Chapter 0396 “Yes,” a few girls said. The rest nodded. | just watched, a bit in shock.
“Good,” Nathan said. “Do not be late.” Then he left us.
The girls all looked at each other again. And then, at once, in a rush, they stood up and headed for the door.
“What are you going to wear?” Tiffany asked Veronica as they too made their way out. | didn’t hear Veronica's reply.
Elva and | were the last to leave. We would need tto pick and plan our outfits, but | wasn’t overly worried.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLikely Charlotte already had everything handled. And if she didn’t, a simple sundress would do. | was not quite as knowledgeable about outfits as the other girls.
As we walked through the hallways, | paused when we spotted Nicholas and Julian coming toward us.
“Nick-lass!” Elva shouted and ran forward. “Jul-an!” Nicholas hugged her, and then Julian scooped her up into his arms and swung her around. She giggled and laughed, then hung onto him around his neck as he pulled her closer.
“Have you been practicing what | showed you?” Julian asked her.
Elva nodded her head grandly, but after spottingwatching, she stopped. She leaned in and whispered too loudly to be kept secret, “Mommy doesn’t like it.” | had to talk to her about that later. It didn’t botherso much, anymore.
With Elva so thoroughly distracted in a discussion with Julian, Nicholas c closer to me.
“I'take it you've heard the news?” he asked. a “Yes. Do you have any idea what's going on?” “No. We're just as much in the dark. The King is likely planning something drastic to help bring the royal family into a better light with the public. Julian and | have speculated what that could be, but we're just guessing.” “What are your guesses?” | asked.
“I don’t want to worry you,” he said.
That didn’t makefeel any better. “Nick...” 1/2 “Ill protect you, Piper. Whatever it is, you have nothing to fear.” “But who will protect you?” | asked.
He smiled a little at me, but didn’t say a word. | knew what he was thinking, an old tenant in werewolf culture: an Alpha protects his family.
| wished he would say so allowed, but | knew he couldn't. We weren't really a family. We never would be.
But his desire to protectand Elva madewant to protect him too. | had strength now. If worse cto worse, | would find my own ways to keep him safe.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmTwo hours later, I, Elva, and the rest of the girls were led to stand in a line out front of the palace. Nathan waited until we were in place.
The cameras were already set up and rolling. The King and Queen were missing, but Nicholas and Julian were there as representatives, standing beside Nathan on a platform.
The protesters outside of the gate were held back a fair bit from the fences by security. The roads were clear.
Nathan, holding a microphone, addressed the cameras. “To add sexcitement to our competition, and to spice things up, the royal family has decided that a new contender should be added to the lineup.” On the road, a limo pulled up to the gate. The gate opened, and the limo pulled through. It slowly crept up the driveway and cto a stop right in front of the platform.
My mind was reeling. A new contender? Was that allowed? Though if it was the royal family’s decision, | supposed anything was.
The limo cto a stop. The door popped open.
| held my breath.
A woman stepped out of the car, a blonde with a big, practiced smile. | recognized her from television, but also from the pictures in Nicholas’s room.
This wasn’t just another contender.
This woman was Bridget.