Chapter 7
Grayson’s POV
“__Wife?” I let out a hollow laugh, bitter enough to cut steel.
Wow. Just…wow. Amber, you won’t even answer your damn phone now? You’ve sunk low enough to drag in some random guy to mess with me?
“Where are you?” I growled, voice low and lethal–like a beast just seconds from snapping
The guy laughed softly and gave me a hotel address, completely imlazed–like he wanted me to come.
I hung up, nearly crashing the phone in my hand.
My vision tinted red. My fingers cracked as my knuckles tensed, my bones shifting my wolf was clawing to the surface.
She took another man to a hotel? No way. She was mine. Only mine.
She dared run? Amber… she’d really pushed me too far this time.
Amber’s POV
Carter had gone all out, just like I asked. A beautiful, traditional bonding ceremony.
I wore a white gown. He wore a sharp suit.
“Do you accept him as your mate?” the officiant asked.
Under the witness of our closest circle, we sealed the mate bond. Carter scooped me into his arms like it was the easiest thing in the
But just as we were about to walk out of the chapel, a man in a suit blocked our path–his face stormy, eyes blazing. Grayson.
world.
Amber, I came home just like I said I would. I skipped Piper’s appointment, brought you flowers and gifts and this is what you do to me?!” His eyes locked onto Carter’s arm wrapped around my waist, full of fury.
“I’ve les your tantrums slide these past few days. I’ve overlooked the way y happened.”
I gave Carter a small tap on the shoulder, a signal to keep walking
Grayson exploded. “Amber! Don’t push it!”
you treated Piper, Come back with me now, and I’ll pretend none of this ever
Carter gently set me down, rolled up his sleeves with infuriating calm–then punched him. CRACK
Grayson stumbled back, blood pouring from his
He wiped it with a snarl and lunged, but two warriors grabbed his arms before he could strike again
Held in place, he glared at Carter like he wanted to tear him apart.
“Real tough guy, huh? Need backup to fight your battles?”
Carter just smirked.
“I do what I want. You don’t get to comment.
Then he looked at me,
“That punch was
filled with concert.
Amber. That fall she took–tripped by your “good buddy? Yeah, she’s still healing from it.”
Unconsciously, my fingers brushed the side of my face. Not even thick makeup could fully hide the scar.
Grayson’s eyes followed the motion, and his voice dripped with mockery.
Wow. Aumber, really? You’re telling sob stories now? You tripped on your own and blamed Piper like a damn child. What, you three years old now? Can’t tale responsibility for anything?”
Even now, he refused to believe me
1 looked at the contempt in his eyes and suddenly couldn’t remember why I’d ever loved him.
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Was it the mate bond? Had it blinded me all this time?
All those years of being belittled, dismissed, made to feel small–I’d almost lost myself.
“I don’t want to talk about that day anymore,” I said quietly. “Whether you believe me or not doesn’t matter now.”
I lifted my hand, showing the faint scar from the silver nail that had broken our bond
“If you forgot, I already severed our mate bond.”
“I get it—you like Piper. She gets you. She’s a beta. She fits into your world. You two can laugh and mess around together. I see it now.”
you w
wanted.”
“I chose to step aside. I gave you what
So congratulations. When you hold your mating ceremony, don’t bother sending me an invite. In fact, do me a favor
or and never contact me again.”
Grayson looked stunned. Then his face twisted into that self–righteous scolding expression I’d come to hate. “Amber, what the hell are you talking about? Piper’s my friend. I’ve only ever loved one woman in my life–and that’s you, Amber Reid!”
“You might be a little slow sometimes, but you had to feel it. You know I love you. So what’s this tantrum all about?”
Love? He said he loved me?
And yet everything–everything–he gave, he gave to Piper.
Ninhaled deeply, then fired back, my voice sharp and unwavering.
“Friend? Seriously? You ever seen two friends sleep in the same bed? Or, better yet–get pregnant?”
Chapter 7
