From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 86

Chapter 86

His massive head loomed over me, lips pulled back to reveal teeth that could crush bone. A low, menacing growl rumbled from his throat.

“No!” I screamed, throwing my arms up to protect my face.

“Shadow.” The voice drifted from the house, lazy and amused. ‘I’ve told you a thousand times-guests are guests. Don’t terrorize them.”

The dog immediately backed off, his aggression evaporating. He trotted to his master’s side and sat like a perfectly trained pet.

I struggled to my feet, legs shaking.

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He emerged from the shadows of his porch like something from a dangerous dream. Tall, lean muscle wrapped in black leather and denim. The silver earring caught the afternoon light. Skull rings glinted on his fingers.

He moved with the fluid grace of a predator who’d never known fear.

“Well, well.” His voice carried dark amusement. “Look what the wind blew in.”

His eyes traveled over me with obvious contempt. Taking in my disheveled hair, my torn clothes, my trembling hands.

The Blackwood pack’s favorite little pet. His smile was all teeth and malice. “What brings you crawling to my doorstep?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” He took a step closer, hands sliding into his pockets. “Would you prefer ‘discarded trash’? ‘Caelan’s leftover ? ‘The family embarrassment?”

Each word was precisely chosen to wound. And it worked.

“Stop it.” My voice cracked despite my best efforts.

I forced myself to stand straighter. To meet his gaze directly.

“I need your help. Lucian.”

“Help? He barked a harsh laugh.

His boots crunched on gravel as he circled me slowly. “Let me guess. Big brother Caelan finally showed you where you really stand in the family hierarchy.”

He sent me away.

“Poor baby. His voice dripped false sympathy. Did the mean king hurt your feelings?”

“Caelan is going to get engaged to that bitch soon,’ I whispered. ‘I have to stop him.”

Sable’s POV

The clock on my desk read 6:30 PM when Carlan’s knock interrupted my final patient notes. I looked up to find him leaning against the doorframe, still in his perfectly tailored business suit but with his tie loosened and top button undone.

“Ready to go?” He stepped into my office, those blue eyes scanning the space like he was checking for threats even here.

The past week had been blissfully quiet. No Blair creating drama. No midnight emergencies. Just the peaceful routine of healing work during the day and falling asleep in Caelan’s arms at night. Tomorrow would be my engagement party. The thought still made my stomach flutter with excitement and nerves.

“Almost done.” I signed the last chart and placed it in the outgoing pile. “What’s this dinner plan you mentioned?”

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11:32 Fri, 22 Aug

Chapter 86

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Caelan moved behind my chair, his hands settling on my shoulders. His thumbs worked at the knots of tension that had formed during my long shift.

“Peter and Leon insisted on taking us out for dinner tonight. They called it a pre-engagement celebration but I think they just want an excuse to drink expensive wine. His fingers found a particularly tight spot and applied gentle pressure.

I laughed, already feeling lighter. “And Scarlett?”

“Obviously invited. She threatened to burn down Peter’s house if he didn’t include her.”

The restaurant’s private dining room buzzed with conversation and laughter. Scarlett had already claimed the seat next to me, gesturing wildly as she told some story about a disastrous blind date her mother had arranged.

“So there I was, trapped at dinner with this guy who collected vintage spoons and wanted to show me photos of his entire collection on his phone,” Scarlett said, taking a large gulp of wine. “Three hundred pictures, Sable. Three hundred.”

‘Please tell me you made it through the whole date,” Leon said, barely containing his laughter.

“I faked a family emergency and ran.” Scarlett shrugged unapologetically. “Sometimes you have to save yourself.”

Peter raised his glass. “To Scarlett, master of creative escapes.”

We all clinked glasses, and I felt that warm contentment that comes from being surrounded by people who actually care about you.

“Speaking of escapes,” Leon said with a smirk, “I heard Blair got the ultimate escape recently. Permanently.”

Scarlett’s eyes lit up. “You mean the exile? Good riddance. That bitch had it coming.”

“Scarlett,” I said quietly, though I couldn’t deny the relief in my voice.

“What? She tried to kill you, Sable. With a horse.” Scarlett turned to face the group. “I’m sorry, but injecting an innocent animal with drugs just to hurt someone? That’s psychotic.”

Peter nodded emphatically. “Completely unhinged.”

“The whole thing was disturbing,” Leon agreed. “Acting like the perfect sister while plotting behind everyone’s back.”

I felt Caelan’s hand squeeze mine under the table. The topic of Blair still made him tense, though I could see he didn’t regret his decision.

“Well, Peter said, raising his glass again, here’s to Caelan finally putting his foot down and protecting his woman.”

“Protecting? Leon laughed. “That’s putting it mildly. Our King here has always been a bit… intense when it comes to Sable’s safety.

Carlan shifted uncomfortably. I’m not that bad.”

“But honestly, exiling Blair is nothing compared to what he did to Mike. Peter said, his cheeks already flushed from the wine. “Now that was peak overprotective Caelan. What happened to him was-

I felt Caelan tense beside me.

“Peter,” Caelan’s voice carried a warning.

Peter’s mouth snapped shut, the wine suddenly seeming to clear from his head as he realized what he’d just said.

Scarlett leaned forward, curious, “Mike? Who’s Mike?’

“It’s nothing, Caelan said quickly.

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11:32 Fri, 22 Aug M

Chapter 86

My blood went cold. I hadn’t thought about him in years, but the name brought back a flood of unpleasant memories.

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Mike Thompson. Six-foot three of pure arrogance wrapped in a letterman jacket. He’d been the kind of guy who thought his athletic scholarship gave him the right to whatever he wanted-including me.

“Hey beautiful, why don’t you give me your number? He’d cornered me outside the library one afternoon, his friends snickering behind him.

‘I’m not interested, I’d told him firmly.

“Come on, don’t be like that. A girl like you needs a real man to show her a good time.”

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From Substitute To Queen