Betrayed By Two Alphas:Bound By One Fate

Chapter 6

Aurora’s POV

“Let me,” Lucian said, his hands warm and steady as he lifted me effortlessly onto the hood of his car. My cheeks burned the moment he turned away. I watched him climb up beside me, the car dipping slightly under his weight.

The sound of waves rolled gently against the shore. He’d brought me to the beach — his special place, I realized. The moon painted silver ripples across the dark water, and for a second, the whole world felt softer.

“Here.” He offered me a can of beer.

I took it with a small, shy smile. He cracked his open with a soft hiss, so I did the same. My eyes drifted to his throat as he took a long drink, watching the way his Adam’s apple moved under his skin. When he suddenly turned to look at me, I jerked my gaze away, heart stumbling, and quickly brought my own can to my lips.

One sip and I nearly winced. Nope. I really do hate alcohol. Nothing about it tasted good.

“How are you?” he asked, voice low.

“Hmm… I’m fine,” I replied softly.

“I mean now that you’re no longer married to him,” he said, his eyes never leaving my face. “Do you feel more at peace with yourself?”

My fingers tightened around the cold can. Should I really answer that? He was still watching me, waiting.

“I am at peace with myself,” I said carefully. “I fulfilled what I came for… so it’s best I leave now that I’m not needed anymore.”

Lucian didn’t speak right away. His gaze felt heavy, searching.

“How were you treated?” he asked quietly.

My wolf stirred inside me, pushing, whispering. Tell him. Tell him how he treated you like garbage.

I swallowed hard and looked out at the waves instead.

“I was treated exactly how a Luna should be treated,” I answered, ignoring the ache in my chest.

He smiled, small and quiet, then took another sip of his beer. I did the same. Silence stretched between us, not entirely comfortable, but not unpleasant either. Just… charged.

“Not your usual setting, right? The club,” he said after a while, a teasing note in his voice.

“Yeah… it wasn’t really my usual setting,” I admitted, “but it was a little fun, I guess.”

“It would’ve been better if I had broken his arm for you,” he added, a smirk playing on his lips.

A soft laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “I’d rather you didn’t. I could break his arm myself.”

The sound of his laughter filled the night air — deep, warm, and unexpectedly bright. His whole face lit up, perfect teeth flashing as he tipped his head back. I couldn’t look away. My stomach did a slow, dizzy little flip.

“Did I say something wrong?” I asked, suddenly awkward again.

Lucian shook his head, still smiling as his laughter faded. His eyes softened when they met mine.

“You know… you’re a lot different than I thought you would be.”

My brows pulled together. “What do you mean?”

“Whenever I saw you before, you looked like someone who would be mean,” he said honestly.

“Really?” I blinked, genuinely confused. “I mean… I do smile a lot. How did you come up with the idea that I would be mean?”

“It’s a joke,” Lucian said, leaning in closer. The warm scent of beer on his breath brushed against my lips. My heart stuttered. He was too close. I held my breath without thinking, every nerve suddenly alive.

“Do you care about what others think of you?” he asked, voice low.

“Honestly… I don’t,” I admitted, a small smile tugging at my lips. “The moment I stopped being Luna, the first thing I did was find myself in a club.”

He stared at me for a long second, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

Then, without warning, he jumped down from the hood of the car, making me gasp. Before I could steady myself, he reached up, his hands gentle but firm around my waist, and lifted me down too. My feet touched the sand, but my pulse didn’t slow.

“Let’s go to the water,” he said.

“Wait— hold on, I…”

“Don’t be scared,” he murmured, “I’m here. I’ll protect you.”

“I mean… I didn’t bring extra clothes,” I said, cheeks warming.

“That’s fine. You can wear mine.”

My eyes widened as he reached behind his neck and pulled his shirt off in one smooth motion. I knew I should look away, but I couldn’t. His abs, the way his muscles moved under his skin… God. I swallowed hard, heat rushing to my face. What would he think if he caught me staring? That I’m a pervert? No. Turn around, Aurora.

“What are you waiting for?” he asked, tossing his shirt toward me. “Take off your clothes and wear mine.” Then he turned around, giving me his back.

With shaky fingers, I slipped out of my clothes and pulled his shirt over my head. It was still warm from his body. His scent wrapped around me — clean, masculine, with a hint of ocean air — and I felt dizzy, completely intoxicated by it.

“Are you done?” he asked.

“Yes,” I whispered.

He turned back, and the moment his eyes landed on me wearing his shirt, a slow smile spread across his face. My stomach flipped. He collected my clothes, placed them inside the car, then reached for my hand. Without a word, I let him take it. His fingers were warm and strong around mine as I followed him toward the water, my heart beating so fast I thought I might pass out.

You’re excited because he’s here with you, my wolf whispered. You found yourself a very beautiful man.

He isn’t mine, I replied to her.

The first touch of cool water against my feet made me suck in a breath. We were already so close to the waves.

“You love water, right?” Lucian asked.

Before I could answer, he splashed me.

“Oh no!” I squealed.

“You definitely love water,” he teased, splashing me again with a grin.

I didn’t hesitate. I splashed him back, laughing. He chased me through the shallow waves, and suddenly a strong wave crashed into both of us, soaking us completely.

“I guess the ocean also wants to play,” he said, water dripping from his hair.

I couldn’t stop laughing when I saw a piece of seaweed tangled in his dark strands.

“You have a little something on…”

“What?” he asked, confused.

I stepped closer, reaching up gently to pluck it out. “This,” I said softly, smiling.

“Aurora… don’t move,” he said, his voice suddenly serious.

The smile on my face faded instantly.

“What is it?” I asked, concern threading through my voice.

“There is a snake under your—”

My eyes widened in pure shock before he could even finish. A terrified scream tore from my throat.

“What do you mean snake?!” I shrieked, already bolting away through the shallow water.

“Don’t go too far! It’s only a joke!” Lucian yelled after me, laughter thick in his voice. “You should have seen your face, Aurora!”

“It isn’t funny!” I shouted back, heart still racing.

“I’m laughing,” he replied, clearly amused.

“I will give you something to laugh about,” I threatened, spinning around to chase him.

He took off running, fast, but I was fast too. The wet sand made everything slippery. Just as I caught up, my foot caught on something and I crashed into him. We tumbled down together — him hitting the sand first, me landing right on top of his chest.

Our faces were inches apart.

For a breathless second, I froze, staring into his eyes. My heart slammed against my ribs. Then I quickly pushed myself up, embarrassed.

Before I could fully stand, my leg twisted awkwardly beneath me and I collapsed onto the sand beside him.

“Ouch,” I winced, pain shooting through my ankle.

“Are you alright?” Lucian asked, genuine concern softening his tone.

Instead of answering, I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this truly free, this light. The laughter bubbled out of me, bright and unstoppable.

My gaze lifted and met his. He was watching me with worried eyes, no longer laughing. My own laughter slowly faded.

“I’m fine,” I said softly.

A gentle smile curved his lips, but he still didn’t move. We stayed like that, gazes locked, the sound of the waves filling the space between us.

Then he started leaning closer.

What is he doing? My mind spun. Does he want to kiss me? This would be my first kiss… Oh no, what am I supposed to do? How do people even kiss?

Before I could figure out any of it, his lips gently landed on mine.

My eyes widened in shock.