The Alpha's Unwanted Bride novel Chapter 653

Chapter 653: THE ULTIMATE REVELATION

(Cherry’s POV)

For a moment, no one breathed.

The throne room held a tension so sharp it could have sliced skin.

The Flame stood there shoulders relaxed, expression soft but dangerously aware and the air around her vibrated with raw magic.

The broken glass on the floor glittered at her feet like fallen stars.

Her strange eyes drifted... and landed squarely on Cherry.

Cherry felt the look like a slap.

The mage tilted her head slowly, knowingly as if she could smell the magic leaking from Cherry’s very bones.

Damn it.

Cherry forced her mind inward, shoving every trace of magic deep, deep, deeper into the recesses of her core.

She sealed it behind mental walls, tightening them until her temples pulsed from the strain.

Just a little more for her to contain it from any foreign attack.

The Flame opened her mouth as if about to say something.

But Cherry cut her off immediately.

"What I want to know," Cherry snapped, stepping forward, "is why Rose would allow someone with magic into the pack when we banned it long ago."

She was not going to give this mysterious woman the space to speak.

Rose opened her mouth. "Well Cherry this lady here is-

But The Flame spoke first.

"Oh I’m not just someone with magic," she said sweetly. "I was the presiding mage of this royal pack. Many years ago. In the era when mages were still allowed to work in packs."

Cherry stiffened.

"I was here the day the royal princess went missing," The Flame continued, eyes flickering with memory and disdain. "I worked beside your mother. I watched the tragedy unfold. I searched for answers when everyone else cowered."

Cherry felt heat crawl up her neck.

"And I," The Flame added lightly, "was the one who found evidence that Princess Scarlett had survived her disappearance. That she bore a daughter."

Cherry’s throat closed.

She’s the one.

She’s the mage who made Rose abandon the search for Scarlett... and start searching for the child instead.

The mage who pointed Rose in the right direction.

The mage who could ruin everything.

The Flame’s smile sharpened as she watched realization flood Cherry’s face.

"I received word," the mage said, turning to Rose, "that you found the Princess. So of course I came to see her for myself."

Cherry’s blood ran cold.

She can’t see Auburn.

She must never see Auburn.

Cherry forced a smile that trembled at the edges. "That is good to hear but, I should go check something outside and-

But before she could take a step, the throne room doors flung open.

Auburn. Belle. Coral.

All rushing in.

Auburn hurried to Rose with forced concern, her acting so overdone Cherry wanted to claw her face off.

"Grandmother!" Auburn said breathlessly, hugging Rose. "The glasses in the palace shattered. I grew scared are you alright?"

Coral’s eyes widened immediately.

She knew.

Cherry saw it on her face the realization, the dread.

Coral looked at Cherry with a silent accusation that made Cherry’s stomach twist.

Rose hugged Auburn tightly. "I’m fine, darling."

The Flame’s gaze slid to Auburn.

Slow. Sharp. Studying.

"So," The Flame said softly, "who is this?"

Auburn flipped her curls proudly. "I am the heir to the throne, of course."

Cherry subtly tried to push a ripple of magic through the floor anything to create a distraction.

Nothing.

Nothing stirred.

Nothing twitched.

Nothing moved.

Her magic was dead.

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