I Refuse To Be Your Luna (Flourish and Harold) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45 An Apology Without Sincerity

Lady Flourish’s POV

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Finished

The moment I spotted Harold beneath the lights of the Stonehedge courtyard, every instinct urged me to turn around and leave. Unfortunately, leaving was not an option.

Lady Daciana had personally called me, Alpha Magnus expected me here, and the Luna Rite still hung over everyone. Whether I liked it or not, this dinner needed to happen. That didn’t mean I wanted to walk inside beside Harold.

I saw him notice me almost immediately. His posture straightened, and he started toward the entrance, mong slowly enough that I realized what he was doing. He was timing it.

If I kept w stone flow

villa

Af

sla

we’d reach the entrance together. Absolutely not. I slowed and veered toward a pretending to search through my handbag while Harold continued toward the

passed. I peeked around the marble pillar. He was gone. Relief loosened my

I adjusted my jacket and started toward the entrance.

three steps when a familiar voice came from behind me. “Flourish, are you waiting purpose so we can go in together?”

then turned slowly. Of course. Damian stood several feet away, hand in his pocket,

composed. My wolf lifted her head the moment his scent reached me, and I forced her

ha Damian, you’re a funny man.”

he corner of his mouth curved. “Am I wrong?”

Very

ile glanced toward the villa. “We should go in. They’re probably getting impatient.” I resisted the urge to point out that everyone inside had been waiting for him, but I nodded, and we walked toward the entrance together.

The moment we stepped inside, Lady Daciana spotted me. “Flourish!” She crossed the room. took my hand, and guided me toward the seating area. “There you are. I was beginning to think work swallowed you whole.” Her warmth unsettled me. She had always been kind, but tonight there was something more deliberate about it.

I barely sat down before a voice came from the staircase. “So she finally arrived.” Alpha Magnus descended, his presence filling the room before he reached us. My wolf recognized the older Alpha immediately and lowered her head on instinct. His stern expression softened when he

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Chapter 45 An Apology Without Sincerity

looked at me.

“You came directly from work?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“You look tired.”

“I’m fine.”

“And thinner.”

closed my mouth. Daciana nodded. “I thought the same thing.”

Magnus studied me. “Are you eating properly? Sleeping?”

“Work has been busy.”

“That isn’t an answer.”

I almost smiled. “I’m

His expression so t reaction?”

w you can.” Then his gaze moved to my neck. “How is the

My hand mo

ly toward the faint marks. “It’s better.”

“Does it

“No

Finished

eyes moved toward Harold. “What are you standing there for? Come here.”

med. Magnus folded his arms. “Apologize.”

room.

I said, “there’s no need.”

in’t pour the wine on me.” I glanced at Harold. “And apologies only matter when

cere.”

sighed. “Flourish, don’t be

othing.

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Chapter 45 An Apology Without Sincerity

Harold inhaled deeply. “I’m sorry.”

:

Magnus’s expression hardened. “That’s your apology?”

Harold’s jaw tightened. “Father…”

“Louder.”

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Harold’s eyes flashed briefly, his Alpha instincts reacting to the command, before he lowered his head and repeated himself. “I’m sorry that I didn’t know you were being spilled the moonrose wine.”

The words were technically an apology. They meant nothing to me. Even if Harold had known, would he have chosen me? The answer came easily now. No.

Across the room, Damia again?”

The temperature

to do with Phina

Damian’s eye Flourish in

Phina’s

“En

hed him. “How about the other one?” he asked. “What’s her name

changed. Harold turned toward him. “Damian. This has nothing nocent,” he continued. “She had no idea Selene would do that.”

ard Phina. “Perhaps Phina should explain why she went looking for

ed around her dress. “Alpha Damian, I…”

voice silenced everyone. He looked at Harold. “Stop defending what you Harold fell silent. Magnus turned to Phina. “Apologize.”

tely looked at Phina, concern crossing his face. Phina lowered her eyes, and for she said nothing. Then she slowly raised her head. “Flourish…” Her voice was

didn’t know Selene would suddenly splash you.”

mained silent. I watched her carefully. My wolf was no longer relaxed. She had atching every change in Phina’s scent. Fear, that much was obvious. But there was nt beneath it, faint and controlled.

ent years learning how wolves lied. Most people watched expressions, listened to words, ved body language.

ied to wolves. A genuine apology usually changed the scent around the speaker, with e, regret, embarrassment, or relief.

ebody responded even when the mouth lied. Phina smelled afraid. Not sorry.

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