All Chapters of Moon Reaper’s Substitute Bride: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

~AURORA~"Your family will be here today."Cassian's voice cut through the quiet morning. I stiffened where I stood, the cup in my hand suddenly feeling far too fragile. The words immediately worsen my mood.He watched me closely, leaning against the kitchen counter with casual grace, an apple held loosely in his long fingers. He took a single bite between his teeth as he studied my reaction."I thought you would have been happier to hear this," he said, his brow furrowing slightly.Oh no. I forgot he was not aware of my real feelings towards the Varkas family.I forced my lips into what I hoped was a convincing smile, though my pulse pounded in my ears. If he sensed even a glimmer of the truth, that my so-called family had treated me worse than the lowliest servant back home, everything would be ruined. The Varkas would punish me for exposing their carefully crafted plan. The council might intervene and tear me away from here. . .from him.The idea of losing this new life with Cass

~AURORA~I stared at Vincent, unable to form any words from the shock of his offer. He was actually asking me if I wanted to escape this marriage? A bitter laugh almost escaped my mouth. Was Cassian's plan to make him jealous already working better than either of us had anticipated?He was the one who'd discarded me like I meant absolutely nothing to him. Not once did he try to get me out of this marriage and he'd known about it for years. Yet, he's suddenly interested in freeing me from Cassian after getting publicly humiliated by him?Coincidence? I did not think so."Why are you concerned?" I demand, not hiding my true anger from him. "You are now engaged to Seraphina. You made your choice. The wedding is in the near future. You have no reason worrying about my life."Vincent's eyes narrowed, a flash of raw pain crossing his features. "Do you really expect me to just forget that we are mates, Aurora? I can't simply pretend you mean nothing to me. Do you have any idea how much it h

~AURORA~Cassian doesnt bother answering my question as he moves towards Seraphina and Lady Elowen. Part of me was worried he'd seen through my lie and knew that they were responsible for the bruise on my face. I saw the worry in their eyes, aware that they were in Moon Reaper territory, which meant their lives could be at risk if Cassian wasn't pleased with their behavior. "It is time for you to leave."Lady Elowen's perfectly arched brows drew together in disbelief. "Leave? But we have barely spent any time here at all. I must see for myself that Aurora is being treated well. After all, I am expected to report back to the council with a full account of everything that I saw here today. I am sure that when you visit our territory, you would wish to do the same.”She wanted to see if I was being treated well? Ha. What she truly wanted was a chance to bully and harm me, just like she did back at her castle. I could see how much she hated not having me back home, just so she’d have s

~AURORA~Cassian had me on top of a table, legs parted just enough to feel exposed, my fingers trembling as they traced slow, tentative circles over the damp fabric of my panties. Cassian stood in front of me, his powerful body rigid, eyes locked on every movement I made.The heat in his gaze was dark, hungry, and barely controlled.I could see the war raging inside him. A muscle ticked violently in his sharp jaw, and his chest rose and fell in deep, controlled breaths that weren't quite steady. Every time my fingers pressed a little firmer against my aching core, his throat moved with a hard swallow, and his thighs tensed, the muscles flexing beneath his pants as if he were physically restraining himself from lunging forward."That's it," he rasped, voice low and rough. "Show me, Aurora. Let me watch you."The praise sent a fresh wave of heat flooding through me. Encouraged by the raw need in his tone, I hooked my fingers under the edge of my panties and slowly dragged them aside.

~AURORA~I held my breath as Cassian closed the distance between us in one stride, his strong hands grip my waist with a possessiveness that sent heat rushing through my veins. Before I could even protest, or catch my balance, he lifted me effortlessly and set me down on the kitchen counter. I could feel the warmth from his body and part of me wants to wrap my arms around his neck and hold on tightly.He leaned in close, so close I could feel the heat of his breath against my skin. His eyes searched mine, intense, as if he could read every conflicted thought swirling in my head. "Are you upset about something?" he asks, his voice low and rough, filled with something dangerously close to concern.Why would he ever be concerned about me? It's not like he cared. I bit my lip nervously, the sharp sting leveling me for a second. I wasn't supposed to feel this way—jealous and possessive while wanting more of him. This marriage was only a performance for the council's prying eyes. Cassian