CHAPTER 58
LIANA’S POV
+25 BONUS
“Liana.”
I was already halfway down the hallway, trying to breathe and failing miserably, my hands shaking as they attempted to wipe away the tears that just wouldn’t stop falling from my eyes, when I heard someone call out my name, and I froze, not out of recognition, but because I honestly didn’t expect anyone to even notice me in that moment, let alone speak to me.
I turned, slowly, reluctantly, and when I saw the man standing there, a stranger with dark eyes and a firm jaw, dressed like someone who knew money and wore power like a second skin, I had to blink twice to be sure he was talking to me.
He took a careful step closer, his tone calm but unmistakably concerned. “Hey. Are
you okay?”
I shook my head without thinking, biting my lip hard to stop the next wave of tears from bursting out.
He sighed. “Didn’t think so. Don’t say you are.”
“I’m fine,” I lied, voice low and cracked. “It’s just… I needed some air.”
He didn’t look convinced. “You’re drenched. And shaking. That’s not just air.”
I looked away. “I’m fine.”
There was a pause before he offered his name. “Darion. Alpha Darion of the GrayMoon Pack.”
That made me glance back at him.
He gave a half–smile. “You’re Liana. The one Killian Wolfe marked. I saw you walk in with him.”
My heart squeezed, hearing that name again.
Darion followed my gaze, and when he saw Cynthia watching us from across the ballroom like a hawk, his jaw tightened little. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”
I hesitated. I didn’t know him. But I didn’t want to stay here either.
“Thank you,” I mumbled.
Without another word, he walked me out, keeping a respectful distance but close enough that I felt oddly safe.
He brought his car around, a sleek, pitch–black beast, and opened the door for me. I got in.
The silence in the car wasn’t awkward. It felt… necessary. Like he understood that sometimes, talking was too much.
After a while, he pulled into a boutique. Very expensive–looking.
“Why are we here?” I asked, confused.
a
He glanced at me “Your dress is soaked. You look like you need something dry. And something that’ll make you feel human
again”
“I don’t want anything expensive,” I said quickly.
“You’re not buying it,” he replied calmly. “Come on.”
Inside, a woman approached immediately. “Alpha Darion, welcome.”
“Give her whatever she wants,” he said simply.
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58
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I followed the woman but stopped her before she could lead me to anything too sparkly.
“Something simple. Just… jeans or something. I’m not in the mood for glamour.”
She nodded and brought me to a section that felt more like me, comfortable, plain, real.
I changed into jeans and a soft black top. When I stepped out, Darion looked up.
“You look more like yourself now.”
I smiled faintly. “Thanks.”
He paid, and we were back in the car in minutes.
“Where to?” he asked.
I paused. “Anywhere that isn’t back there. I can’t face Killian right now. Or Cynthia.”
He nodded. “I know just the place.”
It was a quiet bar, not loud, but still lively.
He ordered a round of shots and handed me the first.
“Drink. Trust me, you’ll feel better.”
I raised a brow. “Is that professional Alpha advice?”
He chuckled. “Something like that.”
I took the shot.
Then another. And another.
By the fifth one, I wasn’t holding anything back.
“So,” he said gently. “You wanna talk about it?”
I let out a humorless laugh. “Where do I start? That the woman who tormented me my entire life poured water on me at a gala? That she still thinks she owns the man who swore I was his future? That everyone there looked at me like I was filth for daring to stand next to him?”
He leaned forward slowly, his expression thoughtful. “I mean… it’s not completely surprising, is it? You know Cynthia’s been with Killian for years. They were even married. It’s not easy to erase that history just because he marked someone new.”
I blinked. “What are you saying?”
Darion shrugged, lifting another shot to his lips. “I’m just saying… men like Killian don’t change overnight. And people talk. You know he’s running for Alpha King, right? That role comes with responsibilities… image… stability.”
My throat tightened. “He said I was his choice. His Luna.”
Darion tilted his head. “Did he say that before or after he showed up at that gala still married to Cynthia?”
I stared at him, quite confused
“Look Liana,” he replied calmly, setting the glass down. “I’ve known Killian a long time. We’re… Uhmm… Sometimes friends… But that doesn’t mean I agree with how he handles things. See, I’m not trying to upset you, but Cynthia’s not just some jealous wife She’s smart Strategic And very much still involved in his life. The things she said tonight… maybe they weren’t
all bes
I shook my head “He’s divorcing her.”
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“Is he?” Darion asked, gently. “Or is that what he told you to keep you quiet while he runs his campaign? It wouldn’t be the first time Killian’s played both sides to get what he wants.”
I looked down, my hands tightening around the shot glass.
“I’m just saying,” he continued softly, “you deserve to know what you’re getting into. You deserve someone who chooses you publicly. Not someone who hides behind promises and leaves you crying in restrooms while his wife attacks you.”
He reached across the table then, his fingers brushing lightly against mine before taking my hand fully in his. He held it like
he meant it, firm, intimate, warm.
“You don’t deserve this kind of pain,” he said. “You deserve better, Liana. Let me take care of you. Just for tonight. Let me be
the one who doesn’t make you cry.”
I didn’t answer right away. The alcohol was starting to cloud my head, and his words… they were gentle and soft and sounded too good, too easy.
He stood up slowly, still holding my hand. “Come dance with me.”
I followed.
On the dance floor, the lights blurred everything, the music was loud enough to drown out thought, and Darion, no Killian was close, his hands on my waist, his breath warm against my ear, his voice low and smooth as he leaned in.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “You’re strong. But you’ve been carrying too much. Let me help. Let me hold you. Let me be
the one who stays.”
I closed my eyes, swaying slowly, his voice washing over me like a drug.
“I believe you, Killian,” I whispered, the words tumbling from my lips without thought.
Killian stilled, just for a heartbeat, then leaned in closer, brushing my cheek with the back of his fingers before cradling my face, his gaze locked on mine with something dark and heated swimming in his eyes.
His lips lowered to mine, slowly, deliberately, and I didn’t stop him. I couldn’t. My eyes fluttered closed, my hands gripped his arms tightly, and I leaned up into him because I needed someone, anyone, to make me forget everything for just a
moment.
But just before his lips touched mine, a feral growl ripped through the air, so loud and so primal it stopped the music in my head, and the next thing I knew, Killian was yanked away from me so fast I stumbled back in shock.
And standing there, chest heaving, eyes glowing with rage, was another Killian.
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