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16. A ROOM FULL OF MASKS
publish date:
2026-07-31 04:51:45
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Demoted to the Throne 26. SEE THROUGH
The hospital was quiet when Selene arrived.Visiting hours had technically ended, but the workers knew her by now. They waved her through with tired smiles. She carried a small overnight bag—a change of clothes, her toothbrush, the book she'd been trying to read for weeks.Hattie's room was dimly lit. The TV’s volume was low, playing some old black-and-white movie. Her grandmother was propped up against pillows, looking better than she had in days.Selene set her bag down on the floor. "You're awake."Hattie turned, her face breaking into a smile. "I didn’t think you’d still come tonight.”"Sorry, I’m late. I had to meet up with Chloe." Selene sat in the chair beside the bed. "How do you feel?""Better." Hattie waved a dismissive hand. "The food is terrible, but the nurses are nice. One of them keeps sneaking me pudding."Selene laughed. "Of course she does."“What can I say? I’m quite charming”They sat in comfortable silence for a moment. The machine beside Hattie beeped softly. The
Demoted to the Throne 25. BACK TO NORMAL...ALMOST
Selene stepped into the executive floor for the first time in over a week.Everything looked the same. The polished floors that her heels clanked on. Her desk waiting for her afar off. The receptionist that greeted her happily.But even with that, it was still different.Was it the week at the hospital? Living off snacks and fast food. Watching her grandma fight for her life.Or was it her boss that she was currently about to face, after a very awkward last interaction?At least, everything was back to normal. For now.Back to normal, Nyx snorted, because that’s definitely what this is. Selene ignored her and settled into her desk.Everything was just as she had left it. Maybe even better. Her plant was watered. Chair tucked in. Files and documents removed and probably sorted already.She did not have to ask.She knew who had done it.Why would he—Because he likes you, Nyx said flatly. Obviously.He doesn’t. He probably got someone to do it on his behalf. Sure. And I’m just a figm
Demoted to the Throne 24. THE DRIVE (Alaric's POV)
He was reviewing the documents that had stayed days on his table when Flynn burst through the door.Alaric did not look up, he didn’t have to. Only one person was bold enough to enter his office without knocking.“She left,” Flynn said.“Who?” Alaric asked, unbothered."Selene. She grabbed her bag and ran out of the building." Flynn's voice was tight, stripped of its usual humor. "Looked like she was panicking. Wouldn't answer her phone."Alaric's pen stopped mid-stroke.His head snapped up. "What do you mean she left?"“The receptionist said she looked terrified." Flynn was already dialing her number again. "I tried calling. Straight to voicemail."Something cold settled in Alaric’s chest. His wolf stirred—agitated, restless—clawing beneath his skin. Where is she? Is she hurt?He forced his wolf to stay still. His voice to remain calm. “Find out where she went.”“I don’t—”“Find out, Flynn.”There was something in his voice that made Flynn’s protest die in his throat. He nodded once.
Demoted to the Throne 23. THE NET TIGHTENS
Regina was staring at her phone.The message had come through ten minutes ago, and she'd read it at least seven times. She still couldn’t think of anybody that could have sent it."Meet me at The Grind. 12:30. Come alone."Maybe she was the cat in the proverb about curiosity because she wasn't even sure why she was considering going. But something about the message felt deliberate—like someone had been watching her, waiting for the right moment to reach out.She glanced toward the marketing department's entrance, where Selene used to sit. The desk was empty now. Selene was up on the executive floor, playing assistant to the CEO, getting all the attention, all the praise, everything Regina had worked for.The familiar bitterness rose in her throat like acid.It should have been me.She had been at Blackwood Corps longer than Selene. She had worked harder, stayed later, sacrificed more. And yet Selene—sweet, humble, perfect Selene—had been the one Mr. Harris recommended for promotion. S
Demoted to the Throne 22. CRACKS IN THE SURFACE; UNSAID WORDS
Selene had been staring at her computer screen for minutes now.The quarterly report displaying on the monitor in-front of her. She'd read the same sentence five times. She still had no idea what it said.She pinched the bridge between her eyes, trying to focus. It wasn't working. Her mind kept drifting back to the same places—Hattie's cough echoing through the house, the dream she couldn't shake, the way Alaric's voice had been replaying in her head for days now, longer than it should’ve.This is pathetic, Nyx muttered. You're supposed to be working."I know," Selene sighed aloud. "I just can't focus."You're thinking about him again."I'm thinking about everything. Grandma's not getting better. Every time I go to sleep, I see weird things. And him—I don't know what's happening to me when he's near."You're not the only one, Nyx said quietly.Selene blinked. What do you mean?I don’t know. I feel… strange lately. Like there’s something awake in me.Selene’s hand drifted to her neckla
Demoted to the Throne 21. SHADOWS AND SILENCES
Bianca sat at her dresser, alone in her bedroom, still in her silk robe, staring at her reflection in the vanity mirror.It’s been two days since the gala. Two days since she'd watched Alaric walk past her—past her—and offer his hand to a stranger. Two days since the whispers had started."Poor Bianca." "I certainly didn’t expect that." "She must feel so humiliated."She'd heard every single one as she'd fled the ballroom. She'd seen the pity in their eyes. The barely concealed glee.Bianca Ashford—the woman who had everything—had been publicly rejected.Her grip on her hairbrush tightened. The handle creaked.She wasn’t humiliated. She was angry.Anger was easier to hold onto than the humiliation, the latter felt like she was cracking her chest open like a wound she couldn’t stop picking at.She set the brush down and pressed her palms against her temple.He chose his assistant . Over her.The moment replayed over and over. The way he'd walked past her, not sparing a single glance. T
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