Bouquet Of Deception
Ethan Donovan's world was shattered when his ex-lover Liam abruptly walked out, leaving him to pick up the pieces. Just when he thought he was finally moving on, an unwelcome invitation to Liam's wedding arrives, shattering the fragile peace Ethan had so painstakingly rebuilt.
Determined to reclaim his dignity, Ethan hatches a plan - he will attend the wedding with a fake boyfriend in tow, a charming distraction to make his ex jealous and prove he's thriving. Enter Riley Bennett, Ethan's mysterious and alluring new neighbor, who agrees to play the part.
As their pretend romance blossoms, an undeniable spark ignites between the two men. But Riley is harboring a dangerous secret - he is a werewolf, and his past is quickly catching up to him. When Ethan discovers Riley's true nature, his world is turned upside down.
"You're a werewolf? And you didn't think I deserved to know?" Ethan's voice trembles, his emotions a storm of betrayal and confusion.
Riley steps closer, his tone laced with regret. "I was trying to protect you, Ethan. I didn't want this life to touch you, but now...I can't lose you either."
As the threat of Riley's past looms, Ethan must decide whether he can trust this enigmatic man and embrace this new, extraordinary reality, or if he should walk away for good, even if it means shattering his own heart.
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Chapter: Fragments of Forever25EthanThe first course arrived, and while everyone else dove into their salads, I couldn’t even muster the energy to pick up my fork. My mind buzzed with half-formed thoughts, questions I’d never get answers to, and regrets that felt heavier with every passing minute. Riley must’ve noticed my daze because he leaned in, his voice low enough that only I could hear. “You’ve got two choices, Ethan: you can let this night swallow you, or you can own it. Your call.” I glanced at him, his easy confidence like a lifeline. “How do you always know the right thing to say?” He smirked. “It’s a gift. And years of pretending to know what I’m doing.” I laughed, a real laugh this time, and his smirk softened into a warm smile. “Better,” he said, tapping his glass against mine. “Now eat something before you pass out. We’ve still got a lot of night ahead of us.” As I picked at my food, Riley casually turned the charm up a notch, laughing a little too loudly at my weak jokes and pulling m
Last Updated: 2025-01-13
Chapter: Borrowed Smiles24EthanRiley’s hand tightened slightly on mine as he noticed my sudden tension. “Friend of yours?” he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. I groaned inwardly. “Far from it.”Jonathan’s grin widened as he stepped closer to our table, his eyes gleaming with that infuriating mix of smugness and mock concern. “Ethan!” he said, dragging out my name like he was savoring it. “What a surprise to see you here. Wow, *at the wedding of your ex,* no less. Didn’t think you’d show your face after… well, you know.” I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. “Hello, Jonathan. Always a pleasure to see you.” Riley leaned back in his chair, his arm casually draping over the back of mine. “Who’s this?” he asked, his tone light but his gaze sharp. Jonathan’s attention flicked to Riley, and his expression faltered for half a second before he plastered on another fake smile. “Ah, and who might you be?” “Riley,” he said smoothly, extending a hand. “Ethan’s boyfriend.” Jonathan hesitate
Last Updated: 2025-01-13
Chapter: The Grand Illusion 23EthanWe moved toward the grand entrance of the venue, and my jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the place. The towering golden gates framed by ivy, the soft glow of fairy lights hanging from the trees, and the sound of a distant string quartet—it all screamed elegance. Inside, I could already see well-dressed guests milling around, glasses of champagne in hand. I swallowed hard, feeling my stomach churn. My nerves were shot. My hands felt clammy, my heart raced, and I had the sudden, irrational urge to turn and run. God, I was so nervous I felt like peeing and pooping at the same time. My stomach hurt so bad I thought I might actually keel over. Riley, walking confidently beside me, must have noticed my panic because he reached over and grabbed my hand in his own. His grip was firm, warm, and grounding. I turned to look at him, wide-eyed, like a deer caught in headlights. “Breathe,” he said softly, his voice steady. “You’ve got this.” His words, paired with the gentle pr
Last Updated: 2025-01-13
Chapter: Dressed to Impress 22RileyI headed back to my room after Ethan went to get ready. It hit me that I still hadn’t decided what to wear. Sure, tonight was all about Ethan, but I couldn’t exactly show up looking like I’d just rolled out of bed. The clothes I bought with him were still in the bag on my chair. I pulled them out and held the shirt up to my chest in the mirror. It was nice—sleek, fitted, and way classier than my usual vibe. Perfect for tonight. Still, I was feeling a little... stressed. It wasn’t just about Ethan pulling this off; it was about me not screwing it up. What kind of friend would I be if I let him down now? I quickly got dressed, the jeans fitting just snug enough to make me wonder if I’d eaten too much pizza lately. The shirt, though, was a winner. When I buttoned it up and gave myself a once-over, I had to admit I looked decent. Not that it mattered. “Alright, Riley,” I muttered to myself, pacing my room as I pulled on my shoes. “You’re here to help Ethan, not to stress
Last Updated: 2025-01-12
Chapter: Breaking the Chains21EthanI said goodbye to Riley and headed back to my apartment next door. The moment I stepped inside, the nerves hit me again like a freight train. My chest felt tight, my palms were sweaty, and my mind was racing with every possible way this could go horribly wrong.I paced back and forth in my tiny living room, unable to sit still. My anxiety had reached the point where I was gnawing on my fingernails—a nasty habit I couldn’t seem to break when I was extremely stressed. I hated how I always spiraled like this.Luna, my gray cat, rubbed against my feet, purring softly. Normally, she was a calming presence, but right now, I couldn’t deal with her either. “Not now, Luna,” I muttered, gently pushing her away with my foot.She let out an indignant screech before swiping at my ankle with her claws. “Ow! Luna!” I yelped, glaring at her as a stinging scratch appeared on my skin. She hissed at me, tail flicking angrily, before darting off into my bedroom.“Fine! Be like that!” I shouted a
Last Updated: 2025-01-11
Chapter: Crash Course in Love20EthanThe moment Riley suggested we practice one last time for Liam’s wedding, I was hit with a mix of excitement and soul-crushing nerves. This was my plan—a ridiculous, dramatic, borderline petty plan—but still my plan. And Riley, my next-door neighbor-turned-partner-in-crime, had been nothing but patient, which made me feel a little guilty about dragging him into this.“Ethan,” Riley said, his voice calm and steady, as always. “You’re spiraling again.”“No, I’m not,” I muttered, pacing back and forth in his living room. “I’m… processing.”“You’re panicking,” he corrected, stepping in front of me and placing his hands on my shoulders. His touch was firm but grounding. “Stop stressing yourself out. We’ve got this.”I stared at him, trying to let his confidence seep into me. Riley was always like this—calm, collected, like he had everything under control. It was infuriating and comforting all at once.“Fine,” I sighed, shrugging his hands off. “Let’s go through it again. From the t
Last Updated: 2025-01-11
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