From Substitute To Queen. Chapter 48

*Wife.* The word slipped out automatically.

Caelan's arm came around my shoulders immediately. He leaned down to press a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Thank you, my queen."

The endearment sent warmth spiraling through my chest. But when I glanced back at Blair, something flickered across her features.

Her smile never faltered. But her chin lifted slightly, just enough to shift her posture from welcoming to... evaluating.

"Is that so?" Her voice remained perfectly pleasant. "Well, that makes sense. Though I suppose old habits die hard – I've been looking after him for so long."

My mind raced through the implications. How long was "so long"? What exactly did "looking after" entail?

*She's his sister,* I reminded myself firmly. *Of course she looks after him. That's what family does.*

"Blair's always been protective," Caelan said, apparently oblivious to the undercurrent of tension. "Sometimes too protective."

His tone carried fond exasperation, like he was discussing an overly devoted pet.

Blair's smile widened. "Someone has to make sure you don't work yourself to death. You're terrible at self-care."

She turned to me. "You'll discover that quickly enough. He forgets to eat when he's focused on pack business. Stays up until dawn reading reports. Honestly, without constant supervision, he'd probably collapse from exhaustion."

*Constant supervision.* Another loaded phrase.

"I can take care of myself," I smiled. "And I'm perfectly capable of taking care of him too."

"Of course you are." Blair's agreement came too quickly. "I'm sure you'll learn his routines eventually. Though it might take some time to adjust to... everything."

*Everything.* What exactly was she implying I needed to adjust to?

Before I could respond, Scarlett tugged gently on my arm.

"Sable, could I borrow you for just a moment? I wanted to show you something."

She didn't wait for my response, just guided me a few steps away from the others. When we were out of easy hearing range, she leaned close.

"That Blair is... intense," she murmured.

I glanced back toward where Blair stood chatting with Caelan. She looked perfectly composed, perfectly friendly.

"What do you mean?"

"The way she looks at you." Scarlett's voice dropped lower. "Like she's sizing up competition."

"Don't be ridiculous." I kept my voice light, but my chest tightened. "She's his sister. She's probably just protective."

"Protective is one thing." Scarlett's green eyes were serious. "But that level of possessiveness? The way she keeps touching him, talking about taking care of him?"

"You're imagining things," I said firmly. "She's been welcoming. Maybe a little... intense, but that doesn't mean anything sinister."

Scarlett studied my face. "You don't believe that."

*No. I don't.*

"She's family," I said instead. "I need to give her the benefit of the doubt."

"Fine." Scarlett shrugged. "But if she gets too territorial, just say the word. I'd be happy to remind her who the future queen is around here."

I squeezed her hand, silently asking her not to do anything impulsive. She nodded and walked away.

I walked back toward where Caelan waited. He stood with one hand in his pocket, watching me.

"Everything okay?" He reached for my elbow.

"Fine. Just catching up with Scarlett."

Caelan guided me toward the elegantly set table where crystal glasses caught the evening light. Blair followed us immediately, sliding into the seat directly beside Caelan before anyone else could claim it.

Caelan remained standing. He lifted his champagne flute, and conversations died around the garden. All eyes turned toward him.

"Thank you all for coming tonight." His voice carried easily across the intimate gathering. "I want to formally introduce you to Sable Crawford, my fiancée."

Applause broke out around the table. Peter whistled appreciatively while Leon raised his glass with a knowing grin.

Caelan's hand found mine under the table. Our fingers intertwined naturally.

Heat crept up my neck as he lifted our joined hands. His lips brushed across my knuckles in a gesture so intimate it made my breath catch.

"Congratulations!" Scarlett beamed at us from across the table.

Blair clapped along with the others.

"Sable, I really admire your courage."

Something in her tone made me look at her more carefully. The words sounded supportive, but there was an undercurrent I couldn't quite identify. After the previous conversation with Scarlett, I paid more attention to Blair, trying to figure out the missing details.

"Courage?" I kept my voice light.

"To move on from a long relationship and start fresh." Blair's violet eyes sparkled with what looked like genuine concern. "It must have been so difficult, leaving someone after three years together."

My stomach dropped. *How does she know about Darrell?*

Caelan's fingers tightened around mine. I felt him go very still beside me.

Blair continued before I could respond. "Your ex... he must have loved you very much, didn't he? Three years is such a long time."

The table had gone quiet. Even Peter's usual joking demeanor sobered.

"The separation must have been painful." Blair leaned forward slightly, her expression full of sympathy. "But how fortunate that you met Caelan so quickly afterward. What perfect timing."

The words landed like small cuts. Each one polite on the surface, but sharp underneath.

*She's making it sound like I jumped from one man to another. Now I totally agree with Scarlett. Blair is not nice to me at all.*

Blair turned toward Caelan with that same sweet smile. "My brother, you're so kind and generous."

"Appearing right when Sable needed comfort most. Offering her a home, a new beginning." She paused, tilting her head thoughtfully. "I'm just curious though..."

My pulse quickened.

"When exactly did your feelings for each other develop? Before her previous relationship ended, or after?"

The question hung in the air like poison gas.

Everyone at the table shifted uncomfortably. Scarlett's eyes went wide with shock. Leon and Peter exchanged glances.

*She just accused us of having an affair. Or me of using Caelan as a rebound.*

Caelan's expression didn't change, but something dangerous flickered in his eyes. When he spoke, his voice could have frozen blood.

"Blair."

She blinked innocently. "Yes?"