Chapter 4
When I got into the car, the driver was nowhere to be seen.
Richard sat in the passenger seat, Laura in the back. The air was thick with awkward tension.
I immediately noticed the faint smirk tugging at Laura’s reddened lips and smiled bitterly to myself.
So those so–called “arguments” were just a cover–up for their secret flirting behind my back.
I sat down next to Laura and closed my eyes.
“Where’s the driver?” I asked.
Richard glanced back.
“He went to the restroom. I’ll call and hurry him up.”
I responded with a noncommittal hum.
He handed me my insulated cup from the front–a special blend of moonlight honey he brewed himself, its faint sweetness filling the air.
“Tired?” he asked.
Then he turned to Laura.
“You should sit up front.”
“No,” I suddenly opened my eyes and smiled, grabbing Laura’s hand.
“I still have plenty of secrets to share with Laura.”
Richard frowned.
“What secrets you can’t tell me?”
I smiled meaningfully.
“Of course, it’s all the bad things about you. If I say them out loud, you’ll have to kick Laura out.”
Laura clearly froze at my words.
I leaned close to her ear, voice barely above a whisper.
“I was at Night Hall last night.”
Laura’s hand trembled sharply and slipped from my fingers.
She knew I had tested Richard but had no idea what I’d actually seen.
That’s why she’d been so cautious during rehearsal today, testing the waters with me.
I smiled, fighting the stabbing pain in my chest, and whispered in her ear:
“I saw everything. What happened at the pool, and how close he was to you.”
“You really are a great best friend, Laura.”
Laura’s knuckles turned white as she gripped her dress tightly.
Just as she tried to get out of the car, I grabbed her wrist.
“Scared now?”
My voice turned icy cold.
Chapter 4
“Wasn’t this all part of your well–planned script? I find out before the wedding, call off the bond, you swoop in… Didn’t you have it all mapped out?”
Laura glared at me, guilt flashing in her eyes–but she said nothing.
My tone grew colder.
“I’m not going to follow your plan. I’m going through with the Mating Ceremony. I’ll marry him in front of everyone.”
Laura’s face instantly went pale.
I sneered.
“You don’t believe Richard will change, and neither do I. But that doesn’t stop me from controlling this whole ceremony. I’m the one calling the shots–not you.‘
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“You’ve fallen for Richard, haven’t you? But does he really care about you? He doesn’t even care if you’re a worthy mate. You believe his sweet talk?”
“Wanna bet? If I expose everything from last night right now, he’d kick you out immediately and then kneel before me begging for forgiveness.”
“And what about you?”
Laura’s eyes reddened quickly.
My heart clenched, and my voice broke.
“You betrayed over twenty years of friendship for a fickle Alpha?”
Laura buried her face in her hands, trembling, unable to look at me.
I turned away.
The tears finally broke free.
At that moment, I hurt–deep, raw pain.
Like something had been ripped straight from the depths of my soul.
The car door opened.
Richard got in, his expression instantly darkening.
“Why are you crying?” He glanced at Laura, voice cold.
“What did you say to Fiona?”
He stepped out and slid into the back seat from the other side, voice colder than before.
“Laura, go sit in the bridesmaids‘ car.”
Laura was shocked.
“You-”
“Can’t understand me?” He cut her off.
With red eyes and bitten lips, Laura got out and slammed the door behind her,
Richard pulled me close, his tone softening immediately.
“Baby, what did you two just talk about?”
I leaned on him, voice hoarse.
Chapter 4
“Just some… old stuff.”
Richard frowned.
“Is she crazy? You’re having your Mating Ceremony torow–what if your eyes stay swollen from crying?”
His voice was loud enough to carry outside through the car window.
I saw Laura shiver in the distance, then stumble away quickly.
Good.
My first step of revenge had pierced straight into her heart.
