Dust within ancient walls Miles Brooks 52

CHAPTER FILTY TWO

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CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

Viki’s POV

I stood on the stage in front of Jason with a smile, but every muscle in my body was tense as I fought to keep from collapsing. Each heartbeat sent a sharp pain through my limbs. My wolf whined weakly at the pain, but there wasn’t anything else I could do.

The painkillers Jane had put in my tea earlier were barely enough to take the edge off. Anymore I would be unconscious. Tomorrow, I’ll stop using the Redbone Flower. It didn’t matter that my stomach churned, I was seeing double, and my hands trembled just enough to make holding my bouquet a challenge.

I just had to make it through the ceremony.

Michael, Jason’s father, stood at the center of the stage. “I want to thank you all for coming to this joyous occasion.” Alphas, Betas, and honored guests clapped and cheered at the greeting.

Jason leaned slightly toward me, his hand brushing mine in what the crowd would assume was affection. His voice, however, was far from tender. “Did you change your perfume?” he muttered under his breath. “Whatever that sweet scent is, it’s making me nauseous.”

I forced a smile and whispered back, “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”

It was easier to let him believe it was perfume than risk explaining that the faint metallic sweetness was Redbone Flower clinging to my skin. He told me not to cause any problems. I planned to keep my end of the bargain.

Michael finished his opening remarks, and Jason straightened. His chest puffed slightly, and a confident smirk curved his lips as he addressed the audience.

“Today,” Jason declared, his voice loud and clear, “Viki Mayers will officially become my mate and Luna.” He paused for effect, letting his gaze sweep the crowd before continuing. “And soon after, she will give birth to our heir.”

There was polite applause. My father, seated among the front rows, nodded at me with a rare look of approval. That look was worth every lie, every dose, every night of pretending I wasn’t slowly poisoning myself.

The ceremonial claim was seconds away. Jason would say the words, I would accept, and my title would be secure. I could almost feel the relief building in my chest.

“I, Jason Dalton, take you, Viki Mayers as my…”

“Wait!”

The single word froze the room. Heads turned toward the source, and my heart dropped into my stomach. Prince Solon strode forward. His gaze was on me and I swallowed hard. Why was he stopping the ceremony? Did Talia told him?

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Talia’s reaction. She was wide-eyed with surprise. Clearly, she didn’t know why Prince Solon was stopping the ceremony either. What was going on?

Jason stepped forward to intercept Prince Solon, irritation flashing in his eyes. “Your Highness, this is highly irregular-”

“You’ll want to hear this unless you like being played like a fool,” Solon said, cutting him off.

“What…what are you talking about?” Jason stammered.

CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

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Prince Solon turned his attention to me. “Bold. That is what I would call you, Viki. Bold and foolish.”

I forced a polite, confused smile. “I’m not sure I understand, Your Highness.”

“Are you sure you want to play this game? I am giving you an opportunity to tell the truth,” Prince Solon warned.

“I’m sorry. I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, keeping my face neutral but my heart was beating so hard I thought it was going to rip through my chest.

Solon reached into his coat and withdrew a small cloth pouch. He held it up for the audience to see. “This was found in your lounge,” he announced. “Do you know what this is Viki?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I clenched my fists.

“It’s a banned substance, Redbone Flower,” Prince Solon stated and I paled. The crowd erupted into gasps and

murmurs.

No! This couldn’t be happening. I ordered Jane to get rid of everything

“We also found traces of poison on discarded bloody clothing in the same room. It appears you have been using this substance for some time.”

I could feel dozens of eyes staring at me. My wolf pushed against my control. ‘You need to run, Viki. We have to get away,’ she urged.

“I—I can explain,” I began, forcing my voice to rise above the whispers.

Solon didn’t give me the chance. “There will be no tolerance for deception. Not from a future Luna, and certainly not when it involves the falsifying of a pregnancy to secure status among the packs.”

“This is all a misunderstanding! It’s not like that-”

The crack of Michael’s hand meeting my cheek silenced me.

“How dare you?!” He snapped, cleaning his hands.

The force of the blow snapped my head to the side, causing me to fall over. Blood trickled from my lip.

Panic began to settle in. Everything I had worked for, everything I had sacrificed, was shattering. I couldn’t allow everything to go to waste. I had to find a way to get out of this.

I turned to look at Jason. His eyes were cold, his jaw clenched. I stood up slowly and limped to him. I grabbed his arms. “Please Jason, you have to help me,” I whispered.

Jason opened his eyes. He looked at me with disgust and I knew then he wasn’t going to help me. Jason shoved me back so hard I nearly fell again. “You lied to me,” he said, voice low but laced with venom. “You ruined everything.”

I tried again, voice shaking now. “Jason, you can’t do this to me. I’m your Luna! If the Prince…”

“Enough,” Jason barked. “Shut your mouth!”

I felt the Alpha command slam into me forcing me to close my mouth and stay quiet. My eyes widened as I realized he was making sure I didn’t reveal he already knew the truth. He was going to allow me to take the full brunt of this just to keep from being punished. The truth was out. There was no need for him to play along

anymore.

Michael cleared his throat before saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Luna ceremony is canceled. For this