Chapter Twenty Five Claimed By Two Destined For One
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ᴇʟᴏɪꜱᴇ ʙʀɪᴅɢᴇʀᴛᴏɴ'ꜱ ᴘᴏᴠ
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The scent of old paper and leather filled the air as I browsed the shelves, searching for a new novel to get lost in. My fingers traced the spines, my mind a storm of anticipation. Just as I found a promising title, a woman's voice startled me.
"You don't seem like a romance novel type of lady" she said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement.
I turned, my eyes landing on a strikingly beautiful woman with curls that cascaded past her shoulders, a rich mix of colours within their depths. Her skin was blessed by the sun, a beautiful brown.
"Well, n-not...not usually" I stammered, a half smile gracing my lips, "But lately, I've found myself rather intrigued by them"
Her brown eyes, like pools of melted chocolate, twinkled as she listened to me. A strange warmth blossomed within me, a feeling of being seen, of being understood in a way I hadn't experienced before.
"Perhaps" she began softly, a hint of mischief dancing in her gaze, "I could show you my own personal collection of love stories"
"I'd like that" I breathed, my heart thrumming an erratic rhythm.
Her gaze held mine, intense and captivating. I cleared my throat, feeling the need to break the spell, to ground myself.
"What is your name?" I asked, my voice a touch shaky.
She extended a hand,"Kate. Kate Fleming" she replied.
I took her hand, the warmth of her skin electrifying mine. "Hello, Miss Kate. I'm Eloise Bridgerton"
A shy smile played on her lips. "I know"
My brows furrowed. "You know?" I questioned, but before I could delve further, I noticed Kate stiffen, tilting her head to look past me.
Following her gaze, I expected to see Hazel. But instead I saw Lilith.
She stood in the doorway, her cold eyes narrowed, a cruel smirk playing on her lips."Oh, look who it is" she drawled, her voice a low, raspy whisper that sent shivers down my spine. "The werewolf princess"
She walked towards us slowly, dragging her claw like nails along the bookshelves, slicing through them, each scratch a deliberate act of malice.
Kate stepped protectively in front of me. "Lilith, don't do this" she pleaded, her voice laced with desperation. "Not in front of her"
Lilith's smirk vanished, replaced by a chillingly calm expression. "Don't worry" she said, her words dripping with venom, "I won't kill you today. That would be far too merciful"
