The Rejected True Heiress (Liora) novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

She pulled a lock of her blonde curls behind her ear. “Then act like it. Because from where I’m standing, you

look like a two–timer playing both sides.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Hardly.”

“Oh, really?” She arched a brow. “Then why is it all anyone talks about at lunch? I had three girls ask me if I was

okay because of how you coddle Liora.”

My leg started bouncing in quiet thought.

“We’re supposed to be the example, Callum,” she went on, voice sharpening. “The future. The best our

bloodlines have to offer–leaders, protectors, heirs. But instead, you’re entertaining some wolfless nobody who

doesn’t even try to respect the system we’ve built. She pokes at it, undermines it, and you—” she jabbed a

finger toward my chest, “-you indulge it. As if you agree with her.”

My jaw tensed. “She’s not-”

“She is,” Bianca snapped. “And it’s not just a bad look for you and me, it’s a threat to your family’s standing.

Your title. Our alliance. And while you’re out sneaking midnight strolls with some charity case, we are losing ground. Politically. Socially. You think that doesn’t matter?”

Her eyes flashed, and for a moment, I saw the desperation under the rage.

“I mean it,” she ended, pushing her hair over her shoulder with a huff. “If you keep disrespecting me, I’m

ending our arrangement.”

I should have ended it there. Said something diplomatic. Smoothed it over with a fake apology and an extra

bouquet next week. But something in me flared.

“You’re not going to call it off,” I said instead.

Her eyes narrowed.

“You’ve been raised for this since birth,” I said, voice low. “You want the crown, the status, the applause-

more than you’ve ever wanted me. And you forget something, Bianca.” I leaned in just enough to make her

stiffen. “I’m your ticket to all of that, just as much as you are mine. So don’t stand there and pretend you’re

going to walk away like that wouldn’t burn you just as much.”

Her lips curled into a slow, calculating smile. “No,” she said softly, tilting her head like she was humoring a

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child. “You’re right, I’m not just going to walk away. But let’s be clear–I don’t need it like you do.”

Her hands clasps her knees with a grin.

“I’m the female Alpha, remember? You, they all need me. I don’t need anyone.” Her fingers brushed my collar,

feather–light but cold as a threat. “I just want you, love. Don’t make me change my mind.”

Then she reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number I knew too well.

I sat up straighter, instantly regretting my words. “Bianca-”

The call rang once.

Then twice.

Then my father’s voice filled the air.

“Bianca,” he greeted. “Is everything alright?”

“Hello, sir. I just needed to clarify something with you and you’re Luna about Liora Belrose. She’s still been…

occupying Callum’s attention.”

There was a pause on the other end.

I felt my jaw tighten.

A

My mother’s voice filtered in too, faint and worried. “We’ve already tried pressuring the school board-”

“It hasn’t worked,” Bianca said. “She’s still here.”

My father’s voice sharpened. “If she won’t drop out, we’ll have no choice but to take other measures.”

Silence.

No one said the words.

But we all heard him.

My throat dried. “Father…You can’t be serious.”

“I didn’t say anything,” my father replied smoothly. “But son, if you want your inheritance, your title, your

future, we need this… stain… removed.”

Bianca’s gaze found mine. Gleaming. “You don’t want her…gone, do you?”

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I stood, stiff. “Bianca, this is too far.”

“Then fix it.”

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My heart pounded like a war drum, but my face stayed neutral.

This was the game. These were the rules. I knew them.

And I hated them.

I swallowed hard. “I’ll handle it.”

Bianca ended the call. “Good.”

I turned away from her, the student council reports blurring into meaningless lines. My hands clenched behind my back.

She leaned closer behind me, her voice a purr. “You’re doing the right thing.”

Was I?

No. I wasn’t.

But what choice did I have?

“Thomas!”

The burnette scruffy head peeked in nervously. “Yes, sir?”

“Make her life miserable,” I murmured. “Liora. Make her regret every second here until she begs to leave

herself.”

Bianca smiled like I’d just handed her roses. “See? You can be reasonable.”

She left, leaving a trail of triumph behind her.

I stood there long after the door clicked shut.

The room felt colder. My skin prickled with guilt I couldn’t shake.

Better to lose an education than lose her life.

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Chapter 43