Chapter 48

The family of three were wearing fake smiles as they bowed before them and said, “Your Highnesses.

Your Grace.”

Xandar, Christian and Lucianne bowed in return but the two cousins were trying to hatch an escape plan.

Lucianne felt discomfort emanating from the two cousins but had no clue why.

Xandar spoke first, his tone low and troubled, “Lord Kylton. Lady Kylton. To what do we owe the

pleasure?”

Lord Kylton said, “We received word that you’ve found your mate, and we wanted to convey our

congratulations.” His Lordship spoke a little too loudly, as if to garner the attention of as many people as

possible. Sure enough, many in the crowd had slowly stopped their conversations to look their way.

Lady Kylton built up on her husband’s efforts with an equally unreasonably loud voice, “Your parents

were good friends of ours so, naturally, we had to come and see you…” She then turned to the stone-

faced Christian and said, “…and your cousin, too, of course.”

Christian retorted mercilessly as he matched their volume, “We haven’t been in touch for more than two

decades.” This was a surprise for Lucianne. ‘Another black sheep of the family?’, she wondered.

Lady Kylton let out a phoney chuckle and said, “Oh, Christian, dear. Still so serious.” She then returned

her sights to Xandar and said, “Xandar is still handsome, as always.” Her gaze finally moved to Lucianne

next and she said, “You have definitely hit the jackpot, dear. A handsome King for a mate! The Moon

Goddess does have an incomprehensible sense of humour at times.” She chuckled again before

continuing, “Oh uh, you haven’t met my daughter…”

Xandar and Christian stood impossibly closer to Lucianne when Lady Kylton tugged her daughter’s hand

in a motherly manner and gently pushed her forward. Lady Kylton then explained, “This is Kelissa. She

used to be very close to Xandar when they were young. Always stealing him away from Christian,” Her

Ladyship chuckled at the memory, and continued, “It’s probably why Christian had always found it difficult

to befriend Kelissa. My daughter and the King were so close that the late King Lucas and Queen Vera

even encouraged them to get engaged! But sadly, that didn’t work out. My most sincere congratulations

to you, my dear. Kelissa and a long line of other women can tell you, it’s not easy to impress our King.”

Kelissa offered a sweet smile and said, “It’s nice to meet you, your Highness. And it’s good to see you

again, Xandar. It’s been a long time.” Her velvet voice was soft and her tone sounded a s if she was

trying to imitate a delicate and graceful voice. Having met numerous fake people from countless packs in

her years as a warrior, Lucianne saw right through all of this.

She looked up at her mate. Xandar’s guilt-filled eyes were fixed on the most important person

in his life – her. He was tongue-tied. At that moment, he couldn’t articulate a proper explanation to

convince Lucianne that she was the only person he had ever given his heart t o. His silence seemed to

have confirmed everything Lady Kylton had just said. Lucianne turned her sights to Christian. His face

was still hard as he remained speechless.

‘So, it’s true. He was to be engaged to this woman’, she thought to herself. Her heart felt like it was

weakening by the second when the familiar feelings of lack, unworthiness and rejection crept back into

her being. But, externally, she remained composed. She was not going to give these three the

satisfaction of watching her feel uncomfortable.

She took in the sight of the blond female Lycan wearing an elegant purple evening gown, and Lucianne

offered a small smile as she said, “Well, it’s a surprising pleasure to meet you, Kelissa. I must say, I love

that gown of yours. It really brings out the color of your eyes.”

The five people around Lucianne looked at her in surprise. The Kyltons thought that she would break

down in tears, or explode in anger and jealousy. Xandar and Christian pinned her so close between

themselves because they were worried that she may leave Xandar’s side. But her seemingly-kind words

and compliment made everyone astonished. There wasn’t a trace of sadness in her sparkling black orbs.

Whatever turmoil Lucianne was battling in her being, she hid it well. Very, very well. ;

Lucianne’s smile turned into a taunting one as she turned on her acting switch, “Kelissa, you and your

parents are looking at me like I’ve just said something unexpected. But I was merely reciprocating your

family’s polite gesture. So, why are you three looking at me like that, if I may ask?”

Kelissa was so surprised that she took a step back, wondering if she had heard Lucianne right. Her

father seemed to have found his voice first, “Y-Your Highness, I’m sure that my daughter is simply

surprised to be complimented by the Queen herself. We can’t think of anyone else who paid such high

praise to Kelissa so sincerely. Well, apart from the King, of course.”

Xandar and Christian both growled furiously at Lord Kylton, who merely smirked in response. Xandar

uttered in a low and dangerous tone, “I have NEVER said or done anything like that.”

Lady Kylton then spoke, “Oh, Xandar. You don’t have to deny the past now that you have a mate. We’re

merely speaking the tru–”

The cousins stopped her ladyship with another growl, and they were both stepping towards her.

Lucianne paused her act and stood between the cousins and the family, her hands on each of their

chest, preventing them from taking another step forward. Their lilac eyes already turned onyx. If this went

on longer, they might even shift.

Lucianne locked eyes with Xandar and mind-linked sternly, ‘Control yourselves, both of you. This is what

they want. They want to cause a scene. Don’t let them. Don’t give them what they want. You are better,

Alexandar. You are more.”

Xandar’s eyes softened a little, and he linked Christian what she just told him. Like his cousin, Christian’s

anger had not vanished but he was now in better control. Lucianne retracted her hands, and Xandar

hastily took one of them and laced his fingers tightly with hers, somehow hoping that the sparks travelling

through their bodies would convince Lucianne that whatever the Kyltons just said was not what it

sounded like.

Lucianne turned to the family and resumed her act, “Looks like you and your husband know exactly

which buttons to push to elicit a response form the King and the Duke, Lady Kylton. How very

impressive. I wonder what happened with your plan to pair your daughter with Xandar. Must have

pushed the wrong button, I suppose? Or was it perhaps your daughter wasn’t meant to be with the King

from the very start?”

Lady Kylton could not put on her own act any longer. Her rage was showing, her voice lost its fake

innocence and humour, as she shouted, “My daughter is the best match for the King! She is to be

Queen! She is to rule this entire Kingdom! You filthy wolf! You think you’re better than my daughter?! You

are just a scum! The Moon Goddess will never pair something like you to anyone of value! My daughter

was born to be Queen! One way or another, she will be Queen! You will never get to wear the crown of a

Lycan!” When Lady Kylton realized what she said, it was too late to take it back.