Chapter 107 Similar Eyes.
Chapter 107 Similar Eyes
ARDEN
“You’re not coming back here?” Tessa’s voice crackled over the video call, but her concern came through loud and clear.
The screen on Cade’s tablet flickered slightly, revealing both her and Owen side by side in the common area back at the Academy. Tessa had her hair in a messy braid and dark circles under her eyes. Owen, as usual, wore a teasing expression, his eyes dancing with mischief.
I pursed my lips. “Just for a moment,” I said. “I can’t return while Winters is still in charge.”
Tessa nodded slowly. “Yeah, I get it.”
Owen tilted his head. “Wait, is Cade really running for Alpha?”
I smiled without meaning to and gave the smallest of nods.
“He got my vote,” Owen declared, throwing up two enthusiastic thumbs. But Tessa immediately smacked his arm.
“Don’t say that,” she muttered under her breath, casting a glance over her shoulder. “You don’t know who’s listening.”
I frowned. “Is the tension really that high in there?”
“Kinda,” Tessa replied after a thoughtful pause. She leaned closer to the screen. “Winters is definitely suppressing Cade. It’s subtle but as someone who knows his true colors, I can feel it.”
Owen sighed and nodded. “It does feel like no one’s allowed to say Cade’s name out loud unless it’s in a warning.”
“What about the North people?” I asked despite already expecting the answer.
“They’re being quieted,” Tessa said. “You can tell they’re uneasy. I don’t really know how to describe it–it’s like they’re waiting for something to happen, but they’re afraid to be seen waiting.”
I exhaled slowly, my fingers curling around the edge of the counter. Behind me, the soft hum of the Callahans‘ quiet northern house settled into the silence between us.
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“We have another assembly for Winters‘ next function,” Tessa added, her lips tightening. “And I don’t know. It seems like he’s rewarding those who support him with points.”
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- Tessa said, catching my expression. “Just… don’t worry
“I’ll make sure to dig deeper into
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Chapter 107 Similar Eyes
“Come out,” she said, her eyes shining. “We have a visitor.”
“Hmm?” I asked, bending slightly to her level. “A visitor?”
She nodded cagerly. “Visitor like you.”
I tilted my head, intrigued. “Huh? What do you mean by that?”
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Honey placed a finger against her lips. “Very powerful,” she whispered. “And pretty. Light like you.”
Like
you.
That gave me pause. Powerful? Pretty? Light?
She might not have spoken in full, grown–up sentences, but sometimes Honey said things. that felt too sharp to ignore.
“I don’t know anyone like me,” I murmured.
Honey just giggled and tugged at my hand. “Come! She’s here now!”
She led me by the hand like a little parade leader, humming a tune under her breath. Her fingers were soft and warm in mine, and I couldn’t help but smile as she led me out of the kitchen, glancing back to make sure I followed.
Being around Honey always did something to me; it felt like her innocence filled the cold. spaces I had grown accustomed to keeping hidden.
“You’re so sweet to me, you know that?” I said as we reached the hallway.
She beamed. “I like you best. You’re not sharp inside.”
“Sharp?”
“Like knives,” she explained simply before skipping ahead toward the living room.
I followed her and froze when I saw who was in the doorway.
Bethany Spirit stood there, her arms crossed loosely, dressed in casual jeans and a soft white blouse. It was the most ordinary I’d ever seen her, yet something about her presence still filled the room with an undeniable energy.
What was she doing here?
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Mirage and Nathan stood nearby, seemingly at ease. Nathan held a mug in his hand while Mirage engaged Bethany in conversation about something I couldn’t quite hear. There was no tension; it felt like a normal visit. Did they have a good relationship even before all this happened?
Oh, why was I even questioning it? The three of them shared a similar approach when it came to governance, so it wasn’t a surprise.
Bethany turned her head and stiffened, taking me by surprise. Whenever I saw her, it seemed she remained wary of my presence–though I couldn’t fathom why.
“There, pretty lady!” Honey exclaimed proudly, skipping over to take Bethany’s hand. Then she grabbed mine, dragging me forward with surprising strength. “Stand here!”
“Wait, Honey-” I began, confused, but she was determined.
She planted me next to Bethany, nudging my arm until we stood shoulder to shoulder. We were close in height, both of us with long, dark brown hair and similar builds. Our eyes were different, but there was a strange symmetry I hadn’t noticed before.
Honey clapped her hands. “Similar pretty!” she cheered. “You look the same!”
Bethany pursed her lips, then looked at me with a curious tilt of her head.
We both stood still, and an unfamiliar awkwardness settled over me as I stood so close to her.
Then Cade walked in.
He emerged from his study, a folder in one hand, but as soon as he saw the scene unfolding in the living room, he stopped dead in his tracks.
His gaze flicked between us, his chest rising and falling as he breathed in.
“Huh,” he muttered under his breath.
Mirage chuckled, clearly amused. “You do look alike,” they chimed in unison.
I felt my face flush slightly and instinctively glanced at Bethany again.
She was still watching me, and there was something knowing in her expression, like she had just confirmed a suspicion that had been quietly lingering for a while.
Honey twirled once, her arms thrown wide, before giggling and leaning her head against my
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Chapter 107 Similar Eyes
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“I like it when you’re home,” she whispered.
I reached down and gently ran my fingers through her curls. “I like being with you, too.”
Bethany cleared her throat, capturing my attention again. “Well, it seems you fit right into this family.”
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