The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 446

Liora’s POV

“Move,” Callum snarled.

Belinda snapped her head toward him. “Shouldn’t you be at the banquet?” she asked.

Callum opened his mouth, but Belinda beat him to it. “Guards!” she shouted. “Take them away!”

I grabbed Callum’s hand tighter, ready to run, but it was too late. Heavy footsteps echoed from both directions, and within seconds, we were surrounded.

Three guards closed in on us, their hands already reaching for our arms.

“Don’t touch her,” Callum hissed, stepping in front of me. The muscles in his neck began to cord, like his wolf was pushing just beneath the surface of his skin.

One of the guards grabbed his shoulder anyway, yanking him back. Callum tried to shake him off, but another guard grabbed his other arm, and suddenly they were pulling him away from me.

“Callum!” I lunged forward, but a hand wrapped around my wrist and held me in place.

“Let go of me!” I tried to wrench free, but the guard’s grip was iron.

Callum fought against the men holding him, his eyes locked on mine. “Liora—”

“Take him back to the banquet,” Belinda said, her voice calm and pleasant, like she was asking them to fetch her a cup of tea. “I’m sure his betrothed is waiting for him.”

Callum’s face went pale. “What?”

“You heard me.” Belinda smiled. “The King has arranged a match for you. With Bianca. You should go congratulate her on her new title.”

“I’m not—”

“The King has already drawn up the contract with your parents. It will be signed by the end of the week.”

A muscle jumped in the guard’s cheek, but he said nothing.

My hands curled into fists as I turned back to Belinda. “What did you do to my father?”

“I didn’t do anything. Your father made his own choices. In fact, I even tried to convince him not to take such extreme measures.”

“Bullshit.”

“Believe me or don’t,” Belinda said, “but the truth is, your father no longer trusts you. And can you blame him? You’ve been misbehaving for months. Sneaking around, lying to him, losing your wolf…” She clicked her tongue. “It’s no wonder he’s decided you’re not fit to lead.”

I stared at her. “I didn’t lose my wolf. Callum broke the bond because he thought Bianca was the princess he was betrothed to, not me. That’s not my fault.”

“And you had every chance to find another mate, one who was a more suitable match, but you dragged your feet. You partied and got into public arguments and prioritized your own childish desires over the needs of the kingdom. And now you’re paying the price for your own actions.”

“Even if I wasn’t perfect,” I said, “the father I know would never do what he’s doing now.”