Chapter 16

Riley's POV

I walked out of Norman's suite, my mind preoccupied with the court's decision. I needed to change clothes and get some other things done, but my thoughts were stuck on Norman and the possibility of him sending me back to Hornside. Even when he had promised he'd never do something like that, I couldn't help but think of the possibility of that happening.

I let the thoughts off my head as I walked down the hallway, I thought about my wolf awakening and wondered if there's a slight chance of using my ability as a listener to help Norman. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to make things right.

But before I could get lost in my thoughts further, I stumbled upon a wall that pushed me back slightly. I looked up to see Meredith's cold face glaring at me, her eyes flashing with anger. I felt a surge of annoyance, but I didn't let it get the better of me.

"I can see you suddenly became blind," Meredith sneered, her voice dripping with hatred as she marched closer to me. "Tell me, how did a little slut like you manage to steal Norman's heart?”

I didn't flinch. I didn't let her words get to me. I was too busy thinking about Norman and what the court had said. "You're wasting your breath, Meredith," I said calmly, trying to walk past her.

But Meredith wasn't having it. She twisted her mouth in a scowl, raining down insults on me. "You're nothing but a gold-digger," she spat. "You don't care about Norman, you just care about the power and status you'll get from being with him."

I didn't respond. I didn't see the point. I knew Meredith was just trying to get a rise out of me, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction. I was too busy thinking about important stuff—stuff that would decide how my life will be, going forward. What if Norman was forced to send me back to Hornside? The thought made my stomach twist with anxiety.

Meredith continued to pour insults on me, her words cutting deep. But I didn't let them get to me. I stood there, calm and collected, my mind focused on Norman and the situation of things. I knew I had to be strong for him, for us. I couldn't let Meredith's words get in the way.

Just when I thought Meredith was done, she called me a bastard. I felt a wave of anger, but I kept my cool. I wouldn't let her get any reaction from me. Instead, I turned to leave, trying to walk away from the situation.

But Meredith wasn't done yet. I felt her hand pull at my hair, and my head ring with pain from her tight grip. "Don't walk away from me when I'm talking to you," she spat, her eyes flashing with anger.

I felt a surge of pain as Meredith's grip on my hair tightened. But I didn't cry out. I didn't give her the satisfaction. Instead, I turned to face her, my eyes locked on hers. "Let me go," I said calmly, trying to keep my voice steady.

Meredith sneered. "Or what?" she taunted. "You'll do what? You're not even a match for me."

I knew what she wanted, she wanted me to react and maybe fight back or even hit her. But I didn't do any of that. I didn't even bother to flinch. I didn't let her words get to me. Instead, I thought about Norman and how he would handle the situation. I knew he would protect me, but I also knew I had to stand up for myself.

"I'm not afraid of you, Meredith," I said calmly. "And I'm not going to engage in a fight with you. Let me go."

Meredith's grip on my hair tightened further, but I didn't cry out. I knew I had to be strong. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Meredith let go of my hair. I took a deep breath and turned to walk away, leaving Meredith fuming in the hallway.

When I reached my room, I locked the door behind me and leaned against it. I took a deep breath and let my thoughts wander. I thought about Norman's smile, his laughter, and his eyes. I thought about the way he made me feel, like I was home and that calm my raging heart.

I knew I had to trust Norman. I knew he would do everything in his power to keep me by his side. But the court's decision had shaken me. What if Norman couldn't fight it? What if he was forced to send me away? What if he eventually chooses the throne over me? I mean, I'm not really that important that he'd neglect what he must have envisaged all his whole life just because of me.

I pushed the thoughts away. I knew I shouldn't be dwelling on them. Instead, I focused on what I could control. I changed into comfortable clothes and sat down on the bed. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.

As I sat there, I felt a strange sense of calm wash over me. I knew I was strong, and I knew I could face whatever came my way. I just hoped Norman was strong enough to face the court's decision.

I sat there for a while, thinking about my options. I knew I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. I had to take action, had to find a way to help Norman. I thought about the court's decision and the law that Norman had broken by marrying me under the crescent moon. I knew it was an old law, one that many people didn't agree with. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to challenge it.

I got up from the bed and started pacing around the room. I knew I had to think outside the box, and had to come up with a plan. I thought about my ability as a listener and how I could use it to gather information. Maybe I could use that to listen to the thoughts of the top wolves that made up the court. It wouldn't hurt to try, would it? But how do I go about developing this ability? My mind kept reeling with thoughts.

As I paced, I heard a knock at the door. I hesitated for a moment, wondering who it could be. I didn't want to see Meredith again, not after what had just happened. But when I opened the door, I was surprised to see the pair of eyes staring back at me from the door.