Chapter 320

Rowan snarled, but Toya wasn’t done. “You and her father created this pit of a plan because you’re older, you know better. But you miscalculated.”

“We are older, and we do know better,” he countered. “So please, tell me, how did we miscalculate?”

Toya narrowed her eyes. “You held back because your wolf was infatuated with another, but my bet is that Erubus wanted Nix. You had Amy, and he could have had Nix, and you whiffed it.” Toya snarled. “You held yourself back from the one person you truly wanted because of a wolf who was the same person. If you had less restraint, you and Amy could have been mated by now.” His face fell, and he shot me a look. “Now you’re mated to a bitch who is controlling you, and Amy…” Toya looked at me. “Amy deserves better. She deserves someone who will choose her…every time.”

“That’s enough,” I whispered, but both turned to me. “Rowan, I think it’s time for you to leave. Your fiancée is probably waiting for you.” I turned to Toya and just shook my head. “I’m going to pack the rest of my stuff.”

“Amy…” Rowan grabbed for my hand, but I stepped back.

“When you go downstairs, can you act arrogantly? I really need this to work.” I nodded to him once and turned away.

Toya scoffed. “He doesn’t have to act.” I heard her walk to the door. “My king.” She opened the door and stood there. I could feel Rowan’s eyes on my back as I turned into my room. I went to my bags and pulled them to the door. I would stay back here until I was sure he was gone. “My king?” Toya called again, only this time it was a little more forceful.

There were footsteps down the hall, and I walked into my bathroom as my bedroom door swung open. “Amy?” Rowan was panting, eyes wild.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. “Yes?” I turned to see him filling the doorway.

“I know I have no right to ask this of you.” He took a step closer to me. “But please…don’t make any lasting decisions until this is all over.”

I looked at him. “Rowan, please just go back to your fiancée.”

“I don’t give a fuck about her. Just promise me.” He stared at me with eyes full of something I couldn’t decipher.

“Fine.” I turned back to my shower, pulling my toiletries. “Now go.”

I heard him inhale, and then he was gone. The front door slammed, and then Toya was in the doorway. “He’s gone.” I nodded. “Are you okay?” Her words were soft, and I laughed, but the tears came too.

“I’m stupid,” I swatted at the tears that were betraying me.

Toya walked closer and wrapped me in her arms. “Absolutely not.” She patted my back as I tried to pull back the tears.

I pulled back and laughed. “All he does is hurt me.” I smacked my head. “And I still cry over him.” My hand rubbed my chest. “I am stupid.”

“Honestly, this is better than what you have been doing this last year.” Toya wiped my tears. “I’d rather you facing your emotions than bottling them up and pretending you don’t feel them.” She smiled, and she pressed her forehead against mine. “This is the real you.” She pulled back and stared into my eyes. “What you were before. The cold, calculating woman, while she was a badass, she was also fake.”

I pulled back and wiped my face on my shirt. “I thought I was pulling it off.” I chuckled.

She joined me. “You did, and the rest of us played along. But we were just waiting.”

“Waiting?”

She ran her hand down my hair. “For you to break.” She tugged at the ends. “You held on for longer than I thought you would. But you can’t keep running from this…from him.” She sighed. “You both need to face each other. And you both need to be honest with each other and yourselves.”

“He is engaged,” I started, and she scoffed.

“It’s obvious it’s a part of your father’s plan. I like him, but the man is stupid. Both of them.” She shook her head, sending her braids flying.

“Do you really hate him?” I pushed out of her arms and settled against the counter.

Toya sighed. “Not really. I hate how he treats you. I hate how their plans leave you like this. But I don’t hate him, not really.” She leaned against the wall across from me. “I want to hate him because of what he’s done to you. But…”

“He’s our king,” I finished.

She shook her head. “If it was just that, I would hate him. There aren’t really many monarchs that are liked in history. But he’s honestly a nice guy, and he’s smart. He’s just.” She trailed off.

“Stupid,” she blurted out.

“Stupid.” I sighed and froze. Then we burst out laughing.