Chapter 30
I stared at the ceiling of the bridal suite, counting the delicate roses carved into the crown molding. One hour passed, then two.
Sleep refused to come.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. Here I was, in a bed meant for newlyweds, alone on my wedding night while my husband was undoubtedly with another woman.
I couldn’t stay here, surrounded by romantic trappings that mocked my reality. I slipped from the bed and changed into a simple
dress, leaving behind the delicate lingerie that had been selected for a night that would never happen.
Without a clear destination, I wandered the halls of the resort, eventually finding myself on a secluded balcony overlooking the moonlit gardens.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the new Luna, wandering alone on her wedding night.”
I didn’t need to turn to recognize Kane’s voice, slightly slurred with alcohol.
“Not now, Kane,” I said wearily.
He moved beside me, close enough that I could smell the whiskey on his breath. His suit jacket was gone, his shirt collar unbuttoned, tie hanging loose around his neck.
“Congratulations,” he said, raising an imaginary glass. “You finally got what you wanted–married to Raymond. How’s that
working out for you?”
His words hit a raw nerve. “Exactly as expected.”
Kane leaned against the railing, studying me. “And yet, here you are. All alone. While your husband is…”
“Don’t,” I warned, turning to leave.
He caught my wrist. “Where is he, Aurora? Where’s your devoted husband on your wedding night?”
“Let go of me,” I said, yanking my arm away.
Kane’s smile faded. “He’s with her, isn’t he? Even tonight. Even after marking you in front of the entire pack.”
“My marriage is none of your business.”
“It’s a farce,” he said bluntly. “A lie everyone’s pretending to believe.”
“Like you’re one to talk about honesty in relationships,” I shot back. “When have you ever cared about anyone but yourself?”
His eyes flashed. “You know nothing about what I care about.”
We stood there, tension crackling between us, when suddenly a sharp, searing pain radiated from my neck. The mark-
Raymond’s mark–burned as if acid had been poured over it. I gasped, clutching at it instinctively.
Chapter 30
“Aurora?” Kane’s voice shifted from taunting to concerned. “What’s wrong?”
Another wave of agony swept through me, dropping me to my knees. In that terrible moment, I knew exactly what was
happening. Raymond was with Giana, their mate bond activating, rejecting the false claim he’d placed on me.
Kane knelt beside me. “Is it the mark?”
+15 Bonus
I nodded, unable to speak through the pain. Instinctively, I reached for him, seeking any anchor against the storm raging through my body.
Kane’s expression changed as he realized what was happening. “That bastard,” he muttered. “He’s with her right now, isn’t he?”
I couldn’t answer, another wave of pain stealing my breath. Distantly, I became aware of voices approaching–night patrol guards making their rounds.
“They can’t see you like this,” Kane said urgently. “The Alpha’s new Luna writhing in pain on her wedding night? It would cause chaos.”
Before I could protest, he’d swept me into his arms and carried me through a side door. The world blurred as he moved swiftly down corridors, finally stopping before a room I recognized as his guest suite.
Once inside, he set me gently on the edge of the bed. “I’ll get help,” he said, turning toward the door.
“No!” I gasped, grabbing his sleeve. “No one can know.”
The mark throbbed again, white–hot pain lancing through me.
“Aurora, you need-
“Distraction,” I managed through clenched teeth. “I need… distraction from the pain.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “Aurora, you’re not thinking clearly.”
I yanked him toward me with surprising strength. “If Raymond can be with Giana, why can’t I…”
Kane’s eyes darkened. “Do you know what you’re asking?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “Help me, Kane. Like you said you would.”
He hesitated, searching my face. “This isn’t how I wanted…”
Another wave of pain cut off whatever he’d been about to say. Acting on pure instinct, I pulled him down and pressed my lips to his with bruising intensity.
For one heart–stopping moment, he remained frozen. Then, with a growl that resonated through my very bones, he responded.
