Giana's face crumpled on cue, tears welling in her eyes. "I knew it was a mistake to ask for help," she said, her voice quivering perfectly. "I should just go. I don't want to cause problems between you and Aurora."She started to turn away, a calculated move that worked exactly as intended. Raymond
The Alpha mansion buzzed with whispers as Giana settled into the Omega quarters. I'd barely been back from the hospital for two days, but the staff's loyalty was clear in every subtle gesture—the way they conveniently "forgot" to deliver Giana's meals on time, or how the housekeeper accidentally "mi
"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, thou
I opened my mouth to correct the boutique owner, but Kane stepped forward before I could speak. His eyes never left mine as he moved closer."Beautiful doesn't begin to cover it," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.The shop owner clasped her hands in deligh
***Alpha Marcus's announcement at dinner a week later caught me completely off guard."We're hosting a celebration for Aurora's birthday," he declared, smiling warmly at me. "The entire pack will attend."My birthday had never been a major event. I looked to Raymond, who seemed as surprised as I wa
"I, Raymond, reject you, Aurora, as my fiancée. From this moment on, everyone must stop talking about Aurora as the future Luna."All eyes in the pack turned to us—the once-golden couple—with confusion written across every face.Raymond wasn't finished with his public execution of my heart. For the
I forced myself to pull away from the heartbreaking scene unfolding before me. Their intimate embrace, those words Raymond spoke with such tenderness to Giana—each moment was another dagger in my heart. With tears streaming down my face, I backed away slowly, praying to the Moon Goddess they wouldn'
I flinched but didn't back down. "I'm saying I don't want to marry Raymond."His laugh was cruel and dismissive. "What you want doesn't matter, Aurora. This is about duty, about position, about our family's future."He circled around the desk, his footsteps heavy on the wooden floor. "If Raymond cal
***Alpha Marcus's announcement at dinner a week later caught me completely off guard."We're hosting a celebration for Aurora's birthday," he declared, smiling warmly at me. "The entire pack will attend."My birthday had never been a major event. I looked to Raymond, who seemed as surprised as I wa
I opened my mouth to correct the boutique owner, but Kane stepped forward before I could speak. His eyes never left mine as he moved closer."Beautiful doesn't begin to cover it," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.The shop owner clasped her hands in deligh
"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, thou
The Alpha mansion buzzed with whispers as Giana settled into the Omega quarters. I'd barely been back from the hospital for two days, but the staff's loyalty was clear in every subtle gesture—the way they conveniently "forgot" to deliver Giana's meals on time, or how the housekeeper accidentally "mi
Giana's face crumpled on cue, tears welling in her eyes. "I knew it was a mistake to ask for help," she said, her voice quivering perfectly. "I should just go. I don't want to cause problems between you and Aurora."She started to turn away, a calculated move that worked exactly as intended. Raymond
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 ste
Raymond, who had been checking his phone in the corner, finally looked up. "Giana, maybe let the nurse handle that.""I've almost got it," she persisted, pressing her thumb directly against the cut.Pain lanced through my head, and I jerked away involuntarily. "Stop!"Raymond was beside us in an ins
The antiseptic smell of the hospital room wrinkled my nose as I regained consciousness. A dull throb pulsed at my temple, and when I reached up, I felt a bandage. Memories before I blacked out rushed back—the ring shopping, Raymond and Giana, the confrontation, and then pain.A soft shuffling sound
"Being sized," I lied smoothly. "They had to order it in my size.""But you must have pictures!" She thrust out her hand expectantly.I showed her a stock photo from the jeweler's website, hoping she wouldn't notice."Wow, that's... big," Ethan remarked, eyebrows raised. "Not really your style, is i