Chapter 243
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Carmen’s voice carried a playful lilt as she looked at Riley. “From now on, whenever I don’t have class, I’ll come see you, alright?”
She looked every bit the carefree, mischievous girl, yet in her eyes there was a fleeting flash of something deeper-concern, protectiveness, and an unspoken vow. She just wanted to see Riley smile.
Riley’s expression softened, as though speaking to a child she cherished. She ruffled Carmen’s hair with gentle fingers. “Of course. I’d love nothing more than to see you every day.”
How could she not like someone as pure as Carmen? The girl’s presence alone lightened her mood.
Riley took her hand and led her inside. “Sit down for a moment. There’s still noodles in the pot. I’ll get you a bowl.”
“You’re too good to me,” Carmen teased, grinning wide. “If I were a man, I’d snatch you up and marry you.”
Riley shot her a mock glare. “You talk too much.”
Carmen only stuck out her tongue in reply, her scent-light and sweet-mingling with Riley’s calm, warm presence. The two of them moved like they’d known each other all their lives, a closeness that made Lucien Duskgrave’s eyelids twitch.
When Carmen passed him, she merely nodded in greeting before trotting after Riley into the kitchen.
From the kitchen came Riley’s voice, steady and low, “Why are you following me in here?”
Carmen leaned against the counter, her tone turning syrupy. “Because I finally get to see you. I’m not wasting a second.”
Her playful whine coaxed a quiet laugh from Riley, the sound carrying like a warm ember in the winter air. The two continued chatting, the kitchen filling with the easy rhythm of their words-while Lucien sat alone at the table, feeling almost like an intruder in his own territory.
That was when Duke walked in from outside.
“Alpha, are we ready to go?”
Carmen froze mid-step, the voice cutting through her lighthearted mood like a blade. It sounded far too familiar.
She turned, eyes narrowing toward the dining room-where a man in a silver-gray suit and gold-rimmed glasses was walking toward them with smooth, confident steps.
Recognition struck her like lightning.
It was him. The man who had once handed her a million without blinking-Theo Hale’s and Kael Vale’s ally. What in the moon’s name was he doing here, calling Lucien “Alpha”?
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Her heart thudded wildly, wolf instincts coiling tight.
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As if sensing her gaze, Duke glanced toward the kitchen. Carmen jerked her head away immediately, shoulders stiff, every muscle tensed as though ready to bolt.
His eyes lingered on her, assessing. Something about her back looked… familiar.
Before he could speak, Riley emerged with a steaming bowl of noodles. “This is Carmen, Mia’s daughter.”
Mia’s daughter? She looked around Riley’s age.
The name tickled at his memory-Carmen. He stared longer, the shape of her shoulders, the line of her jaw, his instincts prodding him to press further.
But Riley’s voice broke the tension. “Duke, have you eaten? Want to sit and have some?”
He opened his mouth to answer, but Lucien’s deep voice cut through from the table.
“He’s eaten.”
Lucien stood, sweeping the bowl of noodles in front of him as if claiming prey. “The Eastside project is urgent. I’ll take this and eat on the road. Duke, let’s go.”
Without another glance, he strode out, Duke casting one last long look at Carmen before following.
Outside, Lucien thrust the noodles into Duke’s hands.
“For you.”
Duke looked down. A lush heap of fresh cilantro floated on the broth. He couldn’t help the smirk tugging at his lips. “Such a shame, Alpha. Best part of the dish, and you can’t have it.”
Lucien slid into the driver’s seat with the slow menace of a predator turning its head. “Seems I’ve been docking your pay too lightly.”
“Oh?” Duke raised a brow, amused.
“Your mouth still runs even when it’s full.”
Duke’s chuckle died instantly.
Back inside, Carmen finally let out the breath she’d been holding. She carried her bowl to the table, but instead of sitting beside Riley, she deliberately took the seat across-so she could read her lips.
As they ate, she kept her tone casual, but her heart was still beating a little too fast. “Riley… the man who came in earlier-who is he?”
“That’s Alpha Lucien’s Beta. Duke,”
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