The Rejected True Heiress (Liora and Callum) novel Chapter 459

The crowd murmured again. Bianca’s eyes flashed.

“That’s not—” I started, but just then, a voice cut through the noise.

“That’s bullshit, and you know it, Bianca!”

Callum’s voice, deep and angry, made everyone turn. Students gasped and stumbled as he forced his way through the crowd. His eyes were dark and stormy, his jaw tight, his wolf’s scent brimming just above his skin.

Bianca straightened as he shoved his way to the front. Several palace guards moved forward at once, but she lifted her hand, stopping them in their tracks.

“I’m so sorry she misled you, Callum,” she said. “I wish I had proven it sooner, before our love fell apart.”

Callum laughed, but it was a humorless, bitter sound. “I never loved you. I nearly married you out of duty. But I gave up my own inheritance just to get away from you.” He glanced at me. “And I’m glad you did.”

Bianca sighed. “It’s a shame you lowered yourself for her sake,” she said softly. “Because Liora never cared for you, not really. She only ever saw you as a means to hurt me.”

“Bullshit,” he snarled.

“You and I were always meant to be together, Callum,” Bianca went on, ignoring him. “We can still be together, if you’d only—”

“I will never marry you.” The crowd shifted again as Callum made his declaration. “You sicken me.”

I looked over at Bianca. Her lips were tight, still smiling, but now, it didn’t reach her eyes. Her claws, extending further, dug deeper into my shoulder. I felt warm blood seeping into my hoodie.

“Very well,” Bianca said. “I won’t force anyone to marry me; but I will do everything in my power to prove myself to you, Callum. And soon, I promise you will see Liora’s true colors, and understand that I was always just as much of a victim as you were.”

Callum scoffed. “Good luck with that.”

I shut my eyes, breathing, and reached deep.

“Please,” I murmured into the bond I shared with my wolf, now quiet and empty, just like the mindlink with Marcus. “If you’re going to come back, now would be a good time.”

No response. As usual.

Sighing, I opened my eyes and began moving forward. Bianca’s cronies had gathered more supporters, all jeering and pointing. A wad of paper struck my shoulder, then another. I felt something warm and wet hit my back, and the smell of coffee filled my nostrils.

“Liora!” I heard Callum’s voice shout. I looked up to see him pressing at the crowd, reaching for me, but the palace guards stepped into his path, separating us. The crowd swallowed both of us up, and I couldn’t see him anymore.

Just then, I felt a hand on mine. I looked up to see Amy standing there, flanked by several other wolfless. Another hand found mine. Mia.

“Come on,” Amy said, wrapping her arm around my shoulders and shielding my head from the onslaught of food, pebbles, and papers being thrown at me. “Let’s get you out of here.”