Chapter 17
Joanne’s POV
The moment I saw Collins‘ shocked expression across the room, I couldn’t help but laugh silently to myself. “Did you see that? He looked like I just slapped him” I whispered to Silver, Mia, and Lila, who all burst into giggles
“He totally wasn’t expecting you to be so.. vibrant” Silver said, a wide grin on her face. “You had him thrown off his game!“))
“Let’s go outside for a moment. I need some fresh air, 1 suggested, leading the way toward the doors. The evening breeze felt refreshing against my skin as we stepped outside, away from the noise of the party…
“Okay, spill,” Mia said, leaning against the wall with an expectant look “What’s the story with Colling!”
1 crossed my arms, preparing to share. “Oh, it’s a long one,” I replied, my voice lowering. “Collins abandoned me for Poppy, his first love.”
“Wait, what?” Lila’s eyes widened. “He left you for her? That’s so lame!”
“Exactly“” Lexclaimed, feeling a rush of frustration. “Even though we were fated mates, he treated me like trash the whole time
“What a jerk!” Silver chimed in, anger bubbling in her voice. “I can’t believe he did that to you!
“Right‘ He acted like I didn’t even
en matter,” I continued, my voice thick with memories. “Poppy danced back into his life like she owned the place, and Collins turned into a completely different person
“Let me at him!” Silver growled, clenching her fists. “I’ll challenge him right there in front of everyone!”
, now hold on!” I said quickly, grabbing her arm. “No need to start a scene. Just let me play it cool for now”
But be deserves it!” Silver protested, glancing back toward the party. “You should stand up for yourself!”
I will I promised, my heart steadying itself. “But I need to do this smartly. Getting into a fight won’t help me during the tournament. 1’11 have my chance.“.
Mia leaned in closer, curiosity shining in her eyes. “What’s Poppy like? I mean, if she’s stealing away your mate, she must have something going for her
1 rolled my eyes, shaking my head. “She’s… well, I’d call her a witch from Ghenna with the face and body of an angel.
“Whoa,” Lila said, her mouth dropping open. “That’s rough. So she’s beautiful but awful!“
“Exactly!” I replied, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement. “She has this spellbinding charm that just pulls you in, but trust me, she’s not worth it. She made me feel invisible when I was with Collins,”
“Are
you serious?” Mia asked, shaking her head. “I hate hearing this! No one s
one should ever make you feel that way.”
“I know,” I said with a sight “But Collins just let her walk all over him. I couldn’t compete with her charm, the way everyone adored her. It was like I was in the background the whole time,”
“Okay, here’s what we need to do,” Silver interjected, excitement returning to her voice. “We need to show Collins that you’re not going to be ignored anymore. You have to be front and center at the tournament!”
“Absolutely!” Tagreed, feeling the fire rekindle in my soul. “I want him to see what he missed out on. I’m going to show everyone I’m stronger than they think”
k to your old self!” Lila said, her tone uplifting. “We’ll be there with you every step of the way!”
“Well, I’m glad you’re back (
“We should plan a practice session every day leading up to the tournament” Mia suggested. “More practice means more confidence. You’ll be unbreakable!“
“Count me in” I grinned, my heart swelling with gratitude toward my friends. “I’ll need all the support I can get. If we work together, I know I can
Just then, the door swung open, and a group of people exited the party, laughing loudly. “Looks like we aren’t the only ones wanting some fresh air,”
“Let’s step a b
Silversal, glancing over
a bit further away.” I suggested, wanting to keep our conversation private.
We moved to a corner of the patio, overlooking the garden. The stars twinkled brightly, and the night felt magical. “Alright, so what’s next?” I asked, turning back to my friends,
1/2
Chapter 17
“Let’s talk strategy!” silver said excitedly. “What new tricks do you have?”
“Definitely agreed, feeling a rush of enthusion “111 start with criquette first, and I want to catch everyone’s eye. Then I move on to wordplay,
“Yes You’ve learned so much since the last time.” Mia said, an encouraging smile on her face. “And I think if you nail the archery, that will really get
“For sure! But I have to tread carefully around Collins and Poppy. I don’t want to give them any more power over me,” I said, shaking my head.
“Why does it even matter” Lila asked. “He chose someone else. Why ev
even care about his opinion?”
“Because he was my mate! And that complicates things!” I said, exasperated. “It’s hard to completely let go.”
“Well, if it’s any consolation, we’ll give you the best support we can,” Silver said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You won’t have to face
Collins alone”
Mia nodded eagerly. “We could even practice taunts or quick comebacks to use on him!”
“Great idea!” I said, laughing. “I could use those. We have to be ready for anything!”
Lila leaned in closer. “What if you come up with a clever way to embarrass him at the tournament? That would be hilarious!”
“Now you’re talking.” Silver said, her eyes glinting with mischief. “We could set something up like that?”
“Okay, okay, let’s not go overboard,” I said, grinning. “But I do like the spirit
of it!”
“Just don’t forget to have fun while you’re at it!” Lila said. “That’s the most important part.”
“Right I need to focus on enjoying myself instead of brooding. That’s how I’ll win. Come on now ladies, this party isn’t going to enjoy itself!”
Coyner 17
sher said excitedly. “What new tricks do you her
freling a rush of his start with q first, and a catch everyne’s eye. The Untplay
‘ve lealed so much the last time. Mis said, an encouraging smile on her face. And think if you all the archer that will really get their attention
For det Batt
trend carefully around Collins and Poppy I want in give them any more power over me” I said, shaking my head
Why do even
Lilla inlod. “He chine some
me the Why
e about his opinion?
Because he was my mate And that implicates things I said, exasperated’s hard to completely les mo?
“Well, if it’s any comentarion, wel give you the best support secan River said, placing a rearing hand on my shoulder. “Yin won’t have to face
Mu
Middel ragntly. “We could eses practice taum or quick comebacks to use on bir
““Cernat ithta|” | said, loughing and use these. We have to be ready for anything
u
in
Jeaned in clone: “What if you come up
(the tournantene. That would be hilarious
Now you’re talking ver said, her eyes glinting with mochint. “We could set sometising up like that?”
“Wir
“Okay, okay, let’s not go verbantut, grinning “But I do like the span of a “Just don’t. Birget to have fun whir yual re at
q”
Comment
