Chapter 14

• It was late afternoon, and the aroma of fresh bread filled the kitchen as Chloe moved around, helping the maids with the evening preparations. She tried her best to ignore the growing weight of the glances that followed her around the castle. Every time she caught a maid’s eye, they would quickly avert their gaze or mutter under their breath. It was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the subtle whispers that seemed to follow her every step.
• She had hoped it was all just the nervousness of the upcoming wedding, a flurry of gossip and speculation. But deep down, something felt wrong. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the pack—Kaels's pack— doesn't like her.
• As she carefully sliced some vegetables, she heard the faint sound of footsteps behind her. Without even looking up, she knew who it was. The hard click of heels on the stone floor, the unmistakable scent of lavender—Astrid.