Chapter 161

I couldn’t believe that. Nothing from the time I had been with Nicholas to what I had experienced knowing him now indicated to me that he only cared about himself.

He helped out regularly at an orphanage. He turned the other way to Mark and Susie’s romance. He spent time with Elva. He was so protective of me, always looking out for me.

None of these were indicative of a selfish man.

Julian seemed absolutely convinced however. “I can tell from your face that you don’t believe me. But doesn’t this action prove it to you? Nicholas was trying to steal the glory here. That’s why he went behind my back.”

“That’s not true,” I said. “He only wanted to tell the King as soon as he could, to bring down Terry as quickly as possible.”

Julian huffed. “He has you fooled, then.”

“Julian. Don’t you think you are being too hard on Nicholas?” I could sympathize with Julian. I knew being excluded had hurt him, and it was exceedingly shortsighted of Nicholas, if nothing else, as Julian held some of the evidence that the King needed to help make his decision.

Nicholas was stubborn and a man of action, but he was also forthright. He plunged ahead, sometimes without the many calculations that Julian would make. But he did so with the best intentions at heart. Of that, I was absolutely certain.

“He’s always done this is in the past as well,” Nicholas said. “He’ll undercut my accomplishments in order to prop himself up.”

“Julian…”

“Every exam, every sport, every concert… Every moment where I could have shone, could have made something of myself, he stole the spotlight and kept it from me.”

He smirked as he spoke, but it was a mask, one he was used to wearing. I was starting to be able to see through it, to the more vulnerable man underneath.

I didn’t doubt that Julian had been denied glory. I also didn’t doubt that Nicholas had claimed it, though I’m sure it was unintentional to cast such a dark shadow over Julian.

Was this why Julian always acted out? He was just a lost boy who never had enough attention growing up? No. That was likely unfair. This hurt felt too raw, too deep. There was something deeper going on.

“You can’t believe that Nicholas would purposefully steal –”

“I would,” Julian said, cutting me off. “He doesn’t want me to have anything. That’s partially why he stole my girlfriend Bridget from me all those years ago.”

The words gave me pause. This wasn’t the first time he mentioned such a thing. I hadn’t truly believed it then, and I didn’t fully now either. The Nicholas I knew would have never intentionally steal anyone’s girlfriend away.

That left only two options for the truth. Either Nicholas hadn’t realized Bridget was dating Julian, or Julian wasn’t telling the full story.

I didn’t think Nicholas would be quite so oblivious, which left Julian withholding facts, something he had been known to do in the past.

“She was the only woman I ever truly loved, Piper,” Julian said. His gaze fell away from me a moment, but I kept watchful. Even as his attention dropped, I could still see his eyes. Within them, I saw a flash of heartbreak.

Whatever had happened between Nicholas, Bridget, and him had hurt him. There could be no denying that.

“I’m sorry you were hurt,” I said.

Julian scoffed. “Sorry I was hurt. Not sorry that Nicholas betrayed a brother’s trust.”

I frowned. “I’m sorry for that too.” If that was truly what happened.

I tried to imagine it for a moment: Julian dating the woman he loved, following after her like a lovesick puppy, while Nicholas slunk in the shadows, plotting their breakup.

It felt too… cartoon. It couldn’t be reality.

Even imagining Julian in love felt like a stretch, though I felt like a jerk for thinking so.

Why shouldn’t he fall in love?

She would have had to be a special woman to keep his attention.

I wondered what kind of woman Bridget really was. It was possible Julian had rose colored glasses, remembering her and the past. But I just didn’t know.

“I can’t see it,” I said. “Nicholas does not have one vindictive bone in his body. He’s not selfish. He wouldn’t actively try to hurt you.”

Julian sighed as he slowly shook his head. “I’m not upset with you, Piper. You’ve only seen him at his best side. But just wait. Someday he’ll show you his true colors.”

“We’ll have to agree to disagree,” I said.

Julian added, “For now.”

That afternoon, I sat out in the grasses near the woods with Susie, watching Elva play with Silver and Night.

Across the gardens, Nicholas was standing beside Olivia. They were deep in a lively conversation. One leaning in to hear the other speak and then vice versa.

I didn’t want to be jealous. They were just talking. But jealousy still sat, cutting, behind my ribcage.

Susie, bless her, was trying to distract me.

“Elva is doing quite well with the wolves,” Susie said, smiling softly. “They speak to each other now like dear friends. They would probably accept her into their pack if she wasn’t already welcomed in another.”

A sense pride settled deep within me. I always knew Elva was talented, but to have it acknowledged by others gave me no shortage of happiness. If only such strength of talent did not also place Elva in danger.

No, I couldn’t think like that. We were on our way to bringing down Terry. The rest of the underground organization would soon follow.

“Thank you,” I said to Susie. She nodded.

After a moment, I noticed she was distracted too, though when I followed the length of her gaze, I found that it ended with Mark, standing also on the other side of the gardens near his prince.

I very nearly turned to tease her about him, when my gaze snagged on where Olivia had placed her hand on Nicholas’s wrist, so very near his hand. She wouldn’t try to hold it, would she?

I couldn’t tear my gaze away.

“Rumors say that Olivia might be the new favorite for Nicholas,” Susie said.

“What about Lilliana?” I asked.

“Too many bad showings,” Susie said. “Olivia, meanwhile, has been steady in every event since the start. She’s from a prominent pack, too. And from what hear, she does well on camera too…”

Susie’s voice trailed off. Susie herself wasn’t so great at the social matters. I gave her a small smile to help lift her spirits. She gave me one in return, but it didn’t last.

“Olivia is on top of the standings,” Susie said. “I’m next to last.”

“You are doing fine,” I said. “Prince Joyce seems to think so.” I cleared my throat. “Mark sure agrees.”

A light blush dusted her cheeks. She dipped her head to hide it.

I was pleased by her happiness, for her and Mark stealing what rays of sunshine they could for themselves.

It gave me the courage to ask, “If you are next to last, then who is lowest in the standings?”

It couldn’t be Jessica, as she was Joyce’s first choice. And though Lilliana had dropped in the rankings, I couldn’t imagine her as last, simply from the high respectability of her pack.

Susie hesitated, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.

“Susie?” I prompted. A growing feeling of dread rooted in my stomach.

“It’s you, Piper,” she replied. “You are the lowest in the current standings.”