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Bouquet Of Deception The Invitation
Chapter One: The InvitationEthan's POVI didn’t expect much when I opened the mail that morning. Bills, maybe a flyer for a local pizza joint, or yet another notice from my landlord about “building improvements” that never actually happened. But when I saw HIS name on the envelope, my breath caught. Liam Carter. My ex-boyfriend. With shaky hands, I ripped it open, and there it was—a wedding invitation, embossed in gold foil and scented with some absurdly expensive cologne he used to wear. My eyes skimmed the elegant calligraphy, but the words blurred as my mind raced. Liam Carter and Owen Taylor request the pleasure of your company at their wedding.Three months. Three measly months since we broke up after a three-year relationship, and he was already tying the knot? My stomach churned, bile rising at the thought. My first reaction was disbelief. Then rage. How long had he been planning this? How long had Owen been in the picture? Was it even possible to fall in love and plan
Last Updated : 2024-12-04Bouquet Of Deception Strange Request
Chapter 2: Strange Request Riley’s POV I had barely finished my first sip of coffee when Ethan dropped the question, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him right. “Would you be willing to be my boyfriend?” I blinked at him, the mug halfway to my lips. My heart stuttered in my chest as his words sank in. Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his hazel eyes darting to the floor before meeting mine again. “You… you want me to be your what now?” I asked, setting the mug down carefully. He winced, running a hand through his dark brown hair, a habit I’d already noticed in the hour or so we’d spent together. “Not my real boyfriend,” he clarified quickly, his voice laced with embarrassment. “Just… fake. For one day. Maybe two.” “Fake boyfriend,” I echoed, leaning back against the counter. Of all the things I expected from my new neighbor, this wasn’t it. My wolf stirred uneasily beneath the surface, sensing something intriguing about this man, though I couldn’t pinpo
Last Updated : 2024-12-04Bouquet Of Deception A Practice Run
Chapter 3: A Practice RunEthan's POVI couldn’t believe Riley had actually agreed. Relief washed over me, but it was quickly followed by the realization that I had no idea how to pull this off. “So,” Riley said, leaning casually against the counter, his grey eyes twinkling with amusement. “What’s the story? How did we meet?” “Uh…” I paused, racking my brain. “We met… at a coffee shop?” Riley raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “A coffee shop? Really? That’s the best you’ve got?” “Hey, it’s believable!” I protested, crossing my arms. “Sure,” he said, his tone teasing. “Except we’d need to agree on which coffee shop, who approached who, and what we were drinking. You know, details.” I groaned, running a hand through my hair. “Okay, fine. How about you come up with something, then, Mr. Creative?” Riley chuckled, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Hmm. How about this? You were at a bookstore, hopelessly lost in the self-help section. I came over
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Bouquet Of Deception Flashback
Chapter 4: Flashback Riley’s POVI woke up with a jolt, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. My sheets were soaked in sweat, clinging to me like a second skin, and the faint scent of the forest still lingered in my nose, a cruel trick my mind played on me.The nightmare had come again. The same one.I swung my legs off the bed, my feet hitting the cool wooden floor as I ran a trembling hand through my hair. I couldn’t get the images out of my head: blood staining the earth, my father’s body lying limp in the moonlight, the sharp, snarling voice of the Beta accusing me.“You did this, Riley! You killed him!”“Stop,” I muttered to myself, squeezing my eyes shut. But the memories weren’t just nightmares. They were real.I pulled in a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. My wolf, speedy clawed at the surface, angry and restless. It always happened after these dreams as if the wolf wanted to rip through me and go back to that night, to fight, to avenge.
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Bouquet Of Deception Running Into Shadows
Chapter 5: Running Into ShadowsEthan I woke up unusually excited that morning. That bastard Liam wouldn’t know what hit him at his wedding. My plan with Riley was already in motion, and the thought of walking into that event with someone so effortlessly charming by my side made my chest swell with anticipation. After a quick shower, I got dressed in a rush, pulling on a crisp white shirt and dark jeans. Luna, my moody tabby, meowed impatiently from the kitchen, her golden eyes glaring at me like I’d committed some grave offense. “Alright, alright, I’m coming,” I muttered, grabbing her food bowl. She purred in satisfaction as I set it down, already digging in. With one last glance in the mirror, messy hair, but manageable, I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. As I locked my apartment, an idea struck me. I turned to Riley’s door. If I could catch him before he left, maybe we could iron out a few more details about our fake relationship. I knocked twice, then waited, shi
Last Updated : 2024-12-09Bouquet Of Deception A Chance Encounter
Chapter 6: A Chance Encounter Plastering on the most neutral expression I could manage, I turned around slowly.“Liam. Fancy seeing you here.”He smiled, that same charming smile that used to make my heart race. Now it just made my blood boil. “Ethan,” he greeted, as if we were old friends who’d parted amicably. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”Not long enough, I thought bitterly, but I kept my face calm. “Yeah, it has.”Liam gestured toward the man standing beside him—tall, poised, and irritatingly perfect. His dark hair was styled with just the right amount of mess, and his tailored suit screamed wealth and class. This had to be Owen.“Ethan, this is Owen,” Liam said, his hand lingering a little too possessively on Owen’s shoulder. “Owen, meet Ethan. We—uh, we used to date.”There it was. The awkward introduction. I wanted to laugh at how Liam stumbled over his words, but I settled for a raised eyebrow. Owen, however, extended his hand like he was meeting an old friend at brunch.
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Bouquet Of Deception Memories in Focus
Chapter 7: Memories in FocusRiley’s POVI parked my beaten-down car in the lot outside the studio, killing the engine with a sigh of relief. The sun had risen fully now, the sky painted in soft shades of gold and blue. It was one of those perfect mornings—too perfect for the dark thoughts still lingering at the edge of my mind.“Focus, Riley,” I muttered as I grabbed my camera bag and stepped out, the early city hum filling the air. Work was my escape, the only thing that made sense when nothing else did.The studio was quiet when I walked in, the faint smell of coffee and printer ink lingering in the air. I waved to Marcy, the front desk assistant, who gave me her usual bright smile.“Morning, Riley! Big day ahead?”“Just another day in paradise,” I replied, forcing a smirk.“Don’t forget there’s coffee in the break room,” she added with a wink. “You look like you need it.”I nodded in thanks and headed to my small workspace in the back. The room was cozy, cluttered with camera lens
Last Updated : 2024-12-16Bouquet Of Deception Faking Forever
Chapter 8: Faking ForeverEthanI didn’t mean for tonight to go this way. In fact, I’d hoped it would be a quiet, straightforward evening. Just me, Riley, and some practice. But things with Ava never go the way I plan.“Riley’s looking at you again,” Ava remarked, tossing a chip into her mouth as she lounged across the couch, staring at the TV with an intensity that couldn’t possibly be genuine.I shifted uncomfortably, my gaze flicking to Riley, who was sitting across from me in my living room, half watching me and half trying to focus on the game we’d been supposed to practice. His eyes were on me, sure, but it didn’t feel like the casual look of someone who had no other interest. My heart thudded in my chest, and I hated myself for reacting this way. It was just practice. Just a favor.“You know, you should probably stop looking at him like that,” I muttered, hoping Ava wouldn’t catch the undertone in my voice. The last thing I needed was her drawing attention to the tension I was f
Last Updated : 2024-12-16
Latest chapter
Bouquet Of Deception 79
35 Riley Ethan was avoiding me. Not obviously—not in a way that anyone else would notice—but I knew. He was quieter than usual. Fidgety. Kept his eyes on the TV but wasn’t actually watching. His fingers tapped against his knee like his thoughts were running too fast, like he couldn’t settle. And most importantly? He wasn’t looking at me. Not really. Which was funny, considering how, just minutes ago, he’d been pulling me down on top of him like he wanted me to ruin him. I smirked at the thought, shifting on the couch, letting my arm drape over the back of it—casual, easy. Ethan didn’t move away, but he didn’t lean into it, either. Interesting. “You’re thinking too much again,” I murmured, voice low. He tensed, a flicker of something crossing his face. “Am not.” I chuckled. “Liar.” That got me a glare, but it was half-hearted at best. His lips parted like he wanted to say something else, but then he stopped himself, shaking his head and focusing back on the screen. Right. T
Bouquet Of Deception 78
7866 59 Ethan I left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me. I shouldn’t care that he was still here. I shouldn’t want him to stay. But I did. I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did. I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind. I kept thinking about him. About last night. About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing. Just a one-time thing. Even if he had stayed. Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen. Even if— I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it. After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapp
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66 59 Ethan I left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me. I shouldn’t care that he was still here. I shouldn’t want him to stay. But I did. I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did. I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind. I kept thinking about him. About last night. About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing. Just a one-time thing. Even if he had stayed. Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen. Even if— I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it. After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapped
Bouquet Of Deception 76
7666 59 Ethan I left the kitchen before Riley could see just how much his words affected me. I shouldn’t care that he was still here. I shouldn’t want him to stay. But I did. I stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a deep breath. Focus, Ethan. I needed to get my head straight before work, not stand around analyzing every little thing Riley said or did. I turned on the shower, stepping under the hot spray with a sigh. The warmth eased some of the soreness in my muscles, but it did nothing to clear my mind. I kept thinking about him. About last night. About the way he touched me—like he wasn’t just claiming my body but something more. I shook my head, pushing the thought away. Riley wasn’t like that. This was nothing. Just a one-time thing. Even if he had stayed. Even if he was making pancakes in my kitchen. Even if— I groaned, tilting my head back under the water. I was losing it. After washing up, I turned off the shower and wrapp
Bouquet Of Deception 75
75 RileyI don’t even remember how I got back home.One minute, I was in the hospital, sitting beside Ethan, begging him to wake up. The next, I was standing in front of my apartment door, my whole body numb.I turned my head, and there it was—Ethan’s apartment.The door was closed, just like always. His name still on the small metal plate next to the number. Everything looked the same. But it wasn’t.He wasn’t inside, making his stupid protein shakes that smelled awful. He wasn’t blasting music way too early in the morning. He wasn’t there to throw open his door, grinning at me like I was the best part of his day.I choked on a sob.Fuck.Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled forward, pressing my hand against his door like maybe—maybe—I could feel something. Some warmth. Some trace of him.I felt nothing but cold wood.I hated this. I hated how weak I felt.I hated that I was crying.Had I become a girl now? Some pathetic, lovesick idiot who only realized what she wanted when it was
Bouquet Of Deception 74
74 RileyI don’t even remember how I got back home.One minute, I was in the hospital, sitting beside Ethan, begging him to wake up. The next, I was standing in front of my apartment door, my whole body numb.I turned my head, and there it was—Ethan’s apartment.The door was closed, just like always. His name still on the small metal plate next to the number. Everything looked the same. But it wasn’t.He wasn’t inside, making his stupid protein shakes that smelled awful. He wasn’t blasting music way too early in the morning. He wasn’t there to throw open his door, grinning at me like I was the best part of his day.I choked on a sob.Fuck.Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled forward, pressing my hand against his door like maybe—maybe—I could feel something. Some warmth. Some trace of him.I felt nothing but cold wood.I hated this. I hated how weak I felt.I hated that I was crying.Had I become a girl now? Some pathetic, lovesick idiot who only realized what she wanted when it was
Bouquet Of Deception 73
73 RileyI don’t know how long I stood there, staring at the door. Time had lost all meaning. The sterile scent of the hospital, the steady hum of machines, the distant murmur of doctors and nurses—it all blurred together, a numbing backdrop to the chaos inside my head.I should go back in. I should sit by his side and refuse to move until he woke up. But Ron’s words echoed in my mind, sharp and unforgiving.“This is your fault.”I pressed my hands against my temples, trying to block out the guilt clawing at my insides. Maybe if I had done things differently—if I had just let Ethan in instead of pushing him away—he wouldn’t have been in that car. Maybe he wouldn’t have been lying in that hospital bed, slipping further away with every second.A soft voice broke through my thoughts.“Riley?”I turned to see Ella standing in the doorway, her face blotchy from crying, her eyes rimmed with exhaustion. She looked small, fragile, like she could collapse at any moment.“He’s the same,” she m
Bouquet Of Deception 72
72 EthanI stared at him, my eyes blurry with tears I couldn’t hold back anymore. His face, pale and still, lay motionless beneath the harsh fluorescent lights, and for the first time, I realized how fragile he looked. A sharp pang of guilt twisted inside me, deep and painful.I had pushed him away. I had let him go when he was only trying to hold on. And now, here he was, fighting for his life—and I couldn’t do anything to help him.I brushed my fingers across his forehead, careful not to disturb the bandages. I didn’t want to hurt him more, even though the pain inside me was unbearable.“Please,” I whispered again, my voice shaking. “I need you to wake up.”The room was silent except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor, the rhythm of it almost mocking me, reminding me of how powerless I was.I thought about the words Ron had said—This is your fault. The anger in his voice had felt like a slap, each word hitting me harder than the last. I couldn’t argue with him. Not really.
Bouquet Of Deception 71
71 RileyI didn’t realize I had moved until my feet were following them, trailing just behind Ella and Ron as they walked stiffly toward the doctor. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, drowning out the beeping of monitors and the distant murmur of nurses’ voices. The air smelled of antiseptic and something metallic—blood, maybe. Ethan’s blood.Ella was shaking. Her hands were clenched together so tightly her knuckles were bone-white. Her breaths were uneven, quick and shallow, like she was trying to stop herself from breaking apart.Ron, on the other hand, was too still. His jaw was locked, his breathing harsh and uneven. His fury had momentarily cooled, but I could still feel it radiating off him in waves. He didn’t want me here.But I couldn’t leave.Not when Ethan was still behind those doors. Not when I still didn’t know if I had already lost him.The doctor led us down a sterile hallway, his white coat swishing slightly as he walked. His silence made my stomach twist with dread.
