Alpha Mate Chose Half-Sister, I Changed Groom Novel

Chapter 18 He surged forward with such force that Caspian had to physically hold him back. In the end, it was only Caspian's subtle signal-a slight lift of his chin-that brought the warriors forward. They'd been waiting nearby the whole time, anticipating trouble. But Ethan had lost all emotional control. His eyes flashed with an otherworldly gleam as his body began to shift and contort. The sound of bones cracking and reforming filled the air as he transformed into his massive wolf form. He shook off the warriors and came for me. To snatch the mating certificate from my hands.

To tear it up, maybe. But before Ethan could reach me, Caspian's own transformation erupted between us. His shift was faster, more controlled-a silver-gray wolf that was noticeably larger and more imposing than Ethan's form. The two Alphas collided with earth-shaking force. But Caspian's superior strength quickly became apparent. Within moments, he had Ethan pinned beneath him. "Silver chains! Now!" Caspian's voice carried even in his wolf form, reaching his warriors through their pack bond. "Let me go! Get your hands off me!" Ethan struggled against the burning metal. ' Aria!

Aria, listen to me!" But I was already moving away, guided by Caspian-now back in human form-his protective hand on my lower back. I got into the car that had been waiting for us, Caspian following immediately after. The door shut firmly, cutting off all the chaos and shouting outside. Ethan's voice became muffled. Distant. Then disappeared entirely as the car pulled away. The car smoothly drove away from the Registration Office, leaving the scene behind. 1/5 The interior fell into an eerie quiet after all that noise and drama.

What should have been a joyous day had turned into such an unseemly farce. I felt nothing but overwhelming embarrassment and guilt. My cheeks burned with it. I secretly raised my eyes, wanting to gauge my new husband's mood. To see if he was angry, disgusted, regretful. But unexpectedly, I looked straight into his deep gaze. He was already watching me. At some point, he'd closed the laptop that had been resting on his knees. Now he was quietly studying my face, his expression unreadable. Yes, even on such an important day as registering our mating, he'd still been handling work in the car.

Typing away on conference calls even as we drove to the Registration Office. A complete workaholic. Through and through. I really hadn't expected that this man-rumored to be cold, ruthless, with eyes only for business and calculations- A working machine Alpha, people called him. All ambition, no heart. Would actually agree to my absurd mating proposal that drunken night. And even really show up today. Really go through with it. Just as I was lost in these thoughts, trying to make sense of him, Caspian suddenly leaned toward me without warning.

I startled, my body reacting before my mind could catch up. I instinctively shrank back against the car door, my breath catching. 2/5 22 The privacy partition between us and the driver had been quietly raised at some point. The spacious back seat had become a completely private domain. Cut off from the outside world. Just the two of us. His sudden proximity made the originally roomy space feel cramped. Too small. Too intimate. An ambiguous atmosphere quietly growing, filling the air between us. My cheeks began heating uncontrollably, warmth spreading across my face.

My eyes darted away, unable to hold his gaze, looking at anything but him. My voice came out thin, barely audible, stammering. "Wh-what is it?" Caspian didn't answer immediately. He just looked at me deeply, intently. So close I could almost feel his warm breath against my skin. Could see every detail of his face. The slight stubble. The flecks in his eyes. Under his gaze, my heart raced chaotically, pounding against my ribs. My brain short-circuited completely, all rational thought flying out the window. And thoughtless words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.

"Um, if you agreed to marry me because of your rivalry with Ethan Stormwind, or if you really dislike me..." ་་ I was rambling now, nervous and ridiculous. "I, I wouldn't be opposed to a mating in name only. We could just, you know, live separate lives. Keep up appearances. You wouldn't have to-" 3/5 Choptal 10 +25 Bonus The moment the words left my mouth, I wanted to bite off my own tongue. What was I babbling about?! Why would I say that? Why would I offer that? Sure enough, hearing this, Caspian first froze. His eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Then, as if he'd heard the most absurd joke in the world, he actually laughed. Not a cruel laugh. Almost... fond? Exasperated? The corner of his mouth curved in a dangerous arc. He leaned even closer, his voice dropping lower. Almost grinding out the words, he asked me deliberately. "Mating in name only?" He paused, studying my flushed face. "Aria Greenwood, do you really not remember?" I was even more confused by his sudden question, thrown completely off balance. I blinked at him, lost. "Remember what?" What was he talking about? Remember what? Caspian stared at me for several long seconds.

Complex and indecipherable emotions churned in those deep eyes. Things I couldn't name. Couldn't understand. Pain, maybe. Longing. Disappointment. Hope, All swirling together. 4/5 Finally, he only gave an ambiguous low laugh. A sound that could have meant anything or nothing. Then he sat up straight again, deliberately widening that suffocating distance between us. Putting space back where it belonged. "Nothing." ப