All Chapters of Dear Ex Mate, You're Mine to Ruin: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Aaron’s POVIt was down to the last breath, the final moments before everything I’d built over the past decade collapsed completely. I’d tried everything to hold onto my investors, made promises I couldn’t keep, offered deals I couldn’t honor, begged men who used to respect me to reconsider their decisions. But they kept leaving anyway, pulling their money and their support like rats abandoning a sinking ship.And it wasn’t just the investors. My employees were clocking out every second, literally walking off the job mid-shift because they knew the company couldn’t make payroll anymore. I’d walk through the office and see empty desks where productive workers used to sit, hear the echo of my own footsteps in hallways that used to buzz with activity and purpose.The cheating scandal with Christine hadn’t made anything better, if anything it had accelerated the collapse by destroying what little credibility I had left. People called me names on social media, ridiculed me in the comments

Lillian’s POVThe next morning started with what had become a familiar battle, me trying to get Celeste to take her bath while she did everything in her power to avoid it.“Come on, bunny, just ten minutes in the tub and then you can play all you want,” I pleaded, following her around her room as she darted away from me with a mischievous grin.“But I want to play now, Mommy!” she whined, clutching her favorite stuffed bear like it would protect her from the horrors of soap and water. “Can’t we go to the park instead? Please? It’s almost holidays and you promised we’d do fun things!”I sighed, knowing she was right about the promise but also knowing that a five-year-old needed a bath before we went anywhere. “We can go to the park after your bath. That’s the deal, Celeste.”“But Mommy…”A knock on the bedroom door interrupted our negotiation, and Aiden’s voice came through. “Luna Lillian? Sorry to interrupt, but there’s an urgent message for Alpha Dorian. The pack elders are request

Dorian’s POVI stopped in my tracks, my hand frozen on the door handle, shocked at the sheer nerve these elders had to bring up my personal life like it was pack business. The silence in the chamber felt suffocating as I slowly turned around to face them, my expression carefully controlled even though rage was building inside me like a storm.“My personal life is none of your business,” I said, my voice dangerously quiet in a way that usually made people back down immediately.But she didn’t back down, instead leaning forward with concern evident in her aged features. “With respect, Alpha, you’ve been alone for a long time now. Ever since the tragic split from your….”“Guards!” I barked, cutting her off before she could finish that sentence. Two guards appeared in the doorway immediately, their expressions professional but clearly surprised at being summoned during an elder council meeting. “Escort her out of this chamber. Now.” I pointed toward her. “Alpha Dorian, please…” she sta

Lillian’s POVThe moment Dorian’s teeth broke my skin, the moment I felt the bond snap into place with that overwhelming rush of sensation, I pulled away from him abruptly despite the pleasure still coursing through my body. I scrambled off the bed, grabbing the nearest piece of fabric I could find, my discarded shirt and wrapped it around myself as I stumbled toward the bathroom.“Lillian…” Dorian started, reaching for me.“Don’t,” I said, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. “Just…don’t.”I made it to the bathroom and closed the door behind me, leaning against it as my legs threatened to give out. My hand went to my neck where I could feel the mark throbbing, still wet with blood, and the reality of what had just happened crashed over me like a tidal wave.I’d been marked. Again.I dropped the shirt and wrapped my arms around myself instead, suddenly feeling cold despite the warmth of the room. The last time someone had marked me, it had been Aaron. He’d marked me as his,

Lillian’s POV“Actually,” Alanna said, taking a sip of her tea, “we’ve only hooked up once so far. But I’m pretty sure we’ll do it again. There’s definitely chemistry there, and he’s already hinted that he’d be interested in making it a regular thing.”“One time and you’re already planning the next?” I teased, grateful for the lighter topic after all the heavy emotional discussion.“When it’s that good, you don’t wait around,” Alanna said with a shameless grin. “Now come on, enough sitting around talking about my sex life and your relationship fears. Let’s go shopping. You need to get out of your head for a while.”“Shopping?” I repeated doubtfully.“Yes, shopping. As in going to the mall, trying on clothes”The idea was surprisingly appealing. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d done something as simple and frivolous as shopping just for fun. “Okay, let’s do it. But I’m bringing Celeste. She’d never forgive me if she found out we went to the mall without her.”An hour later, the t