Chapter 18
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Raymond, who had been checking his phone in the corner, finally looked up. “Glana, maybe let the nurse handle that.”
“I’ve almost got it,” she persisted, pressing her thumb directly against the cut.
Pain lanced through my head, and I jerked away involuntarily. “Stop!”
Raymond was beside us in an instant, gently pulling Giana’s hands away. “That’s enough. I’ll call the nurse.”
The doctor had to re–stitch part of the wound, extending my hospital stay by another day.
On the morning of what should have been my final day, Raymond was called away for Alpha training, leaving Giana and me alone.
She lounged in the visitor’s chair, scrolling through her phone with an air of boredom.
“I don’t understand why you’re still here,” I said finally. “If you hate me so much, why spend hours in my hospital room?”
Giana lowered her phone, a calculated smile spreading across her face. “Because every minute I’m here is another minute
Raymond isn’t secretly with you.”
Before I could respond, she held up her hand, the light catching on a delicate ring–the one I’d watched Raymond give her.
“Do you like it?” she asked, admiring it herself. “Raymond had it specially made. We have matching ones.” She pulled a chain
from beneath her shirt, revealing Raymond’s ring. “He can’t wear his publicly yet, of course. Not until after your little
arrangement is over.
“Get out,” I said, my voice deadly calm.
“Excuse me?” Her eyes
eves widened in mock offense.
“Get out of my room. And tell Raymond not to bother visiting again either.”
When Raymond returned an hour later, I met his concerned expression with an emotionless stare.
“Glana said you were upset,” he began.
“Don’t come tomorrow,” I said flatly. “I don’t need your help anymore.”
Raymond frowned. “Aurora, if this is about Giana-”
“I said I don’t want you here. Is that so difficult to understand?”
His
expression shifted between frustration and guilt. “Fine,” he finally conceded. “But I’ll come alone next time. No Giana.”
The next day, I sat on the edge of my hospital bed, fully dressed and waiting. My bag was packed, discharge papers signed, and the nurse had removed my IV hours ago.
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But Raymond didn’t come.
One hour passed. Then two. Then three.
I checked my phone repeatedly, but there were no messages. I finally called him myself, only to be sent straight to voicemail.
Just as I was about to give up and call a taxi, my phone rang. Raymond’s face flashed on the screen.
“Where are you?” I asked, unable to keep the frustration from my voice.
“Aurora, I’m so sorry,” he said, sounding breathless. “Giana had an emergency. She fell during training and sprained her ankle. I
had to take her to the clinic.”
Of course. Another Giana emergency.
“Don’t worry about it,” I said flatly. “I’ll get home myself.”
The sun was setting as I left the hospital, my head throbbing. While trudging along the sidewalk, a sleek black sports car slowed beside me. The window rolled down to reveal Kane’s handsome face with his signature smirk in place.
“Need a ride, future Luna?” he called, drawing out the title mockingly.
I hesitated, noticing he wasn’t alone. A beautiful woman with long red hair sat in his passenger seat,
curiosity.
“I’m fine, thank you,” I replied stiffly.
“Who’s she?” the redhead demanded, pouting at Kane. “Another one of your playthings?”
eyeing
me with open
Kane’s expression cooled instantly. “Watch your tongue,” he said, his voice suddenly sharp. “That’s Aurora, future Luna of the Blood Moon Pack. You will address her with respect.”
The woman rolled her eyes. “Whatever. She doesn’t look like much to me. Just another pathetic wolf pining after her mate while
he-”
She never finished her sentence. Kane reached across her to of
open
passenger door, his movements calm but deliberate.
“Get out,” he said, voice deadly quiet.
“What?” The woman blinked in confusion.
Kane pulled out his wallet, extracted several hundred–dollar bills, and tossed them onto her lap. “This should cover your time. Now get out of my car.”
“You can’t be serious!” she sputtered.
“I don’t joke about respect,” Kane replied coldly. “Especially not when it concerns the future Luna.”
The woman stared at him in shock before gathering the money and her dignity. She stepped out of the car, slamming the door behind her.
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Kane leaned across the seat, opening the door for me. “Your chariot awaits, Luna.”
