“Friend,” Raymond cut in sharply. “You’re my friend, Giana, and I won’t have you mistreated.” He turned
to his father. “She’s under my protection. That should be enough.”
Alpha Marcus looked between Giana’s tearful face and Raymond’s defiant expression, then to me. I kept my expression neutral, though inside I was screaming.
“Very well,” he said finally. “But there will be no more of these… friendship tokens. It creates unnecessary
confusion.”
After they left, Giana rounded on me in the empty hallway, her demeanor instantly transforming. The
tears vanished, replaced by resentful spite.
“Must be hard,” she hissed, “having to pretend your fake engagement is real.”
“Careful, Giana,” I warned quietly. “If you truly care about Raymond, you’ll behave. His father is already suspicious. One more mistake, and you won’t just be removed from the pack house–you’ll be exiled from
pack lands entirely.”
Raymond stepped between us. “That’s enough, Aurora. Don’t threaten her.”
I stared at him, incredulous. “I just saved both your necks, and you’re scolding me?”
Instead of answering, Raymond turned to Giana, cupping her face with tender affection. “Don’t worry, love. This marriage with Aurora is nothing but a contract–a political necessity. You are my only true love, my real Luna.”
The naked adoration in his eyes as he led her away left me feeling hollow. I stood alone in the hallway, the weight of my lies pressing down on me.
“Single band, huh?”
I turned to find Kane leaning against the wall, watching the scene with barely disguised amusement.
“How long have you been there?” I asked, too drained to summon any real anger.
“Long enough,” he replied, pushing off the wall to stand beside me. “Your ring doesn’t match his at all,
does it?”
I didn’t answer, but my silence was confirmation enough.
“You’re better than this, Aurora,” he said quietly.
I walked away without responding. I couldn’t afford to think about what I deserved or didn’t deserve. Not
anymore.
***
1/2
Chapter 22
+15 BONUS
Two weeks before the wedding, Luna Elena scheduled my final wedding dress fitting. The designer had created something truly spectacular–a gown fit for a princess, with delicate beadwork that caught the light like dewdrops.
“Raymond will be there this time,” Luna Elena promised, squeezing my hand. “I’ve made him clear his
schedule.”
I nodded, not bothering to hope.
Sure enough, an hour before the appointment, Raymond called.
“Aurora, I’m so sorry,” he began, the excuse already forming. “Giana’s having another panic attack about the upcoming full moon ceremonies. I need to stay with her.”
“Of course you do,” I said flatly, ending the call before he could hear the tremor in my voice.
The bridal boutique was empty when I arrived, reserved exclusively for the future Luna’s final fitting. The attendants fussed over me, helping me into the elaborate gown with its cathedral train and delicate veil.
As I stood on the pedestal surrounded by mirrors, I was bombarded by memories–Raymond and me as
children, planning our future wedding during play sessions; adolescent dreams whispered under starlight; the years spent preparing to be his Luna, learning pack law, healing, and diplomacy.
All of it leading to this empty moment, preparing to walk down the aisle to a man who would never love
- me.
A single tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.
“Miss Aurora?” the attendant asked, concerned. “Is something wrong with the fit?”
I shook my head, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
Then, through the haze of my emotion, I heard voices–the boutique owner speaking to someone who had just arrived. My heart leapt foolishly. Had Raymond come after all?
The curtain to my fitting room was drawn back, and there stood Kane. His usual smirk vanished as he took in the sight of me in my wedding dress, his eyes widening slightly.
The boutique owner beamed, mistaking his presence.
“Perfect timing!” she exclaimed. “We were just making the final adjustments.” She turned to me with a conspiratorial wink. “Your man is a handsome one, isn’t he? You make such a beautiful couple.”
Kane’s eyes met mine in the mirror, something unreadable flickering in their depths.
“Isn’t your fiancée beautiful?” the woman prompted him, but Kane remained silent.
2/2
