From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157

Third Person POV

The cozy cabin by Moonlight Lake glowed with warmth against the evening darkness. Orange flames danced in the stone fireplace, casting flickering shadows across the rustic wooden walls.

Scarlett curled up on the plush sofa, wine glass cradled in her hands as she regaled her audience with tales of romantic disaster.

So this genius actually showed up wearing a tuxedo t-shirt,” she said, gesturing wildly with her free hand. “To a coffee date! I asked him if he was planning to attend a wedding after, and he said no-apparently this was his formal casual look.”

Peter lounged in the leather armchair across from her, his long legs stretched out comfortably. His rich laughter filled the space

between them.

Please tell me you didn’t actually go through with the entire date,” he chuckled.

Leon sat cross-legged on the carpet, his back against the sofa near Scarlett’s feet. He tossed another log into the fireplace, sending sparks dancing up the chimney.

“Let me guess,” Leon said, poking at the flames with an iron rod. “He also had strong opinions about pineapple on pizza.”

“Worse! He spent twenty minutes explaining why cryptocurrency was going to replace traditional dating.” Scarlett took a sip of wine. “Apparently, relationships should be based on ‘blockchain trust protocols.””

Peter nearly choked on his beer. “You’re making that up.”

“I swear on my grandmother’s grave!” Scarlett raised her right hand solemnly. “He had charts, Peter. Actual charts about emotional

transactions.”

The coffee table between them overflowed with carefully arranged snacks-artisanal cheeses, fresh bread, chocolate-covered strawberries, and an impressive selection of wines. Scarlett had clearly put thought into creating the perfect comfort food spread.

Leon shook his head in amazement. “And your mother wonders why you’re still single.”

“My mother thinks any man with a pulse and a steady job is marriage material,” Scarlett replied dryly. “She’d probably approve of cryptocurrency guy.”

“Already seven fifteen, where’s Sable?’ Scarlett glanced at her watch, concern creeping into her voice.

She d been gripping her wine glass for the past hour, fingers already sliding toward Sable’s contact on her phone when footsteps echoed outside the cabin door.

“Finally!” Relief flooded her face as she dropped the phone and stood from the cozy sofa.

But instead of Sable’s familiar silhouette, a tall figure in black casual wear filled the doorway. Caelan stepped inside, his expression cold. Elena followed closely behind, her arm threaded through his, wearing a perfectly coordinated cream-colored dress.

Scarlett’s smile froze mid-formation like someone had pressed pause on her face. Her features twisted from joy to confusion to pure rage in the span of three seconds.

“Who the fuck invited them?!” She slammed her wine glass down on the coffee table hard enough to rattle the carefully arranged

snacks.

Her eyes swept between Peter and Leon like a prosecutor interrogating suspects. “Which one of you did this? Talk!”

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11:57 Fri, 22 Aug PM.

Chapter 157

Leon shrugged, settling back against the sofa with an expression that screamed ‘not my circus, not my monkeys. His gaze slid toward Peter with unmistakable meaning.

Peter’s face flushed red. His hand scraped nervously at the back of his neck as he avoided Scarlett’s laser focus.

“It was… it was me who invited Caelan,” he admitted, voice shrinking with each word. “I thought-

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?!” Scarlett’s voice pitched up to near-shriek level.

She jabbed a finger toward Caelan. “Don’t you know he betrayed Sable?

Her chest rose and fell rapidly. “I organized this gathering to comfort Sable!”

Peter shot to his feet, palms spread in a placating gesture. “Scarlett, calm down…”

“Breakups happen all the time, but we’re all in the same werewolf social circle.” His gaze flicked between Caelan and Elena. “Everyone here is friends. No need to make things awkward.”

Scarlett’s laugh was sharp. “Friends?”

“Caelan’s breakup with Sable means he’s cut from our social circle too.”

Her stance was unwavering. “I don’t believe in having your cake and eating it too.”

She pointed toward the door. “Make them leave-either they go, or I do!”

Elena had been watching this drama unfold with perfect composure. Now she released Caelan’s arm and stepped forward.

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“I think you’re misunderstanding something.” Her voice carried calm authority. “My relationship with Caelan began after he and Sable ended their engagement.”

“So this isn’t what you’d call cheating.”

“Shut up!” Scarlett’s hand sliced through the air in a harsh stop gesture.

Her voice turned razor-sharp. ‘In my book, you’re still a homewrecker!”

Peter rushed to position himself between Scarlett and Elena, hands waving frantically. “This is all a misunderstanding!”

He turned toward Caelan, desperation clear in his eyes. “Right, Caelan?”

Peter’s mouth opened as he teetered on the edge of revelation. ‘Actually, the truth is-

Leon straightened slightly, recognition dawning on his features. His lips parted as the same realization hit him.

But Caelan’s eyes turned predatory, locking onto Peter with falcon-like intensity. A subtle but unmistakable shake of his head.

Damn it, Peter almost spilled everything.

Scarlett’s too straightforward-she could never keep a secret.

If she knew the truth, Sable would find out about everything I’ve done to protect her.

Peter caught Caelan’s warning look and understood immediately. His mouth opened and closed soundlessly before he finally shut it, helpless sympathy flooding his

eyes.

11:57 Fri, 22 Aug PM

Chapter 157

That’s when the door opened again.

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Sable appeared in the entrance wearing simple jeans and a soft sweater, carrying a bag of snacks. Her face still held traces of anticipation for the gathering.

The smile evaporated from her face the instant she saw the scene before her.

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11:57 Fri, 22 Aug PM.

From Substitute To Queen