Love's Unexpected Awakening Elowen's Choice novel Chapter 46

Chapter 46 A Confrontation and a Lie Exposed

Right then, Alaric caught every tiny flicker on her face.

Guilty?

461 ༠

61

+5 Free Coins

His eyes narrowed. “So full of talk about marrying my uncle willingly, about loving him. And yet you hide a man who looks so much like me in his manor.”

A strange, unwarranted pleasure bloomed within him. His eyebrow arched. “Elowen, do you regret it? Back then, you lashed out and said you’d marry the Duke of Duskmoor instead of me. Since you moved into Duskmoor Manor, you dream about me every night, don’t you?”

Elowen felt a wave of revulsion. She’d had enough. “Alaric,” she snapped, her voice cold with fury. “Did that last fever of yours finally cook what little sense you had left?”

He smirked. “Struck a nerve, have I?”

“You’re not just wrong, you’re delusional!” Her brow furrowed in disgust. “If I harbored feelings for you, wouldn’t I treat a man who resembles you like a treasure? Wouldn’t I, like some ancient king, build a gilded cage to keep him in luxury? Why would I have him shoveling manure in the stables?”

Alaric faltered. His smirk vanished, his lips pressing into a thin line.

Slowly, the memory clicked into place-when he first saw that man, the guy was caked in mud, pale as a sheet. Clearly not living well.

She was using him like an animal.

“You’re a grown man, the Crown Prince no less. How can you be so utterly witless?”

“You-” Alaric’s eyes turned icy, her insult hitting its mark.

“And another thing,” Elowen cut him off, her tone frosty. “My admiration for the Duke of Duskmoor is genuine. Marrying him was a considered choice, never a whim. I do not dream of you. I don’t even think of you! Today is a celebration. I’ve just eaten. Spare me your nauseating drivel.”

Alaric’s handsome face darkened with rage, his jaw clenched so tight it ached.

Suddenly, Elowen took a step closer, invading his space. “I should be asking you. Why do you keep questioning if I regret my marriage? Why do you keep asking if I still pine for you? Your Highness… could it be that you are the one with feelings? That you are the one filled with

1/3

12:42 Thu, Feb 12 f

Chapter 46 A Confrontation and a Lie Exposed

regret now that I’ve married the Duke?”

Alaric stiffened, his face draining of color, then flushing with a sickly pallor.

She had struck a nerve, deeper than he cared to admit.

He had been dreaming of her.

Sometimes it was the past, when he and Elowen were inseparable.

+5 Free Coins

Sometimes it was strange scenes-maybe in the Crown Prince’s Wing-where he and Elowen were together, like they were wed, living as husband and wife.

The past was razor sharp. The future felt fogged over, like seen through mist.

Bottom line, those dreams were hitting more and more often.

Now, with her so close, the delicate fragrance from her hair filled his senses. It twisted inside him, stirring unwelcome memories and a chaotic, restless agitation.

In a burst of irritable violence, he shoved her away. “Nonsense! The sight of you disgusts me! How could I possibly regret anything? I’m overjoyed you’re no longer clinging to me!”

Elowen, caught off guard, stumbled backward. Her back slammed hard against the cold palace wall.

The impact was solid, knocking the breath from her lungs. A sharp pain blossomed, followed by a numb tingling across her shoulder blade.

Alaric belatedly realized his overreaction. His hand started to reach out to steady her.

“You two-what are you doing here?”

Theodric’s voice cut through the tension.

Alaric’s arm froze mid-air, then snapped back to his side.

He struggled to compose himself, but his expression remained strained. “…Father.”

Theodric, ever perceptive, noted his son’s disquiet with a barely perceptible frown. He turned his attention to Elowen, studying her face. “Elowen, are you unwell?”

Alaric jumped in. “She’s fine.”

Theodric’s gaze flicked to him. “I was speaking to Elowen. Do not presume to answer for her.”

2/3

12:42 Thu, Feb 12 f

Chapter 46 A Confrontation and a Lie Exposed

Chastised, Alaric pressed his lips together, his eyes darting nervously to Elowen.

A memory from her past life surfaced.

61

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify