" Where we go from here , " I repeated flatly . " You mean the contract marriage that will make me a shell while you live happily ever after with Giana ? " He winced , but didn't deny it . " I need time , Aurora . Time to secure my position as Alpha . Once I have full control , I can change things , protect Giana openly . " " And what about me ? " I whispered . Raymond's expression softened slightly . " After our divorce , I'll make sure you're taken care of . You'll have the status of my Alpha - born sister . I'll always protect you , support you financially . I owe you that much . " I nearly laughed at the absurdity of it all . He was offering to make me his sister after all the years I'd loved him . " How generous , " I said , unable to keep the bitterness from my voice . Raymond leaned forward earnestly . " This is the best solution for everyone , Aurora . We just need to get through the wedding , spend a few months establishing ourselves as Alpha and Luna , and then we can quietly separate . No one gets hurt . " No one gets hurt . The words echoed in my mind like a cruel joke . I was already hurting , breaking a little more each day . But looking at him , I knew I had no choice . My mother's life depended on this charade . I forced a smile . " Just remember to help me find a good next husband after our divorce . " Relief washed over his face , and he grinned . " Of course . I'll find you someone worthy of you . " The irony was almost too much to bear . The man I loved promising to find me someone else to love . Raymond left the same way he'd come , through the window with a casual ease that spoke of years of practice . As a teenager , I'd found it romantic - my own personal Romeo climbing up to see me . Now it just felt like another reminder of what we'd lost . I picked up the small box he'd left , opening it to find a silver charm bracelet . Dangling from it was a single charm - a tiny silver wolf . A symbol of pack loyalty . Not love . Never love . After he left , memories flooded back unbidden . Raymond teaching me to swim in the pack lake . The two of us stealing cookies from the pack house kitchen . So many moments , so many years , all leading to this hollow arrangement . *** That evening , I shifted into my wolf form and ran through the forest , desperate to clear my head . The cool Chapter 14 +15 BONUS autumn air rushed through my fur , and for a brief moment , I felt free . But even this small freedom was short - lived . As I rounded a bend in the trail , two familiar scents hit me at once . Raymond and Giana . I froze , instinctively ducking behind a large oak tree . They stood in a small clearing ahead , locked in an embrace . " Raymond , I can't do this , " Giana sobbed , her delicate hands clinging to his shirt . " I can't watch you marry her . " Raymond cupped her face with such tenderness it felt like a knife twisting in my chest . " It's just temporary , " he murmured , wiping away her tears . " Just a contract . Once everything is secure , I'll reject her . " " But the wedding preparations are already starting , " she whispered . " Everyone's talking about it . I can't bear it . " " I know , love . I know . " Raymond pressed his forehead to hers . " But I'm not giving you up . Never . If you want , I can reject her now . We can run away together . " My heart stopped . Was he serious ? After everything , would he throw it all away ? But Giana shook her head . " No , I would never ask you to give up your birthright . I know how much becoming Alpha means to you . " " Listen to me , " Raymond said , his voice fierce with conviction . " I will never reject you . Our mate bond is sacred . Once the contract with Aurora ends , I will reject her immediately . In my eyes , in my heart , you are my only Luna . Always ." They sealed this promise with a kiss so passionate it left me hollow inside . I backed away silently , my wolf whimpering with a pain that had nothing to do with physical wounds . I ran home , pushing my wolf to the limits , trying to outrun the image of them together and the cold certainty that no matter what happened , I would always be second best . 2/2 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!