Luna's Deadly Deception: How She Made Her Alpha Pay novel Chapter 97

"How do you know the painting's fake, huh?" Zack asked. "Making such a false claim is incredibly wrong, regardless of whether you're Blackwood's daughter or not."

I went closer to the painting, running my eyes through the long length of the frame. To anybody, it would look like a normal painting. But I knew art when I saw it.

"There's a lot of things to be taken into consideration when making an appraisal on a painting," I explained. "Upon close examination of the frame as well as how the oil paint as aged on it, it's pretty obvious that this could never be a three-hundred-year old painting."

Zack's face paled at my words. His grip on Bella had loosened. She whipped her head to look at me, anger still burning behind her eyes.

"It doesn't answer my question." Zack got over his initial surprise. "You're not an art appraiser so it makes no sense that you think you can judge a painting on first sight."

I remained quiet for a while, pretending to have been hit hard by Zack's words. In reality, I knew everything about the said painting and could recite all about its making from a to z. But what was the fun in that?

So I remained quiet, putting on a look of embarrassment on my face. I turned to the crowd, embarrassment still written all over my face.

"I'm sorry for their behaviour everyone." I went on. "I've decided to donate the original painting."

The crowd reeled back in surprise, shocked at the proclamation that there was a real version of the painting before them.

"But you said this one's fake." A woman piped up from the crowd.

"I did," I nodded. "I have the real glass house painting."

The crowd fell into whispers and murmurs as they were all surprised that I had the original. Even Quentin looked stunned, unable to believe that I actually had it with me.

You'll be happier in a little while, Quentin.

I turned my gaze to Haelor, feeling my chest lighten just a bit. Haelor had that aura to him, one that immediately brought calmness over him. With him standing by my side, it felt like I could face the whole world and wouldn't even be the slightest bit scared.

"I will be full of blessings like the Luna who made this painting was all those years ago. The painting will be donated for auction in both our names."

Haelor looked overwhelmed with surprise. "Are you actually serious, Thea?"

I nodded with a smile. "I hope the war on the borders is won. A great victory awaits you, Haelor."

The whole crowd began to clap widely at our heart-warming display. I blocked out most of their claps, most of my focus on Haelor.

"My blessing on you no one can take away. Let him buy this picture!"

A look of touching and shyness passed over his face.

I let out a breath and went on. "My blessing is priceless, let that damned capitalist werewolf auction this painting away!"

"But he—"

I cut him off. "Be a good puppy and do as I say. Just wait."

Haelor went quiet at that.

Quentin raised his hand, staring straight at the war general. The host pointed at Quentin, a bright smile on his face.

"And the winner of the bid is Alpha Quentin. Congratulations on your win, sir."