The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 278

Liora’s POV

“Zane! What are you doing here?!”

I clutched my blanket to my chest, heart pounding. But not because of my compromising position in bed with my guard down. How long had he been standing there without me realizing?

Had he heard me speak out loud?

He held up one of those cardboard takeout trays with two cups of coffee and some breakfast sandwiches. “I went out earlier and decided to grab you something to eat. Since, you know…” His voice trailed off, and he scratched his head with his free hand.

“So you heard,” I pointed out. I was just in my sweatpants and hoodie, so I threw the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed. The wood was cold against my bare feet. “I guess it’s the talk of the school now, huh?”

“Something like that.” Zane walked over and set the food down on my bedside table. “Mia told me about the wolfsbane.”

My heart stuttered. “Does anyone else know?” I blurted out.

He furrowed his brow. “No… I mean… I don’t think so…”

I let out a huff. “Good. That’s good.”

“Why?”

I froze, realizing I’d said too much. If people knew about the wolfsbane and the fact that I’d survive it, they might start questioning my identity. Wolfless didn’t just survive stuff like that. They especially didn’t just walk away afterwards, unscathed, with all of their faculties intact.

But I wasn’t really wolfless. Not technically. My wolf was still in there, just… throwing a temper tantrum until I marked Callum again.

Which I was not going to do. He was still with Bianca, and besides, he had been avoiding me like the plague for weeks now. It was hurtful, and it was a bitter reminder of why I had decided to reject him to begin with.

Why would I want to be with someone who didn’t want me? Even if I revealed my identity to him, proving that Bianca was an imposter, would he only choose to be with me because I was a princess? Because that was the only reason why he was with her. Because his family expected him to marry royalty. Not because of love.

I couldn’t bear it if Callum only chose to be with me out of duty based on my real identity. Not one bit.

I looked up at Zane. He hadn’t said anything more about the jewels since the banquet, but I could see it in the way he looked at me sometimes. That… knowing look in his eyes. He was onto me. Maybe more than I was comfortable with right now.

“Well,” I said, clearing my throat and standing, “it’ll be fine. I’m gonna find evidence. Bianca won’t keep getting away with this shit. Thanks for breakfast, by the way.”

Zane watched me as I began rifling through my drawers in search of something warm to wear. I planned to go right back out to the forest now that the sun had come up and keep searching for evidence. It was Saturday, so there wouldn’t be any exams running. I just hoped Bianca hadn’t had a chance to clear her tracks yet.

“You heading out now?” Zane asked.

I nodded. “Yup.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“Zane…”

He grinned and took a big bite of his breakfast sandwich. “What?” he asked around a mouthful of bagel and egg. “I could use a walk.”

I rolled my eyes, but I didn’t protest further. A little while later, I found myself marching into the forest, bundled up against a cold front that had blown in overnight. Zane was walking beside me.

“Liora, just tell me the truth.”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Liora…”

“I mean it!” Frustration bubbled up inside of me. I wasn’t sure why—maybe because I’d gotten so used to keeping up my facade and panicked—but I pushed against his chest with both hands, sending him stumbling back a few steps. Before he could react, I darted away, trying to put some distance between us.

“Liora. Liora!” he called after me, but I didn’t stop. I wasn’t ready for this. Wasn’t ready to face the fact that maybe, just maybe, my act wasn’t as good as I’d hoped.

That maybe I wouldn’t be able to hide behind this mask of anonymity for much longer.

And most of all… That I’d have to explain to one of my best friends why I had lied to him for months.

Suddenly, my toe hit an exposed tree root. I pitched forward. There was nothing to catch myself on except for the hard ground.

Then, Zane was there. He caught me with ease, one arm around my waist. I stared up at him, breathless and flushed, as he dipped me low.

“Tell me the truth,” he whispered, close enough that I could smell the coffee on his breath. “I already figured it out weeks ago—overheard you and Bella talking in the infirmary. But I want to hear you say it.”

My throat bobbed. “What do you think you know? Because I’m not saying shit until you do.”

His lips curved. “Fine. Have it your way. Boss me around all you want. You’ve got the authority.” He leaned closer. “I guess you are the princess, after all.”