TRADING MY CHEATING HUSBAND FOR THE LYCAN KING novel Chapter 118

CHAPTER 79: QUEENIE’S SECRET–1

EMBER’S POV

“You look AMAZING,” she gushes, pulling back to examine my dress. “I knew that color would be perfect on you. Didn’t I say? Didn’t I specifically say burgundy was your color? I’m a genius. An actual fashion genius.”

“You said it,” I confirm, forcing a smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes.

“And you!” She turns to Knox, undeterred by his forbidding expression. “I’m still mad you’re hoarding Nate to yourself tonight, but I’ve got to say, looking handsome as ever, Your Majesty. Very brooding. Very ‘dark king at a party.‘ I approve.”

“Your approval means everything to me,” Knox deadpans.

“I know it does.” She beams, either missing or ignoring his sarcasm. “Oh! I need to steal Ember for a second. Girl talk. Very important. You understand.”

Before I can protest, she’s grabbing my arm and pulling me away from Knox, weaving through the crowd with the determination of a woman on a mission.

“Queenie, what-

“I need to tell you something,” she says, her voice dropping to an urgent whisper. “About tonight. About everything. I’ve been wanting to talk to you all day but there’s been so much chaos and I didn’t know how to bring it up and-”

She stops abruptly, turning to face me with an expression I can’t quite read. Her usual bubbliness has dimmed, replaced by something more serious. More nervous.

My stomach tightens.

Is this it? Is she about to confess whatever she was doing with Logan?

“Ember, I just wanted to say..” She takes a breath. “I’m so proud of you. Really. I’m so proud of you for surviving this week. For standing up to the council. For not letting any of those bastards break you.” Her

eyes are suddenly bright with unshed tears. “You’re the strongest person i know, and I’m so lucky to be

your friend. What you did in that courtroom is the bravest thing I’ve ever witnessed. You inspire me, Ember.

#*

The words hit me like a punch to the chest.

This is Queenie. My best and only friend. Maybe best is a stretch, but she is also the warmest person I’ve

met.

The woman who held my hand through my concern over Knox and helped me pick out dresses and made me laugh when everything felt hopeless.

CHAPTER CHEENIE’SSECRE

But she is also the woman in that photo.

Who sent it? Why? Were they lying?

“Queenie…” My voice comes out strange. Thick.

“Don’t get emotional on me.” She fans her face dramatically. “I spent forty–five minutes on this makeup. If you make me cry, I’ll murder you.”

Part of me wants to just ask – What were you doing in Nathaniel’s security suite? Why did Logan Reeves smile at you afterward?

But she’s looking at me with such genuine affection, such uncomplicated warmth, that the words die in my throat.

Maybe I misunderstood. Maybe there’s an explanation. Maybe the anonymous sender was trying to cause trouble between us for their own reasons.

Or maybe Queenie Garcia is hiding something terrible, and I’m too afraid of the answer to ask the question.

“Thank you,” I say instead, and if my smile is a little shaky, she doesn’t seem to notice. “Thank you so

much for being there for me.”

“Always.” She squeezes my hands. “Now. Let’s get drinks and find somewhere to sit before my feet stage a

revolution in these heels.”

She drags me toward the bar, chattering about the decorations and the music and who’s wearing what disaster of an outfit, and I let her voice wash over me while the knot in my stomach grows tighter.

Across the room, I catch a glimpse of dark hair and gray eyes.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify