TRADING MY CHEATING HUSBAND FOR THE LYCAN KING novel Chapter 206

R 1499/L TALE 2

CHAPTER 143: GIRL TALK–2

We drink. The fire pops. Qutside, the lights are still dancing, visible through our glass ceiling like a private

show.

The door opens, and Rayana sweeps in with cold air and champagne–bright energy, her cheeks flushed

and her eyes glittering.

“Girls‘ night continues!” she announces, producing yet another bottle from somewhere. “I brought

reinforcements.”

“Where were you?” The question comes out sharper than I intended.

Rayana’s smile doesn’t waver. “Discussing logistics with Knox. Boring stuff. Nothing to worry about.”

“What kind of logistics?”

“The boring kind.” She settles into an armchair and kicks off her boots. “Switzerland. My mother’s grave. When we might be able to fit it into his schedule. He’s resistant, predictably, but I’m persistent. It’ll work

out.”

I should let it go. I should accept the explanation and move on.

But the ache in my chest won’t let me.

“You were gone for almost an hour.”

Something shifts in Rayana’s expression. Something that might be concern.

“Were we? Time flies when you’re reminiscing.” She takes a long drink of champagne. “Don’t worry, Ember. We just talked. Nothing happened.”

“I wasn’t worried.”

“Of course not.” Her smile sharpens. “You have nothing to worry about. Knox is…” She pauses, considering. “Knox is exactly where he wants to be. Even if he doesn’t know it yet.”

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I don’t know what that means. I don’t know if it’s comfort or warning or something in between.

Queenie glances between us, clearly sensing the undercurrents.

“So! Girl talk. Rayana, you mentioned wanting to bond. What should we talk about?”

“Love,” Rayana says immediately, her eyes fixed on mine. “Let’s talk about love.”

Queenie chokes on her champagne. “That’s… direct.”

“Life is short. Mine especially.” Rayana curls deeper into her chair. “Ember. Do you love him?”

The question lands like a stone in still water, ripples spreading outward.

I think about Knox. The way he looks at me like I’m something precious. His hands on my body, his breath

C CHAPITRIOL TALK

in my ear, the way he almost marked me without meaning to.

How desperate he was tonight to know my next words, hanging on the edge of something I wasn’t brave

enough to give him.

How he sulked like a kicked puppy over the room arrangements, how his stupid chuckle made my

stomach flip, how his smile rare and real and devastating – makes my heart race even now just thinking

about it.

My cheeks are hot despite the cold. My pulse won’t settle.

I know the answer. I know the stupid, pathetic, terrifying answer to Rayana’s question.

But I shake my head anyway.+

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I don’t… I don’t know if I’m capable of loving someone anymore. Of loving him

correctly.”

Rayana’s expression softens. The sharp edges fade, and for a moment she looks almost human. Almost

kind.

“You are,” she says quietly. “Trust me, Ember. The broken ones love hardest. We just need longer to realize

it.”

I don’t know if she’s talking about me or herself.

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