All Chapters of Beautiful Betrayal: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Azerbel felt the change before she understood it.The dining hall had gone quiet, and every eye was on Genaro.Then they turned to her.Too many people. Too many questions in their eyes. Too much pressure.Her shoulders stiffened, and her breath caught. Something was about to happen, but she couldn't stop Genaro now. Not in front of everyone.She remembered Luna Lorraine's lessons.Stand straight.Stay calm.Never let them see you break.Azerbel took a slow breath and lifted her chin. She forced her face to remain calm even though her heart was pounding."I won't take much of your time," Genaro said. His voice carried easily through the hall. "I won't let your food grow cold."Azerbel almost rolled her eyes.He could have skipped all of this.But now she wanted to know what he was about to say.Was she simply a guest?A prisoner?Or something worse?"This is Azerbel."Genaro's voice rang through the room."From today onward, she will be part of our pack."The reaction came immediately.

The moment Genaro pulled away, something inside Azerbel broke.It wasn't relief. It wasn't anger.It felt like she had lost something she didn't even understand.Then she saw his small, satisfied smile."Does that mean I have your permission?" he asked.Everything came crashing back.Her chest tightened, and heat rushed into her face. She took a step back, her stomach twisting.Of course.Of course he would turn it into this.She had let him get close. She had let him take control. And now he stood there as if he had won some kind of game.She hated him for it.But even more, she hated herself for not stopping him.For wanting it.For kissing him back.She swallowed hard.No.She couldn't stay here.Not with him looking at her like that.Azerbel turned and ran toward the cave entrance.She didn't think or hesitate. She only wanted to get away from him.Her body shifted on instinct.Bones cracked, muscles stretched, and a heartbeat later, she was running through the forest in her beast

Azerbel had expected Genaro to explain what it meant to be his woman.She hadn't expected the answer to change everything.She had tried asking him.He refused to give her a straight answer.So she found someone else."What does it mean to be the alpha's woman?"The question slipped out before Azerbel could stop herself.Curiosity had beaten her fear.The woman she was speaking to looked surprised."You don't know?"Then she seemed to remember where Azerbel came from."Oh, forgive me."Azerbel waved her hand."It's all right. Please, just tell me."The woman gave her a gentle smile."This must be confusing for you. We're the only Lycan pack, so we live differently from the other packs. Our traditions are different.""I noticed," Azerbel said quietly.She didn't want a long explanation, but she waited."In your packs, the Moon Goddess chooses your mate," the woman explained. "A bond forms between you, and it grows stronger with time. If one mate dies, the other may even be given another

Azerbel's Point of ViewThree hours.The number wouldn't leave me alone.It echoed in my head, louder than the waterfall.I was six.How was that even possible?I stared at the water.Trying to picture it.Trying to remember something that refused to come back.I couldn't understand it.I was only a child.How could I have kept an eleven-year-old boy alive for three hours?Acting quickly...Choosing not to run for help...That part, I could believe.But everything after that?It didn't feel real."You held my head above the water," Genaro said quietly, as if he could hear every doubt in my mind. "You kept me there until the poison wore off and I could move again."I looked at him."I did?"The surprise in my voice was real.Too real."Wow..."A small breath escaped me."I must've been... really kind."I hesitated."How long did it take?"Genaro let out a soft laugh.Not to tease me.Just because he already knew the answer."You did it," he said."For about three hours."My breath caug

Azerbel's Point of View"Don't be silly."The words came out sharper than I meant.Mostly because every small movement sent pain across my back.Even so...I pushed myself up.Genaro watched me too closely.Like one wrong move would tear my wounds open again."Okay..." he said slowly.He still didn't look convinced."Eat slowly."The bowl was warm in my hands.Steam drifted into the air.Rich.Comforting.For a moment, I only stared at it.Then I took a sip.My eyes widened before I could stop them.It was good.Too good.Maybe the best soup I had ever tasted.Luna Lorraine had always controlled my meals.Nothing too flavorful.Nothing too enjoyable.Food was supposed to keep me healthy.Not make me happy."I can tell you like it," Genaro said quietly.I looked up.He was leaning against the bedpost with his arms crossed.A faint smile rested on his face.The darkness from earlier was gone.But the exhaustion remained.He hadn't slept all night.Every time I moved...He woke up.Every