The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 97

“That why you showed up to Mia’s wolfless classes?” Callum pressed, his voice low enough that it almost felt like he didn’t want anyone else to hear. “I didn’t think you cared about transforming. You always seemed so… pro-wolfless. Proud of it, even.”

“I am, as they all should,” I said sharply, flicking my gaze toward him for a fraction of a second before looking back at the shelves. “But even I have goals within traditional society. There’s nothing wrong with trying to get my wolf.”

He studied me like he was trying to decide if I meant it. His cheek flexed as he bit down on the inside of it, a habit I’d noticed when he was thinking too hard.

“Why now?” he asked.

“Classified,” I said coolly.

His eyes narrowed slightly. “It’s not classified when you’re here. In my house. Because of it.”

My fingers curled around my arms, keeping my expression neutral.

“Why are you trying so hard to get your wolf?” he asked again, a little more insistent now.

I kept my eyes locked on Zane, who was still wandering like a cat pretending he was looking for something. “Because I need it.”

“That’s not an answer,” Callum said, stepping just half an inch closer.

“It’s the only one you’re going to get.”

He let out a slow breath through his nose, and then softer: “You don’t trust me, do you?”

I turned my head just enough to meet his eyes, and the contact was sharp, deliberate. “I have no reason to.”

Something in his face shifted, letting out a huff like I was a puzzle forever missing a piece.

Good.

“I’m trying, Liora,” he said finally, voice quieter now.

I arched a brow, confused. “Are you?”

“Yes,” he said, his tone hardening again. “But you never give me anything. You’d rather trust him?”

Zane’s laugh echoed faintly from the next aisle over, like the universe had timed it just to annoy Callum.

“That’s not trust,” I said. “That’s desperation.”

His jaw clenched, the tendons in his neck going tight. “Then what about me? Why am I always the last person you’ll come to? After everything?”

“Because every time I’ve tried,” I said, my voice cool as ice, “you’ve made it clear whose side you’re on. And it isn’t mine.”

“You’re in my house,” Callum said through gritted teeth.

“And?” Zane tilted his head. “You know your parents don’t want you hanging around me. Or her. Not much choice here, bud.”

Callum’s jaw tightened. “That’s not the point.”

“Sure it is,” Zane said with that infuriating smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse us—”

Zane pulled the door open and gestured me out ahead of him.

Callum was still standing there when we left, his hands curled into fists, eyes locked on me like he didn’t know if he wanted to stop me or follow me.

I didn’t look back.

Not because I didn’t want to.

But because if I did, I think I’d feel even more trapped.

This better be some life changing information.