Chapter 20 ATASHA'S POV : 81 55 vouchers " You- " Genevieve's voice faltered , her expression twisting in something between shock and irritation . For a moment , she looked genuinely speechless , as if she hadn't expected that resistance at all . " Atasha... how could you say something like that ? " She looked around the tent as if scared that someone else would suddenly barge in and punish me for saying those words . " I think the Lord wanted me dead , " I whispered , just loud enough for my voice to tremble between us . " The maid ... the maid was wearing something like those soldiers . She said ... she said ... it was the Lord who wanted me to have the tea . We need to let the King know and have a divorce before he kills me ... Mother , please . You must save me ." Genevieve's eyes widened , and for the first time , I saw a flicker of panic , not for me , but for what I'd just said . Her gaze darted around the tent , scanning for hidden ears . " Atasha ! " she hissed , lowering her voice in a sharp whisper . " Do you realize what you're saying ? The marriage certificate you signed should have already arrived at the castle . As far as the law is concerned , you are now legally married to Lord Cassian . There's no going back . " " Do you understand what it would mean to divorce a royal ? Especially that royal ? You'd be tried for treason , if not executed outright . You need to stop this foolishness , immediately . " " But- " I started , letting my lower lip tremble . " But what ? " she snapped , her tone clipped . " Did you want your sister to marry him instead ? Is that it ? " I opened my mouth , then slowly closed it , eyes downcast . I didn't answer , because I didn't have to . That was exactly what I wanted her to think . A frightened , reluctant bride . One terrified of her husband . One clinging to her mother for protection . Yes , let them see that . Out of the corner of my eye , I caught it , a flicker of movement . A glance . So subtle it almost looked like it's nothing . But it was there , Genevieve looked at Celeste . It was the kind of glance most people wouldn't notice . Once , I wouldn't have either . But now ? Now , I saw everything . It was a signal . A cue passed between them like actors on a stage . And right on time , Celeste moved . She glided to my side , knelt beside the bed with grace , and took my hand like it was instinct . 11:06 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 20 Her eyes were red , swollen . I blinked . How was that even possible ? Had she really cried that much ? Or had she made sure to look like she had ? 55 vouchers Had she forced tears down her cheeks just long enough to stain her lashes , only to wash them off behind a veil of pity ? I couldn't tell anymore . How could someone cry so much and still look this perfect ? Was it real ? Or ... makeup ? Drops to mimic tears ? A trick she'd practiced until even mirrors believed her ? " I know you're blaming me , " Celeste whispered , her voice cracking just enough to sound like it was holding back tears . I turned to her slowly , brows furrowed . What is she doing ? Then it clicked . " I know you think it should've been me , " she continued , her lips trembling , her hands clasped tightly in her lap . " That I should've been the one to marry Lord Cassian . And maybe you're right . Maybe I should have . If it meant sparing you from this- " her voice broke , " -then I should've taken your place . Even if only as a concubine ... I could've gone with you . Maybe it wouldn't feel so cruel . " " Celeste , stop , " Genevieve interrupted sharply , her hand flying to her daughter's arm . " How could you say something like that ? " Her tone was half - scolding , half - panicked , as if Celeste's words were too dangerous . " Your sister is not heartless . You had taken great care of her since she failed to awaken years ago . How could she let you suffer ? She knew you couldn't survive that man . She married him to protect you . Don't twist her sacrifice into something ugly with this nonsense . " I blinked , momentarily stunned . The way their voices cracked , the trembling hands , the sorrowful glances could easily fool anyone . If I hadn't heard the truth with my own ears , I might've believed they were actually hurting . That Celeste was breaking because of guilt . But now ? All I saw was how seamlessly they shifted roles . Mother , the defender . Celeste , the grieving sister . " No ... " Celeste shook her head . " I can't let her marry into the North . I can't - I can't just watch that man hurt her . " " Celeste ! " 11:06 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 20 81 55 vouchers " I will talk to Lord Cassian- " " Celeste , what are you doing !? " Genevieve hissed . " Stop it . Just- " Genevieve looked at me as if silently pleading for me to say a word to ease my sister's guilt but I said nothing . How could I ? Celeste's acting was too convincing , it was so good . " This could destroy our pack ! Stop it . Atasha , say something to your sister ! " " I- " I lowered my head . " I am not blaming you ." " I know you are , " Celeste said . " But don't worry , I will talk to Lord Cassian . I will marry him as a concubine , and we can travel to the north together . We can protect each other and I- " " Will you stop ? " Genevieve said . " Someone ! Someone ... come ! " Almost immediately , one of our pack's omega came in . " Bring the young miss back to the mansion and do not ... let her talk to anyone else ." Genevieve said . " Use force if needed ." " No- Mother please ... don't . " I watched as two omegas forcibly pulled Celeste away from me . In the past , this performance would have immediately convinced me to die for her . But right now , I could immediately see the crack beneath it . Celeste had the blood of an Alpha , how could two omegas just drag her out of the tent ? This was just another act . Something that was designed to make me drown with guilt . " Your sister cares about you so much , she would rather accompany you to the north than think about the pack , " Genevieve's words brought me out of my stupor . I immediately looked at her . She continued . " Celeste is the future of our pack . She is meant to lead , and you know that , " Genevieve said . " If Lord Cassian wanted you dead , then his people wouldn't have saved you ." Then , with a smile too soft to be trusted , she reached into the folds of her cloak and pulled out a small glass vial . " I want you to keep this , " she said , pressing it into my palm . The vial was delicate , Clear glass , corked , no markings , just fine white powder inside , like sifted ash . " It's odorless ," she added . " Tasteless , too . If anyone tries to hurt you again ... use this . It's fast . You don't even need much . " My fingers curled slowly around the vial , the chill of the glass seeping into my palm . I didn't have to ask questions to know what the contents were . It was poison . 11:06 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 20 81 55 vouchers The kind that could drop a werewolf in under a minute . The kind banned in every corner of the kingdom . My heart thudded , but my face stayed calm . " Thank you , " I said softly , like I meant it . I held the vial tightly as ideas buzzed inside my head . Why hand me poison ? Were they trying to frame me ? Make it look like I was plotting to kill Cassian ? Or were they hoping I'd actually do it ? No. That couldn't be it . That shouldn't be the plan . If I killed Cassian , if I so much as tried , what would happen to my pack ? The King would never see it as the act of one frightened , desperate girl . He would see it for what it wasn't , a political assassination . A betrayal , a scheme orchestrated by Alpha Collin Black himself . Cassian wasn't just a northern warhound , and they all knew that . He was the King's blood . The King's favorite weapon . The moment word of his death reached the capital , the King wouldn't send letters . He would send an army . Nightfall would be reduced to ash . Nightfall Pack , innocent or not , would be slaughtered to make a point . That's how monarchs ruled . And no matter how selfish or cruel Genevieve was , no matter how ambitious Celeste had become ... they weren't stupid . They wouldn't risk the annihilation of our pack just to get rid of me . This could mean one thing . This ... this vial in my hand , it wasn't meant for Cassian . Which left me with only worse possibilities . Either they were trying to frame me for his murder , or they were giving me the means to kill myself . I stared at her . Really stared at her . And that's when I realized that ... she wanted me to end my own life . She met my gaze as she added . " This is for your sister's safety . This is all for the pack ." If you want strong female lead , Check out my new novel : His Dangerous Bride 11:06 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 21 Chapter 21 ATASHA'S POV Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!