Betrayed By Two Alphas:Bound By One Fate

Chapter 16

Aurora’s pov

I stared at Emette and Damon, arms crossed tight over my chest, waiting for one of them to speak. The image of what happened at the store kept replaying in my head—Damon’s arm suddenly around my waist, calling me his girlfriend like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“You know, if looks could kill, Emette would already be six feet under with the way you’re staring at us,” Damon said, amusement lacing his voice.

“You’re right,” Emette added, leaning back with a lazy grin. “She’s staring a little too intensely.”

I didn’t smile. “So… am I getting an explanation? Why did your boyfriend call me his girlfriend in front of my ex?”

Emette’s half-smile softened. “Because I told him to. I saw the way you froze when you spotted that guy. He was your ex, right? The situation looked messy, so I signaled Damon to step in.” His eyes darkened with a flicker of something sharper. “Honestly? I would’ve preferred telling him to beat the s**t out of the guy instead.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “He was the shitty ex who broke my heart. You should’ve given me a heads-up… but thank you.” My voice grew quieter. “Thank you for pretending. The look on his face was worth it.”

“I’m glad I could help,” Damon said warmly, his smile genuine.

“Isn’t he the sweetest?” Emette murmured, turning to Damon. He cupped his face and leaned in, kissing him slow and deep right there in front of me.

“My eyes!” I groaned, dramatically covering my face as I retreated to the couch. “I’m literally right here.”

“Come on, Aurora. You should be used to this by now,” Emette teased, following me. Damon trailed behind him, chuckling.

“I don’t think I want to get used to it,” I muttered.

They exchanged a quick glance, then kissed again—longer this time, just to mess with me.

“Okay, okay! I’ll get used to it,” I surrendered, laughing despite myself. The sound of their laughter wrapped around me like a warm blanket. Being around them felt safe. Light. Good.

I sank deeper into the couch. “Thanks again, Damon. I froze back there. I didn’t know what to do. It hurt seeing him with someone else already, but… that’s how shitty people are, I guess. He’ll probably break her heart too.”

“You don’t have to worry about him,” Emette said, his voice low and certain. “People like that never find real love. He’s rotten, and trust me—he’s going to get what’s coming to him.”

His words settled over the ache in my chest like a balm. For the first time in a while, the knot inside me loosened.

“I don’t care about him anymore,” I said, lifting my chin. “All I care about is moving forward and becoming the best version of myself.”

Emette nodded, sharing a look with Damon before turning back to me. “About that… we’ve been talking. Damon and I think it would be best if you came to work with us.” He smiled. “I do most of my work from home these days, so you could accompany Damon at the office. Be his right-hand woman.”

“Really? Doesn’t it feel weird calling me your right-hand woman?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Emette shook his head, his expression warm and steady. “Not at all. You don’t have to worry about any of that, Aurora. Damon and I have a relationship built on love and trust. This is about you. I want you standing on your own two feet, becoming the best version of yourself. So yes—you’re joining the company.”

A smile broke across my face before I could stop it.

“Honestly, I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t come back, Emette,” I admitted, voice softening. “I probably would’ve been broke and drowning in self-pity.”

“I will never let that happen,” he said firmly. He crossed the room in three strides, sat beside me, and pulled me into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around me like a shield. “Now that I’m here, no one will ever hurt you again.”

Damon coughed awkwardly .

Emette chuckled without letting me go. “Come on, Damon. I just said our relationship is full of love and trust. You don’t have to get jealous.”

“I can’t help my emotions,” Damon muttered, though a reluctant smile tugged at his lips.

I laughed softly and gently pushed Emette away. “Don’t worry, I won’t let him hug me—especially not in front of you.” I stood up, then turned to face both of them. With a deep breath, I bowed low.

“What are you doing, Aurora?” Emette asked, amusement coloring his voice.

I lifted my head, meeting their eyes. “I just want to say a big thank you to both of you for this opportunity. I promise I won’t let you down.” Heat rose to my cheeks as I straightened. “I’ll go to my room now. Bye.”

I hurried down the hall, their soft chuckling following me until I closed the door behind me. The moment I was alone, my smile faded.

We finally have a little family. I’m so excited, my wolf said, practically spinning with joy inside me.

I was excited too—for this new chapter, for the safety, for the chance to rebuild. But then the image of Lucian and that woman slammed back into my mind. My chest tightened.

I should be okay, right? I’ve moved on… so why does it still hurt?

That’s because you haven’t fully moved on yet, Aurora, my wolf replied gently. The wound is still fresh. But we will heal. Soon.

She was right. I dropped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, fingers tracing the edge of the blanket. I will be a new woman, I told myself. No—I am a new woman.

Exhaustion finally pulled me under.

****

The next morning, I walked a step behind Damon as we entered the sleek glass building. Heads turned everywhere. Whispers rippled through the lobby. I kept my chin up, but my stomach twisted.

Emette had warned me this would happen. He’d insisted Damon introduce me as his fiancée to kill the rumors that Damon was gay. I hated the idea, but after seeing the determined look on both their faces, I’d reluctantly agreed.

Damon glanced back at me, offering a small, reassuring smile as we stepped into the elevator. The stares followed us all the way up.

Damon stood in the center of the open-plan office, and the entire room fell silent the moment he appeared. Conversations died mid-sentence. Chairs scraped as everyone stood. His presence commanded attention—broad shoulders squared, gaze sharp and unyielding. No one dared look away.

“This is Aurora, my fiancée,” he announced.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the room. Damon raised one hand, and the noise cut off instantly.

“She will be joining the company as my personal assistant. I expect every single one of you to treat her with the same respect you give me. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir!” the response came in perfect unison.

“Follow me,” Damon said, glancing at me.

I walked a step behind him, heart hammering as we moved through the sea of curious eyes. When we reached his office, he closed the door behind us, and his stern expression softened.

“You don’t have to worry,” he said with a gentle smile. “Emette gave me a very serious warning to make sure you don’t get overworked or stressed. You’ll handle some files, but if you feel tired at any point, just tell me.”

“No,” I replied quickly, shaking my head. “Don’t do that. Treat me like any other employee, okay?”

He looked at me with clear concern. “Emette will kick me out of the house if I do that.”

I couldn’t help the half-laugh that escaped. Emette really did wear the pants in their relationship.

“Do you listen to everything he says?” I asked.

“Yes,” Damon answered without hesitation, his voice warm and serious. “He’s my God, so of course.”

Wow. That was… intense.

He handed me a stack of documents. “I’ve arranged some files for you. Just type up the top sheets and email them back to me. Your office is on the left. Here’s your key.”

I took the sleek keycard from his hand and offered him a small smile before stepping out. The second I did, every head in the main area turned toward me again. I forced a polite smile, kept my chin up, and walked straight to my office.

The moment I opened the door, my eyes widened.

“Wow… this is my office?” I whispered.

It’s so pretty! my wolf squealed inside me, tail practically wagging.

The space was bigger and more luxurious than I’d expected—large windows, a sleek desk, soft lighting, and a beautiful view of the city. I settled in quickly, arranging the files and diving into work. Not even thirty minutes later, the phone on my desk rang.

It was Damon. He needed the completed files.

I gathered them and stepped back into the main area. The staring hadn’t stopped. Ignoring the prickling sensation on my skin, I walked to Damon’s door and knocked.

“Come in,” Damon called from behind the door.

I pushed it open, keeping my professional smile firmly in place. “Here are the files you asked for,” I said, stepping inside and walking straight to his desk. I extended the folder toward him, eyes focused on Damon.

He took the files with a nod. “Thank you, Aurora.”

Only then did Damon gesture toward the man seated across from him. “I should introduce you. Mr. Liam, meet my fiancée, Aurora.”

My blood ran cold.

I finally looked at the guest properly, and the world tilted. My stomach dropped like a stone. It was Liam.

His eyes widened the exact moment he registered me, his lips parting in shock that mirrored my own. The folder slipped slightly in my suddenly clammy hands as the air in the room turned thick and suffocating.