“I was the one who helped her.” He reached for Aurora’s hand and kissed it. "Aurora is my fiancée, by the way."
I let out a nervous laugh, but it died quickly when I realized no one else was laughing. "No. That can’t be. She’s still my wife. She’s my mate."
Aurora tilted her head slightly. "You really think a bond you took for granted would still be waiting for you after everything you did? You didn’t just lose a mate, Dunstan. You threw her away. Literally in the Dire Oval."
Just then, a courier appeared with a box and placed it on the table.
"What’s this?" I asked.
Aurora crossed her arms as she tipped her chin to the box. "Open it. That's my gift for you."
I opened the box slowly. At first, I saw just paper. Then my eyes landed on the words.
At the top of the stack was the first page—divorce papers. Below it, the mate bond severance form.
It was my damn handwriting. No denying it. Signed and dated like I knew what I was doing.
"No..." My hand flew to my neck.
I barely felt Aubrey’s hand grabbing my arm. All I could think about was how and when she got me to sign. And how the hell I didn’t notice the mark on my neck had already vanished.
I stared at her, rage creeping in. "You had me sign blindly?"
Aubrey hissed. "I told you she’s a deceiver. You shouldn’t have brought her back into the packhouse, let alone made her your secretary."
Aurora’s face was bored. "Between us, I’m not the manipulator. See for yourself."
She pointed to another folder in the box.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
It was Aubrey’s medical file.
I flipped through it fast, searching for any sign this was some mistake. But there it was in black and white. No leukemia. No diagnosis. Just page after page of falsified crap.
I looked at Aubrey, shaking. "You never had leukemia? My pup died for nothing?"
"Babe, I can explain—"
"This explains everything."
Aurora looked amused. She glanced at Mr. Richmond. "Let’s go. We have a wedding to attend."
He smiled at her, leaned in, and kissed her lips.
My wolf growled.
"No! This can’t be. You’re not marrying him. You’re just doing this to punish me."
Mr. Richmond cocked his head slightly, a slow grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Punishing you? That’s an odd choice of words. We’re actually here to give you something special—our wedding invitation. Thought it’d be more satisfying delivered in person."
My eyes almost popped out of its socket as I stared at the last content of the box.
Inside was a golden wedding invitation. Their names—Aurora Aspen and Dominic Richmond—printed in elegant script.
I heard my own voice break free.
"No!"
"Oh, and one more thing. Since we finalized the business agreement, ninety-five percent of your properties and stocks now belong to me."
I blinked hard, trying to shake off the haze that had wrapped around me ever since I saw those documents. "H-How?"
"Ask your stockholders why they sold their shares."
He turned back to Aurora, offering his arm. She took it. They walked away, smiling, like they owned the whole damn world.
People were clapping, and smiling at them like they were royalty.
On the other hand, my whole system had gone numb.
She looked so composed. So goddamn powerful. Her shoulders squared, her head held high, eyes steady.
Before I knew it, I was advancing in Aurora’s direction, chasing her.
But Aubrey was beside me, crying. "Babe, don’t leave me. Please—"
I pushed her away and ran after Aurora.
"Aurora! Please. Stop."
She paused. Then she leaned in close to Richmond, whispered something into his ear.
He gave a small nod and stepped aside. But the grin on his face was directed at me.
"We don’t have to go this far," I said, attempting to hold her hand but she yanked it away with brows raised.
"I’m sorry. I know I was wrong. I know you’re doing this because of me. But we can fix this. Just give me another chance."
She stared at me. Her green eyes were like ice.
"I’m sorry, Dunstan, but I’m not a dog who consumes something he already puked."
She turned and walked away. Arm-in-arm with the man who destroyed me.
And everyone cheered for her.
