Chapter 60 CHAPTER 60

Chapter 60 CHAPTER 60

CELIA'S POV

I faked the tears perfectly, letting them spill down my cheeks like I’d been holding them back for hours. My shoulders shook just enough, and I kept my voice small, broken. “She tried to slap me first, Alpha. I only pushed her away to protect myself. I didn’t mean for any of this…”

The Alpha’s eyes narrowed at Krystal, who was still on the floor, face red with real anger now. My fake sobs worked better than hers ever did. Everyone bought it. The brothers stood there watching, jaws tight, but they couldn’t say shit without looking worse.

“Krystal,” the Alpha said, voice cold, “apologize to Celia. Now.”

Krystal’s eyes burned into mine. She hated me so much it almost made me smile inside. “I’m… sorry,” she spat, the words choking her. “It won’t happen again.”

I wiped my eyes, nodding like I was forgiving her. But inside? God, it felt good. These people who used to step on me were now watching me play their own game better than they ever could.

Later, when the crowd thinned, the brothers cornered me in the hallway. Xavier looked ready to explode, Jasper’s eyes dark with something hotter than anger, the others just glaring.

“You really think this is cute?” Xavier growled low. “Pushing her down, faking the victim act?”

I stepped closer, tilting my head, letting my voice drop into that teasing tone I knew drove them crazy. “Aw, what’s wrong, big bad alphas? Mad that I beat you at your own game? You wanted revenge? Go ahead. Try it. But we both know you won’t. Not with Daddy watching.” I let my gaze slide over each of them slowly, lingering on the way Jasper’s chest rose faster. “Or maybe you like it when I make you look weak. Turns you on, doesn’t it?”

Kaiden’s hand twitched like he wanted to grab me. “You’re playing with fire, Celia.”

“Good,” I whispered, heart pounding even as heat pooled low in my belly. “Because I’m done being the scared little omega you used to bully. Touch me again and I’ll burn you all.” The words came out bold, but inside I felt that familiar twist—anger, hate, and something darker, something that made my skin tingle when they stared at me like that. Like they wanted to hate-fuck the attitude right out of me.

Zaxer smirked, stepping in close enough that I smelled his cologne. “Keep talking like that and we might just take you up on that challenge, stepsister.”

My breath caught, but I didn’t back down. “Promise?”

Ryker pulled them back before it got too heated. “Enough. Father’s coming.”

I walked away with my head high, but my legs felt shaky. Why did their threats make me wet? Why did I keep imagining Jasper’s mouth on mine again, or Xavier’s hands pinning me while he growled dirty things? I hated them. I did. But my body was a traitor.

Later that evening, Mom found me in my room, folding clothes I didn’t even need. She looked tired but tried to smile.

“Celia, honey… after the wedding tomorrow, I need you to pick up a few special things for the honeymoon. The brothers will go with you. It’s important.”

I froze, stomach twisting. “With them? Mom, you know what they—”

“I know,” she cut in softly, touching my arm. “But your stepfather insists. And… I think it might help. Please? For me?”

I wanted to scream. Help? They tried to kill me. They let me fall off a roof. Now they were supposed to “protect” me on a shopping trip? But her eyes were pleading, and I hated how much that still got to me.

“Fine,” I muttered. “But if they try anything, I swear I’ll—”

“They won’t,” she said quickly. “They’re trying to make things right.”

Trying. Yeah, right. I nodded anyway, watching her leave. Alone again, I sank onto the bed, heart racing. The thought of being stuck in a car with all five of them tomorrow—close quarters, their scents, their eyes on me—made my thighs press together. I was supposed to be planning more revenge, not getting hot over the same assholes who ruined my life.

But deep down, that pull was there. The mate bond they kept throwing in my face. It whispered dirty promises every time Jasper looked at me like he wanted to devour me. Every time Xavier’s voice got rough with frustration.

I touched my lips, remembering that accidental kiss. “Fuck,” I whispered to the empty room. “I’m in so much trouble.”

Tomorrow was the wedding. Then the trip with them. I’d play along for now. But if they thought they could win me over with a few teasing words and heated stares, they were dead wrong.

I’d make them regret every single second. Even if part of me secretly craved the fight.

“Fine,” I muttered to myself, grabbing my phone. “I’ll go with them. But only because of the rogues. Not because I want to be near them.”

The words felt heavy. Part of me still burned with anger, remembering every push, every cruel laugh. But another part—the stupid mate bond part—got warm at the thought of being trapped in a car with all five of them, their big bodies close, their scents wrapping around me. I shook my head hard. No. I wasn’t falling for that shit.

The next day, the mansion turned into something out of a dream. Flowers everywhere, lights sparkling, important wolves from packs I’d only heard about filling every corner. The wedding was grand as hell. I sat in the front row in a soft silver dress that hugged my curves a little too well, watching Mom walk down the aisle.

She looked… happy. Really happy. Her eyes shone when she looked at Alpha Hale, and for the first time, I didn’t feel that sharp stab of resentment. This wasn’t like her other marriages. This one felt real.

“Mom,” I whispered under my breath, throat tight, “you deserve this. Even if it means I’m stuck with your new sons.”

The ritual went perfectly. Vows, rings, the moon blessing glowing above them. Everyone clapped and cheered. My eyes kept drifting to the brothers standing beside their father. Xavier looked tense, Jasper kept glancing my way, the others too. Each stare sent heat crawling down my spine. I hated how my body reacted—like it remembered Jasper’s lips, Xavier’s rough voice, all the dirty threats they’d thrown at me.

After the ceremony, the after-party kicked off in the huge garden. Music, dancing, tables loaded with food. I stayed near the edge, sipping water, trying to blend in. That’s when Krystal appeared, smiling like we were best friends again.

“Celia!” she called, walking over with two glasses of champagne. Her dress was tight, showing off every inch, but those hickeys were still peeking out no matter how much makeup she used. “You look beautiful tonight. Here, have a drink with me. We should celebrate your mom’s happiness, right?”

I stared at the glass she held out. Bubbly, golden, innocent-looking. But nothing about Krystal was innocent anymore. My mind raced. Was this the same shit she tried before? Poison? Something to make me look crazy in front of everyone?

I forced a small smile, taking the glass but not drinking. “Thanks, Krystal. Nice of you to offer. You seem… different today. Almost sweet.”

She laughed lightly, clinking her glass against mine. “I’ve been thinking. After everything that happened, maybe we got off on the wrong foot. You helped me with the brothers, didn’t you? Telling everyone about the baby and all. We girls gotta stick together.”

Her voice was too smooth. Too nice. Inside, anger and suspicion twisted together with something hotter— that thrill of knowing I could play her right back. My nipples tightened under the thin dress just from the tension in the air. I hated that my body got excited by the games now.

“Yeah?” I said, stepping a little closer, letting my voice drop low and teasing. “Stick together, huh? Like how you stuck with that guard the other night? Moaning loud enough for half the mansion to hear?”

Krystal’s smile faltered for half a second, eyes flashing. “What are you talking about? I don’t—”

“Shh,” I cut her off, touching her arm lightly, feeling her tense. “Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me… for now. But if you’re trying to trap Xavier with that fake baby, you should know I’m watching. We both are playing dirty, aren’t we?”

Heat rushed through me saying it out loud. Her fake sweetness mixed with my real hate made everything feel electric. I could see the brothers across the garden, eyes locked on us. Jasper’s gaze burned hottest, like he remembered dragging me into that dark room and kissing me stupid. My thighs pressed together at the memory. God, why did fighting them turn me on so much?

Krystal recovered fast, leaning in like we were sharing gossip. “You’re imagining things, Celia. Drink up and relax. It’s a wedding. No need for all this drama tonight.”

I swirled the champagne, still not sipping. The bubbles danced, tempting. Part of me wanted to down it just to see what she’d do. Another part—the careful, vengeful part—knew better. “Relax? With you offering me drinks after you tried to slap me yesterday? Cute. Real cute.”

She shrugged, but her fingers tightened on her glass. “I apologized, didn’t I? Let’s start fresh. For your mom’s sake.”

I laughed softly, the sound bitter-sweet. “For Mom’s sake. Sure.” Inside, my chest ached a little. Seeing Mom glowing on the dance floor with Alpha Hale made me want to protect this moment. But Krystal being nice? That was the biggest red flag ever. My pendant warmed again, reminding me rogues were out there too. I couldn’t let my guard down. Not even for one drink.

“Fine,” I said finally, raising the glass but only pretending to sip. “To new beginnings. Or whatever bullshit you want to call it.”

Krystal’s eyes lit up with something sharp. She clinked again. “To new beginnings.”

I watched her closely, heart pounding with a mix of rage, suspicion, and that twisted thrill. The party swirled around us, music loud, lights bright, but all I felt was the heat of the brothers’ stares and Krystal’s fake smile.