Chapter l362

Chapter 0362

For a long moment, I was totally stunned. Then, I moved at once, covering my k*ss-swollen red l*ps with my hand.

Nicholas came around to stand in front of me, blocking me from the camera’s view. He looked much more put together than I felt.

Nathan gave him a curious look as the cameras moved in closer.

“Piper requested some advice on how to handle her relationship with Julian,” Nicholas said, offering up the lie as an explanation before one could be asked for. “That damn closet is the only place we could speak privately on the matter.”

Nathan narrowed his eyes with suspicion.

Nicholas shrugged. “Perhaps it is for the best if we destroy that footage. We wouldn’t want anyone at home to get the wrong impression.”

The producer straightened. “But Your Royal Highness, this footage is much more valuable than -”

“You will see that it’s destroyed, won’t you, Nathan?” Nicholas said, bluntly interrupting.

“Yes, that would be for the best,” Nathan said, frowning. “Though in the future, perhaps his highness might be more cautious where he holds his private discussions.”

Nicholas’s voice lowered. “I’ll take that under advisement.”

I wasn’t sure about royal protocol but I had a feeling a prince receiving a reprimand from a Beta, even the King’s Beta, wasn’t appropriate.

ww

Nicholas glared at Nathan, and Nathan lowered his chin in submission.

+25 BONUS

“Thank you, Your Royal Highness,” Nathan said, much more courteously. Then, he turned his attention to the producer. “Now, about that footage…”

Nicholas placed his hand on my shoulder and guided me from the

scene.

I looked back as we walked.

The producer looked at me, his gaze dipped down to my n*eck. I immediately covered it with my hands, wondering what he saw.

Nicholas glanced at me but didn’t say anything.

“How badly does it look?” I asked.

“It’s not that noticeable,” Nicholas said, though his voice wavered with dishonesty.

“Nicholas?” I wanted the truth.

He sighed. “Maybe wear a scarf for the next few days…”

I kept my hands near my n*eck the rest of the walk to my

nce

I was inside, I quickly rushed into the bathroom to see my Looking in the mirror, I could see that love bites littered my and down my throat were red marks.

I looked something like I’d been attacked by an angry giant mos

1 immediately left the bathroom to head into the closet instead, a only relaxed when I had a scarf wrapped twice around my n*eck.

When I walked back into the bedroom, Charlotte looked up from the sewing machine to give me a lifted brow expression.

I shrugged helplessly.

2/3

+25 BONUS

Falling under Nicholas’s spell in the coat closet had not been on my agenda. But when I was around him, it was like I couldn’t help myself. He was so strong and handsome and kind. All I wanted was to be

closer to him. Even, it seemed, to my own detriment.

The only solution, then, was to avoid him entirely. And the only way to ensure that I could avoid him was to simply not leave my room.

Some might call it hiding, to not leave my room for three days in a row. Charlotte rolled her eyes as she brought me and Elva three meals a day.

Elva was as confused as anyone. “Is something wrong, Mommy?”

“I just don’t feel very well,” I said. It wasn’t untrue. I was working on making myself sick over this.

Elva tilted her head. “Is that why you’ve been wearing scarves?

You’re cold?”

“Uh…” I didn’t want to lie to my little girl, but I sure as heck didn’t want to have to explain the marks on my n*eck. They were blessedly fading. If I had a wolf, they would have been gone by now. As it wa my human b*dy was so weak.

“I guess I am a little cold,” I said.

Elva, the sweetheart, instantly gave me a hug. “To warm you up!”

The night before the event, I couldn’t hide anymore. Julian himself was waiting at my door, expecting me to attend the final meeting between him, Nicholas, and Veronica. We had to iron out the details of the plan.

3/3