Rebirth of the Alpha's Slave Mate (Samantha and Kade) novel Chapter 171

Chapter 171

Elena’s POV

Before Tyler could point out the matching outfits, Natasha pulled the woman up to him, practically shoving me out of the way and angling their bodies so I was deliberately excluded from the conversation.

“Tyler,” Natasha said coyly, “this is Lyla. Do you remember me telling you about her?”

“How do you do, Alpha?” Lyla said, curtsying demurely. Her eyes flickered over to me, and I saw the brief look of shock, contusion, and then chagrin on her face as she realized that we were dressed the same. But she didn’t comment on it; rather, she quickly schooled her expression into a sweet smile and batted her long lashes up at Tyler.

Tyler took her hand and kissed her knuckles, “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Lyla.”

Natasha began ushering them away, “Dance with her!” she whispered in Tyler’s car. Tyler shot me an apologetic glance over his shoulder, but I smiled and waved, releasing him from my ward so he could enjoy his date.

The moment they were gone, Natasha turned toward me. “You should change,” she said curtly. “Or, better yet, leave entirely. The ceremony is over, so you’re not needed here anymore, and I don’t want you sullying Tyler’s potential match with Lyla.”

My jaw ticked. “I’m the one sullying the match? You did this on purpose, Natasha, by sending your new minion to bring me the dress. And to think I was the fool who thought you were actually trying to be nice for once.”

Natasha’s upper lip curled back to reveal a sneer. “I told you not to come tonight,” she hissed. “It’s your own fault for not listening to me-and for being so greedy for a new dress that you’d look past your judgment. So much for all that ‘humility’ you’ve been preaching.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, if only because we were in public and I didn’t want to cause a scene. As if taking my silence for a victory on her part, Natasha’s sneer widened, and she said, “Change. Now. Or leave; I don’t care. Either way, don’t cause any more trouble tonight.”

She turned and strutted away after that, leaving me standing there with my champagne flute clutched so tightly in my fingers I thought I might break the glass. I took a deep breath, willing myself to remain calm despite Natasha’s goading.

“She’s right,” I thought to Ava as I turned and began making my way to a quieter corner. “I shouldn’t have

come.”

“Don’t say that…”

“It’s the first big event I’ve attended in the past seven years, and already it’s been a struggle.” I sighed. “I think I’ve grown to prefer the wilds. It’s simpler out there. If people don’t like you, they’ll simply try to kill you, not scheme against you in increasingly petty ways.”

My wolf chuffed in agreement. I did love Nightshade, truly-it was my home, and had become my sanctuary for six years-but after a year of traveling in the wilds, I was already missing the freedom of the forest.

Sleeping under the stars, feeling the breeze on my cheek as I drove down the open roads, sharing meals around campfires and helping those in need… It really did feel like my calling these days, and after a lifetime of dealing

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Chapter 171

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with the kind of scheming and plotting that pack life provided, it was refreshing to live a rugged, simple life.

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