Chapter 16
“Being sized,” I lied smoothly. “They had to order it in my size.”
“But you must have pictures!” She thrust out her hand expectantly.
I showed her a stock photo from the jeweler’s website, hoping she wouldn’t notice.
“Wow, that’s… big,” Ethan remarked, eyebrows raised. “Not really your style, is it?”
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. “It’s what the future Luna should have.” “So,” Lill-
“So,” Lilly leaned forward eagerly, “tell us everything! Have you picked a venue? What about flowers? Please tell me you’re not doing those awful centerpieces Luna Elena suggested at Kara’s wedding.
Each question felt like another weight on my chest. I fumbled through vague answers, watching concern slowly replace excitement in their eyes.
“Aurora,” Ethan said gently, “what’s going on? You don’t seem happy about any of this.”
Before I could respond, Lilly gasped, her eyes fixed on something over my shoulder. “Isn’t that Raymond? Across the street?”
I turned, my heart sinking as I spotted Raymond and Giana outside another café. He was holding a small jewelry box, and as we watched, he flipped it open. Giana’s squeal of delight carried across the street as she threw her arms around him.
“That son of a bitch,” Ethan growled, standing so abruptly his chair toppled backward. “I knew something was off.”
“Ethan, don’t-“I began, but he was already storming across the street, Lilly and I scrambling after him.
“What the hell is this?” Ethan demanded, his voice loud enough to turn heads.
Giana jumped back from Raymond, her eyes widening in exaggerated innocence before she ducked behind him.
“This is private,” Raymond said coldly. “Walk away, Ethan.”
“Private?” Ethan laughed harshly. “You’re making out with another woman in broad daylight a week before your wedding! Does Aurora know about this?”
“Aurora and I have an understanding,” Raymond replied, his tone dismissive.
Glana peeked around Raymond’s shoulder. “It’s not my fault he doesn’t love her,” she said, her voice dripping with false sympathy. “It’s sweet how she always has people jumping to defend her, though. Poor Aurora, always needing protection.”
“You manipulative little=“Lilly started, stepping forward.
Raymond moved to block her. “That’s enough! This isn’t your business.”
“Aurora is my best friend,” Lilly shot back. “That makes it my business when you’re humiliating her publicly!”
Chapter 10
+15 Bonus
“I said, back off!” Raymond’s eyes flashed dangerously, his Alpha authority bleeding into his voice.
“Make me,” Ethan challenged, shoving Raymond’s shoulder.
What happened next seemed to unfold in slow motion. Raymond’s control snapped. His arm swung back, a blur of motion as he aimed for Ethan. I lunged forward instinctively, placing myself between them.
I felt the impact before I registered what had happened. Raymond’s fist connected with my temple instead of Ethan’s jaw. Pain exploded behind my eyes as I crumpled, the world tilting sideways.
“Aurora!” Multiple voices shouted my name as darkness edged my vision.
The last thing I saw was Raymond’s horrified face as he realized what he’d done.
“I didn’t mean-” he started, dropping to his knees beside me.
Hot liquid trickled down my face–blood from where his ring had cut me. The irony wasn’t lost on me. Raymond’s ring, meant for his true love, had marked me instead, just not in the way a mate should.
Strong arms lifted me as consciousness faded in and out. Raymond’s scent enveloped me as he carried me, his heartbeat thundering against my ear.
“I’m taking her to the hospital,” I heard him say, his voice tight with what sounded almost like genuine concern.
“Like hell you are!” Ethan argued. “You’ve done enough.
“I’m her Alpha,” Raymond growled. “Step aside.”
Through the haze of pain, I felt Raymond start running, cradling me against his chest as if I were precious.
But I knew better now. I wasn’t precious to him. I was convenient. A shield. A transaction.
As darkness claimed me completely, one bitter thought remained: even this moment of care wasn’t truly for me. It was for his reputation, for appearances, for his own guilt.
Like everything else between us, it was just another lie.
