CHAPTER 8: ALL FOR ME?

****CELESTE***

A small smile tugged at my lips as my eyes traced Cassian’s movements to the bathroom. I tugged the duvet closer to my chest, and I shut my eyes as I relived the beautiful moments we just shared.

Then—my phone started buzzing. 

I let out a frustrated grunt as I steered towards my phone, then I scrambled across the bed's safe beside me until I found it. 

I picked the call immediately. “Hey, Dad…”

“What is Cassian doing to stop the rumors flying around?” His deep voice echoed from the other end of the line, and I was very close to losing it.

“Aren't you supposed to congratulate me on my wedding first?” I snapped at him, fingers curling tightly around my phone. “How could the first thing you say to me after my wedding be about a crisis?”

He let out a small sigh as if finally coming back to his senses, then—

“You know how much I care about you and your happiness. But if things continue at this rate, we are liable to lose everything we've built over the years in a blink.”

I could feel his fear despite his hardness. 

“Don't worry, Dad,” I assured him. “I already have a plan ongoing to make Aurora go away alongside everything else like the night's wind.”

“Are you sure?”

I chuckled softly. “Trust me… everything's going to end tomorrow.”

***AURORA***

I picked up my phone to check the time; that was when I realized how much time had passed. Spending time in Ronan’s private study helped me understand one thing—he didn't pick these books to intimidate me. Rather, he chose them to teach me to be strong and stand up for myself in difficult times. 

I exhaled through my mouth as I dropped the last book, and I leaned back slowly on the chair, eyes shut. 

After reflecting for a moment on how I got here, I straightened and walked out of the private study. I stepped into the living room and looked around for Ronan to tell him I was done, but he was nowhere to be found. I was about to sink into the couch before me when I felt a soft touch on my shoulder. I smiled as I turned, about to brag to Ronan about how fast I finished, but that smile vanished instantly when I saw Gareth’s face.

“You got off easy the other time because of that squirm,” he said, eyes narrowed at me. “Right now, there's no one to save you.”

“What do you want?” I asked, heart racing.

He chuckled softly, but it didn't reach his eyes. “How exactly did a mid-class like you manage to get the alpha to form a marriage contract with you?”

DID HE REALLY CALL ME MID-CLASS?

“It's not your place to ask me such a question,” I responded, eyes locked onto him. “For as long as I remain Ronan’s wife, you would accord me absolute respect.”

He suddenly went mute, and I wondered if something crazier was coming. I didn't stop there; I pushed further.

“Got it?”

He clenched his jaw before finally meeting my gaze with a defeated look. “Got it.”

He was about to turn, but I didn't let him just leave. 

“You can go now,” I muttered, and he snarled before finally leaving.

I kept my eyes on him until he finally vanished into the hallways, then my hands went to my chest as I let out a victorious sigh.

My heart almost jumped out of my chest when I turned. Ronan was standing a few paces before me with a small smile tugged at his lips.

“How… How long have you been there?” I asked, unable to meet his gaze.

“Long enough to see how you dominated that fight,” he responded, stepping closer to me.

I shuddered slightly when I felt his warm breath against my face, and when I finally dared to meet his gaze, my heart stopped. His facial features drew me in, and I felt like pulling him closer to me, letting out my carnal desires.

“I take it that you finished those books I picked for you.” he placed his massive palm on my head and started patting me softly. “That's a great start.”

I froze under his touch. “You're saying it like there's something else?” 

He stepped back, gesturing towards the chair behind me before finally sitting opposite me. There was an awkward silence between us for a few heartbeats, then—

“You and I… We're going to the council meeting together.”

“What?” 

He simply ignored my surprise and continued with his talk. “From now on, wherever I go, you go.”

“But… But…” I stuttered, heart slamming hard against my chest. “We just got married yesterday. Don't you think that this is a little bit too sudden?”

“Are you getting cold feet already?” His deep baritone voice echoed in the room, and I clenched my fists tightly. “Cause I really thought you were serious about getting revenge on Cassian.”

Yeah, I wanted revenge. But things are changing so fast, I'm starting to doubt that I can keep up.

“So long as you remain a Blackthorne, you will do exactly what is expected of you,” he muttered, rising to his feet. He was about to walk off when he suddenly dropped his gaze at me. “Or would you rather leave, and become the spectacle of the same people you're afraid of facing?”

That cleared every bit of doubt left in me, and I straightened, eyes locked onto him.

“No.”

A satisfied grin tugged at the corner of his lips, and he stared at me for a few seconds before finally turning his back. “THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT… You should go to your room; a stylist is waiting for you there.”

A STYLIST?

My gaze lingered on his broad frame as he walked off, and I couldn't help but question why I feel differently whenever he's close to me.

I let out a short sigh when he finally disappeared from my sight, and I bit my lower lip as I walked towards my room. I froze in awe for several seconds when I stepped inside. There were several designer dresses, and I couldn't even start to calculate how much they cost altogether. 

“Oh, you're here… Mrs. Blackthorne,” a young lady in her early thirties smiled at me, and I forced a smile back as I shut the door gently behind me.

“Umm…” I started, walking in careful steps towards her. “How did all these clothes get here?”

“First… My name is Helen, and I'm going to be your stylist from now on,” she muttered, then bowed slightly with a smile plastered on her face. “To answer your question… Several top garment factories were contracted to bring in this collection, and they're all for you.”

ALL FOR ME? I COULDN'T EVEN DREAM OF FINISHING THIS HAUL IF I WORE ONE DRESS PER DAY FOR 90 DAYS STRAIGHT.

I thought that was all, but the next statement broke me.

"One more thing you should know,” Helen said. “Is that… Alpha Ronan personally selected every single piece.”