TRADING MY CHEATING HUSBAND FOR THE LYCAN KING novel Chapter 196

CHAPTER 136: GIRLS TRIP–1

EMBER’S POV

Rafael’s property looks like something ripped from a magazine I couldn’t afford to buy.

Queenie lets out a low whistle of appreciation, and I can’t blame her. The place is even more stunning up close.

“Okay,” she says, turning in a slow circle. “I take back every mean thing I’ve ever thought about Rafael Montenegro. This is crazy.”

“I’ll pass along your compliments,” Rafael says smoothly as he now led the group. “The main lodge has dinner and entertainment. The cabins are for sleeping.” He gestures toward the largest of the smaller structures, a three–bedroom affair with smoke already rising from its chimney. “Ladies, that one is yours. Knox, you’re in the cabin to the east. I’m in the one to the west. And Nathaniel-”

“Security cabin near the lodge,” Nathaniel finishes, his voice clipped. “I saw it on the way in.”

“Efficient as always.” Rafael’s smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes when he looks at Nathaniel.

“I refuse.” Knox’s voice cuts through the cold air. He’s been moody since we landed, a thundercloud in human form, and now he’s staring at the cabin assignments like Rafael just suggested we all sleep in a pit of vipers. “I’m not staying in a separate cabin.”

“Those are the rules,” Rayana says, materializing at my other side with the satisfied smile of someone who’s been waiting for this exact argument. “Girls together, boys apart. We discussed this.”

“You dictated it. That’s not the same as discussion.”

“Oh, come on, Knox. Semantics.” Rayana waves a dismissive hand. “The point stands. Three nights, Knox. Surely you can survive three nights without her. I survived ten years without you.”

There’s something painful in the way she says it – a wound dressed up as a joke – and it draws a subtle growl from Knox’s chest.

୮

His jaw tightens, the fight right on his tongue, weighted with a history between him and Rayana that I don’t quite know the full extent of yet.

But rather than dive into combatting her, Knox looks at me.

Something desperate twists his expression, and I realize he’s waiting for me to object. Waiting for me to demand we stay together, give him an excuse to fight this.

And I’m not sure I want to.

Not because I don’t want him – I do, painfully – but because some small, stubborn part of me wonders if I even know who I am anymore without someone right beside me.

I went from Gale’s cage to Knox’s protection without a breath in between.

CHAPTER JAGIRLS TO J

When was the last time I made a decision that was just mine? When was the last time I stood somewhere without his hand on my back or his body between me arid danger?

Three nights. I can survive three nights in a separate room. I’m not helpless. I’m not some fragile thing that breaks the moment he’s not touching me.

At least, I don’t want to be.

“It’s fine,” I say, and watch his expression tighten. “It’s just three nights.”

Queenie loops her arm through mine with aggressive cheerfulness.

“Girls‘ trip! This is going to be so fun. I haven’t had a proper sleepover since I was like, nineteen. Do you think there’s face masks? I feel like a place this fancy has to have face masks.”

“There are face masks,” Rafael confirms. “And a full spa kit in each bathroom. I’ll have someone bring wine to your cabin before dinner.”

“See?” Queenie beams at Knox. “Wine and face masks. What more could we need?”

Knox’s expression suggests he can think of several things, most of them involving violence against Rafael, but he doesn’t say anything.

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