From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 159

Chapter 159

“Keep your wandering thoughts in check,” I said coldly. “This is just acting. When it’s over, it’s over.”

Elena shrugged, a sly glint in her eyes. Fine, fine. But what if she actually develops feelings for me? I can’t promise I’d turn her

down.

“She won’t.”

“Hmm, pretty confident there.” Elena tilted her head. “But seriously, how long are we doing this charade?”

My expression grew grave. “Sable believes we’re together now. More importantly, Lucian will believe we’ve completely broken up.”

“That means I can focus on hunting him down without worrying about her safety. Once I capture him, this whole performance can end.”

“And after that?” Elena’s voice was deceptively casual. “Will you go crawling back to beg for forgiveness?”

I fell silent, my expression growing complex. The question touched something raw, something I wasn’t ready to examine.

Elena didn’t push. Instead, she shifted gears entirely.

“Speaking of family drama, how’s Uncle Marcus?”

My face darkened. “I had him moved to the pack dungeons. His mental state is… deteriorating rapidly. He spends most of his time ranting about protecting Lucian.”

“And Aunt Katherine?”

“She collapsed when she learned the truth. She’s been locked in her room for days, refusing to see anyone.” My voice carried the weight of exhaustion. “She won’t eat, won’t speak to the staff. I’m worried she might do something drastic.”

Elena’s expression softened with genuine concern. “I’ll visit her whenever I’m free. Maybe having family around will help. Sometimes grief needs another person to share the burden.”

I nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”

Sable’s POV

I curled into the corner of the plush sofa, my legs tucked beneath me, while Scarlett sat close enough that our knees touched. Her arm was draped protectively around my shoulders.

I was still crying, but they were quieter tears now. The kind that leaked out despite my best efforts to contain them.

Scarlett rubbed gentle circles on my back while shooting death glares at Peter, who was doing his absolute best to avoid eye contact. Leon had strategically positioned himself near the fireplace, suddenly fascinated by the flames.

“The weather’s been strange lately,” Leon announced to no one in particular.

“Very strange,” Peter agreed quickly, grateful for the neutral topic. “Unusually warm for this time of year.”

Scarlett’s glare could have melted steel. Both men found even more interesting things to study-the ceiling, their wine glasses, the pattern on the throw pillows.

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Chapter 159

After a few minutes, I forced myself to sit up straighter. I grabbed one of the open wine bottles and filled my glass to the brim, then downed it in one long swallow.

Peter winced. “Sable, I’m sorry. I should have thought this through. I had no right to invite them without warning you.”

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. ‘It’s not your fault, Peter. Caelan is your friend too. My personal drama shouldn’t affect your friendships.”

Scarlett suddenly straightened, her eyes lighting up with the kind of dangerous enthusiasm that usually meant trouble.

“I know exactly how to help you get over this heartbreak!” she announced.

Peter and Leon leaned forward simultaneously, their curiosity clearly piqued. “What kind of method?” they asked in unison.

Scarlett shot them both withering glares. “What’s it to you two? Haven’t you caused enough trouble for one night?”

“Come on,” Leon protested. “We’re just trying to look out for Sable too.”

I patted his arm. “It’s okay. What did you have in mind, Scarlett?”

Scarlett’s grin turned predatory. “Speed dating! I know tons of single, successful alphas who would kill for a chance to meet you!”

Peter and Leon exchanged a meaningful look, then spoke in perfect unison: “Absolutely not!”

Peter shot to his feet. “Scarlett, how many dating disasters have you had again? Didn’t you just tell us about that blockchain relationship theorist’ guy?” He shook his head. “Are you really qualified to play matchmaker for anyone?”

Leon jumped in with a grin. “Don’t forget about the cheapskate who insisted on splitting everything fifty-fifty, including the cost of

individual utensils.”

Scarlett’s cheeks flushed red. “Those… those were just accidents! I’ve had bad luck, that’s all!”

Peter wasn’t finished. “Accidents? Scarlett, just last month you were crying to us about the guy who made you pay for the entire dinner because ‘female independence should be demonstrated financially.”

“Are you two deliberately trying to gang up on me tonight?!” Scarlett exploded, her face completely red now.

She lunged toward Peter, who immediately started backing away.

‘Scarlett, we’re just saying maybe you should improve your own success rate before-

Improve my success rate?!” Scarlett was chasing Peter around the coffee table now. “I’ll show you an improved success rate!”

Peter ducked behind an armchair. “We’re looking out for Sable’s best interests! Your dating advice track record speaks for itself!”

Leon wisely stayed by the fireplace but couldn’t resist adding fuel to the fire. “Remember the guy who brought his mother to your second date? For a compatibility assessment?’

“Leon!” Scarlett shrieked, abandoning her pursuit of Peter to turn on him. “You’re supposed to be on my side!”

“I’m neutral!” Leon held up both hands. “Like Switzerland!”

Scarlett grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it at his head. “Neutral my ass!”

Peter, thinking he was safe, started laughing. “This is exactly why we can’t let you play matchmaker for Sable. You’d probably set her

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Chapter 159

up with someone who collects vintage dental equipment or something equally horrifying.”

ས ཊཱི 88%

That was apparently the last straw. Scarlett let out a war cry and launched herself toward Peter, who yelped and started running laps around the room.

“Take it back!” Scarlett demanded, chasing him in circles.

“Never!” Peter was laughing too hard to run properly. “Your dating disasters are legendary!”

Leon was supposed to be playing peacekeeper, but he was laughing so hard he could barely stand. “Guys, maybe we should-”

“Stay out of this!” both Scarlett and Peter yelled simultaneously.

I watched my three friends engage in what could only be described as the world’s most ridiculous domestic warfare. Scarlett was still chasing Peter, who was now army-crawling behind the sofa. Leon was trying to referee while being bombarded with throw pillows from both sides.

“This is for Sable’s own good!” Peter called out from his hiding spot. “We’re protecting her from your matchmaking disasters!”

“I’m going to murder you!” Scarlett dove over the sofa back, just missing Peter by inches.

I found myself starting to smile. Then the smile became a laugh. A real, genuine laugh that bubbled up from somewhere deep inside.

These ridiculous, wonderful people were fighting a completely absurd battle over my love life while I sat there watching like it was the world’s strangest entertainment.

The laughter felt like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. Maybe pain didn’t last forever. Maybe sometimes the best medicine was watching your friends care so much they’d engage in cushion warfare on your behalf.

Maybe, I was going to be okay.

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From Substitute To Queen