I stared at Kane’s outstretched hand, conflicted. His sudden gallantry was jarring compared to his usual playboy demeanor.
“I’d rather walk,” I said coldly, adjusting my hospital bag on my shoulder.
Kane arched an eyebrow, his smirk returning. “In your condition? Be reasonable, Aurora.”
I took a step back. “I’ve learned not to accept favors from you.”
“Favors?” His laugh was low and amused. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
My heart skipped a beat as heat rushed to my face. “That was a mistake. One I don’t intend to repeat.”
Kane’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a husky whisper that seemed to caress my skin. “If it was such a terrible mistake, Aurora, why do I see the hunger in your eyes every time we’re alone? Your body
remembers what your pride wants to forget.”
I glanced around nervously. “Keep your voice down!”
“Get in the car, Aurora,” he said more softly. “If anyone sees the future Luna walking home from the
hospital alone, there will be questions you don’t want to answer.”
He had me there. With a resigned sigh, I slid into the passenger seat.
As we pulled away, I kept my gaze fixed out the window, hyper–aware of his proximity in the confined
space.
“You know,” Kane said conversationally, “watching Raymond and Giana these past weeks, it’s obvious they’re completely besotted with each other.”
I flinched despite myself. “Is there a point to this observation?”
“Just that your marriage is destined to be remarkably empty.” He glanced at me. “It’s a shame, really. The
Aurora from that night deserves better.”
My fingernails dug into my palms. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know more than you think,” he countered. “I know that when you’re not playing the perfect Beta’s daughter or the dutiful fiancée, there’s fire underneath.”
The memory of our night together flashed unbidden through my mind. It had left an impression, even through the drug–induced haze.
“Pull over,” I demanded. “I’ll walk the rest of the way.”
“Aurora-”
1/2
Chapter 19
“Now, Kane.”
+15 BONUS
He sighed but complied, easing the car to the side of the road. Before I could reach for the door handle, he caught my wrist, his touch sending an unwelcome jolt through my body.
“You can lie to Raymond. You can lie to your father. Hell, you can even lie to yourself,” he said, his voice unusually serious. “But don’t lie to me. Not about this.”
I yanked my hand away. “There is no ‘this.‘ Stay away from me, Kane.”
Something primal warned me that any further entanglement with Kane would be dangerous.
Just as I pushed the door open, a sleek silver car pulled up behind us. My stomach dropped as I
recognized Raymond’s vehicle. Giana was in the passenger seat.
I quickly stepped away from Kane’s car as Raymond approached, his face a mask of confusion and
suspicion.
“Aurora? What are you doing with him?”
Kane leaned across the seat, his usual smirk firmly back in place. “Just offering your abandoned fiancée
a ride home from the hospital. Since you were… otherwise occupied.”
Raymond’s jaw tightened. “I was dealing with an emergency,” he said, though guilt flickered across his features. “Giana was attacked in the rogue slums when she went to visit an old friend.”
Giana appeared at his side, her eyes dramatically downcast. “It was horrible,” she whispered, clinging to Raymond’s arm. “They recognized me as having connections to the Blood Moon Pack.”
“I want to bring her back to the pack house,” Raymond continued, his tone softening as he glanced at her.
“For protection.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”
“Aurora,” Raymond lowered his voice, “I need you to speak to my parents about this. They’ll listen to you.
“Absolutely not,” I replied firmly. “You know what your father thinks about rogues. This will only cause
trouble.”
Kane gave a low whistle. “Well, this is interesting. Tell me, Raymond, which one is your actual fiancée?
Because from where I’m standing, it’s hard to tell.”
