Chapter 15

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 "misplaced" her laundry.

I hadn't orchestrated any of it, but I couldn't deny the small satisfaction it brought me.

I was reviewing Luna duties in the study when Bernard, the butler who had served the Alpha family for decades, knocked on the door frame. His usually impassive face was tight with indignation.

"Miss Aurora," he said, voice rigid with formality, "I've discovered something concerning that requires your attention."

He produced a small velvet box from his pocket, opening it to reveal Giana’s delicate but intricately designed ring.

"This was hidden in the Omega quarters, in that rogue girl's possessions," Bernard explained. "It appears to be a ring meant for a Luna. Given its quality and design, I believe she may have stolen your engagement ring."

I stared at the ring, my heart sinking. This was exactly the kind of discovery that could unravel everything.

"I intend to inform Alpha Marcus immediately," Bernard continued. "Such disrespect cannot be tolerated, especially from a rogue. She must be expelled from the pack."

Before I could respond, Raymond burst into the room, panic evident in his eyes. He must have been alerted by one of the maids who still harbored affection for him.

"Bernard, there's been a misunderstanding," he said, his voice strained.

Bernard stiffened. "With all due respect, Alpha heir, there is no misunderstanding. This ring—"

"Is a private matter," Raymond interrupted, his tone hardening. "Please leave us."

The butler hesitated, clearly torn between his duty to the Alpha and his loyalty to the heir. Finally, with obvious reluctance, he bowed and left, though not before giving me a meaningful look.

As soon as the door closed, Raymond turned to me, desperation in his eyes. "Aurora, please. You have to help me."

"Help you?" I repeated, incredulous. "You brought Giana into the pack house, gave her a matching ring, and now you want me to clean up your mess?"

"Aurora," he pleaded, stepping closer. "Remember when we were ten, and you broke Luna's favorite vase? I took the blame for you. Remember when your father caught us sneaking out at midnight to watch the meteor shower? I said it was my idea."

I turned away, hating how easily he could pull on the threads of our shared past. "This is different."

"It's not," he insisted. "We've always protected each other. That's what friends do."

"Friends," I echoed hollowly. "Is that what we are now?"

"We've always been friends," he said softly. "No matter what else changes between us."

I closed my eyes, steeling myself against his manipulation. But in the end, I knew I had no choice—not if I wanted to keep my mother's treatments secure.

"Fine," I said finally. "I'll handle it."

Relief washed over his face. "Thank you, Aurora."

Bernard returned with Alpha Marcus and Luna Elena in tow, his expression grim but satisfied. I could see Giana hovering anxiously in the hallway, Raymond trying to shield her from view.

"What's this about stolen rings?" Alpha Marcus demanded.

I stepped forward smoothly, my face a careful mask of calm. "A misunderstanding, Alpha. The ring Bernard found is indeed a match to Raymond’s, but it's not what he thinks."

I held up my left hand, displaying the ostentatious diamond Raymond had purchased at the jewelry store. "This is my official Luna ring. The other one is simply one of a few friendship rings Raymond had made as gifts. He wanted Giana to feel welcome in the pack."

The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.

Alpha Marcus's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but Luna Elena seemed relieved by the explanation.

Bernard, however, wasn't satisfied. "Miss Aurora, with respect, these rings are clearly a matched pair, and they resemble traditional mate rings. That rogue girl has been flaunting hers around the Omega quarters, claiming special status."

Giana stepped forward, unable to contain herself any longer. "It's not fair!" she burst out, tears welling in her eyes. "Everyone here hates me, treats me like dirt. I'm Raymond's—"

"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, though inside I was screaming.

"Very well," he said finally. "But there will be no more of these... friendship tokens. It creates unnecessary confusion."

After they left, Giana rounded on me in the empty hallway, her demeanor instantly transforming. The tears vanished, replaced by resentful spite.

"Must be hard," she hissed, "having to pretend your fake engagement is real."

"Careful, Giana," I warned quietly. "If you truly care about Raymond, you'll behave. His father is already suspicious. One more mistake, and you won't just be removed from the pack house—you'll be exiled from pack lands entirely."

Raymond stepped between us. "That's enough, Aurora. Don't threaten her."

I stared at him, incredulous. "I just saved both your necks, and you're scolding me?"

Instead of answering, Raymond turned to Giana, cupping her face with tender affection. "Don't worry, love. This marriage with Aurora is nothing but a contract—a political necessity. You are my only true love, my real Luna."

The naked adoration in his eyes as he led her away left me feeling hollow. I stood alone in the hallway, the weight of my lies pressing down on me.

"Single band, huh?"

I turned to find Kane leaning against the wall, watching the scene with barely disguised amusement.

"How long have you been there?" I asked, too drained to summon any real anger.

"Long enough," he replied, pushing off the wall to stand beside me. "Your ring doesn't match his at all, does it?"

I didn't answer, but my silence was confirmation enough.

"You're better than this, Aurora," he said quietly.

I walked away without responding. I couldn't afford to think about what I deserved or didn't deserve. Not anymore.

---

Two weeks before the wedding, Luna Elena scheduled my final wedding dress fitting. The designer had created something truly spectacular—a gown fit for a princess, with delicate beadwork that caught the light like dewdrops.

"Raymond will be there this time," Luna Elena promised, squeezing my hand. "I've made him clear his schedule."

I nodded, not bothering to hope.

Sure enough, an hour before the appointment, Raymond called.

"Aurora, I'm so sorry," he began, the excuse already forming. "Giana's having another panic attack about the upcoming full moon ceremonies. I need to stay with her."

"Of course you do," I said flatly, ending the call before he could hear the tremor in my voice.

The bridal boutique was empty when I arrived, reserved exclusively for the future Luna's final fitting. The attendants fussed over me, helping me into the elaborate gown with its cathedral train and delicate veil.

As I stood on the pedestal surrounded by mirrors, I was bombarded by memories—Raymond and me as children, planning our future wedding during play sessions; adolescent dreams whispered under starlight; the years spent preparing to be his Luna, learning pack law, healing, and diplomacy.

All of it leading to this empty moment, preparing to walk down the aisle to a man who would never love me.

A single tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it.

"Miss Aurora?" the attendant asked, concerned. "Is something wrong with the fit?"

I shook my head, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

Then, through the haze of my emotion, I heard voices—the boutique owner speaking to someone who had just arrived. My heart leapt foolishly. Had Raymond come after all?

The curtain to my fitting room was drawn back, and there stood Kane. His usual smirk vanished as he took in the sight of me in my wedding dress, his eyes widening slightly.

The boutique owner beamed, mistaking his presence.

"Perfect timing!" she exclaimed. "We were just making the final adjustments." She turned to me with a conspiratorial wink. "Your man is a handsome one, isn’t he? You make such a beautiful couple."

Kane's eyes met mine in the mirror, something unreadable flickering in their depths.

"Isn't your fiancée beautiful?" the woman prompted him, but Kane remained silent.