Chapter 192
If only Aurora were still with me…
My wolf would have known what to do.
Aurora had always been my instinct, my strength, my compass.
Without her, everything felt like navigating in the dark. I missed her voice in my mind, her steady presence just beneath my skin.
The silence where she used to be–it was unbearable some days.
Pushing the ache aside, I stood and walked to the window. Sunshine poured in like molten gold across the polished floor.
No point staying locked away.
I needed air. Distraction. Anything to keep my mind from spiraling into questions I couldn’t
answer.
***
The deck was bathed in sunlight, the ocean stretching endlessly in every direction. Beach chairs and umbrellas were scattered across the polished wood, and a massive saltwater pool sparkled in the center like a sapphire. The pool water had been drawn straight from the sea, giving the entire place a luxurious, natural feel.
A long, elegant buffet table lined the side of the deck, piled high with gourmet dishes, fresh fruit, decadent desserts, and bottles of fine wine chilled in silver buckets. It was a feast fit
for royalty–decadent and completely over the top.
Women in bikinis lounged on pool floats or sat curled up beside men on deck chairs, laughing, feeding each other fruit, whispering in each other’s ears like they were sharing
delicious secrets.
Some splashed in the water playfully.
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The women were breathtakingly beautiful, all toned bodies and glowing skin. In contrast, most of the men were average–looking at best–some had beer bellies, others were balding
or thick–necked.
But every single one of them wore the same smug expression, the kind that only came with obscene wealth and unchecked power.
I knew exactly what kind of gathering this was.
Keeping my sunhat pulled low, I moved carefully, trying to remain as inconspicuous as
possible. I didn’t want to draw any attention–not here. Not like this.
I was watching the sunlight shimmer across the ocean’s surface, lost in the beauty of it,
when I accidentally bumped into someone.
“Watch where you’re going, you stupid bitch!” the man snarled, his voice cutting through the relaxing ambiance like a blade.
My heart skipped. I immediately lowered my head and adjusted my hat to cover my face even more. “I’m so sorry. It was entirely my fault. Please forgive me.”
The last thing I wanted was to cause trouble–not with Alexander, not with anyone here.
Everyone on this yacht held some degree of influence or importance, and I had no idea how many of them might recognize me. If anyone caused a scene, it could trace back to him.
Alexander hated troublesome women. I couldn’t become the one he resented most.
Luckily, my sincere apology seemed to satisfy the man. He sneered and pulled the woman
beside him closer. “Forget it. Let’s go.”
As they passed me, the woman–clinging to him like she’d just stepped off a casting couch -giggled sweetly.
“Beta Jack, was that woman from last night’s auction really as beautiful as they say?”
“Everyone’s talking about it today,” she continued. “Someone paid a hundred million for
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“A hundred million? That’s insane. You could buy an actual mermaid for that much,” the woman gasped dramatically.
I almost laughed. A hundred million, huh? If only they knew that it wasn’t a gift. That
money would eventually fall on me as a debt. I’d been sold–bought. There was nothing romantic or generous about it.
I smirked to myself. That money would have to be repaid.
“Whoever bought her must be stupidly rich,” the woman added, leaning into him. “I
wonder who it was?”
“Beta Jack, did you see her? Can you tell me what she looked like?”
“How the hell would I know?” the man snapped. “There are rules, you know. The room was
pitch black. You couldn’t even see the person standing next to you, let alone a damn face.”
“What a shame,” the woman pouted.
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say.
“You little slut!” Jack growled. “Trying to fish for a bigger sugar daddy already?”
“Of course not! Beta Jack, you’ve got it all wrong,” she said quickly, her voice suddenly sugary–sweet. “No one compares to you. You’re the only one in my heart.”
Their exchange faded into the background as they walked away, but I didn’t linger much
longer.
I’d heard enough.
I was just about to head back when a sharp, angry voice sliced through the background
noise.
“What are you doing?! Let go of me!”
