My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126: Chapter 126 PRETTY LITTLE DECORATION

CELESTE’S POV

I had been in a good mood all day.

For once, I wasn’t sharing Kieran with a hundred pack members, or having to stand aside while he catered to his nine-year-old brat two thousand miles away.

I hadn’t spent one second wasting my energy worrying over Sera’s tedious, self-serving schemes.

Tonight was supposed to be ours, just like he’d promised—a private dinner at my favorite restaurant chain, a little wine, and maybe I could actually draw laughter out of him. Maybe I could nurse out traces of the Kieran who had adored me before Sera came into the picture.

And then, when everything went on spectacularly, I would do what I needed to do to secure my place once and for all.

Mark or no mark, nothing tied a man more firmly than a bed. And I was determined to get Kieran into mine tonight.

I had dressed specifically for it, too.

A soft pink dress that skimmed over my hips and hugged my curves delicately, loose curls falling down my back, perfume just strong enough to pervade all his senses.

I smiled softly when he opened the door of the restaurant for me, eyes flicking low, and then gently led me in, his hand at the small of my back.

But fate, as always, is a sick fucking bitch and needs to find another hobby other than throwing me into situations that make me want to claw my skin off.

Because when we walked into that restaurant, the first thing I saw wasn’t a candlelit booth waiting for us. It was her.

Sera-fucking-phina.

And worse, Ethan was sitting at her side—his stupid fucking mate beside him—angled toward her in an intimacy that knifed through me instantly.

His hand rested on the table close to hers, his head tilted as if he were actually listening, actually interested in whatever the fuck she had to say.

My smile evaporated.

“What is this?” I snapped before I could stop myself. My voice carried, too sharp, too loud.

Kieran’s hand brushed my elbow, and his voice was a low, warning murmur, “Let it go, Celeste. Maybe we should leave—”

But I shook him off, marching right across the restaurant to their booth. “Ethan, what the fuck?”

Surprise briefly flickered across his face before his expression cooled.

“What on earth are you doing here?” I glared at Sera, hatred rising in me like a tide of lava. “With her.”

He couldn’t pretend he didn’t know there was a battle line drawn between me and our sister, and he was acting as if he’d picked her side.

Ethan didn’t even flinch. An infuriating calmness was painted across his face, as though my outrage was nothing but background noise.

Before he could answer, another voice cut in—light, barbed, and amused.

Maya.

“Maybe the better question is what you’re doing here, Celeste,” she said, leaning back in her seat, one brow arched. “From where I’m sitting, it looks like you barged in uninvited.”

Heat scorched my cheeks. I wanted to lash out, but something in the way she looked at me—so dismissive, so certain I didn’t matter—made the words stick in my throat.

Kieran, suddenly a fucking diplomat, stepped forward. “Hello, everyone.” His eyes briefly skimmed the table, and I know I didn’t imagine the extra second they spent on Sera. “I apologize for the...intrusion.”

He turned to me and ducked his head, saying smoothly, “Let’s move to a booth. We’ll give them their table, enjoy some privacy—”

“No,” I cut in quickly and lifted my chin, declaring, “We’ll join them.”

The table went silent for a beat. Ethan’s jaw flexed. Maya’s face puckered like I’d just suggested she dine with rats.

Kieran’s gaze flicked toward Sera, tense, as if awaiting her refusal.

But she didn’t refuse.

Instead, Sera lifted her glass, eyes cool as winter, and said lightly, “Of course.” She gestured at the open space in front of her. “There’s plenty of room.”

I blinked, momentarily thrown. I had expected her to bristle, to guard her precious little circle. But no. She said yes. She welcomed me.

It had to be a provocation. A challenge. A new game she was playing.

The way her lips curved at the corner, the way Ethan didn’t even shift aside to make room but stayed close, as though forming a protective shield in front of her—it all screamed at me.

Fine. If that’s how she wanted to play it.

I sat down opposite her, and after a heartbeat of hesitation, Kieran slid in next to me. We formed a circle—Maya, Sera, Ethan, Kieran, and me.

I smoothed my dress and immediately turned my attention to Maya.

After all, Ethan wouldn’t be at this table if not for her. The way I saw it, Maya Cartridge, for some unfathomable reason, cared about Sera, and Ethan was most likely indulging our sister for his mate’s benefit.

So if I could worm my way into Maya’s good graces, maybe Ethan would follow and get back on my side.

“So, Maya,” I began with a smile I knew was radiant, “I hear you’ve been doing good work with Sera. You must have such patience to teach her.”

Maya didn’t even bother to lift her gaze from her plate. “Not nearly enough as is required to deal with you,” she muttered.

The insult hit like a slap. My fingers clenched in my lap.

I tried again, pitching my tone sweeter. “Still, it must be rewarding. Guiding someone less experienced, helping them grow—it speaks to your generosity.”

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