From Betrayed Luna to Wolf Queen (Lillian) novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13 The Price of Silence

Chloe’s POV:

The message had changed!

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Looking more closely, I realized Iris had actually recalled that blatantly provocative text from moments ago–all within a matter of seconds!

Immediately afterward, a new message popped up.

“Lillian, this is entirely my fault. If you are angry, direct it all at me. I’m the one… who still cannot accept that Ethan is gone, and my mind isn’t well. Please, don’t fight with Julian anymore. He truly loves you–I can see it.”

Reading this earnest, self–flagellating, and seemingly well–intentioned note, I was so furious I was rendered speechless. It felt like punching a dense fog–all force, no impact, just stifling frustration. I shoved the phone back into Lillian’s hands, my teeth gritted. “See for yourself!”

Lillian’s POV:

I took the phone and looked at the recall notification and the new message on the screen. A cold, sardonic smile touched my lips.

This was Iris. Two–faced, duplicitous, playing all sides with masterful skill. All these years within the Graves Pack, she had maintained her image as the gentle, grieving widow flawlessly. No one ever glimpsed the calculating creature beneath the sweet facade.

Julian gave me a complicated look, then turned to Chloe. “Could you give us a moment alone?”

Chloe shot him a withering glare before turning to me, her voice softening. “I’ll go see what decent food they have available. You need proper nourishment to heal.” With that, she marched out of the room.

Now it was just Julian and me.

He pulled a chair to my bedside and sat down, folding his hands on his knees, the posture shifting into that of the distant, authoritative Alpha of the Graves Pack. His gaze was coolly analytical. “Are you truly determined to pursue legal action? To take this through the Lycan judicial system?”

I looked at him and remained silent.

Julian’s tone was flat, as if negotiating a business settlement. “Regarding the Moonvale Eco–Community project the one where she appropriated your design concepts–between the project fee and subsequent bonuses, her total gain was approximately four

million dollars.”

He paused, holding my gaze directly. “I will give you one hundred million. Drop all charges against her. Keep this matter private

One hundred million dollars. A generous offer.

I laughed, the sound dripping with scorn. “Four million… Of course”

As the daughter of the affluent Hayes Pack, did Iris need that four million? No. She hadn’t done it for the money. She had done it to take what was mine.

And now Julian’s proposition was clear–he would pay to make Iris‘ problem disappear. He would use money to buy my silence

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11:35 am

Chapter 13 The Price of Silence

and sweep her plagiarism under the rug.

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I looked at him with pure derision. “Julian, our mate bond is not yet formally severed. So, as it stands, are you proposing to use assets from our shared mate funds to pay off your sister–in–law’s debt–right in front of your lawfully bonded mate?”

I deliberately paused, watching the subtle tension that rippled across his features, the corner of my mouth twisting into an even deeper, more caustic smile. “Or… are you planning to divert Graves Pack treasury funds to cover up Iris‘ personal misconduct… and then instruct the victim to remain quiet?”

Julian’s frown deepened, clear irritation flashing in his eyes.

“I am merely trying to prevent an ugly public spectacle,” he attempted to explain, his voice taut with controlled impatience. “We are still connected. The Graves Pack requires stability. And… administratively, the oversight was mine at the time. I-”

“So you admit shared responsibility?” I cut him off, my gaze sharpening. “Should I name you as a co–defendant in the lawsuit?”

Julian’s expression darkened completely. “Lillian! Must you frame everything as a battle?”

“And,” I continued, disregarding his rising anger, “Iris and I were never ‘connected‘. Do not use that word in my presence. It turns my stomach.”

“Turns your stomach?” Julian’s breathing grew visibly quicker, the chill emanating from him almost a physical pressure.

Just then, his phone rang again. I didn’t need to see the screen to know it was Eleanor.

Seeing the name, Julian drew a long, steadying breath and answered. “Mother.”

“Julian, Iris is so terribly shaken from today, her mental state is fragile. She woke shortly after you left, calling for you… You must come back. I’m begging you.” Eleanor’s voice sounded drained and strained, hovering on the edge of tears. “I know Lillian will be upset, that there will be a scene… but with your brother gone, I am at a loss… Iris is suffering so much…”

Julian’s brow furrowed. He glanced at me, a silent conflict in his eyes.

Eleanor’s pleading continued on the other end.

Julian took another deep breath and ended the call. Almost on muscle memory, he was already rising from the chair, poised to

leave.

Watching that automatic, conditioned response, the mocking smile on my lips grew wider. And colder.

There it is. This was the unbreakable pattern. Any moment of potential connection between Julian and me was inevitably severed by a summons from Iris or Eleanor. An endless, exhausting cycle.

I lifted my eyes, my gaze icy with contempt. “Do you want to know what the original message–the one Iris recalled–actually

said?”

Julian, already halfway to the door, paused and looked back at me.

I held his gaze and spoke with deliberate, chilling slowness. “It said, ‘He won’t stay in your room for more than five minutes before leaving.” I let the words hang in the sterile air, then couldn’t contain a short, hollow laugh devoid of all warmth. “It has been exactly three minutes since I received it.”