“He told me how he only joined thedating agency to find a motherfigure for that little brat of his,” she went on, her voice nasaland loaded with self-importance.
“Luna is an adorable girl,” she told her. Whohad mentioned on many occasions how much she hated Imogen. Anastute girl.
“Whatever.” Imogen flicked her wrist. “So, when is this farceof a wedding taking place?”
Jamie ground her molars. “Grayson and Ihaven’t discussed the details yet—not that it’s any of yourbusiness.”
“Really? That surprises me. I mean, whywait with these marriages of convenience? Tell me, how much is he payingyou?”
Her stomach took a nosedive. Any bravadoshe had dissipated. A marriage of convenience? “No, it’s not like that…” She stopped, taken abackby the sudden lack of conviction in her voice.
He loves me echoed inside her head over and over, as thoughher brain sought to convince her, but no matter how many times shethought it, something unpleasant tugged at her insides. She trustedGrayson, she’d let him inside her heart, but… but what if it wasall a lie? What if everything they shared meant nothing to him?Granted, things had moved fast, but he said he lovedher…
Imogen emitted a triumphant cackle.“Judging by your expression, I assume he hasn’t mentioned your feeyet. Or maybe he hasn’t even told you he wants nothing more than a convenientmarriage, so he’ll look good in front of the pack.” She cackledagain. “I warned him against it, of course—why marry you wheneveryone here knows I satisfy his needs in the bedroom? What moredoes an alpha need?”
Jamie’s blood pulsated in her ears. She looked to Grayson,searching for something that would reassure her it wasn’t true, buthe was between Xander and Flynn, hackles raised, teeth bared,holding them apart.
For a split second he glanced her way, butit wasn’t reassuranceshe saw, it was regret searing through his gaze.
Hot tears prickled at the back of hereyes.
“Poor little gullible Jamie. I do hope Ihaven’t put my paw in it,” Imogen said, her sarcastic tone implyingshe’d been planning this all night.
Jamie spun on her heels and fled from theroom in a blur of tears and disillusionment.
Halfway across the hall, she stumbled,twisting her ankle. She winced, but the pain was nothing comparedto the jagged tear ripping at her heart.
She yanked her shoes off, ran out of the manor, ignoring thesharp gravel as it dug into her soles, and got into hercar.
Her breaths laboured, she turned theignition, only now realising she was blocked in by other cars, butshe refused to let that stop her from getting awayfrom Grayson. Did heeven know she’d left? He’d been too preoccupied with his pack andcontrolling the fight to care about her, but maybe that was how itshould be. How did she even think she could compete with hispack?
Anyway, she was sure the delectablebitch Imogen would take greatdelight in telling him she had ruined his plans.A marriage ofconvenience? She stillcouldn’t get her head around it. Were Luna and Alice in on ittoo?
Barefoot, she pressed the acceleratorpedal. Her ankle throbbed as she manoeuvred through the cars, scraping a Mercedes anda Ferrari before mounting the grass to escape from this nightmareof her own creation.
She floored it up the lane, hitting everydamn pothole. “Come on, Gloria,” she said to her car. “Get me homeand I’ll never bring youhere again.”
Tears flowed down her cheeks, but her oldcar didn’t let her down—unlike some people. Or werewolves.
At last, she screeched to a halt in thecar park outside her apartment building, having no idea how she’dnot killed herself, orbeen pulled over for speeding, but she was home.
She cursed as she dropped her keys on thetiles outside her apartment.
Willow came out of her door, dressed for anight on the town. “Jamie? What are you doing back so early?” Herfriend’s face dropped. “What happened? You look like shit.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re going out.” Tearsthreatened again. Her throat hurt.
Willow closed her door and rushed over to her. “Not anymore.Jamie, what’s wrong?”
A pathetic sob escaped her lips. “It’s over.Grayson and me.”
“What? No way.” Willow wrapped her armsaround her. Jamie sunk into her friend’s comforting embrace. Tearsdampened her sparklytop.
After a few moments, Willow spoke. “You wannatalk about it?”
“No…yes.”
Willow picked up her keys from the floor andopened Jamie’s door. “Let’s get you inside. Do you want me to makeyou a cup of tea, or maybe something alcoholic?”
“No, it’s fine. You should go. I don’t want to ruin your night aswell.”
“Nonsense.” She placed her arm around Jamie’sshoulders and led her into the lounge.
Cujo, who’d been curled up asleep in hisdoggie bed, woke up and cocked his head.
Jamie collapsed on her sofa. Her little dog jumped onto her lapto offer his comfort too. Tears streamed down hercheeks.
Willow fetched the box of tissues she kept ina drawer and handed them to her.
“Thanks,” she snivelled.
“What happened, Jamie?” she asked softly.
“The evening was going so well. He announced our engagement, andeveryone seemed so kind, welcoming me into the pac—” She stoppedherself. “The family. They made me feel like part of that eventhough I’m not a—” A werewolf.“—not like them.” Jamie dabbed her eyes. It wasn’t easy keepingwhat they were a secret. “Grayson doesn’t love me, Willow. It turnsout he wanted a marriage of convenience all along.”
Willow’s mouth made an O shape. “I don’tbelieve it. It’s obvious Grayson dotes on you. Why would he saythat?”
“He didn’t, and that’s the worst thing.”
“You’ve lost me. How did you find outthen?”
“His ex, Imogen, told me.”
“Well, there you go. The bitch is probablyjealous.”
“No, she told me Grayson planned it fromthe beginning. He even discussed it with her. He wants a mother figure for Luna and a goodlittle wife with bedroom benefits.”
“I still don’t believe it.” She shook herhead. “Grayson is the most genuine guy I know.”
“You’ve always been on his side.” Her replycame out curt and bitter.
“I’m not on anyone’s side. It’s just I can see when two people aremade for each other. You love him, Jamie.”
Her shoulders sank with the realisation;she would have to live with this ache in her heart
