“I want to make Sable my Queen,” he said, his voice dropping to an intimate tone that made my heart race. “My partner in everything. The only woman I’ll ever want.”
Heat flooded my cheeks as his words sank in. I stared at him in shock, my mouth slightly open.
“You didn’t tell me you were going to do this,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Victoria and Daisy exchanged delighted looks. Daisy clapped her hands together silently, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
But Katherine’s face had turned to stone. Her jaw clenched tight, and her knuckles went white where they gripped her napkin.
Marcus maintained his neutral expression. He looked like a man watching a car accident unfold-interested but detached.
Dad frowned deeply, slowly lowering his wine glass to the table. “This is moving very fast, Caelan.”
His voice carried a warning undertone that made my stomach clench with anxiety.
“There’s no need to rush into anything permanent.”
‘I can assure you of Sable’s safety,” Caelan set down his wine glass.
“Blair has been officially exiled from Blackwood territory. She will never threaten Sable again. There are no longer any obstacles to our being together.”
Katherine shot to her feet so fast her chair scraped against the floor.
“What did you say?” Her voice shook. “Blair has been exiled? When did this happen?”
I watched Katherine’s face drain of all color.
“Caelan, how could you do this to Blair?” Disbelief and fury warred in her eyes. “You made this decision without even consulting me?
Her voice became thick with emotion. “All these years, whenever you were away on business, it was Blair who kept me company! She would have afternoon tea with me, listen to stories about when you were little, help me tend the garden… She’s like my own daughter!”
Caelan remained seated, his posture unnaturally calm as he studied his mother. “Mom, perhaps you’ve forgotten that I am King. Do I need your permission to make decisions?”
“And I want to remind you of something-Blair is not your daughter. She’s a criminal who attempted to murder my fianc?e.”
Katherine’s hands pressed flat against the table as she leaned forward. “She’s your sister! She may not share our blood, but she’s been part of this family for years!”
“Mom, please sit down and hear me out.” Caelan’s tone carried quiet authority.
Katherine reluctantly lowered herself back into her chair, but her body remained rigid with tension.
“Blair created a suicide spectacle at our engagement ceremony, nearly killing both Daisy and Sable.” Caelan’s voice stayed level, but I caught the steel underneath. “Most seriously, she conspired with outsiders to harm Sable.”
He paused deliberately on the word “outsiders,” his gaze shifting meaningfully toward Marcus.
Marcus shifted uncomfortably, taking a long drink from his wine glass.
“These actions violated our pack’s fundamental laws,” Caelan continued, his voice sharpening with anger. “Exile was the necessary punishment. And I’ve told you before-I will not allow anyone to threaten my fianc?e.”
Katherine shook her head violently. “No! I don’t believe Blair would do those things!”
“Blair was always such a well-behaved, obedient child! Desperation crept into her voice.
Suddenly she whirled toward me, her eyes blazing with fury. “It’s all because of you!”
“Ever since you appeared, Blair changed! You’re the one who’s torn our family apart!”
Her voice turned vicious. “What kind of spell did you cast on my son?”
“Our family was perfectly happy until you came along! Everything changed because of you!”
Dad slammed his palm against the table as he rose to his feet. “Katherine Blackwood, are you starting this again?”
“You attacked my daughter the same way in the hospital. Now you want to do it again?”
“Let me tell you something-my daughter, Rodrigo Crawford’s daughter, doesn’t need to cast spells on anyone! She’s honest and deserving of respect!”
“You, on the other hand-a mother who repeatedly attacks an innocent young woman-where did your manners go?”
Just as the tension reached its breaking point, Daisy’s small voice cut through the argument.
“Katherine, why are you being so mean to my sister?”
Everyone froze. Daisy continued with ten-year-old logic, “My sister is really nice. She saved me, and she never bullies anyone.”
She tilted her head thoughtfully. “And if Blair really tried to hurt my sister, then she’s a bad person. Mommy always says we should stay away from bad people.”
Katherine stared at the child, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly.
Victoria immediately stood up. “Daisy, let’s go look at the garden, shall we?”
Daisy nodded but stopped at the doorway. “Katherine, please don’t yell at my sister anymore. It makes her sad.”
After Victoria led Daisy away, I found my voice.
Katherine’s sudden attack had stunned me for a moment, but I recovered quickly.
‘Katherine, are you suggesting that victims are to blame for their own suffering?” I kept my voice steady. “I’ve been targeted multiple times by Blair’s schemes. I’m lucky to be alive. Why are you blaming me for turning Blair into what she became? What exactly is your logic here?”
Katherine’s laugh was bitter and cold. “Look at this. Sable is so capable now-she’s even managed to turn my son against his own mother. I never realized how manipulative you could be.”
Her eyes narrowed. Fine, you want to talk logic? Let me ask you something. You abandoned your engagement to Caelan years ago. Why did you suddenly come back and accept it now?”
“Did you see the potential in the Lycan King title and decide you wanted that power?”
“What’s your real purpose here? Love, or status?”
“I think you’re nothing but an opportunist who latches onto powerful people!”
I started to respond. ‘I admit I was immature when I left, because at that time I didn’t have romantic feelings for Caelan-I always saw him as a big brother. But later, why I agreed to-
Dad cut me off sharply. “Sable! Stop. You don’t owe her any explanations. You certainly don’t need to prove your worth.”
His voice turned icy. “Our pack hasn’t fallen so low that we need to cling to powerful people. We’re not that desperate. The only desperate one here is someone who enjoys making malicious assumptions about others.”
Katherine’s face flushed red. “Who are you calling desperate? Say it directly if you have the courage.”
Caelan spoke for the first time since the argument escalated. “Everyone, please sit down and calm yourselves. This arguing serves no purpose.”
Both Katherine and Dad reluctantly took their seats, but they pointedly looked away from each other while reaching for their wine glasses.
“Mom,” Caelan said quietly, “if you continue to insult my woman, my wife, I will leave this family.”
Katherine’s eyes widened as she stared at him.
“Your humiliation of her today is also humiliation of me. I’m telling you plainly-I’m marrying Sable. That’s final.”
Katherine’s voice softened slightly. “I’m sorry, Caelan. I got too emotional and said inappropriate things. But regarding Blair-I think you should have told me beforehand. When you were busy with work and away from home, Blair was always there with me. Now you’ve exiled her without warning. Don’t you think that was too harsh?”
“Would you prefer I wait until Blair actually succeeds in killing Sable before you realize she’s a poisonous snake?” Caelan’s voice carried dangerous calm. “Or until she drugs me and forces me into sexual relations, then claims to be pregnant with my child? Because she attempted both.”
Dad shot up from his chair. “What?!”
“Dad, no sexual relations actually occurred. Don’t worry.”
Katherine finally seemed to grasp the severity of Blair’s actions. “All right. That’s enough for tonight. I’ve lost my appetite anyway. Continue without me. Caelan, I won’t interfere with your decisions anymore. Do whatever you want.”
She stood and walked coldly toward the door. Marcus rose to follow her, but Caelan’s voice stopped him.
“Dad, wait. There’s something else you need to know. I’ve destroyed Lucian’s pack. He’s now a fugitive, but I’ll continue hunting him down.”
A flicker of pain crossed Marcus’s eyes, but he said nothing as he left the room.
Dad turned to Caelan, his expression troubled. “Caelan, I don’t want to be the father who breaks up young love, but you saw your mother’s attitude toward Sable tonight. How can I feel comfortable entrusting my daughter to you?”
Caelan reached for my hand, bringing it to his lips. “I promise you-after marriage, Sable won’t have to interact with my mother unless she chooses to. Not even a single meal.”
He pressed a gentle kiss to my knuckles. “I won’t let Sable suffer as a dutiful daughter-in-law under a difficult mother-in-law. After marriage, Sable will still be herself first, your daughter second, and my wife third.”
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