Betrayed By Two Alphas:Bound By One Fate

Chapter 23

Aurora’s POV

“Are you being f*****g for real, Aurora?” Liam’s voice dripped with disgust. “You’re out here kissing Lucian and you have a fiancé.”

My heart jumped. “I didn’t kiss him. He kissed me,” I said quickly, defending myself. I turned to Lucian and slapped him hard across the face. My palm stung. “Don’t ever try that again.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

“Save it,” I cut him off sharply.

I tried to walk away, but Liam grabbed my wrist, his grip tight.

“What the hell are you doing? Let me go,” I snapped, irritation and embarrassment burning in my chest.

“You think that silly act will work on me?” Liam sneered. “What do you mean he kissed you? You were clearly kissing him back.”

I yanked my hand free, my wrist throbbing. “I won’t explain myself to you.”

Liam smirked and looked past me. “You won’t have to. But do you think your fiancé will be happy to know his so-called fiancée was just kissing her ex?”

I turned around slowly. Damon and Emette stood there, watching us. The disappointment on their faces hit me like a slap. My stomach dropped.

“Hmm, Damon… it’s really not what you think,” I said, my voice small.

Emette didn’t even look at me. “Aurora, I think it’s time we headed home.” He turned and walked away. Damon followed without a word.

I stood there frozen for a second, shame crawling up my throat.

“I guess you won’t be a fiancée for too long,” Liam said with a nasty smirk.

“f**k you both,” I muttered and hurried after them, walking fast to catch up. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

Emette opened the car door for me but still wouldn’t meet my eyes. I climbed into the back seat this time. The whole ride home was silent. No one spoke. I stared out the window, blinking back hot tears, my hands twisting together in my lap.

As soon as we got home, I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“I… I promise I didn’t kiss him,” I said, my voice shaky. “He came to me, talking about how much he misses me and all that. I… I don’t know. He kissed me.”

Emette sighed heavily.

“Aurora,” he said, annoyance clear in his tone, “I know it hasn’t been long since you ended things with them. But you need to understand—they treated you badly. You can’t be seen around them. Don’t let them touch you. Don’t let them kiss you. It gives them leverage over you.”

Emette’s words stung, but he was right.

Damon nodded. “Emette is right. You have a pretend fiancé now. If you act like this, no one will believe it. They’ll just think you’re easy to get back.”

Those words hurt more than I expected. I hadn’t even kissed Lucian back, but the way they looked at me made me feel so small and stupid.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to sound strong. “I promise I won’t let this happen again. No more. I won’t give them the satisfaction ever again.” My voice cracked a little at the end. “Just… please don’t be mad at me, okay?”

Emette finally looked at me. A small smile touched his lips.

“You know I can never stay mad at you,” Emette said softly. “You should go freshen up and get some sleep.”

I nodded, too tired to say anything else. I dragged my feet to my room, walked over to the bed, and sat down heavily. My heart was still beating too fast. The memory of Lucian’s kiss kept replaying in my head. I know I’m supposed to hate him… but I guess you can’t tell your heart how to feel.

“What do you feel about Liam’s kiss as well?” my wolf asked suddenly.

The small smile I didn’t even know was on my lips disappeared completely.

“I don’t even want to remember it,” I muttered. I reached up and started taking off my earrings. “He showed up with a date. Both of them did. I guess that’s the first love he always talked about. I wonder if she knows what an asshole her man really is.”

I pulled off my clothes and headed to the shower. The cool water ran over my skin, helping my aching body relax, but Lucian’s kiss kept playing on repeat in my mind.

Later, I climbed straight into bed. The kiss still wouldn’t leave me alone. What the actual f**k is wrong with me? I pressed my hand against my chest, feeling my heart race. I was fooled and betrayed once. I can’t let myself fall for it twice.

I pushed the thoughts away and finally drifted off to sleep.

The next day at the company, it was lunch break. I sat alone in the cafeteria, picking at my food. Everyone seemed to be staring at me. Their eyes followed my every move, and it made my skin crawl.

“Can I sit here?” a voice asked.

I looked up and met the eyes of a guy wearing huge glasses.

“Sure, you can,” I said with a small, tired smile.

“Aurora, right?” he asked.

I nodded.

“I think I’ve seen you somewhere before, but I can’t quite remember where.”

I forced another smile. “I’m new here.”

“You’re the boss’s fiancée, so technically you own this place,” he said.

I couldn’t help smiling a little at that.

“My name is Brandon, by the way. The strongest beta you’ll ever meet.” He grinned and stretched out his hand.

“Aurora,” I replied, shaking it.

“Oh, I already know your name,” he laughed. “You’re like famous around here. Everyone is talking about you.”

My stomach tightened. “Are they saying good things or…?”

Brandon leaned in. “Girl, you’re Alpha Damon’s fiancée. Of course they’re talking negative stuff. He’s the most wanted man around here. Everyone wants him. So him suddenly popping up with a fiancée wasn’t on anybody’s radar.”

“Ohhh,” I say. “I guess I am one lucky lady then,” I add with a smile on my face.

“You know there is a stupid rumor going around that he has a whole boyfriend. I also, at some point, thought he was gay. Please never tell him this—it was just a thought,” he says nervously.

“You don’t have to worry,” I respond.

“I guess he wasn’t fruity after all. I mean, he is so dominant and so… now I don’t think he would date a man. I mean, he is dominant.”

“You would be surprised,” I whisper to myself.

“What did you say?”

“Hmm, nothing,” I respond quickly.

“I have said too much. Please don’t say any of these things to him. I don’t want to get fired. I never shut my mouth when I start talking…”

“Hey, you don’t need to worry. I won’t say a word to him, trust me,” I say, and it is nice seeing him calm down a little.

“Thank you,” he says.

“I mean, I won’t say anything if you promise to always eat lunch with me,” I say teasingly.

“Are you serious? I would love to. My goodness, you are so cool,” he says, and I smile genuinely. The entire lunch ended up with him talking about everything going on in the company, and he also told me other people’s business. I like this. It feels like I am finally starting to fit in.

Working hours were over. Damon had gone for a conference, and I left the company by myself. I decided that Emette and Damon had been so nice to me, so I should cook them something really good. I headed to the grocery store, pushing my trolley as I picked the necessary items I needed.

“Hey, stop running!” a mother yells as she chases after her child.

The child ran straight toward me and pushed the trolley, causing me to lose my balance. I was about to fall when someone caught me. I immediately pulled myself away from the person.

“Thank you so much, I—” I stopped when I saw Liam, a frown already on his face.

“Watch where you’re going,” he says, annoyance laced in his tone.

“I didn’t ask you to catch me,” I shoot back.

“You ungrateful little—forget this. It won’t happen again,” he mutters with irritation before walking away. I dust myself off.

“Aurora, right?” a voice says from behind me.

I turn to see the woman. It’s the girl from the restaurant.

“Yes, Aurora,” I respond.

“I’m Ashley, Liam’s fiancée and the future Luna,” she says as she reaches for my hand with a smile. I just stare at her.