Rejected, And Became A Heiress

Chapter 34

"The bracelet you asked me to buy for...." I cough, suddenly having difficulty saying his fiancée's name. "For.... her... is in your tuxedo pocket."

I hear shuffling then Alaric's grunt of approval. "So it is. You've done well. Seems like you've thought of everything, as usual..."

"Just doing my job." I say tightly. Normally I'd appreciate a compliment like that from my boss, but today is not a normal day. And Alaric and I haven't exactly had a normal relationship. And Alaric today is also not himself.

He should be the Alpha king who has always been cold, not the one awkwardly chatting with me about these topics.

Seconds tick by and neither of us speaks. I check the clock, and realize I need to get going.

"Umm... I hope you have a happy wedding... and happy marriage.." It feels like the right thing to say, like a semblance of a veiled goodbye. And at least it fills the uncomfortable silence. "Thanks..." It seems Alaric feels just as strange.

Well, this is awkward.

"Cara," Alaric clears his throat, buying time. "I hope this goes without saying, but I must remind you that you are required to attend the ceremony today. Until the very end." "Mhmm..." I don't trust myself to voice a response. To once again lie to him this directly.

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Chapter

He pauses, then says, "Inced you there."

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose between my fingers, staving off the headache that Alaric is stirring up.

"I know," I reply. It's not exactly a lie. I'm sure at this moment Alaric thinks he does need me.

"See you soon." He says before hanging up.

No, I think, you won't.

I slept at Ruby's last night. I doubted that Alaric would have the time or desire to stop at the apartment we shared, but I avoided it just in case.

I gather my things and head to the car.

I drop one of my smaller bags as I'm attempting to open the passenger side door. The bag hits the ground with a thud, landing next to the tire.

I bend to pick up the bag with a sigh and look inside, hoping nothing fragile was inside. Luckily, everything seems safe and sound, but notice a drop fall from the bottom of the bag. My hand reaches for the leather on the bag's underside. It's wet.

I look down next to the tire and see a small puddle. I drop to one knee, peeking as far under the car as I can see. There's a piece of tubing hanging next to the wheel.

It looks like it's been cut.

It's the brake

to Ruby's with no issues. I looked around, for something, anything, that could explain how this

But who? And why?

today, and I couldn't exactly do that with a broken car. Plus, I don't

at the ridiculous notion that the pack's soon-to-be Luna would attempt to hurt a Beta, but the memory of Lilia tripping me at the office

her wedding, Lilia would no doubt be busy with massages

it wasn't her idea,"

But who would do

of a face flashes in my mind. Someone who absolutely

way, at any cost.

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Jan 1

Chapter 21

George.

former Gamma that Alaric exiled for sabotaging me and speaking ill of

had witnessed making

Of course.

text to Ruby, asking

at the hospital this morning, which

to follow me after the wedding in her own car, but I'm running out

7%

+5

location of her spare car keys. She tells me to take the car and go, she'd figure out another

rushing into the car with fresh vigor, moving as quickly as my

foot presses on the gas pedal, and I watch as

life is behind me now. I'm starting a new adventure, finding a new

emotions coursing through me as I

both terrifying and

the wedding. Most pack members

me leaving. No one to report it

me

Ven't will likely

the edge of town and let my muscles relax as much as they can. All the pretending I've been doing for the last few weeks with Alaric has been worth it for this moment. I

a true, honest

perfect. But

in the rearview mirror, eager to see if I look as relieved as I feel. If I look

the sight that I don't look at the road in

onto my side of the