Cade’s POV
Lexus was gone as soon as his parents found out he was cheating with Aqua and Vella. I was going to
stay in a hotel until I could move but since Lexus was gone and Vella was fired I was fine with staying
until I could move. “Cade please stop packing. Vella is gone and I doubt Prince Lexus will come back
anytime soon.”
I was kneeled down on the ground sorting my things. “Mom I thought you of all people would
understand why I can’t stay.” I continued packing. “It’s too much, it reminds me of what happened, I’m
ready to move on with my life. I don’t even want to be around Dad right now.”
“How do you think I feel Cade? Your father betrayed me.”
“I know Mom, but that doesn’t mean I’m not affected by his affair too.” I was only a baby and that didn’t
stop him from potentially tearing our family apart. “I’m saying that it’s contributing to my wanting to
leave.”
“I need you here with me, so I don’t have to deal with this alone Cade.” She pleaded. “I can’t just leave
like you can.” I didn’t want to have to leave the only place I’ve ever called home.
I stood up. “I’ll think about it okay?” I realized in the heat of all this I hadn’t seen Sadia to make sure
she was okay. “I have to go so we can talk about this another time.”
I went out of my room and on my way out of the castle I saw Aqua. She hesitated then spoke, “Hey,
Cade.” She waved. It had been a week since Lexus left and I hadn’t spoken to her much. I wasn’t
speaking to a lot of people, but it’s not like she tried.
I stopped walking. “Hey, can I ask you something?”
Aqua nodded. “Anything.”
“Did you know?”
She looked guilty so I knew her answer before it came out of her mouth. “I did… I’m sorry.” It was hard
to believe that she was sorry.
I left the castle without saying anything and walked to the pack house. I met with Sadia, we talked and
had sex then talked again. I got back to the castle late that night.
The next week I started hanging out with Arma and Stewart again. I hung out with them whenever I
wasn’t with Sadia. It was like I was experiencing life so differently now that I wasn’t working or following
Lexus around.
I was in Gray’s room; his room was connected with our parents. “You haven’t told me anything, what’s
going on?” Mom asked.
I could hear their conversation since the door between the rooms was cracked open. “They’re thinking
about making Hannah the heir instead. In our meeting two weeks ago, they put Hannah in charge of
Lexus work and her studies are focusing more on preparation for ruling. Aqua has been aiding Hannah
since Lexus has been gone. The press made everything that happened public. It was just a matter of
time since the whole castle knew within hours.”
“I guess she really is your daughter.” She said resentfully.
“Is that really necessary Lynn?” Dad sighed.
I got up and closed the door all the way so Gray wouldn’t hear anything. “What do you want to do
now?”
Gray frowned. “They’re fighting, aren’t they?” He walked to the other door that led to the hallway. “Let’s
go find Aqua.”
I guess I was ready to talk to her again. “Okay.”
We left to her room and knocked on her door. Aqua answered. “Oh, hey.” She looked like a mess. Her
eyes and nose were red as if she had been crying. Whenever I saw her walking around with Hannah
she didn’t look all that great then either. She always looked tired and now she looked sick.
“Are you okay?” Gray asked and walked in without asking.
Aqua looked at me. “You can come in.” She walked to her bed and sat down. “I’m okay, I just have
allergies.” It was obviously a lie. She must have missed Lexus or something.
“I was thinking we could finish the movie we were watching but Cade doesn’t like cartoon movies so we
can watch something else.” Gray suggested. “I can show you one of my favorite shows.” Aqua nodded
in response. I sat down with Gray on her sofa, and he turned to the show. “This looks kind of like a
different tv from last time.” Hanging out with my siblings would have been a better time if things weren’t
so screwed up.
A week later I walked into the castle after I went on patrol with Sadia. I went to the cafeteria because
this was usually break time for Arma and Stewart. I saw that Aqua was with them at the table we
usually sat at. I sat down at the table. “Don’t you want to get some food?” Stewart asked.
“I ate already.” I usually brought myself and Sadia food while we patrolled. Aqua stood up. “You can
stay, you know. If I didn’t want to be around you I wouldn’t have sat down.”
Aqua sat back down. “Sorry, I wasn’t sure.” I noticed she had crust in the corners of her eyes, she still
looked sick and depressed.
“Well, that's awkward.” Arma chuckled.
“Do you guys mind if we talk about Lexus?” Stewart asked. “I know he’s a touchy subject for both of
you right now but Arma knows something I really want to know what it is now.”
Aqua waited for me to speak first. “I don’t care,” I answered.
“I’m fine with it too,” Aqua answered. I noticed she didn’t have any food in from of her but Arma and
Stewart did.
Arma rolled her eyes. “Fine, fine. I don’t know how true this is, but Hannah might take over as queen
now.”
Stewart looked at me then Aqua. “Is it true?”
I sighed. “I don’t work here, but I heard my father mention that they’re considering it but I don’t know
much anymore.”
“Yeah they’re considering it and that’s what Hannah is hoping for,” Aqua mentioned. “They don’t even
know where he is.”
“And do you?” Stewart asked.
“I don’t.” Aqua’s answer surprised me.
“Do you guys know about the werewolf pack stuff?” Stewart asked.
I nodded. “The pack alpha doesn’t want Aqua working for them. They’re at each other's throat. This
always happens when the holder is announced. Well, that’s what my grandfather told me.”
“Why didn’t I know this?” Aqua asked.
I shrugged. “They probably don’t want you to worry about it.” Me and Aqua might have been distant
now but I didn’t want it to be that way.
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