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CREMEN. grup
The next morning came faster then I expected, and we w mariage certificate, the air in the house wastews, w/ Alara’s side. She practically bounced as she signed flourish, her eyes sparkling with troph
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“There!” Alara exclaimed, handing the pen back to Mr Pays wis site whe Alara Darkridge”
Her voice echoed through the housemedies the ones, “For co address me as Mrs. Darkridge, Understood?
They nodded meekly, shuffling about to follow he oren the sea AS mouth. Alara had always been assertive, by this was something so position, using it as a weapon.
my nare
setost
As she strutted around the house, giving orders, I found mysef sinking Mrs. Darkridge. The words were sherp, outting through my cheap sex s on my name, to claim the title of Luns, as if it mexterring to the Bunkers 182 never changed her last name. She stayed Kards kewood, eveST STE NE NESE memes
I never questioned it at the time, figuring it was just Kara teng he seem sef Bur now, watching Alara revel in the name “Deridge” I couldn’t help but wonder Did Yadas refusal to take my name mean something more? Had she been trying to tell me all along tran her heart was never really mine?
It felt like someone had just driven a spike through my chest. I didn’t want to belee tut the thought gnawed at me. Maybe she never loved me. Maybe, in her own que way ste wass always ready to leave.
Shaking off the thought, I turned my attention back to Mit Price, who had been watching Alara’s theatrics with a carefully neutral expression “Come to my study said areat heading toward the door. “We need to talk.”
Once inside the study, the air felt heavier. This room had always been a place for sermuss discussions, decisions that carried weight. Today was no different
Mr. Price placed the marriage certificate on my desk, sliding it toward me it’s doTE” TE Sa simply. “You’re legally married, though only on paper for now”
I nodded, staring down at the certificate. Alara’s signature gleamed in black mk, bod and
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confident. I picked up the pen and hesitated for a moment before signing my name next to hers. The ink barely dried before I shoved the paper away.
“What happens after three months?” I asked, leaning back in my chair.
“If no unresolved issues with your ex-wife come up by then,” Mr. Price began, “you’ll be free to marry Alara officially. Of course, if Alara gets suspicious, we’ll have to cross that bridge when we come to it.”
I drummed my fingers against the desk, my eyes narrowing. “And if I can’t get her to sign again? What happens then?”
Mr. Price met my gaze evenly. “Getting her to sign again won’t be an issue. Alara… well, she seems eager to secure her place. It’s unlikely she’ll resist signing when the time comes.”
I grunted in response, my thoughts swirling. Alara was hungry for power and status. I had no doubt she’d sign the certificate again without a second thought. But that didn’t ease the strange weight pressing down on my chest.
“I trust you understand,” I said quietly, “that no one can know about this. The fake marriage, the certificate… it stays between us.”
“Of course,” Mr. Price replied, his tone professional as ever. “Discretion is my business, Alpha.
I nodded and waved him off. He gathered his things and left without another word. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, I stood up and paced the room. The weight in my chest grew heavier with each step. The ceremony was scheduled for this evening, and Alara was already acting like she owned the place, bossing around the staff like she was queen.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. Just a few more hours before the whole pack would witness the wedding that wasn’t really a wedding. A farce, a lie. I wondered how long I’d be able to keep this up before it all came crashing down. And why did it feel so wrong?
Sinking back into my chair, I let out a long breath. The truth was, I couldn’t stop thinking about Kaida. About her quiet strength, her refusal to take my name, and the way she’d disappeared without a word. It was infuriating, but it was also… haunting.
What if I was wrong? The thought came unbidden, slamming into me like a freight train. What if divorcing her had been a mistake? What if Alara wasn’t the answer? I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away, but they clung to me like a shadow.
I stood up abruptly, unable to sit still any longer. I needed to clear my head, get out of this room. I opened the door and stepped into the hallway, only to be greeted by Alara, who was humming to herself as she adjusted some decorations in the living room.
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“Kaelen!” she called out brightly when she saw me. “Come look at the final touches for the ceremony!”
I forced a smile and walked over, pretending to admire the arrangements. She had clearly gone all out-flowers, lights, everything designed to impress the pack and solidify her status as Luna. But it all felt empty.
“It looks great,” I said, my voice flat.
Alara beamed at me, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me on the cheek. “I can’t wait for tonight. It’s going to be perfect.”
“Yeah,” I muttered, pulling away slightly. “Perfect.”
As Alara went back to directing the omegas, I made my way back to my room, closing the door behind me. I needed space. I needed time to think. But time was the one thing I didn’t
have.
Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through my contacts until I found Mr. Price’s number again. Without hesitating, I dialed.
“Alpha Kaelen,” he answered quickly. “Is everything alright?”
“The marriage will proceed in the evening as planned,” I said, my voice low and firm. “Make sure the necessary paperwork is ready by this evening.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Mr. Price spoke again. “Understood. I’ll make the arrangements.”
I hung up the phone and leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes. This was the right move. It had to be. I couldn’t afford to second-guess myself now. Alara was my future. Kaida
was my past.
But as the evening drew closer, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the past wasn’t quite finished with me yet.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
