Chapter 8

Kane's words hung in the air between us, his knowing smirk making my blood run cold. The hospital corridor suddenly felt too narrow, too confining.

"That night, when you ended up in my bed—was it because Giana got in the way?"

I met his gaze, struggling to keep my expression neutral despite the panic rising within me. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Kane chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "No? Let me refresh your memory. Engagement night. You, showing up at my door, practically begging me to—"

"Stop it," I hissed, glancing around frantically to ensure no one could overhear us. "That night was a mistake. Forget it ever happened."

"You keep saying that, but I’m still not buying it." he countered, stepping closer until I could smell his cologne—woodsy and expensive, just like him. "Tell me something, Aurora. Does Raymond know about your... wandering affections?"

The threat in his words was unmistakable. My heart hammered against my ribs. "What do you want, Kane?"

"Want? Can't I simply be curious about this fascinating arrangement? Raymond, you, and the little rogue playing house together while you and I share our own... secret."

I pushed past him, desperate to escape. "There is no secret. And there is no 'you and I.' Just forget about that night."

His hand caught my wrist, his grip firm but not painful. "The way I see it, I did you a favor that night, and I'm still doing you one now by not saying anything. You owe me, and I don't forget debts, Aurora."

I yanked my arm free. "I'm not playing your games, Kane. That night was a one-time lapse in judgment."

"So cold now," he mused, his eyes tracing my face. "Yet I remember you pretty differently—desperate, needy, quite vocal about what you wanted."

Heat rushed to my face, a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "I hate you."

"No, you don't," he said with maddening confidence. "You hate that I know the truth about you and Raymond. You hate that I've seen behind your perfect mask. But mostly, you hate that despite everything, you're still thinking about that night."

With one last venomous glare, I walked away, his soft laughter following me down the corridor. "You know I’m right, Aurora!"

---

For days, I did my best to avoid Raymond and tried not to think about Kane, but it proved impossible, his words haunting me everywhere I went.

I would have loved to avoid Giana as well, but I had honored Raymond's wishes, playing the perfect fiancée by befriending her. Each day, I made painful small talk, invited her to join us at lunch, and forced smiles that left my face aching.

The constant charade was exhausting - pretending to welcome the woman who had stolen everything from me while she played the innocent victim. I longed desperately for even a moment's break from my performance. When the instructor stepped forward to announce the training pairings, my heart sank as I heard our names together, my stomach twisting into painful knots.

As we both made our way over toward the ring, the arena erupted into whispers. Everyone knew about Raymond's humiliating public rejection. They'd all seen him choose Giana over me, and rumors had begun to spread like wildfire.

Giana stepped into the ring, looking small and vulnerable—a carefully crafted image that fooled everyone but me. I followed, painfully aware of the hungry eyes watching us, waiting for blood.

"Destroy her, Aurora!" someone shouted, followed by a chorus of agreement that made me wince.

I caught Giana's eye and gave her a small nod, trying to convey that I wouldn't humiliate her despite having every reason to. She responded with a look of confusion that quickly hardened into determination.

"Begin!"

I took a defensive stance, deliberately holding back. This wasn't about revenge; it was about dignity. I would not stoop to pettiness, no matter how much she had taken from me.

"Why won't you attack?" Giana hissed, her strikes growing increasingly wild as I effortlessly dodged. "Too afraid?"

"I'm trying to help you," I said quietly. "Calm down before you hurt yourself."

Her eyes flashed with anger. "I don't need your pity!"

With a frustrated growl, she lunged at me recklessly. I sidestepped, but she kept going—straight toward the edge of the ring where a nasty fall awaited. Without thinking, I lunged forward, catching her arm to stop her fall.

Her momentum was too much. We tumbled together, crashing violently into the chain-link fence with a sickening thud.

Pain exploded through my shoulder and back as metal links dug into my skin. Through the haze of agony, I heard Raymond's panic-stricken voice.

"Giana!"

He burst through the crowd, his face twisted with fury as he saw us tangled together. Without hesitation, he shoved me roughly aside, his eyes burning with accusation. "What did you do to her?" he snarled, gathering Giana into his arms like she was made of glass.

"I was trying to help—" I began, but he'd already turned away, cradling Giana against his chest as if she were the only person in the world.

"It's okay," he murmured to her, "I've got you now."

Ethan stepped into his path, his jaw clenched tight. "Aurora is your fiancée," he said, each word sharp as a blade. "And she's bleeding. Or doesn't that matter to you anymore?"

Raymond's eyes flashed dangerously as he let out a commanding Alpha growl. "Step aside."

"Ethan, don't," I called out, dragging myself to my feet despite the pain shooting through my body. "Please, it's not worth it."

Lily rushed to support me, her arm gentle around my waist. "Look what he's done to you," she whispered, her voice breaking with fury. "This has to stop, Aurora."

Raymond barely glanced at me as he pushed past Ethan, carrying Giana as if she were the victim instead of the instigator.

In the infirmary, I sat silently as the nurse cleaned the lacerations on my back, each touch sending fresh waves of pain through my body. From behind the curtain, I could hear Giana's theatrical sobs.

"I knew it... Aurora can't tolerate me. I should never have come between you two. After all, they're engaged..."

Raymond's response cut deeper than any physical wound. "The only person I love is you."

Lily's fingers tightened around mine, her rage palpable. I squeezed back, silently pleading with her to stay quiet. This was my battle to fight.

The doctor stepped out from behind the curtain, her expression perplexed as she examined my chart.

"The Beta's daughter has more severe injuries," she announced, her tone professional but surprised. "Multiple lacerations and a possible shoulder dislocation."

Something flickered across Raymond's face—the first hint of doubt I'd seen in weeks. He approached slowly, reaching for the antiseptic. "Let me help you," he said, his voice softer than before.

I immediately pulled away, ignoring the flare of pain the movement caused. "No, thank you."

His expression hardened with shock. Throughout our lives, I had never refused his help, never pushed him away. But now, watching confusion and hurt flash across his face, I felt a small victory amid my pain.

"Aurora—" he began.

"The nurse is perfectly capable," I cut him off, my voice colder than he'd ever heard it. "I'm sure Giana needs your attention more than I do."

His mouth tightened, something unreadable passing through his eyes before he masked it with indifference. Without another word, he returned to Giana's side, but I felt his gaze lingering on me, as if seeing me for the first time.

After what felt like a lifetime, I was finally able to leave the infirmary, my body aching but my resolve stronger than ever. I knew something fundamental had changed between us. I had finally stopped being Raymond's shadow—and for the first time in my life, I didn't miss the darkness.