From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 76

Chapter 76

Sable’s POV

Saying I didn’t care about Darrell would be a lie, but seeing his shocked expression just now was pretty satisfying. I sipped my champagne and watched the security team escort him away from the garden’s edge.

Actually, I was the one who deliberately leaked the information to him. Back when I was still in Moonridge, I already knew Darrell’s pack was struggling financially. When Kate mentioned she had a contact there, I asked her to have someone spread false information to Darrell-that my father was actively seeking new alliances. I just wanted to see how he’d react to the possibility. I never expected him to rush over here in person this quickly.

That pink diamond necklace was supposed to be an engagement gift? Ha. If I were still that ordinary doctor, he’d never consider proposing. But now that he knows I’m the Crawford pack heiress, suddenly he wants to marry me?

Whatever. I’m not letting him ruin my mood. Today is Daisy’s birthday, and I need to focus on her.

I shook my head and turned back toward the party.

The garden blazed with warm light as the evening deepened. A three-tiered pink cake dominated the long dining table, its surface decorated with delicate sugar flowers.

“Happy birthday!” Everyone’s voices rose in unison.

Daisy stood in her puffed pink dress, cheeks flushed with excitement. She pressed her palms together and closed her eyes to make a wish. Eight candles flickered on the cake, their light dancing in her dark eyes.

‘Sabelate, stand next to me!” She grabbed my hand and wouldn’t let go.

I crouched down beside her. “What did you wish for?”

‘I can’t tell others or it won’t come true. But I can tell you this much-I wished for my sister to never leave me again.” She winked at me, breath, and blew out all the candles in one go.

I kissed her cheek. I won’t leave you, my little princess.”

Applause erupted around us. Caelan stood behind me, his hand resting gently on my shoulder.

took a deep

Daisy had just finished cutting the first slice when Dad tapped his champagne glass. The clear chime silenced the chatter, and all eyes turned toward him.

*Friends, on this special day, I have two important announcements to make.”

I looked at my father curiously, wondering what he planned to say.

“First, I want to formally introduce my eldest daughter, Sable Crawford.” His eyes found mine, filled with unmistakable pride. “She has just returned to us, and I’ve decided to appoint her as our pack’s Chief Healer. She’s an excellent doctor with a strong sense of responsibility. I have complete faith in my daughter.”

What? My eyes widened. I’d had no idea this was coming. Behind Rodrigo, I noticed Victoria pressing her lips together in a way that suggested she wasn’t entirely pleased with this development.

“Sable, do you accept this responsibility?” Dad’s voice was gentle but expectant.

My throat tightened, and I felt my eyes growing warm. I nodded. “I accept, Dad.”

The applause was thunderous.

“The second piece of good news,” Rodrigo continued, “is that I’m delighted to announce Sable’s upcoming engagement to Lycan King Caelan Blackwood.”

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Chapte

Caelan naturally took my hand and nodded acknowledgment to the guests.

Congratulations!”

“How wonderful!”

The garden filled with celebratory voices and the clink of raised glasses.

604

An hour later, the festivities had settled into a more relaxed rhythm. Some guests had begun saying their goodbyes.

I was chatting with several pack members when a uniformed male server approached. He looked to be in his thirties, average height, with the kind of forgettable face that wouldn’t draw attention in a crowd.

‘Miss Crawford.”

“Yes?’

‘Miss Daisy asked me to find you. She’s waiting for you in the back garden.”

I glanced around, surprised. ‘Did Daisy say what this was about?”

“She mentioned having a surprise to show you. She seemed very excited.”

I couldn’t see Daisy anywhere nearby. In the distance, Caelan was deep in conversation with Rodrigo.

Thinking Daisy had probably prepared another little gift, I smiled. “All right, lead the way.”

We started from the main garden, following the stone path toward the rear of the manor. At first, I could still hear the party music, but as we walked farther, the sounds grew fainter. The decorative lights became sparse, leaving only a few path lamps for illumination.

‘How much farther?” I asked.

The server didn’t answer, just kept walking.

I frowned. Something felt wrong. Daisy wouldn’t wait for me in such a remote location.

“Wait. I stopped. “This direction is wrong. The back garden isn’t this way.”

The man stopped too, slowly turning around. The moon had slipped behind clouds, leaving his face in shadow.

‘Is Daisy really back there?”

That’s when I noticed how quiet it was. No insect sounds, nothing.

“I’m going back.” I turned and started walking away.

But I’d only taken two steps when someone grabbed my arm from behind.

“Let go of me!” I twisted around, struggling.

The man’s face wore a sinister smile, all pretense of respect gone. He pulled a syringe from his uniform pocket, the liquid inside glowing an eerie blue.

“Don’t fight it, Miss Crawford. This will be over quickly.”

Without thinking, I drove my right knee upward as hard as I could, connecting with his wrist.

“Ah!” He yelped in pain. The syringe flew from his grip, landing in the grass several feet away.

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Chapter 76

‘Didn’t expect you to know how to fight. He shook out his wrist, reassuming an attack stance.

I backed away quickly, scanning my surroundings. Flower beds to the left, wall to the right, the path behind me blocked by him.

He lunged forward, moving fast. I dodged sideways but he still managed to grab my shoulder.

‘Get off!” I drove my elbow backward.

We grappled. He was clearly trained, much more skilled than the mysterious man who’d attacked me before.

Eventually, he overpowered me, forcing me down onto the grass. My knees and palms scraped against the ground.

“Stop wasting energy.” He retrieved the syringe, checking the needle. “This won’t kill you. It’ll make you feel very good. Soon you’ll be begging me to fuck

you.

Ice ran through my veins as I realized this was some kind of aphrodisiac. I immediately tried to mind-link Caelan and Dad, but I might not have enough time.

He grabbed my hair, forcing my head back to expose my neck. The needle slowly approached my carotid artery.

I squeezed my eyes shut. This was it.

Just as the needle was about to pierce my skin, a hand shot between it and my neck. The needle drove straight into his forearm instead.

“What the- The man’s words cut off as a fist sent him flying.

“Caelan! Your hand!” I stared in horror at the syringe protruding from his arm.

He grimaced, yanked out the needle, and charged at my attacker.

“You bastard!” He seized the man’s collar and slammed him against a nearby stone pillar.

The man crumpled, all fight leaving him.

‘Caelan!” I scrambled to my feet, seeing blood trickling from the puncture wound. “Are you okay?”