Chapter 7 " I - I went for a walk , " I stammered , unable to meet his gaze . " I needed some air after everything yesterday . " Why didn't you show up with Raymond ? " he demanded , stepping closer , his anger radiating off him in waves . Frustration and resentment suddenly boiled over inside me . After everything that had happened - being thrown out of Raymond's room , spending the night with Kane - I couldn't hold back anymore . " Why don't you ask him ? " I shot back , my voice harder than intended . " Maybe there was another woman in his room . " Raymond appeared just then , his expression tense . " Aurora , stop making misleading comments . " His eyes locked with mine , silently warning me not to say more . My heart shattered all over again . Even now , he was protecting Giana . He didn't care that he had left me out in the cold all night , that I had been humiliated and hurt . All that mattered to him was keeping his precious secret . Both Alpha Marcus and my father looked uncomfortable , exchanging significant glances . " Stop talking nonsense ! " my father snapped , his hand gripping my arm painfully tight as he dragged me away . " You're making a scene . " It wasn't until later that night , back at home , that I was able to confront my father in his study . I couldn't contain my anger any longer . I didn't want to believe he was capable of such a thing , but I needed answers . " Did you drug me ? " I demanded , watching his reaction carefully . He scoffed , barely looking up from his papers . " I handed you an opportunity on a silver platter , and you still failed to make use of it . Useless . " His dismissive tone cut deep . Then , narrowing his eyes , he glanced up at me suspiciously . " If you weren't with Raymond ... how did you deal with the effects of the drug ? " Cold fear gripped me . " I walked it off , " I lied quickly . " The fresh air helped clear my head . " My father looked skeptical but didn't press further . " Don't mess this up , Aurora . Your mother's treatment depends on it . " The unspoken threat hung heavily in the air between us . I nodded stiffly and left , feeling trapped more than ever before . 1/2 Chapter 7 +15 BONUS The next day at school , Raymond and I arrived together , putting on a show of unity for everyone watching . The hallways buzzed with excitement over our engagement , and Raymond casually invited his friends to attend his upcoming coronation ceremony . " You're all welcome to attend . It'll be the event of the season , " he announced , his arm draped loosely around my shoulders in a display of affection that felt more like a cage . A group of my acquaintances approached , unable to resist teasing us . " Come on , you two ! Give us a kiss ! " they chanted , their eyes bright with anticipation . I glanced at Raymond , who gave a slight nod , seemingly unbothered by the request . With a resigned sigh , I relented . " Fine . Just a kiss on the cheek . " I leaned in , preparing myself for this necessary charade . But just as my lips were about to touch his skin , a commotion erupted from the back of the crowd . We both turned to see Giana standing there , her face a perfect mask of heartbreak and betrayal . Without a word , she turned and ran , looking utterly devastated . Raymond's expression darkened instantly , his posture tensing . Without even a glance at me , he shoved me aside and took off after her , leaving me standing alone in front of our curious audience . The humiliation burned through me like acid , each pair of eyes witnessing my shame feeling like another wound . I stood frozen , unable to move . Even though our engagement was nothing but a fraud , a painful charade we both were forced to play , it didn't help the pain that shot through me at watching it crumble before my eyes . Raymond had chosen his fated mate over me once again , and this time , everyone had witnessed it . 2/2 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!