The Wrong Brother's Temptation novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Sienna

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Boy, he was really out for revenge. I tried suppressing my grin and turned my gaze on Sandra again.

“Oh, no,” I said, keeping my voice light and friendly. “I was just admiring your choice of flowers. The Juliet Roses and Ghost Orchids are indeed quite beautiful.”

I emphasized the correct names just enough that anyone paying attention would notice Sandra’s mistake.

Sandra’s face flushed red, and murder flashed across her eyes for just a second before she composed herself again.

“I knew that,” she said quickly. “I misspoke.”

“Of course,” I agreed sweetly. “It’s an easy mistake to make.”

The Luna was watching our exchange with interest, her eyes moving between Sandra and me like she was watching a tennis match.

Then Connor spoke up with mild interest but I knew everyone was paying attention to us already.

“Don’t you decorate the place every year, darling?”

What was with this sudden shower of cute nicknames?

I felt heat creep up my neck, but I forced myself to play along.

This was the game we were playing, after all so I might as well commit.

I felt his hand on the small of my back now, warm and possessive and completely inappropriate for a public setting.

“Yes,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the effect his touch was having on me. “But Sandra wanted to help this time, and who am I to say no to such a sweet request?”

The words came out more sarcastic than I’d intended, but I couldn’t help it.

Connor hummed in response.

“It does look a bit excessive,” he said thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the elaborate decorations. “But it’s alright. As the future Luna of the pack, you can guide her in making better choices going forward.”

Future Laina of the pack!

Was he going to just keep dropping one bomb after another without giving me time to recover!

The words hung in the air like a bomb waiting to explode and 1 blinked hard, trying to not act like the words

scared the shit out of me,

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15.13 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 40

Meanwhile, Sandra’s face went from red to pale in approximately two seconds flat.

Her mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

Aaron, on the other hand, looked like he’d been punched in the gut.

Even the Alpha raised an eyebrow, studying Connor with renewed interest.

Luna Lydia, however, smiled.

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“Well,” the Alpha said, clearing his throat. “I wasn’t aware of this development. But congratulations on your relationship.”

He inclined his head toward Connor and me, in a mixture of approval and acknowledgment.

Connor and I both bowed in unison despite never having practiced it.

Luna Lydia stepped forward, moving away from her husband’s side to approach me directly.

She placed a gentle hand under my chin, tilting my face up to meet her kind eyes.

“I’ve always loved you as a little girl, Sienna,” she said softly. “Watching you grow up alongside Aaron was nice and seeing the kind, thoughtful young woman you’ve become makes me even more happy that you’re with Connor now.”

Her words were genuine and they made my throat tight with emotion.

“Thank you, Luna,” I managed.

She smiled and squeezed my hand once before returning to the Alpha’s side.

“Dad” Aaron began, “I wanted to formally introduce Sandra as my…” and his parents offered him a smile as his mom quickly added.

“Give us a second, dear.”

Connor’s father offered him and Sandra a passing smile and said gently “The guests are waiting, my dear,” placing his hand on the small of her back in a gesture that mirrored how Connor was touching me.

“Of course.” Luna Lydia looked back at Aaron. “I’ll be back soon, dear” that only made the smile disappear from my best friend’s face.

The Alpha and Luna moved deeper into the hall, immediately surrounded by guests eager to offer their congratulations and well–wishes.

And that left the four of us standing there awkwardly.

The silence was deafening and nobody spoke for a while at first

Sandra was the first to break.

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15:13 Thu, Jul 23

Chapter 40

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“This is bullshit!” Her voice came out as a strangled hiss, low enough that nearby guests couldn’t hear but loud enough that we all could. “You planned this! You both planned this to humiliate me!”

“Nobody planned anything,” Connor said calmly. “We’re just here for the party.”

“Liar!” Sandra’s perfect composure was cracking. “You announced her as your partner! You called her the future Luna! You knew exactly what you were doing!”

“Did I?” Connor’s voice was maddeningly casual. “I just stated facts.”

“Facts?” Sandra whirled on Aaron. “Are you hearing this? Are you going to let them get away with this?”

Aaron looked torn, his eyes moving between Sandra and me.

“Sandra, maybe we should talk about it later”

“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down!” Sandra’s voice was rising now, and a few guests were starting to notice. “I worked so hard on this party! I made everything perfect! And nobody even acknowledged me! Your mother didn’t even thank me properly! She thanked her!” She jabbed a finger at me.

“Mom didn’t know you’d planned it,” Aaron said, trying to keep his voice down. “I’ll explain it to her later. She’ll appreciate everything you did, I promise.”

“I don’t want her to appreciate it later! I wanted to be acknowledged now! In front of everyone!” Tears were streaming down Sandra’s face now, ruining her perfect makeup. “But no! Instead, Connor announces his fake relationship with this…this nobody, and suddenly she’s the future Luna? How is that fair?”

My heart started beating when she said we were fake so confidently but Connor didn’t budge at all.

“It’s not fake,” Connor said in that same maddeningly calm voice.

“Please,” Sandra scoffed. “Everyone knows you two hate each other. This is just another one of your games. Another way to mess with Aaron and take what should be his!”

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