Chapter l159

Chapter 0159

Tonight at the Second Ball felt like a night where anything could happen.

As Nicholas pulled back from our k*ss, I immediately wanted him to return for another. I had butterflies in my stomach, remembering the way he said my name.

He said it again now.

“Piper.

“How did you know it was me?” I asked.

“I told you I would.” He lowered both hands down to my waist and squeezed me tighter to him. “I would

know you anywhere.”

He leaned in again. I wanted him to k*ss me so badly.

But then I felt a familiar pull, almost as if someone or something was tugging me at the heartstrings. I

knew that feeling.

It was my wolf.

But how could it be here? Now? I hadn’t gone anywhere. Had the mysterious person from the car outside

of Terry’s mansion come to the Second Ball? Why?

L

“I’m sorry, I…” I stepped back from Nicholas, out of his hold.

His eyes behind his mask hardened at once. His smile sl*pped away. “Piper? What’s wrong?”

Feeling woozy, I pressed my hand to my forehead. “I…I have to go….”

It wasn’t a good enough explanation by far, but in the moment, all I could think about was

“Honestly, Nicholas, much of your kingdom looks like this. Over the past few years, there’s been such an

economic downturn that many people are homeless. I’ve had to work two or three jobs sometimes to

keep a roof over Elva’s head.”

“Two or three jobs?” Nicholas repeated like he didn’t quite believe it.

I

“Yes, and we’d be much worse off if I didn’t find such a good person to room with. Anna has helped me

with Elva more than I could ever thank her for. I’ll be indebted to her the rest of my life already, for these

past couple of years.”

Nicholas’s knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. “Things have been that dire.” It wasn’t a

question, not the way he said it, but I still treated it like one.

“Some points have definitely been better than others. Though the jobs that usually paid well didn’t last

long before they went out of business. It’s tough all over. During some of the low points, I’d have to skip

meals to make sure Elva always got hers.”

I looked out the window, at the burned out streetlights and the tired people trekking down the sidewalks.

Not many had their own cars anymore. Walking and buses were the only way to get anywhere.

That was if the buses ran on time, or showed up at all.

“Living at the palace has felt like a dream. I’ve never eaten so well.”

“You were too skinny when you arrived,” Nicholas said. He sounded distant, like he was talking to me

from somewhere else, and not from the seat beside mine.

I turned my attention to him. “Nicholas?”

His mouth was a hard line.

He said, “I have let my people suffer for too long.”

my

Chapter 0159

Tonight at the Second Ball felt like a night where anything could happen.

As Nicholas pulled back from our k*ss, I immediately wanted him to return for another. I had butterflies in my stomach, remembering the way he said my name.

He said it again now.

“Piper.

“How did you know it was me?” I asked.

“I told you I would.” He lowered both hands down to my waist and squeezed me tighter to him. “I would

know you anywhere.”

He leaned in again. I wanted him to k*ss me so badly.

But then I felt a familiar pull, almost as if someone or something was tugging me at the heartstrings. I

knew that feeling.

It was my wolf.

But how could it be here? Now? I hadn’t gone anywhere. Had the mysterious person from the car outside

of Terry’s mansion come to the Second Ball? Why?

L

“I’m sorry, I…” I stepped back from Nicholas, out of his hold.

His eyes behind his mask hardened at once. His smile sl*pped away. “Piper? What’s wrong?”

Feeling woozy, I pressed my hand to my forehead. “I…I have to go….”

It wasn’t a good enough explanation by far, but in the moment, all I could think about was