+15 BONUS Chapter 8 The atmosphere grew awkward as Raymond disappeared after Giana . Everyone was staring at me , whispering among themselves . The humiliation burned through me like fire , making it hard to breathe . First Raymond had abandoned me at our engagement celebration , and now he'd publicly shoved me aside to chase after his fated mate . Just when I thought I'd have to endure their pitying glances a moment longer , Kane appeared , casually stepping between me and the curious onlookers . " Alpha has urgent business with Raymond , " he announced smoothly , his voice carrying just the right amount of authority . The crowd took the hint and quickly dispersed , returning to their conversations as if nothing had happened . Once they were gone , Kane arched a teasing brow at me . " You really know how to put on a show , don't you , future Luna ? " Heat rushed to my face as memories of our night together flashed through my mind . I immediately avoided his gaze , taking a step back . " I don't need your help , " I muttered , straightening my shoulders . Kane leaned closer , his voice dropping to a whisper . " Really ? Because it looked like you did back there ." Before I could respond , my best friend Lily rushed toward me , her brother Ethan following close behind . The concern in their eyes only deepened my embarrassment . " Aurora ! Are you okay ? " Lily asked , grabbing my hands . " We saw what happened . Raymond is such a jerk ! " Ethan's jaw clenched , his eyes darkening with anger . " I'm going to have a word with him . He can't keep treating you like this . " " No ! " I said quickly , pulling away from Lily to grab Ethan's arm . " Please , don't confront him . " " Why not ? " Ethan demanded . " He publicly humiliated you , Aurora . First at your engagement party , and now this ? " I shook my head , feeling suddenly tired . " I'm going to keep my distance from him from now on , " I said firmly . " I won't be his shadow anymore . " The determination in my voice must have surprised them , because both Lily and Ethan stared at me . " So ... " Lily hesitated , searching my face . " Are you still going to marry him ? " I lowered my gaze , thinking of my bedridden mother and my father's threats . " For my mother's sake , I have to , " I admitted quietly . " But I'll learn to let him go . " The weight of those words settled over us . For years , I'd been Raymond's shadow , following him , loving 1/4 Chapter 8 him , dedicating myself to him . Now I had to learn to live differently . +15 BONUS After a long day of classes and training , I did something I had never done before - I didn't wait for Raymond . Instead , I went straight to the hospital to visit my mother . The sterile smell of the hospital hit me as soon as I walked in . I made my way to her room , a small bouquet of wildflowers in my hand . My mother's face lit up when she saw me . Despite her illness , she was still beautiful , with the same auburn hair and gentle eyes I'd inherited . " Aurora , " she said , her voice weak but happy . " What a lovely surprise . You're usually here with Raymond . " I forced a smile , placing the flowers in the vase by her bed . " I wanted to see you alone today . " She patted the bed beside her . " Come sit , tell me how the engagement preparations are going ." I had just settled beside her when the door opened , and Raymond walked in . My heart stuttered at the sight of him , but I quickly composed myself , keeping my expression neutral . " Mrs. Bennett , " Raymond greeted my mother warmly , presenting her with a box of her favorite chocolates . " You're looking better today . " My mother beamed at him . " Raymond ! Just in time . Aurora was about to tell me about the engagement . " Raymond's eyes met mine briefly before he smiled at my mother . " Everything is coming together beautifully , " he said , playing the part of devoted fiancé flawlessly . I watched him , feeling as if I were seeing a stranger . This Raymond - charming , attentive , kind - was the Raymond I'd fallen in love with . But now I knew it was just a mask he wore for others . My own responses were stilted , distant . I answered my mother's questions about the wedding with vague replies , no longer able to fake the excitement I'd once felt genuinely . My mother didn't seem to notice , but Raymond did . His brow furrowed slightly whenever I responded to him with cold politeness . After about an hour , my mother tired , and we left her to rest . As soon as we stepped into the hallway , Raymond turned to me . " I need to talk to you , " he said , his voice low . I crossed my arms , keeping my distance . " What about ? " " I want you to take care of Giana from now on , " he stated matter - of - factly . I froze , staring at him in disbelief . " Excuse me ? " " You're going to be Luna , " Raymond continued , as if this were a perfectly reasonable request . " If you're 2/4 Chapter 8 +15 BONUS close to Giana , it'll help cover for us . That way , our parents won't suspect anything . " He spoke as if nothing had happened between us , as if he hadn't just publicly humiliated me , as if we were still the same childhood friends we'd always been . " You want me to babysit your fated mate , " I said flatly . Raymond frowned . " I wouldn't put it that way . " " How would you put it , then ? " I challenged . " Because it sounds like you want me to help you cheat on me with her . " His expression hardened . " This isn't about cheating , Aurora . You know our engagement is just for show . " The pain that lanced through me was so sharp I nearly gasped . " Right , " I said , my voice strained . " Just for show . " Raymond ran a hand through his hair , frustration clear on his face . " Look , I'm not asking much . Just be friendly to her , include her in pack activities . " I wanted to refuse , to tell him to handle his own problems . But even as the words formed on my tongue , I thought of my mother , of my father's threats . " Fine , " I agreed , the word tasting bitter . " I'll help you . Relief washed over Raymond's face . " Thank you , Aurora . I knew I could count on you . " At that moment , Giana timidly appeared at the end of the hallway . Without hesitation , Raymond went to her , placing a hand on her back as they walked away together . I stood there , watching them leave , feeling utterly drained . All those years I'd spent loving him , and this was what it had come to - watching him walk away with another woman , again and again . As I turned the corner to leave , a tall figure leaning against the wall stopped me in my tracks . Kane . His arms were crossed over his chest , a smirk playing on his lips . From his position , it was clear he'd heard everything . He tilted his head , eyes gleaming with amusement and something darker . " What exactly is your relationship with Raymond and Giana ? " he asked , pushing off the wall to approach me . I took a step back . " That's none of your business . " His smirk deepened , and he leaned closer . " That night , when you ended up in my bed - was it because Giana got in the way ? " My heart sank . The way Kane looked at me - calculating , knowing - made it clear he'd pieced everything 3/4 Chapter 8 +15 BONUS together . The fake engagement , Raymond's fated mate , my desperate attempt to maintain my dignity while being publicly rejected . I was caught . 4/4 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!