Chapter 46 

The woman is wearing a too–tight red dress that pushes up her breasts provocatively, and curves around her hips and ass like a second–skin, leaving little to the imagination. Her blonde Hair is pulled back away from her face, but then hangs down her back in loose ringlets. 

She’s tracing tiny circles on Caleb’s chest, right over her heart, her long red nails catching the diamonds encrusted into 

his tunic. 

on 

She seems entirely too familiar with Caleb, and it makes me want to rip her away and remind her of proper courtly decorum. 

Immediately, I catch myself. Why do I care at all who flirts with Caleb, or who he allows to touch him? He is a ruthless King with an entire harem of women whose main purpose is to please him in bed. I’m going to feel uncomfortable with a woman touching his chest? 

What’s wrong with me? 

“Who is that?” I ask Tristan as we make our way over. 

“One of the King’s many admirers,” Tristan says. “He’s unmarried. The kingdom’s most desired bachelor. His cool gaze slides to me. “Why? Are you jealous?” 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snap, though with alarm, I realize that’s exactly what my feelings are. How utterly foolish! This man has done nothing but torment me. I shouldn’t feel any kind of claim on him. In fact, I should be relieved that someone else might steal his attention away. Then maybe he’ll leave me in peace. 

“Of course,” Tristan says, humor in his voice. “My mistake. How silly of me.” 

I ignore him this time, and we continue to approach Caleb. 

Coming closer, I realize now that despite how much the womans leaning into Caleb, attempting to show off her sizeable assets, Caleb seems utterly bored with her. His gaze is not on her at all, but instead looking at his drink, or at his throne, or at a nearby passing guest, or finally, at me. 

When he sees me, he immediately steps away from the woman and storms toward me. 

“There you are,” he says, voice booming. “What the hell took so long?” As he reaches me, he grabs one of my arms and lifts it, inspecting it this way and that, likely checking Bethany’s work 

“Better to be thorough,” Tristan says. He nods toward the woman who is quickly approaching Caleb’s back. “Would you like me to handle your new lady friend?” 

“Who?” Caleb asks. Clancing back, he spots the woman, then says to Tristan. “Yes.” 

Tristan immediately steps forward, intercepting the woman before she can return to Caleb’s side. 

A small sense of satisfaction rises with in me, seeing her put–our expression as Tristan leada her away. 

Caleb drops one arm and lifts the other. He gives this one the same careful consideration as he had the first. 

“That handmaiden did an acceptable job,” Caleb says, “Good. I will not need to punish her.” 

“Do I need remind you that she saved my life? She is the sole reason that these wounds are not worse,” I say, annoyed on Bethany’s behalf. She shouldn’t be praised for the good she has done for me, not vaguely threatened.” 

“If you would tell me who did this to you, I could handle it myself and this would all be a non–issue,” Caleb grumbles. “Yet you insist on being difficult.” He hulls a sharp laugh. “Though nothing about you has been easy. You are the most frustrating 

09:53 Tue, Nov 19 

Chapter 46 

woman I have ever encountered.” 

“You could let me go…?” I suggest, 

He glares at me. “Tell me where my child is, and maybe I’ll consider it.” 

He has no intention of letting me go, then. 

“There is no child,” I say. “As I keep telling you.” 

“You are a liar,” Caleb says. “You’ve proven that, time and time again. Eventually, I will have my answers 

This isn’t the time or place to have an argument like this so I simply shake my head and let the conversation die. Caleb slides his arm around my waist, as possessive as before. 

“Tristan says that woman wanted to marry you,” I say, then immediately kick myself internally. Why can’t I leave this well enough alone? That woman is gone now, anyways. 

…But she might be back. That thought doesn’t sit right with me. Even though I have exactly zero reason to care about any this. 

“Probably,” Caleb says. “Many woman always try to woe me at these events, as if I will fall victim to their charms so easily. They only thirst for the power they would have as my Luna.” She huffs a sharp breath. “They insult me with their efforts. They know only my true mate will stand at my side as my Queen 

I can’t help the strange glance I give Caleb. He doesn’t strike me as particularly romantic, yet here he is, saying not only does he believe in true mates, but he will deny permanent entanglements with anyone who is not his. 

He catches me staring. “Does that surprise you?‘ 

“You have so many women in your harem…” 

“A harem is not a wife or a mate,” Caleb 

I suppose that’s true.. 

says. 

“Ah. There is the new head harem member. She’s running late. expected her speech twenty minutes ago,” Caleb says, drawing my attention back to the stage, where Madeline is struggling to climb up in her tight dress. 

As she is Caleb’s harem, no one but him can deign to help her, at least not without express permission, which Caleb doesn’t give. Nor does he move to help her himself. 

We just all quietly watch her struggle. 

Someone in the crowd snickers. Someone else clears their throat. 

When Madeline is finally on the stage and standing once more, she takes a second to correct herself and push back her hair. “Ladies and Gentleman,” she says, in an effort to gain everyone attention, as if they all haven’t already been watching her struggle. “We thank you for attending our party tonight, where we celebrate the newest member among us.” 

She speaks cleanly and crisply, with confidence and pride. How long did she have to stand in Veronica’s shadow, waiting patiently for her demise so that Madeline could take the spotlight? 

Now that she has it, she seems intent on keeping it. 

Whatever. She can burn herself in the light for all 1 care. Just leave me out of it 

Π 

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Chapter 46 

“Harper. Welcome to the harem,” Madeline says, gesturing to me Everyone begins to politely clap. 

I dip my head in acknowledgement and thanks. 

Caleb leans closer to my ear. While everyone glances at me, he whispers, “The moment this is over, I’m going to take you back to your room, rip this dress off of you, and fuck you until make you cry” 

ith everyone still looking at me, I can’t react. I try to force the heat back from my cheeks, but it’s no use, I’m definitely 

blushing. 

“Maybe you’d like me to eat you out first,” he continues, voice low and rough in my ear. “I know you like my tongue, and all the things it can do,” 

Blessedly, Madeline starts talking again, reclaiming the attention of the room. 

Just in time. 

Biting my lower lip. I glance back at Caleb. His gaze drops from my mouth to the deep V–cut of my dress. Lifting a hand, he lightly traces the edge of the fabric, just barely brushing my exposed skin. 

He hums, 

“Why wait? A king can leave anytime he wishes, especially if he as business to attend to.” 

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