Chapter 83 *

Chapter 83 Chapter 83
Angelina’s POV
I raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"
"Your secret is safe with me."
I studied his face. Looking for the lie. But his expression was serious.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because you're my mate." His voice was firm. Absolute. "I protect what's mine."
There it was again. That possessive claim.
I felt my jaw tighten. "I'm not yours."
"Yes, you are."
"You can't just decide that."
"I'm not deciding anything. Alex already decided. The moment he scented you."
I stared at him. "Your wolf doesn't speak for me."
"No. But he speaks for me. And I agree with him."
The certainty in his voice was infuriating.
This man had just learned my biggest secret. The truth about my rebirth. My past identity. Everything.
And instead of using it against me, he was claiming me as his mate.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I took a step back. "This is insane."
"Is it?"
"Yes! You barely know me!"
"I know enough."
"You don't know anything about me!"
Caelan's eyes narrowed slightly. "I know you were the strongest Alpha who ever lived. I know you built an empire that no one else could match. I know you died and came back. I know you're trying to live a normal life now, but you can't help stepping in when you see injustice."
He took another step closer. "I know you're smart. Ruthless when necessary. Protective of the people you care about. And I know that despite everything you've been through, you still have hope for something better."
I opened my mouth. Then closed it. Because he was right.
Fine. If he already knew who I was, then there was no point pretending anymore.
I let my posture shift. Straightened my spine. Let the mask of "normal teenage girl" fall away completely.
I took a step toward him.
Caelan's eyes narrowed slightly. I took another step. Then another.
Until I was standing right in front of him. Close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. I reached up slowly. My fingers caught the collar of his expensive suit jacket.
His body went still. Not pulling away. Just... waiting to see what I'd do.
I pulled him down slightly. Rose up on my toes. Brought my lips close to his ear.
"Want to be my male concubine?" I whispered.
My voice came out low. Seductive. Dangerous.
I felt him tense. "I could use someone like you," I continued, my breath warm against his ear. "Strong. Powerful. Obedient."
I let my fingers trail down from his collar to his chest. Felt his heart beating under my palm.
"What do you say, Alpha Caelan? Want to serve me?"
I was pushing every button I could find. Challenging his pride. His authority. No Alpha would accept this kind of humiliation. Especially not from someone who was supposed to be his mate.
He would refuse. Get angry. Push me away.
And then he'd realize we could never work. Too unpredictable. Too much trouble. That's what I expected.
But Caelan's response made my blood run cold.
"Yes." His voice was low.
I froze.
What?
"If that's what it takes to stay by your side," Caelan continued quietly, "then yes."
I jerked back immediately. Let go of his collar like it had burned me.
"You—that doesn't count. I take it back."
Caelan's expression didn't change. "Too late. You already asked."
"I don't need a male concubine. I don't need anyone."
I turned away from him. Started walking toward the alley exit.
"Forget I said anything."
"I won't forget, Angelina."
His voice followed me. Infuriating.
I pushed open the door and stepped back into the casino. My heart was pounding. My mind was racing. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.
I was supposed to scare him off. Make him realize I was too much trouble.
Instead, he'd just agreed to the most degrading offer I could think of. Without hesitation.
What the hell was wrong with him?
Behind me, I heard the door open again. Caelan following me back inside.
I walked faster. Trying to put distance between us.
The casino floor was still crowded. Everyone was staring at us. Whispering.
I ignored all of them.
"Aria!"
Savannah appeared out of nowhere. She grabbed my hand with both of hers, her face bright with excitement.
"Are you okay? What did you guys talk about?"
She looked at me, then at Caelan, then back at me.
Then her eyes went wide. Like she'd just realized something.
"Oh my god," she said slowly. "You guys look really good together. Like, movie-star couple good."
"Savannah," Franklin's voice came from behind her. Warning.
But Savannah wasn't listening. She was too busy studying me and Caelan with that innocent, excited expression.
"Are you two dating?" she asked. "You should totally date! And when you get married, you have to invite me to the wedding!"
My mouth fell open. "We're not—"
"I'll make sure you get an invitation."
Caelan's voice cut through mine. The entire casino went silent.
Everyone was staring at us now. Creek Pack members. Redmeadow Pack people. Random casino guests. All of them.
Savannah let out a little squeal of delight. "Really?! Oh my god, that's amazing! And when you have babies, I want to come to the baby shower too!"
Franklin's face turned red. "Savannah! That's enough!"
But Savannah was already lost in her own fantasy world.
"Your babies would be so cute! With Aria's eyes and Caelan's bone structure, they'd be like perfect little models! And if they inherit both your fighting skills, they'll be unstoppable!"
I turned to glare at Caelan. "Stop encouraging her."
His expression was completely innocent. "I'm just being polite."
"Polite?" I repeated. "You just told a sixteen-year-old girl she'd be invited to our wedding. A wedding that is never going to happen!"
"Never is a long time."
"I will literally kill you."
"You're welcome to try."
Around us, the whispers exploded.
"Did you hear that? They're getting married!"
"Evergreen Pack and... whoever she is!"
"This is insane!"
"Do you think it's a political alliance?"
"She must be someone important if Alpha Caelan came all this way!"
Franklin was watching me with a completely different look now. If I was connected to Evergreen Pack—then I wasn't just some random enforcer he'd hired.
I was someone with serious backing.
Near the casino entrance, Rowan was standing with his arms crossed. He looked... satisfied? Like this was exactly what he'd expected to happen.
That made one of us.
"Aria!" Savannah was still holding my hand. "You have to tell me how you two met! Was it love at first sight? Did he save you from danger? Or did you save him? Oh! Was it a dramatic rescue scene?"
"No," I said firmly. "There was no rescue. No love at first sight. No drama. We just—"
"We met through family," Caelan said smoothly.
Savannah's eyes went even wider. "Your families know each other? That's so romantic! Like an arranged marriage that turned into real love!"
"It's not an arranged—"
"I bet your parents were so happy when they found out!"
I wanted to scream.
This was spiraling completely out of control.
Franklin finally stepped in. "Savannah, dear, perhaps we should let Aria and Alpha Caelan have some privacy."
"But I want to hear more about—"
"Savannah." Franklin's tone left no room for argument.
Savannah pouted but reluctantly let go of my hand. "Fine. But Aria, we're definitely going shopping tomorrow, okay? I want to hear everything!"
She bounced away, the three young men in suits trailing after her like lost puppies.
Franklin turned to me. "Miss Aria, if you and Alpha Caelan need somewhere more private to talk, I can arrange—"
"No," I said quickly. "That won't be necessary."
Franklin nodded slowly. "Of course. Then I'll leave you two alone." He walked away.
"This is a disaster."
"Is it?"
"Yes! Now everyone thinks we're together!"
"And?"
"And we're not!"
Caelan looked at me. "Not yet," he said quietly.
I felt my eye twitch. "There is no 'yet.' There's just 'no.'"
"We'll see."
"No, we won't see. Because I'm leaving. Right now."
I started walking toward the exit. Daniel scrambled to follow me.
"Aria, wait! Where are we going?"
"Back to the hotel."