Chapter 10
“Why won’t you attack?” Giana hissed, her strikes growing increasingly wild as I effortlessly dodged. Too afraid?”
“I’m trying to help you,” I said quietly. “Calm down before you hurt yourself.”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “I don’t need your pity!”
With a frustrated growl, she lunged at me recklessly. I sidestepped, but she kept going–straight toward the edge of the ring where a nasty fall awaited. Without thinking, I lunged forward, catching her arm to stop her fall.
Her momentum was too much. We tumbled together, crashing violently into the chain–link fence with a sickening thud.
Pain exploded through my shoulder and back as metal links dug into my skin. Through the haze of agony, I heard Raymond’s panic–stricken voice.
“Giana!”
He burst through the crowd, his face twisted with fury as he saw us tangled together. Without hesitation, he shoved me roughly aside, his eyes burning with accusation. “What did you do to her?” he snarled, gathering Giana into his arms like she was made of glass.
“I was trying to help-” I began, but he’d already turned away, cradling Giana against his chest as if she were the only person in the world.
“It’s okay,” he murmured to her, “I’ve got you now.”
Ethan stepped into his path, his jaw clenched tight. “Aurora is your fiancée,” he said, each word sharp as a blade. “And she’s bleeding. Or doesn’t that matter to you anymore?”
Raymond’s eyes flashed dangerously as he let out a commanding Alpha growl. “Step aside.”
“Ethan, don’t,” I called out, dragging myself to my feet despite the pain shooting through my body.”
Please, it’s not worth it.”
Lily rushed to support me, her arm gentle around my waist. “Look what he’s done to you,” she whispered,
her voice breaking with fury. “This has to stop, Aurora.”
Raymond barely glanced at me as he pushed past Ethan, carrying Giana as if she were the victim instead of the instigator.
In the infirmary, I sat silently as the nurse cleaned the lacerations on my back, each touch sending fresh waves of pain through my body. From behind the curtain, I could hear Giana’s theatrical sobs.
“I knew it… Aurora can’t tolerate me. I should never have come between you two. After all, they’re
1/2
Chapter 10
+15 BONUS
engaged…‘
Raymond’s response cut deeper than any physical wound. “The only person I love is you.”
Lily’s fingers tightened around mine, her rage palpable. I squeezed back, silently pleading with her to stay quiet. This was my battle to fight.
The doctor stepped out from behind the curtain, her expression perplexed as she examined my chart.
“The Beta’s daughter has more severe injuries,” she announced, her tone professional but surprised.” Multiple lacerations and a possible shoulder dislocation.”
Something flickered across Raymond’s face–the first hint of doubt I’d seen in weeks. He approached slowly, reaching for the antiseptic. “Let me help you,” he said, his voice softer than before.
I immediately pulled away, ignoring the flare of pain the movement caused. “No, thank you.”
His expression hardened with shock. Throughout our lives, I had never refused his help, never pushed him away. But now, watching confusion and hurt flash across his face, I felt a small victory amid my pain.
“Aurora-” he began.
“The nurse is perfectly capable,” I cut him off, my voice colder than he’d ever heard it. “I’m sure Giana needs your attention more than I do.”
His mouth tightened, something unreadable passing through his eyes before he masked it with indifference. Without another word, he returned to Giana’s side, but I felt his gaze lingering on me, as if seeing me for the first time.
After what felt like a lifetime, I was finally able to leave the infirmary, my body aching but my resolve stronger than ever. I knew something fundamental had changed between us. I had finally stopped being Raymond’s shadow–and for the first time in my life, I didn’t miss the darkness.
