The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 91

“Talk?” I laughed once, sharp. “What could you possibly have to say to me? Haven’t you made yourself very, so earth shakingly clear? We are not mates, we’re not even friends. Go away.”

“You think this is clear?” He gestured at me, at himself. “Do you think any of this makes sense? You, walking away, breaking the bond like it was nothing—”

“You tried to do it first! You have no right—”

“You’re right, I don’t.” His voice lowered, his eyes searching mine hot.

I met it with as much ice as I could gather. “What I do isn’t your concern anymore. And from now on, it never will be.” Glancing to the ring on his hand.

His jaw tightened. “Alright. But answer me one thing.”

I folded my arms, struggling for more room in the small space. “What now?”

“Your name,” he said. “The name you used to break us. It wasn’t yours, but Bianca’s. You’re real name is tied to the Alpha King. Why?”

I stilled.

“Who are you really, Liora?” He said it in way that was a quiet beg for a life line.

My breath caught, but I forced my tone flat. “I’ve said it before. I’m a distant, very distant relative of the Alpha King’s line. That’s all.”

His eyes narrowed. “But you lied. To everyone. And you expect me to just…believe what your saying now?”

“Believe whatever you want,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “The bond is broken regardless. Besides, it makes perfect sense. Ever wonder why I’m so strong, even as a mere wolfless? It’s nothing more.”

For a moment, there was nothing, just the dim hum of voices above the bleachers and the sound of my own pulse drumming in my ears. His eyes locked on mine, like he could tear straight through me and strip away every lie I’d just told him.

“You know I don’t buy that,” he said finally.

He stepped closer.

I should have stepped back. I told myself to. But my shoulder blades hit the wooden beam behind me, and I stayed there, every muscle wired tight.

Instead, I froze.

For one suspended heartbeat I thought he was actually going to close that last inch, that we were going to make another mistake neither of us could undo.

And then—

A sharp whistle cut through the gym like a blade.

The sound jolted me out of the moment, out of him. I ducked sideways before I could think, his arm dropping to his side as I shoved past him and out from under the bleachers.

The gym was loud again, students shouting, the clang of metal on mats, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heartbeat in my ears.

No. Never. That will never even get close to happening again.

We are done. Have been, always will be. Officially, done.