The Alpha's Ever After - (Werewolf Romance) (Ilie and Soleil Book 2) by Marian Tee Page B

transpired. She said slowly, “When you told me that there was a person trying to kill me, I thought you meant physically.” She paused. “But in the end, Crystal caused me even more pain by showing me the truth about…my life.”
    “Are you speaking of milord’s other heartkeeper?”
    Soleil was stunned, and if she had to admit it, she was also terrified. “Is it now common knowledge?” Because if it was, she just didn’t know how she could face the world again, with everyone aware that the marquis had chosen her to be his heartkeeper out of pity.
    But he also saved your life by doing so, she reminded herself severely, so you must never hate him for it.
    Zari was saying, “I…err…heard it from someone.”
    The way the younger girl avoided Soleil’s gaze was telling. “Zari, you’re hiding something from me, aren’t you?”
    Zari cleared her throat. “Umm…”
    “Zari?”
    “He always did tell me I suck at lying,” the younger girl muttered.
    He being Alexandru Gheorgiu, Soleil thought. How strong this soul seer was, to not mind continuing to think about the man she loved even when they were apart and there was no guarantee that they could be together again.
    “I’ve decided,” Zari said out of the blue.
    Soleil blinked when the girl suddenly stood up and began gathering her notes. “What have you decided?”
    “Follow me to my room, please, and I shall show you something.”
    “The last time someone told me that,” Soleil said lightly, “I almost ended up killed.” But even so, she couldn’t stop herself from following the soul seer, knowing at least that within the heavily fortified walls of ANEX, there was no chance of subterfuge and foul play.
    As they made their way to Zari’s room, she asked the soul seer a question that had been on her mind for a long time. “Would you be able to choose the visions you see?”
    “Not really, but there is a chance that I will see more of what you want to know if you want me to see the past, rather than the future.”
    “Good.”
    “What is it do you want to know?”
    “There was a man my sisters and I were hunting down, but he died before we could get information from him. I had thought he was in league with Crystal…” She shook her head. “But now I know that wouldn’t make sense. That’s why I’m hoping your visions could help us identify any other enemy we have out there.”
    “If you could bring me any item from the scene of his death, I may be able to help.” They stopped in front of Zari’s bedroom door and as she bent to unlock it, the younger girl murmured, “I have never played matchmaker before, so I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing…”
    Zari opened the door and stepped inside her room. “Come and look, Soleil.”
    Soleil winced. “I really, really don’t like how that sounds.” But even so, she forced herself to follow Zari inside.
    Zari gestured to the tower of missives on her writing desk. “Those are all from the marquis. He writes to me each day, reminding me all of the things I should tell you were we to meet. Mostly, they are---” She enumerated with her fingers. “He is sorry. He misses you. Oh, and that you are the only woman he loves and will ever love.”
    “How sweet.” Soleil’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “But I also know he’s lying.”
    “Is he? After all, he did not say you are the woman he had loved. He speaks of the present and the future, not the past.” Zari flashed the older girl a painful smile. “Your marquis is…cunning. I actually had to look the word up just so I could find the right way to describe him. And he is that.” She nodded vehemently. “He knew about the time when I also almost parted ways with my Ma---with Alexandru, because of a woman he had once loved, and when he reminded me of that…” She shook her head. “I don’t want you to be needlessly hurt. Just forgive him---”
    Soleil’s teary laugh cut her off.
    “You think I haven’t forgiven him? You