Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Third Person POV
“I think that I’ve figured out what’s going on with Cassian Lance said, shifting
awkwardly in his seat. He was seated across from Nolan in his office.
Nolan raised an eyebrow at him. “Well p>
“I’m pretty sure that he’s romantically interested in Ellie p>
Nolan stared at Lance for a long, tense moment as he considered the explanation. It did seem to make some sense.
“I see,” Nolan said simply.
“That’s it?” Lance asked, frowning. “That’s all the reaction you can muster? I just told you that another man is interested in your wife p>
“I’ll monitor the situation p>
Lance scoffed and leaned back in the chair, shaking his head. “Unbelievable p>
Nolan glanced down at the paperwork on his desk. Lance didn’t notice how stiff his posture had gone or the tightness in his jaw. Nolan wasn’t unaffected, but he wasn’t willing to let Lance see how the idea of someone else pursuing Ellie made his chest tight.
“As long as you’re here, there’s something important we need to discuss,” Nolan said, pointing to the chair across from his desk.
Lance reluctantly sat. “Something important?” he asked.
“I’ve been approached with a marriage proposal for you p>
Lance stared at him in silent shock for a long moment.
“Are you joking? Is this a prank?” he demanded. “I’m not getting married p>
Nolan kept his voice calm and even. “It’s a very serious offer. They aren’t expecting an answer immediately, but they want you to consider it. I think it’s a good match for you p>
“I don’t give a damn what you think p>
Nolan stared at him steadily. Lance took a deep breath, reeling in his anger. He wanted to tell Nolan off for even entertaining the idea, but he didn’t.
He knew that it was expected of him to get married and continue the bloodline- especially since Nolan hadn’t produced an heir yet. He remembered Ellie’s words, accusing him of not taking his role in the pack seriously. He clenched his fists and sighed.
“I’ll think about it p>
A brief flash of surprise crossed Nolan’s face before he covered it up.
“That’s all I’m asking p>
Nolan POV
After my conversation with Lance about his possible wife, found myself feeling oddly introspective. I’d expected him to curse and storm out when I brought up the idea of him getting married, but he was surprisingly open to it. It almost made me suspicious.
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If I was being honest, though, I couldn’t say why.
It was late when I finally pulled myself away from my work On my way to the dining room, I could hear the television playing. I went to see what Ellie was doing and paused in the doorway.
She was sitting curled up on the couch with a plate propped on her knee, eating dinner.
I frowned as I watched her. Ellie used to bring me dinner like clockwork every night, making sure to choose one of my favorite dishes. She always made a big deal about it, insisting that we should eat together-even if I had to work late.
It always annoyed me. But now, we never ate together. She either made herself comfortable and ate alone, like she was doing right now, or she went out with her friends.
The smell of her food reached me, and I recognized it immediately. It was one of my favorite pasta dishes- something that Ellie always used to ask the kitchen to make when I was stressed out.
For a moment, I almost smiled. I’d worked late. I was stressed. She did what she always did and ensured that my favorite meal would be ready for dinner.
But when I thought about it a little longer, that didn’t make sense. She was sitting here alone, eating it. Why would she have the kitchen go to the trouble of making my favorite meal and then not wait for us to eat it together?
What did she gain from that? It didn’t give her an excuse to be close to me or seek praise if she didn’t even let me know she’d done it.
But maybe that was the point. Maybe she was trying to make me mad-sitting here, eating my favorite meal alone while it was still hot, while the rest of the food went cold as I worked.
That must be it. She thought this was punishing me somehow. It was just Ellie, up to her old games again.
But I wasn’t sure that made sense either. She was really giving me mixed signals.
I broke the silence, drawing Ellie’s attention to the door.
“You know, these games of yours are getting you nowhere.
She looked at me in confusion as she swallowed a bite.
“What are you talking about p>
“I know you still love me. These petty little games to get my attention are getting you nowhere. Maybe if you actually behaved yourself, I’d reconsider the divorce p>
Ellie scoffed and turned her attention back to the TV.
I glanced at the screen to see what she was watching, and my heart stopped when I saw Felicity’s face.
It was some lifestyle program. They were interviewing Felicity about her beauty
routine and what it was like to be so closely linked to the Alpha.
I gritted my teeth in irritation as I listened to Felicity’s voice.
It was sweet-higher than its natural register-and she male a show of looking bashful as she smiled at the
camera.
“Well, you know, it’s just so easy. Alpha Nolan-he’s so charming and sweet. At least, he is to me p>
She was obviously hinting that there was more between us, and I narrowed my eyes as I stared at the screen. What the hell was she thinking, doing something like this right now, when she knew damn well that it was important
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for Ellie and me to look like a happy couple?
It was undoubtedly true that Felicity had been taking advantage of Ellie’s distance lately-becoming more flirtatious and open about our relationship. In the past, I probably would have enjoyed the attention from her. But now, seeing her face on the TV, putting on such an innocent act, just irritated me.
She knew what was at stake if people began to doubt my connection with Ellie. She knew how weak it would make me look. And yet there she was, smiling at the camera, talking about her makeup routine, and hinting for all the world to see that the two of us were together.
It didn’t matter that it was true.
All that mattered was what people perceived.
She was causing trouble again.
And here Ellie was, sitting in the living room, eating her dinner, staying out of trouble-not causing any drama or stirring up negative attention. Just sitting there, watching Felicity talk about me like that, with no reaction.
I would have expected her to cry, to point at the screen and demand that I do something-or, at the very least, to look upset. But she just took another bite of pasta and glanced down at her phone, as if the interview didn’t even interest her that
much.
There was an uncomfortable, tight feeling in my gut as I looked at Ellie, and then back at the television-at Felicity’s face.
I didn’t want to admit it, but it felt a lot like guilt.
“So,” Ellie said, breaking the silence, “when are you going to marry Felicity p>
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Ch 40