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last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-13 23:53:16

Ethan

I 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 feeling.

“What’s wrong?” s
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  • Bouquet Of Deception    88

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-14
  • Bouquet Of Deception    89

    Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It only made it

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-15
  • 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04
  • Bouquet 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04
  • Bouquet 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-09
  • Bouquet 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.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-09
  • Bouquet 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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-09
  • Bouquet 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.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-16

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  • Bouquet Of Deception    89

    Chapter 76 Riley Speedy had never been quiet before. My wolf had always been restless—always pushing, always growling, always demanding to be heard. But ever since Ethan’s accident, he’d been worse. A constant storm in my chest, pacing, snarling, berating me for what I’d done. You hurt him, Speedy spat, every second of every day. You pushed him away. You let him get hurt. This is your fault. It was never-ending. No matter how much I tried to bury myself in work, no matter how hard I trained or how many distractions I shoved in my face, he was always there. Pounding against my skull. Reminding me. And the worst part? He wasn’t wrong. Ethan was in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and I hadn’t even gone to see him. Because I was a coward. Because I couldn’t face the reality of what I’d done. Because I knew the second I saw him lying there—pale, motionless, barely breathing—I wouldn’t be able to hold myself together. But ignoring it didn’t change the truth. It only made it

  • Bouquet Of Deception    88

    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

  • Bouquet Of Deception    87

    EthanI 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 feeling.“What’s wrong?” s

  • Bouquet Of Deception    86

    Chapter 84 – Fangs and Fire Riley Speedy was unusually quiet on the ride. Not his usual growling, pacing self. Not even a sarcastic grumble. Just… silent. You’re really not going back to him? he finally whispered, his voice low and mournful. “I can’t, Speedy,” I murmured, eyes fixed on the road. “You know I can’t.” But he loved us, Speedy said, almost like a whimper. He smelled like home. He held us like we mattered. I closed my eyes for a second, swallowing hard. “I’ll miss him,” I confessed, voice barely above a breath. “So damn much.” The silence that followed wasn’t empty—it was heavy. Grief. Loss. Regret. Then my phone buzzed. Zane’s text. A pin drop and two words: Don’t be late. I parked near the abandoned warehouse, the one he’d chosen like the coward he was—far from the city, far from Ethan. The metal door loomed in front of me, rusted and crooked, like it had seen too many secrets. I hate this guy, Speedy growled suddenly, voice hard now. I hate what he did to us.

  • Bouquet Of Deception    85

    Chapter 84 – Fangs and FireRileySpeedy was unusually quiet on the ride.Not his usual growling, pacing self. Not even a sarcastic grumble. Just… silent.You’re really not going back to him? he finally whispered, his voice low and mournful.“I can’t, Speedy,” I murmured, eyes fixed on the road. “You know I can’t.”But he loved us, Speedy said, almost like a whimper. He smelled like home. He held us like we mattered.I closed my eyes for a second, swallowing hard. “I’ll miss him,” I confessed, voice barely above a breath. “So damn much.”The silence that followed wasn’t empty—it was heavy. Grief. Loss. Regret.Then my phone buzzed. Zane’s text. A pin drop and two words: Don’t be late.I parked near the abandoned warehouse, the one he’d chosen like the coward he was—far from the city, far from Ethan.The metal door loomed in front of me, rusted and crooked, like it had seen too many secrets.I hate this guy, Speedy growled suddenly, voice hard now. I hate what he did to us. What he too

  • Bouquet Of Deception    84

    Chapter 84 – Fangs and FireRileySpeedy was unusually quiet on the ride.Not his usual growling, pacing self. Not even a sarcastic grumble. Just… silent.You’re really not going back to him? he finally whispered, his voice low and mournful.“I can’t, Speedy,” I murmured, eyes fixed on the road. “You know I can’t.”But he loved us, Speedy said, almost like a whimper. He smelled like home. He held us like we mattered.I closed my eyes for a second, swallowing hard. “I’ll miss him,” I confessed, voice barely above a breath. “So damn much.”The silence that followed wasn’t empty—it was heavy. Grief. Loss. Regret.Then my phone buzzed. Zane’s text. A pin drop and two words: Don’t be late.I parked near the abandoned warehouse, the one he’d chosen like the coward he was—far from the city, far from Ethan.The metal door loomed in front of me, rusted and crooked, like it had seen too many secrets.I hate this guy, Speedy growled suddenly, voice hard now. I hate what he did to us. What he too

  • Bouquet Of Deception    83

    Chapter 83 – A Door Without a KeyI went home. Or what used to be home.The apartment was cold, quiet. The kind of quiet that settles in after something dies. I moved through the rooms like a ghost, brushing my fingers over memories tucked into the corners—frayed books, forgotten mugs, a photograph half-tucked under the fridge magnet.Packing didn’t take long. I didn’t have much left to hold onto. Just a few clothes, the old paperback I couldn’t bring myself to leave with Ethan, and the jacket that still smelled like him—faintly, barely, like smoke after a fire.I zipped the duffel shut. That was it.It was really happening.The hallway outside was just as dim as I remembered. Paint peeling at the corners, lights flickering overhead like the universe couldn’t decide if it wanted me to see clearly or not. I descended the stairs slowly, each step heavier than the last, until I reached the landlord’s door.Old Mr. Harvey opened it after a couple knocks, his face as grizzled and skeptical

  • Bouquet Of Deception    82

    82 EthanDarkness enveloped me, a heavy, impenetrable shroud that seemed to stretch on endlessly. Gradually, the blackness began to thin, peeling away in delicate layers. Sensations seeped in, subtle at first. A weight pressed down on me, as if invisible bricks had been stacked upon my chest, arms, and legs. An ache throbbed deep within my skull, a relentless pulsing against bone. I attempted to move, to lift my limbs, but they remained unresponsive, leaden and foreign. My mouth was parched, and each swallow felt like dragging sandpaper down my throat.Then came the sounds. A rhythmic beeping echoed nearby, accompanied by the soft whir of machines. Beyond these mechanical murmurs, faint voices ebbed and flowed, their words indistinct, as though carried from a great distance.Light followed. Blinding and harsh. I squinted against its intensity, a groan escaping my lips as a sharp sting ignited behind my eyes. Slowly, the sterile white ceiling above me came into focus, lined with recta

  • Bouquet Of Deception    81

    EthanI 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 feeling.“What’s wrong?” s

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