My Mate Chose My Best Friend, So His Uncle Claimed Me novel Chapter 23

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Chapter 23: Small Celebration

The next day, Lucretius was already fine as if the fever hadn’t affected him the day before. His expression was unreadable, his royal military uniform was crisp, exuding the frightening authority of a commander as he had always been.

I almost questioned if I was imagining him shivering, how he was being stubborn to take his medicine and eat the food, and how he caressed my waist as he fell asleep on me. But seeing how he was dependent on me despite being tenacious, I knew that

it was real.

Since Lucretius was absent yesterday, he got piled up with workloads while attending some strategic meetings to know the situation in the Auritaurie. Marlin was present, too, to provide the updates we received from our intel.

Since I wasn’t allowed to be there, all I could do was to inspect the troops along with Leofrick. While he had summoned a few doctors to check the vitals of the squadrons, it didn’t escape me that I was able to meet Lilith in the female’s tent.

But all I did was ignore her and pretend that I was busy reviewing the armor racks and roll sheets. But Lilith had never been the kind of woman to allow herself to be ignored.

“Well, well, if it isn’t our commander’s assistant,” she spoke, raising her voice just enough for the nearby women to catch what she was saying. “You seem busy, Euphie.”

My fingers froze for a second, not because of her noticing me, but because she still had the nerve to call me on the nickname she had made for me a long time ago.

She smirked at my silence. As if on cue, she extended her hand in front of me, bringing to light her engagement ring. “I am

to Redmund,” she said with her oh–so–sweet tone. She even fluttered her lashes as she tilted her head. “Are engratulate me, Euphie? We’re best friends, remember? You’re the only one who hasn’t greeted me yet. We

rried in a week.”

ing struck my heart with a thousand arrows, but I remained stoic, not going to show any emotion that would

folded the ledger and gave her a look. “Congratulations,” I said flatly. “I am happy for you. Your happiness is my

5.” My lips drew out a sweet, empty smile.

Deep inside, I wanted to slap her again, just like the last time I did it. Where on earth did she gather the courage to provoke me and forget the sister bond we once shared?

She would really throw it out just for Redmund, huh?

Just as when I was about to take my leave, she spoke, “You look a little… pale for someone who should be celebrating.” Her words made a few people turn in our direction. “Euphie, darling… Are you alright? You look strained.”

My smile remained the same. Lilith… Were you trying to sabotage me? Did you really think that I would give you gratification that I would be hurting?

“Just busy,” I replied brusquely. “Duty calls.” I waved the ledger before her to emphasize that I had no time for chitchatting.

I caught her eye twitching, but her fake smile was still plastered on her lips. “Of course. Well, if you ever want marriage tips, do come to me. I have plenty.” She tapped Redmund’s band as if it were a trophy, and the tent filled with soft laughter.

I tightened my hold on the fountain pen, casually breathing in and out. She was deliberately hitting a nerve in me, and if I retorted at her, it would be bad for my image.

“At ease.”

Relief washed over me when Leofrick announced it. All of the soldiers, even Lilith, immediately went outside the tent and lined up. As I followed them, I noticed Lucretius was already present, with Lieutenant Leofrick standing by his side.

He looked immaculate with his shoulders squared and the menacing presence that bent the air around him. It really looked like

Chapter 23: Small Celebration

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he hadn’t experienced sickness yesterday. He still looked just the same, capable of making everyone’s knees tremble with a single glance.

My eyes skimmed through the crowds and caught Redmund at the front. For a moment, my eyes lingered on him. I felt something sting shot right through my heart.

He and Lilith would get married sooner than I thought. It was something I could have wished he had done to us. But Redmund would do anything for my former best friend as if they were each other’s fated mates.

What irony to be rejected by him… I really didn’t deserve that I did so much for him just so our relationship could be in public.

As I returned my gaze to the very front, my heart leapt out of my chest when Lucretius‘ gaze locked onto me, freezing me in place as if I had been caught red–handed, before he turned away.

I pursed my lips into a thin line. Did he glare at me, or was it just my imagination?

perhaps, I wasn’t beside him as his assistant?

re I could even decipher

oday, we will pre

Murmurs fille

was Redm

“The

H

look meant, Lucretius‘ commanding voice echoed through the whole area.

celebration at midday.”

asped and widened their eyes at what he said. But only one of them didn’t react, and it was used to it.

en set up,” Lucretius continued. “All the squadro

nt to their faces. “Yes, commander!”

us declared, and that was my cue on approaching lingering behind. He turned to me when he not or this afternoon. And I need you to give this fold

ther there. No excuses.”

oldiers began to scatter back, leaving only ‘Cancel my appointment with Commander Lycan now.” He bestowed the

I nodded as I marked on my clipboard to cancel Lahe talked to me. But I cast it aside and was abo

der.”

nund.

forward, his posture was straight

py birthday in advance, sir.”

that Redmund would be calli ally done that out of respec

nodded, his express

or the day, feeling a sudden pinch at how d take my leave when a familiar voice chimed in.

precise. He saluted before Lucretius as his eyes fixated on

as wrong. Perhaps because I was here, or he might have

my feet b

Lain.” His eyes darted in my direction meaningfully.

mmander Lucretius, Captain Redmund,” I bid and turned on my eral vision, I caught him looking in my way.

that he was giving me a look was enough for me to read the room.

ard Redmund’s words reach my ears. “Uncle, can I invite Lilith to your my parents.”

ike a thousand knives shot to my heart.

Chapter 23 Small Celebration

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Introduce her to his family.

At Lucretius‘ birthday.

My grip on the ledger and clipboard tightened while keeping the folder safe. For a fleeting moment, my eyes darkened, and I couldn’t breathe.

I forced myself to keep walking, and didn’t even dare to look back. I wouldn’t give Redmund the contentment of seeing my reaction. I didn’t even want to show Lucretius that I was still affected by my former mate’s words.

Lucretius already told me that I didn’t deserve them. And he was right.

But deep inside, it felt like something being scrubbed by sandpaper on my flesh until it bled out. I might not have cared for Redmund, but my wolf still ached for the rejection and betrayal.

I narrowed my eyes, focusing on my pathway. For now, they could celebrate with their petty triumphs and hollow victories. Let Lilith flaunt her ring to everyone, and let Redmund parade her around.

Because soon enough,

rn that I would be the last man standing… that Lucretius and I had something far greater

awaiting them.

“Smile all you

As I finish

those in

Whe

“I muttered, a smirk

astern pavilion, whe perience it, and the

ed for Lucretius, Iv

lips.

ng place. Since it was just a small celebration, only ace in the next two days.

as already being surrounded by the female soldiers.

117

der Lucretius,” th

met your mate

are you going

d by them, h ght, or tea

ompletel

ask me

e are c

ed, by

neve

ey

at it wasn’t the kind of smile he usua

filled with

d, his voice free of annoyance

ommander,” one of them rep

and landed on me. “Hmm finally returning his att

him.

why, but for a mo

buldn’t ex

du

before,” he said friskily, sounded disappointed

his gaze.

e thing I could say for certain is that it

ate.

my stomach.

radiant smile was glued to her face.

Chapter 24 Only Look At Mo

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ChapterChapter 24: Only Look At Me

playful glances at Lucretius, who didn’t react‘) react When When we were finally out of the crowds, Lucretius slowed his pace, f

“Ti so “I’m sorry?” I asked, puzzled by his words.

ed a strand of hair behind her car, making myking my

¡ shoulder.

; her in a fluid motion. And his gaze onbed combed

in his direction. “Stay a momenta loviluted will need

; eyes on me, making me gulp heulp.Then, I caught a chuckle. Chuckle.

with a curt nod. That will battvill be all. I shall take

ew officers. When he beganebegan to march away, I

nt, her expression darsion darkened as she looked in

Shore Share

But the But he didn’t reply to me and just focused his attention as we were o making making my eyes widen as I tried to match it while still wondering w

Wewe.We were already halfway to the entrance of the establishment wher

Look at ‘Look at me. Only me.‘

Chills ran down my spine as my eyes locked onto Lucretius back, even seven slowed my pace as the words he had written in the note before

Look at ‘Look at me. Only me.‘

Was that… what he meant?

Was it because he caught me looking at Redmund’s way earsherry ea

So, he was glaring at me, after all… It wasn’t just a pigment of mem

I tried to catch up to him when he went inside his quarters quarters. doorknob, it wasn’t locked. A relief washed over me bear me becaus

There was something I wanted to bestow on hiceroneneefore i it

“Commander-”

My words were cut off when the moment my feet feet touched! door being locked. I turned on my heels and sets bnd saw Lucretius

“W–What?” I asked nervously, taking a step bed step back, suddenl

Each stride he made caused me to step backstep back until I felt the extended to seize my throat, putting pressing pressure on the either

I stifled

gasp. a pasp

“Mad?” he parroted dangerously Hietste. His face came closer, his even had to tilt my head to meet his steet his stare. “No. But you..” I your eyes linger on another mannerman when you belong to me?”

My breath hitched as my hands stands instinctively clutched his w when my knees wobbled Mowell My wolf and I quivered under his more intoxicatingxicating.

Not only that, I could already attendy teel my sensitive bud pulsatin

“Look at me,” he ordered; cedered, tightening his hold on my neck, Your eyes, your smile, yosmate, your body… They’re mine. Do you un

My lips parted at the stat the same time, my body shivered in delig

I knew that I was suptas supposed to be threatened at how he was could endure inget and give in to him.

His grip loosenqlbosened before his hand slid from my throat to ca darting out rodicle to lick my pulse. The warmth from his lick was i

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