All Chapters of Dear Ex Mate, You're Mine to Ruin: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Lillian’s POVGetting ready for Mr Cowell’s fundraiser felt different from preparing for the Nightspire gala. This wasn’t about making a grand entrance or proving a point to hundreds of elite wolves. This was strategic, calculated, a surgical strike at Aaron’s business interests disguised as charity work.I stood in front of my closet, running my fingers over the various dresses hanging there while my mind worked through the implications of tonight. Mr Cowell wasn’t just any businessman he was someone Aaron had been desperately trying to court for investments for months now. The fact that Cowell kept refusing him must have driven Aaron absolutely mad becsuse when Mr. Cowell was still trying to craw back to his feet Wheb he hit down, Aaron had make sure he knew he’s benealth his feet. “The blue one,” Dorian said from the doorway, startling me slightly.I turned to find him already dressed in a charcoal suit that fit him perfectly, his hair styled in that effortlessly elegant way. He n

Lillian’s POVDorian’s entire body had gone rigid the moment Sarah mentioned Shantel’s name, and I could see the muscles in his jaw working as he clenched his teeth. He turned to me with eyes that were more wolf than man, golden and fierce with protective fury.“You’re not meeting with her,” he said flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument.But I wasn’t some helpless omega anymore who needed permission to make my own decisions, and curiosity was burning through me like wildfire. What could possibly have driven Shantel to come here, to my territory, to wait for hours just to see me? This woman had everything she’d schemed for Aaron, the Luna position, the status she’d clawed her way toward. What more could she possibly want?“I’m meeting with her,” I said calmly, meeting Dorian’s intense stare without flinching. “I want to know what she has to say.”“Lillian….”“Dorian,” I interrupted gently but firmly. “I need to do this. Whatever she came here to say, I want to hear it.”I could

Aaron’s POVI switched from channel to channel, but it was useless. Lillian’s face was everywhere every news station, every entertainment show, all of them talking about her appearance at Cowell’s fundraiser, her partnership with Dorian, how successful Fangshade Pack had become. It was like the entire media had collectively decided to worship at her feet.“And Luna Lillian Darkfire continues to make headlines,” one anchor said cheerfully.I jabbed the remote again, my grip tight enough to hurt, searching for something else, anything else to watch.“The power couple everyone’s talking about,” another reporter gushed. “Alpha Dorian Valehart and Luna Lillian have become the standard that other packs aspire to. Industry experts say…”I turned the television off completely and threw the remote across my office. It shattered against the wall in a burst of plastic and batteries, but the satisfaction lasted only a second before the anger came roaring back, stronger than before.My phone buzze

Lillian’s POVThe morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows as I set Celeste’s breakfast plate in front of her scrambled eggs with cheese, toast cut into triangles, and sliced strawberries arranged in a smiley face that made her giggle.“Mommy, you made a happy breakfast!” she announced, clapping her hands together.“For my happy girl,” I said, kissing the top of her head before sitting down beside her with my own coffee.We ate together peacefully, Celeste chattering about the picture she wanted to draw today and the new friend she’d made at school yesterday. I listened to every word, treasuring these quiet moments with my daughter before the chaos of the day pulled me away.After breakfast, we moved to the living room where Celeste insisted on showing me her collection of stuffed animals and the elaborate story she’d created about their adventures. I played along enthusiastically, making different voices for each character while she dissolved into fits of giggles.“And t

Lillian’s POVThat night, after I’d tucked Celeste into bed with vague reassurances about her other grandparents, I lay awake staring at the ceiling. Her question hadn’t been random, I realized. It couldn’t have been just coincidence that she’d brought up grandparents now, of all times.I pulled out my phone and checked the calendar, and my heart sank when I saw the date. Two days from now would mark the anniversary of my mother’s death my Nana’s remembrance day. Somehow, even without knowing the significance, Celeste had sensed something, had asked the exact question that pointed me toward what I’d been avoiding.I needed to take her. Not just for Celeste’s sake, but for my own. I hadn’t visited my mother’s memorial since before I’d married Aaron, hadn’t paid my respects or honored her memory properly in years. The guilt of that neglect settled heavy in my chest.The next morning, I found Dorian in his study going over some reports before work.“I need to take Celeste somewhere,” I s