The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 205

“I just wanted to say… Thank you for last night. For saving me.” She held out the bag of food she was holding in one hand. “I’m a wolfless too, you know. I’m grateful for the food Bianca sent, but I’m even more grateful for you—for protecting me from that rogue. If you hadn’t been there…”

She shook her head, clearly not wanting to go on. I didn’t want her to, either. I didn’t want to consider what might have happened to her if we hadn’t been there.

“Anyway,” she said, “I want you to have this. You deserve it.” She thrust the bag a little closer.

I gently pushed the bag back toward her. “Thank you, but I don’t need it. Trust me.” I smiled. “Just… stay safe, okay? Don’t go out like that again.”

“I won’t. Trust me.” Helen shuddered and clutched her bag against her chest. “At least let me do you a favor sometime if you ever need one. I’ll do your homework for you or… whatever, really.”

“Thanks, Helen.” I doubted I would ask her for a favor, not when this was all my fault to begin with, but the kindness warmed my heart.

…

Bianca’s POV

“I’m grateful for the food Bianca sent, but I’m even more grateful for you…” I pressed closer to the conversation, straining to hear over the din. “Let me do you a favor sometime…”

Liora said something else, but I couldn’t hear it. It didn’t matter, anyway. I had heard enough.

My lips parted, but I couldn’t come up with an answer. I may have taken the credit for this drop, but I had nothing to do with it. I had no clue why the King had done this or how he even knew people needed help. And most of all, I had no idea how I was going to get him to send more.

But they couldn’t know that. So I smiled as broadly and brightly as I could.

“Don’t worry, everyone,” I announced, holding my hands out placatingly. “I’ll arrange another supply drop. No one will go hungry.”

The students cheered, making my smile brighten. But as I turned away, it faded. Not just because I had no fucking clue how I was going to pull this one off, but because she was standing there. Glaring at me with her arms folded across her chest like she saw right through me.

Liora.