Page 25 of French Quarter Heiress

"The wolves' continued defiance makes us look weak, Elise," Don Victor seethes, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. "Vulnerable to the wolves? I must be dreaming! The wolves are here to serve, not compete with us! I will not tolerate such insolence!"

If only he knew the truth between Beau and me. If only he knew that I’ve been falling in love with the one person who we’re supposed to destroy.

My thoughts clouded by secret encounters with Beau and the deepening complexity of my feelings for him, I struggle to formulate an effective strategy against the werewolves. The stolen moments with my forbidden love have become a source of both comfort and distraction, a bittersweet escape from the harsh realities of my birthright.

Father, a master of reading people and sensing weakness, must suspect that my judgment may be compromised. He subtly probes me for information, employing his signature blend of paternal concern and icy intimidation to pressure me into revealing the source of my distraction.

"And as such, my darling daughter," he begins, his voice smooth as silk, "I've noticed a change in you lately. You seem distant and unfocused. Is there something you need to tell me?"

I feel my stomach twist, but I force a smile. "No, Father. I'm simply preoccupied with our current situation. The wolves are proving to be a formidable challenge."

He nods slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "Indeed, they are. But I wonder, Elise, if there might be something more... personal distracting you from your duties."

My heart skips a beat, but I maintain my composure. "Personal? I assure you, Father, my focus is entirely on our family and our cause."

"Is it?" He arches an eyebrow, his gaze sharpening. "You know, Elise, I've seen the way you look when you think no one is watching. That faraway expression, the hint of a smile playing at your lips. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were in love."

I feel a chill run down my spine, but I force a laugh. "In love? Don't be ridiculous, Father. I have no time for such frivolous emotions."

He leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "I certainly hope not. Love can make even the most loyal heart waver, Elise. It can cloud one's judgment, make them forget where their true allegiances lie."

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "My allegiance is to our family, Father. Always."

"I want to believe that, Elise. Truly, I do." His voice is soft, but there's an unmistakable edge of menace lurking beneath the surface. "But I can't help but wonder if perhaps you've allowed yourself to be... distracted by someone. Someone who might not have our best interests at heart."

I feel a flicker of panic, but I ruthlessly suppress it. "I don't know what you're implying, Father, but I assure you, there is no one."

He studies me for a long moment, his ancient eyes seeming to pierce through to my very soul. "For your sake, Elise, I hope that's true. Because if I were to discover that you'd allowed yourself to be swayed by an enemy, that you'd betrayed our family's trust..."

He lets the words hang in the air, the unspoken threat heavy with dark promise. "I've put a bounty on that filthy werewolf's head, you know. Every supernatural creature in this city will be hunting him down like the dog he is."

My heart clenches at the mention of Beau, but I force myself to remain impassive. "As they should, Father. The wolves have been a thorn in our side for far too long."

Father nods, a grim smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Indeed, they have. But Elise, I want you to understand the gravity of the situation. If I were to find out that you had any involvement with this werewolf, any connection to his pack..."

He pauses, and I feel a chill run down my spine at the coldness in his eyes.

"Imagine what it would do to my heart, to our family, if I had to hurt my own daughter. Could you imagine? I would be devastated. But it’s for the family. You understand, don’t you, sweet princess?"

The thought of my father, the man who raised me and loved me, turning against me with such ruthless efficiency... it's almost too much to bear.

"Father, please," I whisper, my voice trembling. "You know I would never betray our family. My loyalty is to you, always."

He reaches out, cupping my cheek in his cold, dead hand. "Of course, my darling. I want to believe that, Elise. More than anything. But love can make even the strongest of us weak. It can cloud our judgment, make us forget who we are and what we stand for."

I swallow hard, fighting back the tears that threaten to spill down my cheeks. "I am not weak, Father. And I have not forgotten my place."

He nods, but there's a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "See that you don't, my daughter. Because if you do... if you allow yourself to be seduced by the enemy... there will be no mercy. Not even for you."

With that, he turns and strides from the room, leaving me alone with the shattered remnants of my composure.

I sink to the floor, my body shaking with silent sobs. The weight of my father's words, the terrifying reality of his threat, crashes over me in waves.

I know I should end things with Beau, should cut him out of my life before it's too late. But the thought of losing him, of turning my back on the one person who makes me feel truly alive... It's like a knife to my heart.

I'm trapped, caught between my duty to my family and my love for a man who should be my mortal enemy. And I know, with a sinking certainty, that no matter what I choose, there will be no happy ending.

Only pain, and sacrifice, and the bitter taste of regret.

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