Chapter 137
Chapter 137
The novelty will wear off,” Lance replied quickly, trying not to admit even to himself
that the whole situation made him jealous.
“I’m just saying it’s nice to get nice things p>
“Look, Ellie,” Lance said seriously, “this whole situation with my brother is complicated, but he’s going to give you that divorce you asked for. When he does, it means you have a second chance to choose for yourself. Forget about fated mates, forget about the Goddess’s will. This is your choice. Don’t rush into picking someone like Kieran just because he’s there p>
“I know you’re right. I don’t intend to rush into anything p>
“Trust me, a lot of people don’t have a choice. You don’t want to make the wrong one p>
“You sound bitter,” Ellie said, attempting a teasing tone, but the look on Lance’s face told her the comment had fallen flat.
Something in his expression shifted. It was subtle, but she knew him well enough to see that the remark had struck a chord.
“Are you thinking about your arranged engagement?” she asked more gently.
“Yeah,” Lance admitted with a heavy sigh. “When you disappeared, everything with that situation was put on hold. All of our resources and focus were on finding you. Of course, I knew you were fine the whole time, but it was a good excuse to get Nolan off my back. Now that you’re home safe and all of that’s resolved, the parents of my fiancée are insisting, demanding, really, that Nolan set up a meeting p>
“Wait, you’re telling me you haven’t even met this woman yet and they expect you to marry her?” Ellie scoffed in disbelief.
“That’s how arranged marriages work, Ellie. The higher-ups make the deal, and we’re expected to go along with it. Her parents are important, influential, high- ranking – and it’s Nolan’s job as Alpha to make sure I don’t embarrass the family p>
The bitterness in his voice was impossible to miss.
“Nolan wouldn’t really force you to go through with it, would he?” Ellie asked, her tone softening.
“Force? No, I don’t think so,” Lance said. “But encourage? Yeah. And if I’m honest, I don’t have a good reason to reject the offer. I’m not the kind of guy who’s ever going to settle down by choice. I know I have an obligation to the pack. A marriage like this could help strengthen alliances and bring more stability. You know my reputation precedes me. I’m sure plenty of elders would love to see me ‘settle down’ and behave properly p>
“But would you be happy?” Ellie asked quietly.
“I don’t know if my happiness matters all that much,” Lance said with a shrug. “It’s not like a political marriage is going to change who I am. It’ll just mean I get a little less crazy on my boat parties p>
Ellie got the feeling that there was something more behind those words, but didn’t press him. A look passed over his face something Ellie couldn’t quite identify. It reminded her of the first time they’d truly bonded, when he’d helped her and Rae expose their friend’s cheating fiancé.
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Chapter 137
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Lance had always had strong feelings about loyalty. If he went through with this marriage, she knew he’d be loyal, even if he felt nothing for his bride.
It was a complicated situation for him, and it made Ellie realize exactly how lucky
she was to have a second chance, a chance to choose love for herself.
Lance was right. She shouldn’t rush it. She needed to choose carefully.
And she wasn’t sure if Kieran was the right choice.
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