I spent the day after my wedding hiding in the bridal suite, curled up on the edge of the ornate bed that seemed to mock me with its pristine, untouched sheets. Housekeeping had knocked twice, but I ignored them, unable to face anyone or explain why the bride was alone on what should have been the first day of marital bliss.

A small, pathetic part of me kept glancing at the door, hoping Raymond might return. But the hours dragged on, and the door remained closed. My phone buzzed occasionally with congratulations I didn't deserve for a happiness I didn't have.

As evening approached, hunger finally overcame my desire for isolation. I reasoned that most wedding guests would have left by now, and I could sneak down to the hotel restaurant without facing pitying glances.

I applied enough makeup to hide my puffy eyes and slipped out of the suite. The restaurant was mercifully quiet. I had just ordered when a familiar voice froze me in place.

"There's the blushing bride."

Kane slid into the chair across from me, looking unfairly handsome in dark jeans and a fitted shirt.

"Go away," I muttered, keeping my eyes on the menu.

"We need to talk about last night," he said, voice low enough that only I could hear.

I glanced around nervously. "There's nothing to discuss."

"Really?" His eyebrow arched. "Because I think our little... arrangement... deserves some clarification."

The challenging look in his eyes made it clear he knew I hadn't changed my mind. After last night's moment of weakness, we both knew there was no going back.

"You’re right. I need conditions," I said firmly, pulling myself together. "Rules."

Kane's lips curved into that infuriating smirk. "By all means, Luna. Set your boundaries."

"Complete secrecy," I began, counting off on my fingers. "No one can ever know. Not your friends, not your conquests, and especially not Raymond."

Kane nodded, leaning back in his chair. "Obviously."

"No interference in each other's personal lives," I continued. "What happens between us stays between us. No jealousy, no questions, no... feelings."

At that, his expression shifted almost imperceptibly. "No feelings," he echoed. "Strictly physical."

"And either of us can end it at any time," I finished. "No explanations needed."

The waiter arrived with my food, and I waited until he left before continuing.

"We also need to be practical about this," I added, my voice barely above a whisper. "Where we meet, when, how often."

"Hotel rooms only," Kane suggested. "Different places each time. I'll handle the arrangements."

"And this arrangement has an expiration date," I said, meeting his gaze directly. "When my contract marriage with Raymond ends, so does our... whatever this is."

Something flickered in Kane's eyes, but he quickly masked it. "Fair enough."

He reached for a napkin on the table, borrowing a pen from a passing waiter. He jotted down our rules in his elegant handwriting and slid it across to me.

"Sign it," he said. "Make it official."

I hesitated, then took the pen. This was absurd, yet somehow fitting—another contract in my life of contracts. At least this time, I was choosing it with open eyes.

I signed my name beneath his, the scratching of the pen oddly loud despite the restaurant's ambient noise.

"There," Kane said, folding the napkin and tucking it into his pocket. "Our dirty little secret is now properly documented."

I nodded stiffly, then gathered my remaining dignity. "I should go."

"Without eating?" He gestured to my untouched food.

"I've lost my appetite," I said, though the real reason was that I couldn't bear to sit across from him any longer, not with the weight of what we'd just agreed to hanging between us.

Kane didn't try to stop me as I left, but I could feel his eyes following me all the way to the door.

---

That night, I tossed and turned in my bed—our bed, technically, though Raymond had yet to spend a single night in it. The mark on my neck throbbed dully, a constant reminder of the lie I was living.

What had I done? First a contract marriage with Raymond, now a contract affair with Kane. My life had become a series of negotiations and compromises, each one chipping away at whatever remained of my self-respect.

Yet beneath the regret lurked something else—a dangerous anticipation. When Kane touched me, I forgot everything—the pain, the humiliation, even Raymond. For those brief moments, I was free.

Sleep finally claimed me near dawn, my dreams a confusing tangle of wedding vows and secret promises scribbled on hotel napkins.

---

I entered the dining room the next morning with my shoulders squared, prepared for the day's performance. Raymond and Giana were already there, seated so close they might as well have been sharing a chair. Their heads were bent together, whispers and soft laughter flowing between them.

Neither noticed me until I pulled out my chair. Raymond straightened immediately, a flash of guilt crossing his features before settling into careful neutrality.

"Morning," he said stiffly.

I nodded in response, avoiding his eyes as I reached for the coffee.

Giana, however, turned to me with wide, innocent eyes. "Good morning, Aurora. I hope you slept well?"

The question dripped with false sweetness. I opened my mouth to respond, but she continued before I could speak.

"I really didn't mean to ruin your wedding night," she said, voice pitched to carry. "Raymond just needed to explain everything to me. I was so upset about the ceremony."

Several servants paused mid-task, pretending not to listen while obviously hanging on every word.

Raymond shot her a warning look. "Giana—"

"It's fine," I cut in, my tone glacial. "I managed to entertain myself."

Giana's smile faltered slightly. Before she could respond, footsteps approached from the hallway.

Kane strode in, looking unfairly handsome despite the early hour. His hair was damp from a shower, his jawline freshly shaved. He moved with the lazy confidence of a predator who knew his territory.

"Morning, all," he drawled, dropping into the chair beside me. "Quite the domestic scene. The happy couple and... well, the other couple."

Raymond's expression darkened. "You're still here? I thought you'd be heading back to your pack today."

"And miss all this drama?" Kane helped himself to coffee. "Not a chance."

Giana, eager to reclaim attention, turned to Kane with a practiced smile. "Have you enjoyed your stay, Kane? I know these formal events can be dull."

"Oh, I've found ways to keep myself... entertained," he replied, eyes sliding briefly to me.

My cheeks burned, but I kept my expression carefully neutral.

"I suppose you'll be returning to your usual routine now," Giana continued. "All those women waiting for you back home."

Kane shrugged. "Perhaps I'm getting tired of the same old game."

"You'll understand when you find your fated mate someday," Giana said, reaching for Raymond's hand. "It changes everything."

I fought the urge to gag at her performance.

"I already know my type," Kane said casually, leaning back in his chair. His eyes met mine for a dangerous moment. "And it looks a lot like Aurora."

The clatter of Raymond's fork hitting his plate echoed through the suddenly silent room. His expression was thunderous, jaw clenched so tight I could see a muscle jumping beneath his skin.

Without a word, he pushed back from the table and stormed out, leaving a trail of tension in his wake.

Giana blinked, clearly thrown by this unexpected reaction. After a moment's hesitation, she rose to follow him, shooting me a suspicious glance as she left.

As soon as they were gone, I rounded on Kane. "What the hell was that?"

"What?" he asked, the picture of innocence as he sipped his coffee.

"You know exactly what," I hissed. "You promised secrecy. That little comment was anything but secret."

Kane set down his cup, his amusement fading. "I was merely making conversation. If Raymond drew his own conclusions, that's hardly my fault."

"You're playing with fire," I warned. "This isn't a game, Kane."

"Everything's a game, Aurora," he replied, suddenly serious. "You're just starting to learn the rules."

I stood abruptly, "Remember our agreement. Complete secrecy or the deal is off."

Kane watched me with those inscrutable eyes. "As you wish, Luna."

I left the dining room with my head high, even as my heart raced with a confusing mix of anger, fear, and something dangerously close to excitement.

What had I gotten myself into?