The Lycan King's Defiant Surrogate
Defiant Surrogate 69

Chapter 69

Samuel's face turns even redder. So does mine, 1 imagine, from low hot it feels.

I can't reprimand Caleb from saying such things-especially not when he's sitting on his throne, in front of so many people watching and listening

Still, before he walks away, he does somehow manage to speak up. "I am faithful to my wife, King Caleb. In fact." Reaching into his inside coat pocket, he retrieves an oblong velvet box, the kind usually with jewelry inside. He hands it to Leah. "T wanted to give this to you privately, Leah But I think it will make my intentions clearer to the King"

Leah opens the box and gasps. "I love it, Samuel. Will you put it on me?"

Caleb narrows his eyes, as if trying to discern the purpose, I dont fully understand the point of this show either, until Samuel removes the necklace from the box and I see it in full

I gasp. Caleb looks at me.

"This has significance?" he asks me, his voice soft, for my ears only.

My heart pounds fiercely as it breaks. "Yes" Even from this distance, I know the familiar shape of that moon pendant, and the feel of that silver chain that now sits around Leah's neck.

"He bought that for me, many years ago," I say. "I left in behind when I came here."

It had been a pre-engagement present, when Samuel had set his mind on marrying me, yet before he'd convinced the rest of the pack leaders that he should be allowed to.

Did he search through my belongings to replace it? Likely my family intended to throw everything of mine away after I'd been called to the capital.

I only left it behind for safe-keeping. I knew there wasn't much I'd be able to keep once I made it to the capital. I also knew that bringing that necklace with me would only encourage Samuel to act on his foolish notions of running away with me. Now, the symbol of our love and affection for each other sits around my sister's neck.

I think I'm going to be sick.

Caleb closely watches my face.

"I have satisfied you, King Caleb?" Samuel asks.

"Yes," Caleb says, never once looking away from me.

Samuel and Leah are led away.

"He wanted to hurt you. Caleb says.

I look away from him. "So did you."

He doesn't argue it. How can I? We both know that I'm right about this.

Caleb removes his hand from my thigh and returns it to the arm rest of his throne. The other hand he keeps on my hip. He doesn't let me move, neither do I try, as the rest of the Alphas are introduced.

My bones feel too heavy to lift. I'm utterly defeated, my heart in shattered pieces.

Caleb continues on, business as usual, until the formal introductions are done. Then he pushes me to stand and does the

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Chapter 69

NOV Z

After lowering me down from the stage, he leaves me against it

"I have to mingle," he says. "Do as you will."

I don't feel much like doing anything at all, but I don't want hingto know that or to see how affected I am by this. Samuel may have squandered my feelings and squashed my hopes, but if I show any of that, Caleb might punish him anyway for my feelings. For this reason, to protect Samuel and my pack, I have to pretend like everything is okay.

So I head to the drink table, eager to partake in some of the wine

As I'm waiting in line, Samuel replaces his way into the line beside me.

I glance at him, and then quickly away, wondering what kind of awful fate I have for it to keep bringing us together like this.

Samuel leans in. "I have to speak with you," he says.

I must have misheard. After his display with Leah, there can't be anything in the world left for us to talk about. "Whatever you think you need to say, you do not," I tell him. "Trust me. Giving Leah my necklace told me everything I need to know already." "Hear me out," he whispers.

"Why?" I ask. "You've hurt me enough for a lifetime, Samuel Why should I waste another minute listening to you?"

The line moves in front of us. The people behind us are looking at me.

Realizing how loud I've been, I snap my mouth closed and step into the newly-formed space in front of me.

Samuel straightens slightly. Sounding put out, as if he has any right to be, he says, "You and the King seem close."

I glower at him. "I'm in his harem."

"That doesn't mean you have to like it," he snaps.

Before I can reply, Leah spots him and comes to join us. "Oh. Harper. Oh nice to see you reacquainting yourself with my husband yet again. With the smarmy way she says it, she clearly doesn't think so.

Honestly, this time, I'm in agreement with her. I'm not ready to speak to either of them.

"Darling" Leah says, leaning into him, pressing her breasts against his chest. "We should return to our rooms anyway, so I can thank you properly for the gift." Glancing at me, she adds, "Did I mention we're like rabbits right now? With how often we do it, I'd be surprised if I'm not pregnant already."

"Leah," Samuel says, as if correcting her, but she just laughs.

"There's no harm in telling my sister the truth. She'll likely be an aunt someday soon, not that she'll ever meet the baby. A place like this is nowhere for a child to visit. So many loose women running around. You understand, Harper? Well, how couldn't you?" "Please, leave me alone," I say, too defeated to argue anymore. Leah has already won but she always insists on her victory -laps. I know my asking her won't make her leave, but it's all I have left in my arsenal.

I'm really very exhausted from having to deal with them and the King, Maybe I didn't sleep so well last night on top of it, anticipating today and what might happen.

I knew there was a possibility things could end badly, but I had no idea it would be quite this bad. To give Leah my necklace is to erase the past between Samuel and I. If nothing else, I thought our past together would be preserved.

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11:51 Thu, Nov 21

Chapter 69

No. Leah had to have that top.

Suddenly, even drinking doesn't sound very good anymore. I start to turn, ready to leave the line, when Samuel reaches out, snatching my hand.

"Harper, wait."

Confused, I look back at him. Leah's looking at him too, annoyed

Then I feel something paper-like curl into my palm. I accept it, hiding it in my hand.

"Despite everything, it is good to see you unharmed. We all thought the worst seeing you in the coliseum."

""You saw that?"

Samuel nods. "It was broadcast."

"I had money on the lions, Leah says. "Shame that Alpha werewolf intervened."

"I will let your family know you are well," he says.

They won'ttare, I think. That thought is reaffirmed when Leah seoffs

But I could see what these platitudes were truly for, to give him a reason to slip me the note.

I exit the line without another word to either of them and head to the bathroom. In the privacy of the bathroom, with the door securely locked behind me, I read the note Ilpm tonight. In the courtyard gardens. Near the pronies