Chapter 173
Chapter 173
+B Pearls
Third Person’s POV
Duke softened his voice, mistaking the silence in Carmen’s eyes for lingering trauma. “This isn’t meant to shame you,” he said gently, sliding the polished golden sigil across the table. “I truly want to make things right p>
Carmen slowly raised her gaze, tear–filled eyes shimmering with watery light. Her fragile, pitiful face looked like it had endured the cruelest injustice.
“I.. nothing happened. You don’t need to give me anything, my lord,” she murmured.
“Take it.” Duke said earnestly, pushing the sigil closer. “Otherwise. I’ll never have peace”
Carmen wanted to snatch the crest immediately–one flash of that sigil, and she’d have access to enough gold to fund her escape and Riley’s journey.
But the act had to go on.
She hesitated visibly, brows furrowed, lips trembling like she was torn between dignity and desperation.
Duke remained patient. “It’s not charity. It’s compensation. Please p>
Just as Carmen slowly reached for the sigil, eyes wet, a sharp voice tore through the still air behind them.
“Well, well, look who we have here! Isn’t this Ashmoor’s prized scholarship pup, Carmen Hawthorne p>
The shrill female voice carried a venomous delight.
“Didn’t expect to see you here, little Carmen,” a mocking male voice followed. “Found yourself another noble wolf to leech from? ”
Duke and Carmen turned around simultaneously.
A young she–wolf and her companion–both unknown to Carmen–stood smirking behind them.
The she–wolf wore a thick layer of powder, trying hard to hide the meanness in her eyes, while the male wolf lounged with an arrogant smirk, clearly enjoying the moment.
Carmen narrowed her eyes.
Since that incident with Kael Vale that nearly got her expelled from Ashmoor, it felt like every wolf at the academy believed. she was fair game Some whispered, some taunted. She could ignore it–until someone got in her way.
Like now.
A chill passed through her gaze.
Those two just ruined her best shot at claiming that sigil.
The pair turned their attention to Duke, who clearly hadn’t expected such a public scene. Their mocking expressions faltered when they saw him up close.
Duke, in his crisp midnight – blue tunic marked with Beta sigils, looked like nobility incarnate. His pale gold hair, perfectly combed shimmered under the soft sunlight. His golden–rimmed lenses sat neatly on a chiseled nose The strength in his jawline, the dignity in his posture–he exuded grace and danger.
The gazes dropped to the rune–bound crest on his wrist–crafted by the Silverfang artisans. The sigil pulsed taintly, a signi of lus rank and wealth
jealousy flared in the male’s eyes
utcomed
alf–blood? She didn’t deserve a woll like that
Chapter 173
8 Pearls
“Sir, you don’t know what you’re dealing with,” the she–wolf sneered. “She’s been crawling around nobles‘ dens since spring”
“Almost got banished for it,” the male added eagerly. “If her dying mother hadn’t begged the Headmaster on her knees, she wouldn’t even be at Ashmoor”
“Now she’s clawing for your coin,” the girl said. “Don’t fall for her tears p>
Their words dripped with calculated venom. They hadn’t seen what Carmen had endured, yet they paraded their slander like truth
Duke turned to Carmen, eyes filled with unease and disbelief.
She was so close.
Carmen clenched her jaw, forcing her hands to tremble in perfect rhythm with her rising chest.
If she took the gold now, and Duke found out what Kael had done. he might turn on her. Worse, he might discover the truth about Riley.
She couldn’t risk it.
Not for money. Not yet.
She bit her tongue hard, coppery blood flooding her mouth.
Tears welled again. She pushed Duke’s hand away.
“I never… I never wanted your money,” she whispered brokenly. “Last night was an accident. It wasn’t your fault p>
Then she bolted from the table, shoving past the couple and dashing for the door.
Duke stood up immediately.
But the male wolf stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
“She’s lying,” he said coldly. “Girls like her don’t deserve sympathy p>
Duke s golden eyes darkened.
“Are my affairs yours to judge?” he asked, voice low and dangerously calm.
The wolf flinched.
Duke stepped past him and strode toward the exit.
Carmen had already crossed the road, nearly back within the university’s shadow.
“Carmen“” he shouted, the name rolling off his tongue from memory.
Carmen froze.
Her back stiffened, the fury in her gaze burning like wildfire. She clenched her fists.
Damn it!
She had almost succeeded– almost. Those two rotten mulis cost her a clean victory:
Still, there unght be a second chance.
She turned around, masking her rage instantly.
But what the saw next stopped her dead.
Across the street afaraboyantly dr d male wolf launched himself at Duke- linging to him like a cub to its size.
3:51 PM
Chapter 173
+8 Pearls
YOU ABANDONED ME!” the wolf wailed. “I WAS LOCKED IN THAT BATHHOUSE FOR TWO DAYS! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU?
Duke staggered backward, nearly knocking over a street lamp.
He blinked down at the wolf sobbing into his chest.
“Andie?” he asked, stunned.
The wolf was a mess– hair in dreadlocks, cheeks scratched, clothes shredded. He reeked of damp stone and fermented sweat.
Duke grimaced.
Andie, usually immaculate and proud, now looked like he’d been dragged through a sewer.
“I TOLD YOU NEVER TO LEAVE ME!” Andie continued, punching Duke’s chest weakly like a jilted mate.
Carmen stared.
Mouth open.
Eyes round.
What. The actual. Hell.
So… Duke wasn’t interested in women?
No wonder he was so… well–maintained.
She scoffed and turned on her heel, storming back into campus without another glance.
“Waste of time,” she muttered. “Stupid pretty boy. Just wanted to make himself feel better. ”
If he gave her the gold, it was probably just to clean his conscience,
Disgusting-
The week passed quietly.
But Carmen hadn’t forgotten.
She was just waiting for the perfect night.
And on a moonless evening, beneath the thick canopy of the Mooncrest forest, she struck.
Draped in black, face hidden beneath a cloak, she waited like a shadow.
When the couple from the cafe strolled in, laughing and whispering, she moved
The male didnt even see it coming
A single, brutal kick
He crumpled, howling in agony
The she–wall turned, screamed-
Tou late
Carmen raised a stone slab, brought it down hard.
Again
d
Chapter 173
And again
Her cloak fluttered like a vulture’s wings in the dark.
The forest swallowed the sound.
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