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 switched off my phone, unable to stare at Giana's post any longer. The restaurant felt suffocating with its romantic music and sympathetic glances from staff who realized I'd been abandoned.Without thinking, I walked into a nearby bar with dim lighting and overpriced cocktails. I needed something
The Alpha's rage was a physical presence in the room, a suffocating pressure that made the air itself feel heavy. Luna Elena hovered anxiously at his side, her fingers brushing his arm in a futile attempt to calm him."How dare you?" Alpha Marcus snarled, stalking toward Raymond. "In my own home? Th
"A victim?" My father's laugh was bitter. "She's weak. Incompetent. She couldn't even keep her fiancé away from a worthless rogue."Alpha Marcus shook his head. "This isn't Aurora's fault, Beta James. Raymond's stubbornness is his own.""And yet the wedding must still go forward," my father pressed.
The wedding venue was a vision of ethereal beauty. White lilies and roses cascaded from every archway, crystal chandeliers cast dancing light across silk-draped walls, and a carpet of cream petals traced the path I would soon walk.It was perfect, like a dream pulled from my childhood imagination—ex
Beside her, Kane's expression was unreadable, his amber eyes fixed on my neck where Raymond's mark now claimed me. Something like anger flashed across his features before he schooled them back to careful neutrality.The reception that followed was an elaborate blur—first dances, toasts, cake cutting
I stared at the ceiling of the bridal suite, counting the delicate roses carved into the crown molding. One hour passed, then two. Sleep refused to come.The irony wasn't lost on me. Here I was, in a bed meant for newlyweds, alone on my wedding night while my husband was undoubtedly with another wom
"Are you sure?" he asked one final time, his voice rough."I refuse to be a weeping bride on my wedding night," I said. "Make me forget, Kane. Just for tonight."His eyes held mine for one final moment before he surrendered.It was different from our first encounter—that had been clouded by the effe
I stared at the ceiling of the bridal suite, counting the delicate roses carved into the crown molding. One hour passed, then two. Sleep refused to come.The irony wasn't lost on me. Here I was, in a bed meant for newlyweds, alone on my wedding night while my husband was undoubtedly with another wom
Beside her, Kane's expression was unreadable, his amber eyes fixed on my neck where Raymond's mark now claimed me. Something like anger flashed across his features before he schooled them back to careful neutrality.The reception that followed was an elaborate blur—first dances, toasts, cake cutting
The wedding venue was a vision of ethereal beauty. White lilies and roses cascaded from every archway, crystal chandeliers cast dancing light across silk-draped walls, and a carpet of cream petals traced the path I would soon walk.It was perfect, like a dream pulled from my childhood imagination—ex
"A victim?" My father's laugh was bitter. "She's weak. Incompetent. She couldn't even keep her fiancé away from a worthless rogue."Alpha Marcus shook his head. "This isn't Aurora's fault, Beta James. Raymond's stubbornness is his own.""And yet the wedding must still go forward," my father pressed.
The Alpha's rage was a physical presence in the room, a suffocating pressure that made the air itself feel heavy. Luna Elena hovered anxiously at his side, her fingers brushing his arm in a futile attempt to calm him."How dare you?" Alpha Marcus snarled, stalking toward Raymond. "In my own home? Th
I switched off my phone, unable to stare at Giana's post any longer. The restaurant felt suffocating with its romantic music and sympathetic glances from staff who realized I'd been abandoned.Without thinking, I walked into a nearby bar with dim lighting and overpriced cocktails. I needed something
***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