5. A KISS

 CELESTE

I waited for the mocking laughter to follow. Anything to indicate that this was all a joke to him, and he was thriving in my misfortune. This is the moment he had been waiting for after all, so there was no point holding back. What I didn’t expect was how low he’d be willing to stoop to rub it in my face.

“Aren’t you enjoying this a bit too much?” I clenched my teeth, wiping off the dried tears that smug my cheeks.

“I guess I am,” he shrugged. “But we can enjoy it together. Just say the word and I’ll help you get your revenge,” he muttered.

For the first time in forever, Caspian looked serious about something. His muscles flexed underneath his shirt, and I could have sworn he was mad, but why would he be? Caspian hated me and detested my relationship with Declan even more. If this wasn’t another prank, I don’t know what it was.

He inched closer, gripping onto my shoulder, and gods… He smells so nice. His eyes bore into mine, and we just stayed like that for a moment. I allowed my mind to waver, and I couldn't deny how beautiful he looked.

His natural green eyes had a calming aura I didn’t think he was aware of, considering how he thrived in chaos. His hair was slicked back, making him look ten times hotter than what I remembered, and those arms? Fuck me, they look so strong.

My gaze fell to his full lips, and something twisted in my stomach.

“Are we admiring the enemy now?” A sarcastic voice scoffed in my head. I blinked, shaking off the thought as I pulled away from him.

“Listen to me,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I am done being the pawn in your dirty games. You have a problem with Declan? Take it up with him. I am not stupid enough to fall for your tricks.”

His eyes flickered with something dark. It disappeared before I could read it, and then he nodded.

I swear, he’s so fucking hard to read.

“How about you make me your pawn?” he said, looking me dead in the eyes.

“W-what are you talking about?”

The weather had become even more chilly, and I couldn’t help but rub my arms against my shoulder to brush the cold away. I should have known that listening to Hilary to wear something this revealing was a big mistake.

Caspian slowly took off his jacket, revealing the muscles that flexed beneath his shirt. He had the first two buttons undone, giving us a glimpse of his toned chest. As much as I hated to admit it, he looked devilishly handsome.

He stepped closer, wrapping his jacket around me. He clenched his teeth as he took a step back to check me out in his jacket. He was probably feeling like a hero right now. If I weren’t shivering from the chilly weather, I’d rip it off and throw it at his face, but that can wait.

“From where I stand, you have more to gain from this deal, so what do you say, Raven?” He asked in a raspy voice that made my throat dry.

Pretending to be Caspian’s girlfriend could get the board members of my father’s company to accept me. After all, he was the Alpha King of the most powerful bloodline that lived. Caspian was exactly what I needed to get into the business world and make a name for myself, but wouldn’t I be relying on someone again? 

I came here tonight so that I can be independent. I don’t need another man telling me what to do.

“Which is what makes him even more perfect. You came here for connections, didn’t you? Use him to get what you want since he’d be using you to get to Declan too. Easy peasy. Set the rules and for once, be the one in control.” A voice in my head whispered.

“I know what I’d gain in this, but your intentions are not defined. Why are you doing this?” I crossed my arms against my chest, questioning him.

“I need a Luna. And you need power. Sounds like a fair trade,” A smug smile tugged at his lips.

“Y-you… you are going to lie to the world to—”

“You don’t have a problem lying to the world to get what you want, do you?” he arched his brows, and my throat tightened.

“I’m doing this to prove myself. Yours is different! An Alpha should be sincere with his people…”

He scoffed, taking me by surprise. 

“No wonder you could fall for that prude,” he snickered.

“Did you just insult me?”

“You’re way too innocent for the world you are about to step into, so I’ll help you, as long as you don’t interfere in my affairs. Pretend to be my girlfriend to get those old farts off my back, and you’ll get everything you have always dreamed of.”

“You make it sound like you are doing me a favour,” I snorted.

I mean, I never liked him partly because I knew he couldn’t be trusted. But this?

“I am, Raven,” he smirked. “So are you ready to rock this world with me?”

“You mean rock this lie?” I shot back, and he shrugged.

Before I could give him a response, cameras came flashing in our faces, taking me by surprise. Caspian pulled me over to his side in an instant, wrapping his arms around my waist as he held me still.

“What the hell are you doing?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“Giving them something to write about.”

Before I could brush him away, more reporters came in, each trying to get an interview. Their lips parted at once, each one throwing questions in different directions.

“Alpha Caspian, are you with Miss Harrington now?” 

“She had just gotten a divorce and her ex-husband had shown up with another woman. Is this the reason for their breakups?”

My body tensed against Caspian’s. His grip tightened around my waist as he stared at the reporters.

“Does that mean the rumour of Alpha Declan cheating was a lie?” another reporter asked.

“Please, clear the air. I am sure everyone else is just as curious as we are,” another one muttered, almost shoving the cameras in our face. 

Just then, the door swung open and Declan stepped in with Avery— the same woman he claimed was nothing but his assistant. Our eyes met and something shifted in my stomach. I looked between the cameras and Declan, and I knew I had to do something or this wouldn’t end the way we had hoped.

Caspian stood beside me with a smudged smile on his face, clearly enjoying the scene. His eyes bore into mine, waiting to see how I intend to clear the air without his help. Fucking asshole. 

More reporters came in, and I panicked. I can’t have them ruining my father’s reputation because of this. Declan was watching. The cameras were waiting. And so, I did the one thing that would burn it all down. I reached up, grabbing Caspian by his shirt, and pulled his lips down to mine.