Chapter 7
“I–I went for a walk,” I stammered, unable to meet his gaze. “I needed some air after everything yesterday.
“Why didn’t you show up with Raymond?” he demanded, stepping closer, his anger radiating off him in
waves.
Frustration and resentment suddenly boiled over inside me. After everything that had happened–being thrown out of Raymond’s room, spending the night with Kane–I couldn’t hold back anymore.
“Why don’t you ask him?” I shot back, my voice harder than intended. “Maybe there was another woman
in his room.”
Raymond appeared just then, his expression tense. “Aurora, stop making misleading comments.” His
eyes locked with mine, silently warning me not to say more.
My heart shattered all over again. Even now, he was protecting Giana. He didn’t care that he had left me out in the cold all night, that I had been humiliated and hurt. All that mattered to him was keeping his
precious secret.
Both Alpha Marcus and my father looked uncomfortable, exchanging significant glances.
“Stop talking nonsense!” my father snapped, his hand gripping my arm painfully tight as he dragged me
away. “You’re making a scene.”
It wasn’t until later that night, back at home, that I was able to confront my father in his study. I couldn’t
contain my anger any longer. I didn’t want to believe he was capable of such a thing, but I needed
answers.
“Did you drug me?” I demanded, watching his reaction carefully.
He scoffed, barely looking up from his papers. “I handed you an opportunity on a silver platter, and you
still failed to make use of it. Useless.” His dismissive tone cut deep.
Then, narrowing his eyes, he glanced up at me suspiciously. “If you weren’t with Raymond… how did you deal with the effects of the drug?”
Cold fear gripped me. “I walked it off,” I lied quickly. “The fresh air helped clear my head.”
My father looked skeptical but didn’t press further. “Don’t mess this up, Aurora. Your mother’s treatment depends on it.”
The unspoken threat hung heavily in the air between us. I nodded stiffly and left, feeling trapped more
than ever before.
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Chapter 7
+15 BONUS
The next day at school, Raymond and I arrived together, putting on a show of unity for everyone watching. The hallways buzzed with excitement over our engagement, and Raymond casually invited his friends to attend his upcoming coronation ceremony.
“You’re all welcome to attend. It’ll be the event of the season,” he announced, his arm draped loosely
around my shoulders in a display of affection that felt more like a cage.
A group of my acquaintances approached, unable to resist teasing us. “Come on, you two! Give us a kiss!”
they chanted, their eyes bright with anticipation.
I glanced at Raymond, who gave a slight nod, seemingly unbothered by the request. With a resigned sigh,
I relented. “Fine. Just a kiss on the cheek.” I leaned in, preparing myself for this necessary charade.
But just as my lips were about to touch his skin, a commotion erupted from the back of the crowd. We both turned to see Giana standing there, her face a perfect mask of heartbreak and betrayal. Without a
word, she turned and ran, looking utterly devastated.
Raymond’s expression darkened instantly, his posture tensing. Without even a glance at me, he shoved me aside and took off after her, leaving me standing alone in front of our curious audience.
The humiliation burned through me like acid, each pair of eyes witnessing my shame feeling like
another wound. I stood frozen, unable to move.
Even though our engagement was nothing but a fraud, a painful charade we both were forced to play, it didn’t help the pain that shot through me at watching it crumble before my eyes. Raymond had chosen his fated mate over me once again, and this time, everyone had witnessed it.
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