I tilted my head, baring my teeth in a taunting grin. “What’s wrong, brother? Scared?”
His pupils shrank, fists clenching so tight his knuckles turned white.
“You dare-!”
He took one thunderous step, his Alpha aura saturating the air thick enough to choke on-
Then Maya moved.
A flash of wild curls and fury, she planted herself between us like a she-wolf guarding her cub.
“Lay one fucking finger on her,” she snarled, “and we’re done. Hear me, Ethan? Fucking done!”
Ethan froze mid-step, his expression like someone had punched him in the gut.
“Maya…
“Shut up!” she snapped, her eyes burning with a rage I’d never seen before. “You knew she
AV KIND was your sister and said nothing? What the fuck kind of disgusting game are you playing?!”
Shame and rage warred across Ethan’s face, but he didn’t deny it.
Maya gave a bitter laugh and grabbed my wrist so tightly I thought she’d snap the bone.
“We’re leaving!”
Her voice brooked no argument as she yanked me away.
“Oooh, Ethan~!”
That sickeningly sweet voice cut through the tension like a knife.
Celeste had slithered over, her face plastered with that saccharine, pitying smile I knew too well.
“What a shame,” she sighed, fluttering her lashes. “Looks like your little mate’s been contaminated by the plague too~”
Ethan whirled on her, eyes blazing like he was ready to tear her throat out.
“Shut your fucking mouth, Celeste!”
Kieran frowned and grabbed her arm. “Enough, Celeste. Let’s go.”
But she shook him off with a graceful flick.”Oh, relax, Kieran! I’m just looking out for my brother.” Her gaze slid to me, venomous. “We all know how… contagious Sera’s jealousy and manipulation can be. Who knows what she’s told her friend?”
Kieran’s expression darkened. Ethan’s eyes locked onto mine-a silent warning flashing in their depths.
Maya flipped them off before dragging me away. Whatever. They always needed their dramatic performances, their carefully staged villains. The old me might have crumbled.
But as Maya’s grip tightened around mine, all I felt was gratitude.
Daniel was no longer the only one by my side.
Now I had Lucian.
And Maya.
The rest weren’t worth a single tear.
As soon as we made it into the garden, Maya turned to me again. “I’m sorry, Sera. I didn’t know…”
I shook my head. When Maya chose me over Ethan, I knew-I couldn’t let her.
“Everything I said back there was bullshit,” I cut her off again. “I just wanted to see Ethan’s face twist in pain-“
“But-” Maya started to protest.
I grabbed her hand, looking into her eyes. “Listen to me, Maya. Seriously. I know what finding your mate means. Fated mates are incredibly rare now. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. I’d rather be stabbed ten times by Ethan than watch you give up your mate because of me.”
Her throat bobbed. “But I know what he did to you. How he??@
I shook my head and stopped her. “What happened between Ethan and me shouldn’t affect what you have with him. And besides…” I swallowed hard, “Ethan is… a good Alpha. He’d be… a good mate.”
“Oh fuck me,” she sighed, crushing me in a tight hug.”You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to defend him. Even for me.”
“I can’t lie to you, Maya.” I hugged her, forcing a soft smile. “I can’t let my experience ruin your happiness. You’re my precious friend.”
Her voice trembled against my ear. “Oh, dear. They have no idea how fucking amazing you are. Losing you is the biggest mistake of their lives!”
I chuckled softly and gently pushed her back. “I don’t give a shit what they think anymore.”
I tugged her hand. “Come on. Lucian’s probably looking for me.”
She nodded and took my hand, looking into my eyes. “I won’t betray you, Sera.”
I blinked, and she gave me a bright smile. “Celeste will never win my favor. Ethan’s my mate. But I swear to the moon goddess-if that bitch crosses me again, I will tear her apart.”
I snorted. “She’s not that bad.”
Maya raised a brow. “Oh really? Name two redeeming qualities Celeste has. Just two.”
I opened my mouth-and immediately shut it.
Maya burst out laughing, slinging her arm around my shoulder. “Exactly what I fucking thought.”
We were still goofing off when someone stepped into our path.
Emma.
She stood at the edge of the cobblestone path, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with malice.
“Well, well,” she sneered. “Two of you. Sluts always come in pairs when chasing what’s not theirs.”
Maya stiffened beside me. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, please,” Emma scoffed, flipping her black hair over her bare shoulder. “You snagged Ethan, and Sera here has already proven herself a master at stealing someone else’s man.”
Her lips curled. “You’re a perfect match.”
A low growl rumbled in Maya’s throat as she stepped forward, but I gently blocked her, moving between them. My friends shouldn’t always have to fight for me-I could protect them too.
“Back off, Emma,” I said calmly. “Ethan never chose you. Maya or not, that was never going to change. And you know that.”
Her laugh held no humor. “Oh; spare me. You have the nerve to say that? Or did you forget that Kieran never chose you either? And yet you stole the mate your sister was chosen for
-like the shameless whore you are.”
I froze. Every ounce of warmth drained from my body, replaced by that familiar, sickening sting. The echoes of the pack’s jeers after that night came roaring back-husband-thief, lovewrecker, worthless.
“You’d better shut your fucking mouth while I’m still feeling generous,” Maya warned, her voice razor-sharp.
Emma only smiled-cold, cruel-locking eyes with me. “Oh, did I hit a nerve? It’s hard to preach loyalty when you wrote a whole book about betrayal, isn’t it, Sera?”
Maya ripped her arm from mine and stalked toward Emma. “Say one more word, bitch, and
I’ll yank out your teeth and wear them as a fucking necklace at my wedding to Ethan.”
I saw Emma’s eyes go wide as Maya’s Beta aura slammed down on her.
She stumbled back, hands raised in mock surrender. “Fine,” she muttered-then pivoted to me with a vicious grin.
Without warning, she shoved me.
Fuck! I wasn’t ready.
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