it with another weak
whimper. “Mother,” she murmured, her voice fragile, “I… I wasn’t feeling sick then.”
Victoria froze briefly, her protective aura flickering. Her emerald eyes darted between Scarlett
and me as doubt crept into her expression.
“Lucas,” Scarlett whimpered, reaching out pathetically. “Please…”
Lucas snapped toward me, his golden eyes burning with frustration.
“Enough,” he said sharply. “You’ve crossed the line, Celeste!”
4/5
