Chapter 43
my eyes map ogen, siel the first thing I feel in Arica in my arms. Last night
it wasn’t a dream. It happened. It was beyond words matter. Even if the ara was thar best I’ve ever had, Amica is still whau ale in She’s the woman when run
Ive mucked her now We’re landed. But that doesn’t in we’ve suddenly become loven. A mark duruterave her lartrayal, hey chooters, blar’s still a cheater She loss done it before and the is bound in do it again
I untangle her hands from me, careful not pe wake hier
of bed. I glance back at her, lying diere so praefully, her and snores filling the
en now, with her hate a wild mess and her experision so serene Part of our wants to stay. To hold her. Tarun my ingers through her hair and feel her waninth against
If I stay, she might wake up and start believing this that area rur Things I can’t give her
Then it hits me – the bedsheet Dammit. The elders will ever believe we commented the bond without the proof they expect. I head to the door, rading it opens as quietly as I can. Amira stirs diglatly last doesn’t wake, Good. The last iling Fred is her asking questions I don’t have answers for
The hallway is empty. Bexpect the elders to all be standing guard, watching, waiting for proof of our bond. Itat they’re gone. For once, their absence feels heavier than their presence.
Thead to one of the rooms to me its bathroom and freshen up for the day. As I rinse my face, and freshen up. Chce Fin ready, I step out of the house, my focus elsewhere, Ian I immediately spot Hela walking toward me with purpose. The look on her face says it all—she has something to
ly know what
“Bria,” Estart quickly, hoping to cut her off. “I was too tired last night. I just… I fell asleep.”
Her smile is too bright, too knowing. “Oh, don’t worry about that,” she says with a diaminder wave. “We believe everything that needed to happen
Here for me, trying to see of her words. My row furrows as I study her expression. What does she mean by that! I want to ask, but something holds me back. Could they have heard ust Was the rinise prol enough for therm
eding Fissing–something she’s
Bria is far too cheerful, and it puts me on edge. I don’t like it. Her happiness feels misplaced, like there’s something already discussed with the other elders,
Shaking off the unease, 1 head out to the Gamma Warrines training ground. The moment I arrive, ‘n greeted by a resounding round of applause. The sound catches me off guard, and for a moment, I just stand there, my jaw tightening as I realize the news has spiread farther than I could’ve imagined
Leonard strides toward me with a unirk plastered across his face. “Well, how was your first night with your mate? Should we be preparing for the
cries of a diew hiele wont be trashy
I meet his gaze with a flat expression. “I don’t know,” I reply dryly: “Maylie you should’ve spent the night with us to be sure
Leonard grims and claja a hand on my shoulder. “Ola, Lalon’t need to speral the night with you. The elders have already confirmed it. I’m proud of
“Whur” My head jerks toward him, “How the hell?“T trail odf, realizing there’s no point in finishing the question. It’s a lost cause. Whatever crurluminum the elders have reached, Tran’t change darm mu
“My Alpha
The soft, familiar voice behind me pulls me from my thanaghts. Hturn to see Mary approaching, her presence an unexpected relief. Leonard, ever perceptive, gives me a knowing smirk before walking away.
night go?” she asks, her tone light but probing
“Do you really want
want to know?” The words slap out before I can stop them.
“Oh, wow never mind then she mutters, her voice tinged with jealousy. It’s light, but I catch it. And as m
where does this leave me now, my Alpha Mary asks softly, her eyes searching mines
I want to ignore it, I can’t. Her
Chapter 43
I look at her for a long moment, choosing my words carefully. “Mary, don’t think I’ve forgotten what you did. Don’t try to guilt–trip me when we both know you’re not innocent either.”
Her gaze drops guilt flickering across her face. “I know, and I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I promise it won’t happen again. Please, let me make it up to you tonight, my Alpha
As soon as the ays that my mind drift to Amica. How would she react if she found out I shared a bed with Mary so soon after our bonding ceremony! The thought twists something in me, but I shove it aside.
It doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t care about Amica’s feelings. She’s a cheater–she deserves a taste of her own medicine. Right!
- y. “But we can’t do that in my place anymore. Amica and I share a room now
“Fine.” I say to Mary.
Mary’s lips curve into a teasing smirk. “Okay, that’s fine. We can still meet up there–I’d love to see what your new room looks like.”
“Oh, no. Rumors would fly, and I can’t have that. I reply sharply, already regretting entertaining this conversation.
“Come CA.
Deckard, it’s you and me she presses, her tone dripping with confidence. “I’m sure everyone in the castle already knows we’re sleeping together. And this would be a good way to remind Amica that she hasn’t won anything–bonding rites or not!”
“Not in my room, Mary,” I say firmly, cutting her off. “in the castle but not in my room
She shrugs, her grin widening. “Okay, my Alpha. I’ll settle for that,” she says, her tone dripping with satisfaction.
As she walks away, her confidence lingering in the air. I feel the weight of my choices pressing harder. Even with Mary gone, my mind refuses to let
go of Amica. No matter how far I try to push her from my thoughts, she slips back in, her face, her voice, the way she feels.
Maybe Mary’s right. Spending time with her might distract me. It might be the only way to take my mind off Amica.
I spend the rest of my day with Leonard, visiting some of my businesses Blackwater City holds the heart of my empire, though my ventures extend far beyond its borders, even crossing into other countries. My family, aside from being a part of the ancient Dragon Clan, has aquired significant wealth over generations, establishing us as a name of power and prestige
Real estate was the foundation of our fortune. My ancestors acquired vast hectares of land all around Blackwater, shaping the city’s landscape with their developments. We practically own Blackwater!
Over time, our interests expanded. Soon they moved to art, collecting artifats and art works became an interest of my great grand father What began as a hobby turned into a lucrative business.
He founded a firm dealing in buying rare paintings, as well as valuable collections of art, sculptures, antifacts, and even ancient jewelry. These treasures, many of which cost millions, are sold to buyers around the world and furthered strenghten our influence across and beyond boarders
As the business passed from father to son, each generation added their own business intereses and innovations, ensuring the family’s legacy continued to grow.
our name became synonymous with success across industries that extended well beyond Blackwater,
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