The scent of burning sage still lingered in the Luna's private quarters , mixing with the faint perfume of lavender drifting from the curtains . Candlelight flickered against the polished marble walls , casting long shadows that stretched across the floor like claw marks . The fire crackled low in the hearth , though no one in the room paid it any mind . " How is it ? " Genevieve asked , her voice smooth and emotionless as Lilian stepped inside . Lilian hesitated . She wrung her hands , her shoes still wet from the rain outside . " The Alpha said that ... that Lord Cassian refused to let anyone see Atasha ." Silence fell . Genevieve's gaze didn't flicker . " Luna , this ... " Lilian tried again , voice shaking . " I mean ... " " Speak ," Genevieve ordered , turning her attention toward Celeste , who sat curled on the settee near the window , her eyes swollen from crying , hands gripping the silk cushion on her lap like she needed something to hold onto . " I believe ... " Lilian's words faltered as she looked between them . " I believe the Tyrant Lord must have already hurt Atasha . " Celeste jolted upright . " Nonsense ! " she snapped , voice cracking . Her lower lip trembled . " I dare you to say that again ! " " Lady Celeste , please ... calm yourself ," Lilian rushed forward , hands raised in a placating gesture . " I didn't mean it like that , I only- " " You only what ? " Celeste hissed , rising to her feet . Her fists were clenched now , her entire body trembling . " You think I'd let something happen to her ? You think I wouldn't know if she was - if she was- " Her voice caught , the words too awful to finish . " How could you say something like that !? Atasha is fine . She should be . " " Then explain why he's hiding her ," Lilian shot back . " Explain why the guards won't even let the Alpha inside . Why not a single healer has been allowed to step foot near her chamber ? That's not normal , Lady Celeste . None of this is normal . " Luna Genevieve finally turned her head . Her hand rested elegantly on the back of a velvet chair , her expression unreadable beneath the golden firelight . " Leave , " she said coolly . " You are making Celeste upset ." Lilian blinked . " Yes , Luna , " she murmured , backing out of the room without protest . The door shut behind her with a soft click . Genevieve waited a few seconds . Then , as if a switch had been flipped , her demeanor shifted . 11:04 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 14 ... The faint tension in her shoulders dropped . 81 EX 55 vouchers " You should stop crying and drink some water , " she said without looking at her daughter . " I don't want to see you waste your tears like this . " " Mother ... " Celeste pouted , wiping at her check as she turned away from the window . If Lilian were still in the room , she would've been shocked to see the tears vanish in an instant . Celeste's lips curled into a small , almost mischievous smile , light , charming , and utterly at odds with her carlier sobs . Everyone in the pack believed she was the only one who truly cared for Atasha . How could she not show such distress after knowing that her sister had been attacked ? " Stop mocking me , " Celeste said with a huff , grabbing the nearest glass and taking a long sip . " I didn't know you could act like that ," Genevieve replied dryly , stepping away from the fire and toward the table . " It wasn't acting , " Celeste said , setting the glass down . Her gaze dropped . " I mean ... I was the one who pushed Atasha into this . I can't pretend I didn't feel something . After pretending for so long ... maybe I started to believe it myself . " Celeste let out a sigh . " Do you think Lilian is right ? That Atasha might have already ... died ? " Genevieve's eyes narrowed ever so slightly . " It doesn't matter ," she said . " This was part of the plan . If the Tyrant Lord didn't kill her , then the poison or the maid would've done the job . " Atasha had not received any training since she failed to awaken at sixteen . How could someone like her fight against someone who had been trained to kill ? Celeste didn't reply . She only nodded , fingers tightening slightly around the rim of her glass as she stared at the floor . " Once she's proclaimed dead , " Genevieve said , her voice low and laced with quiet satisfaction , " Your father would have a reason and he can formally request more reinforcement from Lord Cassian . More troops . More men . " She moved toward the table and picked up a grape from the silver tray , turning it slowly between her fingers as if weighing the value of a life . " I've seen Cassian's soldiers . Those aren't common footmen or disposable Omegas . No , those men bleed Beta and , in some cases , Alpha . His lieutenants alone could wipe out an entire southern battalion . If they were left behind ... if they became ours ... " She finally popped the grape into her mouth and smiled . " Can you imagine the attention that would draw from the Alpha King ? Nightfall , suddenly reinforced by the Tyrant Lord's elite . We'd be untouchable , " Chapter 14 55 vouchers Celeste didn't answer . Her lips pressed into a line as her thoughts strayed to Atasha's innocent smile , the one she used to give even when she was being ignored . Celeste nodded slowly . Her mother was right . Atasha had always been born for this , for sacrifice . Just as she , Celeste , had always been destined for the throne . " If she really is dead ... then why do you think Lord Cassian hasn't confirmed it ? " Genevieve didn't hesitate . " Maybe he doesn't know yet . Or maybe he simply doesn't care . You really think a wolfless girl means anything to a man like that ? " she asked , her voice laced with disdain . " The Demon Fangs are clawing at our borders . He was sent here to end them , not weep over some disposable bride . Women like Atasha don't distract men like Cassian . " Celeste nodded again . Her mother's words were harsh but they made sense . Lord Cassian had never kept a bride alive . Why would Atasha be any different ? This time , a slow smile crept onto her lips . " Then ... we just wait for the good news . " " Wait ? " Genevieve scoffed and turned sharply , reaching for her coat . " Oh , my sweet , naive daughter . Do you really think we've come this far by waiting ? " She pulled the coat around her shoulders and looked back with a cruel smile curling across her lips . " No , we go to the borders . We beg Lord Cassian to let us see our poor , beloved Atasha . And if he refuses ... " She paused , her smile stretching wider . " Then we show him just how loving a mother and sister can be ." 田 AD Comment Send gift No Ads 11:04 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. 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