Novel-novel oleh Anma James

Flora’s body had just begun to turn.“Ryan Carter and Flora Bennett.. Please come forward.”The voice cut sharply through the moment.Flora froze as her body halted mid-motion, her gaze still angled slightly to the side.And just like that, the feeling was gone. That presence. The weight of those eyes she felt burning into her back was gone...Her heart slammed harder.No…“Flora?” Ryan’s voice came softer now, closer. “They’re calling us.”She swallowed, forcing her body to respond. Then she took a long breath…She slipped her phone back into her clutch with trembling fingers.“Yeah,” she said quietly. “I heard.”Ryan reached for her hand without hesitation, his grip firm and steady. Flora let him take it. Just for the show at least. The walk to the stage felt longer than it should have.Each step she took felt heavier than the last.Flora kept her gaze forward, though her instincts screamed at her to turn, to search, to find—Who was behind me?But the moment had passed.And no

Flora stood in front of the mirror, checking herself.The dress clung to her like it had been made just for her. It was soft and elegant, the fabric falling just right over her frame. Mrs. Bennett had insisted on it. She said it would make the right impression. Well… who was she to argue that? Flora smoothed her hands down the sides of the gown, though there was nothing to fix. Her reflection stared back at her…. She looked calm, too calm for the storm bubbling up within her. Her eyes flicked to the phone resting on the dresser.It had been a week of silence. And how much she so craved that silence… But that was too good to be true. Last night, a text finally came…‘See you at the feast..’This mystery sender was going to be there. She hoped not.. Just then, a sharp knock sounded on her door. It opened without even waiting for a response.“Turn around.”Flora stiffened slightly as Mrs. Bennett stepped inside, already scanning her from head to toe.Flora obeyed, slowly turni

‘Ruin your mating ceremony…Humiliate Ryan in front of the pack and accuse Selene of leaking false news…’Flora shook her head instantly.“I’m not doing it.”The words left her mouth quickly.Marcus didn’t respond immediately.He stood a few feet away from her, his expression unreadable.“You don’t get to decide that so quickly,” he said at last, his voice low.Flora let out a sharp breath. “I already did.”Marcus stepped closer to her.“This isn’t about pride,” he said. “Or guilt you're feeling. This is about damage control.”Flora laughed, but there was no humor in it.“Damage control?” she repeated. “You want me to stand in front of everyone and humiliate Ryan? Accuse Selena of something I don’t even know is true?”“You don’t know it isn’t,” Marcus countered.Her eyes flashed. “That’s not the point!”“That is exactly the point,” he said, his tone sharpening. “We’re being handed a way out—”“A way out?” Flora cut in, incredulous. “By ruining other people?”Marcus’s jaw tightened.“B

Selena stood by the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as Ryan moved around the room, restless.“You’re really doing this?” she asked, her voice controlled and normal..but just barely.Ryan exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “We’ve been through this already.”“No,” Selena snapped, turning to face him. “You’ve talked and I’ve listened to you. It’s not the same thing.”Ryan’s jaw tightened.“This isn’t just about us, Selena.”A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “Oh, I’m aware. It’s about power, reputation and your precious future.” She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto his. “And Flora just happens to fit perfectly into all of that, doesn’t she?”Ryan didn’t answer immediately.That was enough for Selena.She shook her head slowly. “So that’s it? You’re just going to stand in front of everyone and claim her like she actually matters to you?”Ryan’s expression hardened. “Watch your tone.”“Or what?” She challenged me. “You’ll defend her now?”He stepped closer, loweri

Flora read the message again.And again.And again.The words on the screen refused to change.“I know Ryan Carter isn’t the father of your baby.”“You might want to think carefully about that mating ceremony.”Her chest tightened painfully.The room now felt so small and suffocating, her breathing began to feel hard and forced.Flora lowered the phone slowly, her mind racing now.Who?Who could possibly know? Marcus?Her heart skipped.But no.If Marcus had wanted to expose her, he could have done it in the throne room. In front of the entire pack.He had the power and he had the proof.And yet… he hadn’t.Which meant this message had to be from someone else.But who?Flora stood up from the bed and began pacing the room.Her thoughts moved quickly through possibilities.Ryan? No. That made no sense. He didn't know, and even if he did, why ruin his chance of getting what he wants so quickly.Lily? Absolutely not. She won't dare send messages. If she knew she would confront her immedi

The boutique carried the warm scent of perfume and new fabric.Rows of elegant dresses lined the walls of the room.Flora stood in front of a mirror on the raised fitting platform, staring at her reflection.The white dress hugged perfectly over her body. From her waist, flowing down effortlessly to the floor.To anyone else, it would have looked beautiful.But to Flora, it felt like a costume.Like she was wrapping a lie in a beautiful dressBehind her, Lily leaned against a chair, watching with an amused smile.“You have to admit,” Lily said, crossing her arms, “you look incredible.”Flora forced a small smile.“Thanks.”The saleswoman moved around her, adjusting the fabric carefully.“This one is perfect for a ceremony,” the woman said warmly. “its very elegant and powerful.”Flora swallowed.Powerful.That was not how she felt. In fact she felt quite the opposite…helpless.Lily tilted her head, studying her friend’s reflection.“You’re getting married,” she teased lightly. “You’r