Chapter 27 " 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 . " With or without the groom's cooperation ? " " It will happen , " Alpha Marcus confirmed grimly . " Raymond will see reason by morning . " My father's grip on my arm tightened . " Make sure he does , " he hissed for my ears only . " Or your mother's treatments end tomorrow . Am I clear ? " I swallowed hard , nodding as the familiar threat landed . The next hour dissolved into chaos - arguments over wedding preparations , heated debates about Giana's status , frantic phone calls to locate Raymond . I moved through it all like a ghost , numb to the storm swirling around me . Eventually , I slipped away unnoticed , desperate for air that wasn't thick with other people's demands . *** In the solitude of my room at the pack house , I stripped off my party dress and shifted into my wolf form . The change was a momentary relief , human concerns giving way to simpler instincts . I slipped out through the grounds and into the forest , my paws silent on the pine needle floor . The night air was crisp with approaching autumn , carrying the scents of decaying leaves and distant rain . I ran without direction , simply moving to outpace the weight in my chest . Tomorrow I would be Luna , bound to a man who despised me , trapped in a marriage neither of us wanted . I was so lost in my thoughts that I nearly collided with another wolf - larger than me , with pitch - black fur and familiar amber eyes . Kane . He shifted seamlessly back to human form , seemingly unbothered by his nudity as he leaned against a tree . I hesitated before shifting too , grateful for the darkness that partly concealed my own nakedness . " Running away , Aurora ? " Kane asked , his voice lacking its usual mockery . " Just running , " I replied , wrapping my arms around myself . Kane shrugged off his jacket that had been tied to his ankle and handed it to me . I slipped it on , the fabric still warm from his body . Chapter 27 +15 BONUS " I heard what happened at the pack house , " he said as I buttoned the jacket . " Word travels fast . " " Then you know my wedding is still happening tomorrow , " I said flatly . " Despite everything . " Kane studied me in the moonlight . " Are you really going through with it ? After tonight ? " I looked away . " I don't have a choice . " " Everyone has choices , Aurora . Some are just harder than others . " " Says the wolf who's never had to make a difficult choice in his life , " I snapped . " What would you know about sacrifice ? " Something flashed in his eyes - a hint of an emotion I couldn't identify . " More than you might think . " " You don't have to waste your life on Raymond , " Kane finally said , his tone surprisingly gentle . " He doesn't deserve your loyalty . " I laughed bitterly . " And I suppose you have a better suggestion ? " A familiar smirk curled his lips . " I wouldn't mind helping you out again . No strings attached , of course . " The casualness of his offer ignited something inside me . " Is that all relationships are to you, Kane ? Temporary amusements ? " He shrugged . " It's honest , at least . Better than the lie you're about to commit to . " " If you really wanted to help me , " I shot back , suddenly reckless , " you'd crash the wedding tomorrow . That would cancel the engagement automatically . " Kane's playful demeanor vanished , his expression turning cold . " Don't provoke me , Aurora . I told you , I have no interest in marriage - yours or anyone else's . " " Of course not , " I said , bitterness coating each word . " That would require actual commitment , wouldn't it ? " " You don't know the first thing about me , " he replied , his voice dangerously low . " I know enough , " I retorted , turning away . " Goodnight , Kane . " His hand caught my wrist , spinning me back to face him . For one breathless moment , I thought he might pull me closer . Instead , he released me , stepping back . " I hope Raymond makes you very happy , " he said , the words laced with sarcasm . " You deserve each other . H He shifted back to his wolf form and disappeared into the darkness , leaving me alone with the moon and my thoughts . Chapter 28 +15 BONUS Chapter 28 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!