The Wrong Brother's Temptation novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Sienna

“Just overwhelmed. There are so many people.”

“We can leave if you want to”

“No!” I said quickly. “No, I just need a few minutes. Maybe step outside for a bit?”

He studied me for a moment, then nodded.

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“There’s a door to the garden through there.” He gestured toward the far wall. “Go. Take as much time as you need. I’ll cover for you if anyone asks.”

“You sure?”

“Positive. Go.”

I squeezed his hand in thanks and made my escape to the garden like a bird flying out of its cage,

The garden was blessedly quiet compared to the chaos inside.

Cool night air hit my flushed skin, and I let out a long breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.

I walked to the edge of the terrace, looking out over the carefully manicured lawn, and tried to process everything that had happened in the last hour.

Connor had announced me as his partner and acted like he truly meant it.

And that terrified me. Maybe, I needed to ask Connor to discuss things with me before he randomly announced it to the entire world.

“Quite the show you’re putting on in there.”

I spun around to find Connor leaning against the doorframe, watching me with an unreadable expression.

“I thought you were staying inside,” I said.

“I was. Then I saw you standing out here looking like you were about to have a panic attack, and I decided the guests could wait.”

“I’m not having a panic attack.”

“You’re chewing your bottom lip. You always do that when you’re nervous.”

I immediately stopped biting my lip.

“I’m fine”

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Chapter 42

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“You’re overwhelmed,” he corrected, pushing off the doorframe and walking toward me. “Which is understandable. We just threw you into the deep end without any warning.”

“You mean you threw me into the deep end,” I countered. “Partner? Future Luna? You couldn’t have given me a heads up?”

“Would you have agreed if I’d asked first?”

“Maybe!”

“Liar”

I glared at him, but I couldn’t really argue.

He was probably right.

If he’d asked me beforehand, I would have panicked and talked myself out of it.

Connor stopped in front of me, close enough that I could smell his cologne.

“This is too much,” I said quietly. “We’re going too fast. You just announced us as a couple to the entire pack. What if someone finds out we’re faking this?”

“Then we deal with it,” he said simply.

“You make it sound so easy.”

“It can be easy if you don’t let it get to your head.”

I shook my head. “But…that was a big announcement to make. How are we supposed to back out of that if this doesn’t work?”

“Who says we have to back out?”

I looked up at him sharply.

“Connor!”

“If the whole world believes it,” he said, his voice calm and measured, “then Aaron will too. Isn’t that what you wanted?”

I opened my mouth to respond and realized I didn’t have an answer because yes, that was what I wanted.

I wanted Aaron to see me differently and jealous but I’d also wanted… something else.

Connor’s hand came up to rest on my shoulder, his touch gentle.

“Relax,” he said softly. “This is just a warm–up.”

“Warm–up?” I repeated. “For what?”

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Chapter 42

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“For everything that comes after. His thumb traced small circles on my shoulder, the gesture soothing despite my racing thoughts. “As future Luna of the pack, you’ll have to attend endless events and parties. Alpha meetings. Pack gatherings. Charity functions. And at all of them, the Alpha and Luna will be watching and judging you. They will be assessing whether you can truly handle the responsibility.”

The words sent a bolt of terror through me.

“That’s… that’s terrifying.”

“It doesn’t have to be. His hand slid down my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. “I’ll be there with you every step of the way. At every event, every gathering, every moment you need support. You won’t have to do this alone.”

The promise in his voice made something warm bloom in my chest.

“You mean that?”

“I don’t say things I don’t mean, Scaredy–cat.”

I believed him and that was perhaps the most terrifying thing of all.

My gaze dropped from his eyes to his lips without warning and somehow I wanted them on me again to make me forget everything else.

Connor was an easy distraction and a very pleasurable one.

Through the glass door, I could see Aaron. He was talking to some guests, but his eyes kept scanning the room like he was looking for someone.

And just like that, a reckless, stupid, and completely impulsive idea formed in my head.

“Do you think I’m a scaredy- cat?” I asked Connor, my eyes still on Aaron through the glass.

Connor’s brow furrowed. “What?”

“Do you think I’m scared to take risks? To do things that are bold?”

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