The Wrong Brother's Temptation novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Sienna

The word echoed through the hall like a gunshot.

Partner?

Did he actually just announce me as his partner?

15

55–vouchers

My mind went completely blank while Connor was still looking at me, expectantly, and I realized everyone else was looking at me too including the Alpha and Luna who were waiting for me to extend my hand.

“Extend your hand, sweetheart” He gently brought his mouth closer to my ear to whisper, the soft brush of his lips making it even more difficult.

Sweetheart? What the actual fuck?

Connor said, his voice soft but carrying an edge of amusement. “The Luna is waiting.”

My ears were still ringing and my heart was galloping at the fact that he had called me sweetheart, in front of the entire crowd including his parents, Aaron and Sandra.

My brain finally unstuck itself from its frozen state, and I stumbled forward on autopilot.

I extended my hand shakily and watched as Luna Lydia’s face broke into a brilliant smile.

She took my hand and Connor’s in both of hers, her touch warm and gentle.

“Thank you both of you,” she said in a soft, soothing voice. “It’s so wonderful to see you here, Connor. And you, Sienna. You look absolutely beautiful, dear.”

Alpha Asher took Connor’s other hand with an unreadable expression as he studied his eldest son.

“Connor,” he said simply.

“Alpha Asher.”

The two men looked at each other for a long moment, some unspoken communication passing between them.

Then the Alpha nodded, once, and released Connor’s hand.

He stepped into the hall linking his arm with Luna Lydia again and the crowd erupted into applause.

Connor returned to my side immediately, slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me so close that I could feel the heat of his body through the thin fabric of my dress.

He leaned down again, his breath making my skin tingle.

1/4

15:13 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 39

“Breathe, Speckles,” he murmured. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”

15

55 voucheck

“You just announced to everyone that I’m your partner,” I hissed back, trying to keep my smile in place for the crowd. “Without warning me. Without even discussing it. What the hell, Connor?”

“Would you have preferred I asked permission first?” His voice rumbled low. “Maybe I should have made a PowerPoint presentation? Or were you expecting to sign some stupid contract?”

“Yes! Any of those options would have been better than just springing it on me in front of the entire pack!”

He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest and into mine.

“You are still not breathing normally, maybe I should help” He added and then he did something that made my heart stop.

He turned his head slightly and pressed a chaste kiss to my cheek right in front of everyone.

It was a clear, unmistakable gesture of affection that sent the crowd into another round of murmurs.

“What are you doing?” I managed to whisper once I remembered how words worked.

“Paying my little brother back for breaking in my room uninvited,” Connor said casually, like he hadn’t just kissed me in front of half the pack. “Don’t you like the look on his and that idiot blonde’s face?”

I suddenly recalled Aaron was standing right there and looked at him to find him staring at us, his expression somewhere between shocked and furious.

Sandra looked like she’d been slapped, her mouth hanging open in a very unflattering way, and her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

They were clearly fighting. I could see Sandra’s mouth moving rapidly, her expression getting more and more agitated, while Aaron tried to placate her with hushed words and gentle touches.

But they were trying to hide it, pasting on fake smiles whenever anyone looked their way.

It was almost satisfying to watch.

“Yeah, I admitted. “They do look pretty pissed.”

“Exactly. Connor’s arm tightened around my waist. “So smile and play along, Speckles. We’re giving them a show.”

“But partner?” I looked up at him. “We didn’t even discuss this. What if people think….”

“What do you want them to think?” he interrupted, his dark eyes meeting mine. “What do you want to call this?”

I opened my mouth to answer and realized I had no idea what to say,

What were we doing?

2/4

15:13 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 39

15

50 vouchers

Was it fake dating to make Aaron jealous or really dating because we couldn’t seem to keep our hands off each other?

Maybe it was something in between? I wasn’t sure anymore.

Before I could formulate a response, the Alpha’s voice rang out across the hall.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” he said, his commanding presence instantly silencing the crowd. “Luna Lydia and I are honored to celebrate twenty–five years of marriage with all of you…our pack, our family, our friends.”

The crowd applauded politely.

“We’re grateful for the love and support you’ve shown us over the years,” Luna Lydia added with a charming smile. “And we’re especially grateful for the beautiful decorations tonight.”

She looked around the hall, taking in Sandra’s elaborate arrangements, and something flickered across her face.

Surprise, maybe. Or confusion.

The flower arrangements weren’t the usual style she liked and she had noticed it immediately but she was too polite to say it out loud.

Instead of the warm, family–focused decorations Luna Lydia typically preferred, the hall looked like something out of a high–end wedding magazine.

But Luna Lydia’s smile never wavered.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify