From Substitute To Queen Chapter 78

"We have nothing to discuss." I moved closer to Scarlett's unconscious form, using her as a barrier.

"It's about Caelan."

*Why would he bring up Caelan?*

I stopped moving, unease crawling up my spine.

"You don't know him, Sable." Darrell stepped closer, his voice dropping to an urgent whisper.

"I know enough." *At least more than you do.*

"He's hiding a lot from you. He's dangerous." Darrell's gray eyes burned with intensity. "Have you ever wondered why his timing was so suspicious? As far as I know, he only started being good to you after your mother died. Have you ever thought about why that might be?"

"You investigated us? What kind of creep are you, digging into other people's private lives?" I stood up straighter, letting my anger show clearly in my voice. "I'm warning you to stop this behavior, Darrell. You disgust me. Stop trying to drive a wedge between Caelan and me. If you really cared about my wellbeing, you'd stay away from my life. Move aside. I'm leaving."

"I'm just trying to protect you." His voice carried what sounded like genuine desperation.

"The person who once hurt me is now telling me he wants to protect me?" I laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. "That's honestly the funniest joke I've ever heard."

I pushed past him and hauled Scarlett's limp form upright, supporting her weight against my shoulder.

"Come on, we're going."

"That bastard who was harassing us... I'm going to cut his dick off with scissors..." Scarlett mumbled against my shoulder, her words slurring together. "Sable, are you okay? Don't be scared."

Her protective instincts were still functioning even while completely drunk, which would have been endearing under different circumstances.

I guided us toward the exit, leaving Darrell standing alone in the corner of the bar. His eyes followed us until we disappeared into the night, but I didn't look back.

We'd barely made it to the street when the world started tilting.

I stopped walking, one hand pressed against the brick wall of the building for support. The sidewalk seemed to sway beneath my feet, and suddenly everything felt... soft around the edges.

*Oh no.*

The alcohol was hitting me all at once. Those cocktails Scarlett had been ordering—what had she called them? Moscow Mules with premium vodka. And that wine earlier. I'd been so focused on our conversation, so upset about Dad and Victoria, that I hadn't been paying attention to how much I was actually consuming.

Scarlett had started feeling it during the confrontation with that drunk man, but mine was just catching up now. The adrenaline from dealing with Darrell must have been masking it.

*Fuck. I'm really drunk.*

"Scarlett?" I tried to focus on my friend, who was swaying against my shoulder. Her eyes were glassy and unfocused. "Can you walk?"

"Mmm... everything's spinning," she mumbled, her words slurring together. "Why did we drink so much?"

***

**Caelan's POV**

I hung up the phone and sank back into my chair, fingers absently rotating the black ring on my right hand. Sable's voice had sounded off—too bright, too forced. And there'd been background noise. Male voices.

I grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair and strode toward the door.

"Cancel everything tonight," I told Edward without breaking stride. "I have an emergency."

Before he could respond, I was already pushing through the office doors and heading for the parking lot.

I drove straight to the same bar where I'd picked them up last time—hoping they'd gone back to their usual spot.

I killed the engine and was out of the car in seconds, striding toward the entrance.

That's when I saw them—Sable and Scarlett supporting each other as they stumbled out of the bar. Sable's normally perfect hair was disheveled, framing her flushed face. Her eyes had that glassy, unfocused look.

When she spotted me, those glassy eyes suddenly lit up. "Woah!" She pointed a finger at me, swaying slightly. "Who are you? You're so handsome!"

My steps faltered. Was she serious?

Scarlett tugged on her arm, swaying slightly. "Sable, don't hit on random guys..."

"I have a fiancé!" Sable waved her hand dismissively. "But..." She tilted her head, studying me with unfocused eyes. "You're even hotter than my serious king!"

My lips twitched despite everything. She was completely hammered.

I approached them, eyebrows drawing together. "Your fiancé?"

"Oh yes!" Sable nodded enthusiastically, nearly losing her balance. "He's amazing. Rules thirteen territories! Very powerful. But he's always so... formal." She poked my chest with one finger. "You seem much more friendly."

Scarlett squinted at me through the dim streetlight. "Wait a minute, you look familiar..."

I didn't know whether to laugh or be concerned. I wrapped my arm around her waist to steady her. "Sabi, how much did you drink?"

Her eyes widened comically. "How do you know my nickname?" She blinked rapidly. "Only my fiancé calls me that."

I couldn't help myself. "Because I am your fiancé, you little drunk."

Her eyes went comically wide. "No way! Caelan would never..." She gestured vaguely at my casual appearance. "You're too normal. He's all royal and stuff."

I pulled out my phone and called Edward.

Ten minutes later, Edward's sedan pulled up to the curb. He got out, took one look at Scarlett, and barely suppressed a laugh.

Scarlett peered at him through glazed eyes. "Hey, you're pretty handsome too, uncle."

Edward's eyebrows shot up. "...Uncle? I'm only thirty-two years old."

I bit back a smile. "Ed, this is Scarlett. Make sure she gets home safely."

He nodded, helping Scarlett toward his car.

Sable patted Scarlett's shoulder. "Go sleep it off, honey. Call me tomorrow!"

Before Edward closed the door, Scarlett leaned out. "Be good! Don't bully the handsome man."

I turned back to Sable, who was now studying me with the intense focus that only drunk people could manage.

"You really look like him," she mused, reaching up to trace my jawline with one finger. "Same bone structure... same eyes..."

***

I managed to get Sable into my car, though she kept insisting I was "too nice" to be the Lycan King. I'd barely buckled her seatbelt when she started getting... hands-on.

"Your face is really nice," she said, reaching over to cup my cheek as I pulled away from the curb. "Are you mixed race? These cheekbones are incredible."

I caught her wrist gently. "Sabi, I'm Caelan."