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CHAPTER 13: UNFORESEEN SHADOWS
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2024-10-26 05:47:44Related chapters
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 14: SINFUL BETRAYAL
Davina stood by the large windows in Alan's private chambers, watching the moonlight reflect off the distant lake. Her heart raced as she sensed Alan's presence behind her. She could feel his eyes on her as if his gaze alone could set her skin aflame."You've been quiet tonight," Alan's voice broke through the silence, smooth and deep. There was an edge to it—like he was daring her to respond.Davina turned slowly to face him, her lips curling into a soft smile. "What's there to say?" she asked, her voice lilting, but her eyes held a challenge. "You have everything you wanted, don't you?"Alan's eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tightening. He stepped closer to her, closing the distance between them until she could feel the heat of his body. "What are you implying, Davina?"She tilted her head, her fingers trailing along the surface of the windowsill as if she were contemplating something deeply. "I'm just wondering if rejecting Summer was worth it. You chose me, but are you satisfied?"
Last Updated : 2024-10-27Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 15: ANOTHER LETTER
Summer stood in the doorway of Dominic's study, her chest rising and falling rapidly as if she had just sprinted through the entire castle. Her lips trembled slightly, and her eyes flickered with a mix of emotions—fear, frustration, and something else Dominic couldn't quite place.He leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening as he regarded her carefully. "What is it, Summer?" His voice was calm, though there was a clear edge of impatience.She stepped inside, closing the door behind her, as if she were preparing to say something monumental. "I overheard your conversation with Coleman," she began, her voice soft but firm. "You're meeting with the Elders because of me, aren't you?"Dominic's expression darkened slightly, though he didn't immediately answer."I don't understand why you're going through all this trouble," Summer continued, her hands clenching into fists at her sides. "One minute, you're telling me I can leave if I want to, and the next, you're risking everything just t
Last Updated : 2024-10-28Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 16: MEETING WITH THE ELDERS
The tension was palpable as Dominic and Coleman walked through the dense forest, making their way to the meeting ground where the Elders awaited. The sun had barely risen, casting long shadows across the ground, as if the very earth sensed the gravity of the meeting to come.Coleman remained silent by Dominic's side, but his presence was steady, as always. Dominic appreciated the man's loyalty, but today was different. Today, Dominic had to face the Elders of the Lycans—Elder Simon, Elder Antonio, and Elder Philippe. Each one wielded considerable influence, and their word carried weight in the kingdom.As they reached the clearing, the three elders stood in a semicircle, their expressions grave. The oldest of them, Elder Simon, stepped forward first, his white hair gleaming in the morning light. Elder Antonio and Elder Philippe, equally serious, flanked him on either side."Dominic," Elder Simon began, his voice calm but stern, "you know why we've summoned you here."Dominic folded hi
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 17: CONFRONTATION AND CONSEQUENCES
Summer's expression hardened as Dominic delivered his ultimatum. "So that's it?" she scoffed, her eyes blazing. "You want to keep me here as some servant, working away to appease the Elders?"Dominic's face darkened, his jaw tightening. "It's not up for debate, Summer. You're lucky I convinced them to let you stay in the first place. If you're in this kingdom, you'll follow the rules."She crossed her arms defiantly. "So, what is this? A test? Some twisted way of showing me who's in control?""Control?" he snapped, his tone rising. "You think this is about control? I've put everything on the line to keep you here, but you refuse to see reason. This isn't some game, Summer. There are consequences to your presence here.""Consequences for you, or consequences for me?" She shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because it seems like you just want me to bend to your will, doing menial tasks to prove myself."Dominic took a menacing step forward, his voice a low growl. "Enough. This
Last Updated : 2024-10-30Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 18: YOU'RE NOT MY MISTRESS
The morning light filtered into Summer's room, casting a faint warmth across her bed. She took a deep breath, collecting herself before heading to Elara's chamber. There was a slight tension in her shoulders, knowing this day would be anything but ordinary.Arriving at Elara's door, Summer knocked softly."Come in," came Elara's calm voice from within.Pushing open the door, Summer stepped inside, offering Elara a polite nod. Elara looked up, a reserved smile touching her lips."I trust you slept well," Elara remarked, gesturing for Summer to come closer."Yes, thank you," Summer replied, her tone measured."We'll be visiting the seamstress later today," Elara continued, inspecting her nails as she spoke. "There are some preparations that need to be made. Make sure you're ready by midday."Summer nodded in acknowledgment. "I'll be prepared, my lady."Just then, the door opened again, and Jessica strode in, her heels clicking sharply on the polished floor. She stopped in her tracks upo
Last Updated : 2024-10-31Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 19: A WALK IN THE GARDEN
The night was cool as Dominic and Summer strolled through the garden outside his chamber, the quiet enveloping them as they walked beneath the blanket of stars. Flowers in bloom framed the path, their delicate scents mixing with the fresh evening air. Summer walked beside Dominic, occasionally glancing his way, trying to find the right words to voice what had been bothering her.Finally, she gathered the courage and spoke up, her voice soft yet firm. "Why are you so keen on protecting me, Dominic?" Her question hung in the air between them.Dominic's steps didn't falter, and he didn't turn to look at her. He let a few moments pass, and Summer began to wonder if he was simply going to ignore her. Finally, he broke the silence, his tone dismissive."Keep quiet, Summer," he said calmly, his gaze fixed on the stars above. "Just... watch the stars."She frowned, her frustration bubbling up. That was not the answer she'd expected or wanted. But something in the way he spoke made her hold ba
Last Updated : 2024-11-01Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 20: A HORRIBLE DREAM
Jessica sat alone in her chamber, absently running her fingers along the armrest as her thoughts spiraled. Since Summer's arrival, Dominic had been noticeably… different. He had become more protective, almost watchful, and that attention was now directed solely at Summer. It grated on Jessica, stirring up emotions she wasn't sure she could contain.Why her? Jessica wondered, feeling the burn of jealousy flare within her. What does Summer have that commands his interest? She had spent years by Dominic's side, fighting for his approval, yet now it seemed all her efforts were being overshadowed by this new arrival.Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft sound of a knock at her door. Jessica straightened in her seat, carefully masking her frustration. "Come in."The door opened, and Fiona, her ever-loyal maiden, stepped inside with a deep bow. "My lady," she greeted.Jessica waved a hand dismissively. "What is it?"Fiona hesitated for a moment, as though unsure whether to share what sh
Last Updated : 2024-11-02Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 21: MORNING AFTER
The first light of dawn seeped through the curtains, but Summer was already wide awake, unable to shake off the haunting remnants of her dream. The cave, Dominic's voice, the blood-red moon—it had all felt so real, and now it weighed heavily on her. She knew she couldn't face another moment of rest, so she dressed quickly and made her way down the hall to Elara's chamber.As Summer approached, Elara was just finishing up her morning routine, meticulously adjusting her dress in the mirror. She noticed Summer in the reflection and turned with a bright smile. "Summer, you're up early. Couldn't sleep?"Summer nodded, trying to keep her expression light. "Yes, I figured I might as well come help you start the day."Elara patted her shoulder, seemingly pleased. "Good thinking. I have a few errands to run, and I could use the company."Summer tilted her head, curious. "What kind of errands?""Oh, we're going to the seamstress," Elara said, adjusting a loose strand of hair. "It's time for som
Last Updated : 2024-11-03
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Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 51: THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting an ethereal glow across the mansion grounds. Summer's restless night left her weary, but her resolve was stronger than ever. With her suspicions about the Elders confirmed, she knew she had to tread carefully, but every fiber of her being urged her to act. For too long, she'd been caught in the web of others' schemes. It was time to take back control.She rose from her bed, her gaze steady as she assessed her reflection in the mirror. There was a new fire in her eyes, one she hadn't noticed before—a quiet strength that had been forged in the shadows of this world she barely understood. Today would mark the beginning of her own strategy. If Dominic wouldn't let her in, she would find another way to protect him.After dressing in a simple tunic, she left her room and quietly made her way to the library, a place she'd recently started frequenting. It was always empty in the early mornings, allowing her the solitude she needed to sift throug
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 50: A NEW RESOLVE
The silence in the mansion felt heavier the next morning. Summer's heart was still bruised from her encounter with Dominic, and as she sat alone in her room, she realized that waiting for him to come around would only leave her feeling empty. It was time to make a decision for herself.She couldn't shake the feeling that there were pieces of this story—of Dominic, of the Elders, of everything—that she hadn't fully uncovered. Perhaps if she knew more about Dominic's world, she'd finally understand why he pushed her away and why he saw himself as dangerous. But she couldn't do it by staying idle.Summoning her resolve, Summer took a deep breath and left her room. If she wanted answers, she needed to start somewhere, and there was one place that held all the secrets she couldn't ask Dominic directly about—the Elder Council's archives.She made her way down the winding staircase and headed to the back of the mansion, where she had once overheard some guards mention the archives. The guard
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 49: HER SHATTERED ILLUSIONS
The next morning, Summer woke up feeling numb, as though the weight of everything that had transpired the day before had drained all the color from her world. The mansion was eerily quiet, and as she lay in her bed, her thoughts replayed the events over and over again. Gregory and Tesla had left with no word of farewell, their departure felt like the final threads of any semblance of safety in her life had snapped.It was all slipping away from her.She forced herself out of bed and dressed in a simple gown, trying to shake off the lingering tension in her chest. Her stomach was still in knots from the conversation with Dominic, or rather, the way he had shut her out the moment things started to go too far. What had happened between them felt like a cruel joke. She had thought that maybe, just maybe, he was someone who understood her pain, someone who could offer her some peace. But instead, he had pushed her away, leaving her to face the turmoil alone.Her mind wandered back to the m
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 48: CROSSING THE BOUNDARIES
Morning dawned, casting a soft, golden light over the Lycan pack’s territory. Tesla slipped out of bed and busied herself with preparations to leave, carefully masking the turmoil boiling inside her. Gregory’s conversation from the night before echoed in her mind, a painful reminder of his betrayal. But she was practiced in hiding her emotions, and she chose to keep what she’d overheard to herself, allowing Gregory to believe she was still in the dark.As she packed, Tesla reminded herself of the bigger picture: she had a part to play, and if she was going to protect Summer, she would need to tread carefully. When she was ready, she joined the others, keeping her expression neutral as she passed Gregory in the hallway.---The day moved quickly, and soon, everything was ready for the journey back to their own territory. Summer watched the pack members bidding the foxes farewell, a strange mix of emotions welling up inside her. This place had held so much tension and danger, yet she fel
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 47: THE GAME OF SHADOWS
The sun was high when Elara entered the grand hall, where the elders were gathering for the much-anticipated meeting. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, and she could feel it prickling against her skin. Every elder present carried secrets, some small and others monumental, but all were hidden under layers of authority and tradition. Jessica was already seated beside her father, Elder Kaleb, who wore an expression as unreadable as stone.Elder Simon gave Elara a small nod as she took her seat. It was a subtle gesture, but it hinted at something deeper, something that would raise questions if anyone else noticed. She forced herself to remain neutral, giving nothing away, even as her heart pounded. She could only hope that their hidden relationship wouldn't surface here.Dominic and Coleman were seated further down, each wearing an air of calm confidence that seemed almost out of place. But only Elara knew what Dominic was truly capable of—and the lengths he would go to keep Summer
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 46: SHADOWS AND SCHEMES
The following morning, Elara sat at the edge of her bed, watching the first light trickle through her window. She hadn't slept well. Her conversation with Jessica the day before had been unsettling, the feeling that Jessica was on the verge of uncovering her secret simmering beneath her skin. Today, however, she needed a clear mind. The pack's unity depended on subtlety, and she couldn't afford to lose her edge.With a deep breath, she rose, dressed, and left her quarters to confront Jessica. She found her outside the training grounds, overseeing a group of young pack members practicing their forms. Elara approached, making no effort to conceal her presence."Jessica," she called out. The other woman turned, her expression unreadable as she dismissed the trainees with a wave of her hand."Elara. So formal today." Jessica's tone was laced with suspicion, her gaze hard and unwavering.Elara didn't waste time with small talk. "You need to stop meddling in Summer's affairs. The elders wil
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 45: CLASH OF SECRETS
The next day, Elara found herself striding across the compound with a purpose that could not be ignored. Her expression was tense, her jaw set with quiet fury. After the previous night's revelations, she knew exactly what needed to be done.She spotted Jessica near the training grounds, her posture casual yet alert as she chatted with a few pack members. Elara approached, her voice slicing through the air like a blade."Jessica," she called, a steely edge to her tone. Jessica turned, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face as Elara approached."Elara. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Jessica's words dripped with feigned politeness, but her eyes held a spark of defiance.Elara didn't waste time on formalities. "Enough games, Jessica. I know exactly what you've been doing—trying to frame Summer for things you know she didn't do."Jessica's eyes narrowed slightly, though she retained her calm. "Is that so? Funny, coming from you. Last I checked, Summer was the one wrapped up i
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 44: WEBS OF DESTRUCTION
Morning broke with a quiet chill, the sky a pale shade of gray as Summer made her way to the kitchens to start her chores. She could sense a shift in the atmosphere, an underlying tension that seemed to settle in the walls, pressing down on her as she moved through the hallways. It felt like a storm was gathering, and she couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, she was at the center of it.Meanwhile, in her chambers, Elara sat at her vanity, fingers drumming thoughtfully against the polished wood. The incident with the necklace had been gnawing at her all night, Jessica's smug attitude still fresh in her mind. She could tell that Jessica was up to her usual tricks, but framing Summer for something she hadn't done? That crossed a line."Jessica," Elara called out, her voice carrying a sharp edge.Moments later, Jessica slipped into the room, her expression carefully neutral, though her eyes sparkled with a trace of mischief. "You wanted to see me, Elara?"Elara met her gaze in the mir
Betrayed by The Exchange CHAPTER 43: STRINGS OF BETRAYAL
Summer stood by Elara's jewelry table, her fingers lingering over the necklaces she'd been sorting. Jessica's threat hung heavy in her mind, gnawing at her sense of security. She couldn't shake the feeling that she'd been targeted, that something far worse than Jessica's petty cruelty was coming her way. As she resumed organizing, her movements were more cautious, as though the shadows around her held secrets she wasn't ready to uncover.She was still lost in thought when Elara returned, her expression severe, a tension rippling off her that Summer couldn't place. Elara's gaze swept over the jewelry, her eyes narrowing as they landed on the empty spot where a necklace should have been."Elara?" Summer ventured, sensing the shift in her mood. "Is everything alright?"Elara's gaze snapped to her, piercing. "I'm not sure," she said slowly, suspicion edging her voice. "One of my necklaces is missing. It was here this morning."Summer froze, her mind racing. Jessica's smirk flashed before
