Dust within ancient walls Miles Brooks 63

CHAPTER SIXTY THREE

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CHAPTER SIXTY THREE

Talia’s POV

Jason did not waste time and said, “Listen to me, Talia. Stay away from Nolan. He is ruthless. He did not come to Silverfang with good intentions.”

“And you did? What were your intentions again?” I asked.

“You’re defending him,” Jason said in surprise.

“No, I am pointing out how ridiculous you sound,” I countered.

Jason’s face became flushed. He tried to hold my gaze, then glanced away and forced a thin smile. “I came to make things right with you,” he said. “I’m trying to win you back.”

I scoffed, “By forcibly marking me that day? Let’s be serious. You did not come here for me.”

“Talia, believe me, I did,” Jason pleaded.

“No, I remembered what you said. You came here for the Alpha King’s daughter. Let me guess. You plan to win the Hunting Rite and ask the Alpha King to allow you to marry the princess. Is that it?”

Jason’s eyes widened in surprise before he composed himself. “Everything I do is for Shadowclaw,” he said quickly. “And for you. Yes, I put my pack first, but I never stopped loving you.”

“Stop,” I said. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“Talia, just believe me about Nolan, ok? It’s for your sake!” He snapped.

“You’re so quick to talk bad about him. What do you know about him that I don’t already know?”

Jason seized the opening like a drowning man reaching for a rope. “He breaks negotiations without warning. He killed an Alpha who already submitted. He does not forgive insults. People disappear when he visits. Alphas watch their words when he is in the room.” He leaned in, lowering his voice. “Being near a wolf like that brings trouble. I am telling you to be careful.”

My wolf huffed, ‘He’s not wrong that Nolan is dangerous, but so is he.

“I hate Nolan,” I said plainly. “And I hate you. It would be better if both of you stayed far away from me.”

Della walked over to me, clearly annoyed with how long our conversation had been. “Are you done?” she asked Jason, not bothering to hide her contempt.

“I apologized,” Jason said, as if the effort should have bought him something. “I am trying.”

“You tried to force a mark on me in a garden,” I said. My voice stayed calm. “I will not forget that.”

“He did what?” Della exclaimed looking between us.

Jason’s eyes twitched in frustration. “I lost control for a moment,” he said. “It will not happen again.”

“It will not,” I declared, “because you will not get another chance.”

I turned away. Della fell into step with me at once. Beta Logan’s gaze met mine from across the lane. I gave him a small nod to show I was fine. He returned it and resumed issuing orders to the warriors.

We cleared the gate and took the stone path toward the inner court. Della exhaled like she had been holding her

CHAPTER SIXTY THREE

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breath.

“He is unbearable,” she muttered. “I don’t know how you haven’t thrown him in the dungeon yet.”

“I have to remain diplomatic,” I said.

She cut a quick glance at me. “Did he really try to force à mark?”

“Yes,” I said. “He tried.” The thought of it made a shiver go up my spine. I didn’t want to think about what would have happened if Nolan hadn’t intervened.

Della stopped walking and grabbed my arm. She looked shocked and worried. “I know you want to be independent, strong, and all that. But you need to tell your father or at least Solon,” she said. “Just because he apologized doesn’t mean he won’t try again.”

I shook my head. “I will, but right now isn’t the time. They have enough to manage with the Rite approaching. I will not add this to their list.”

Della bristled. “You are not a problem they need to solve; you are their family. Family comes first. Hell, just tell my father.”

“I know,” I sighted. “I am not hiding it to protect him. I am choosing when to speak because timing matters.”

Della groaned in frustration. “Fine,” she relented, unhappy but accepting my logic. “Then promise me you will tell them.”

“I will,” I said. “If he tries again, I will say it the same day.”

The drive to the bazaar was quick. The bazaar’s bright lights reflected off polished tiles as Della tugged me into one boutique after another, her excitement overflowing.

“Dresses,” she announced like it was an official order. “You need at least two-one for the ceremony and one for the after-party. And shoes, obviously.”

I sighed, already regretting letting her drag me along. “You sound like Solon when he’s telling me what to wear for banquets.”

“That’s because you’re hopeless,” Della teased, holding a sequined red dress against me before immediately wrinkling her nose.

“I’m not wearing that,” I said.

“Of course not this. You need something that says elegant, not desperate,” Della stated.

I rolled my eyes but allowed her to shove hanger after hanger into my hands. My fingers brushed over a deep forest -green dress. It was simple, sleek, and far less overdone than what she kept pushing at me. The fabric flowed without clinging, light enough to move in but still refined.

“This one,” I said, holding it up.

Della inspected it and then grinned. “You know what? That’s not bad. See you’re learning. You’ll look like you know how to behave in public for once.”

I elbowed her lightly, pretending offense. “I always behave.”

“Please,” she snorted. “You are about as bad as me most of the time.”

She turned to another rack, pulling out a silver-grey cocktail dress with beadwork at the neckline. “And this one,

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she declared. “Perfect for photos. You’ll thank me later.”

I sighed but let her add it to the growing pile.

We moved toward the shoes, Della already pointing out a pair of strappy heels that matched her own dress. I quickly found shoes to match both of my dresses.

“Look at you. You didn’t even need my help with this,” Della linked her arm through mine and steered me toward the exit. “Now we pay before I bankrupt us both.”

“This will be wrapped for you within two minutes, Princess,” the attendant said. “Would you like delivery?”

“We will carry them,” I said. “How much is the…”

“I’ll take care of it,” a familiar voice said behind me.

I turned. Nolan stood an arm’s length away, calm as if he had been standing there the entire time.

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