Chapter 46
Chapter 46
Third Person’s POV
+8 Pearls
Aurora, daughter of the Bluemoon Pack’s Beta, basked in the flattering words swirling around her like warm spring air.
The daughter of Bluemoon’s Beta is naturally unlike any ordinary woman.
Every compliment felt like a rich reward for the grueling years she had clawed her way through to become the first female pilot of theBluemoon Airborne Wing.
“Where,” Aurora demurred with practiced humility, her voice as smooth as glass. “I was simply lucky to become the Airborne Wing’s first female pilot p>
“You certainly were lucky. ”
The lazy drawl sliced through the polite hum of the gathering. Kade’s sharp gaze locked on her.
“I heard,” he continued, “that back when you were just an ordinary flight officer, you were sent abroad to deliver a shipment of aid. Your co–pilot died unexpectedly on foreign soil, and together with the captain, you managed to bring back a number of stranded pack members – earning yourself high merit. That’s how you were promoted to co–pilot. Without that… well, with your record, you wouldn’t have climbed that high so quickly p>
Aurora’s expression flickered–just for a second.
It meant Kade had looked into her. But why? She had never crossed paths with him before this night.
“That kind of merit is rare,” someone at her side quickly added. “And at the time, the territory she went to was riddled with war and bloodshed. That kind of courage isn’t something just any woman can match p>
Kade’s lips curved–not in a smile, but in a cold, mocking twist. “Then you must not have met many women p>
The well–meaning supporter’s voice died in their throat.
Aurora tilted her chin slightly, irritation pricking at her composure. She knew well that Kade Blackridge was not someone she could afford to offend. But neither was she willing to let a few careless words trample on the hard–won glory she had bled for.
“ Kade, ” she said evenly, “I may have been lucky to become co–pilot, but not every woman can step into that role, even if fortune hands her the chance. ”
“So being a co–pilot is such an accomplishment?” Kade’s tone was almost amused. “In the military wings, there’s no shortage of women who can fly, Before I met you, I thought you were a self–reliant, relentless kind of woman. Now, it seems … you fly a plane and think yourself invincible p>
His mind flickered to someone truly formidable – Freya Thorne.
She had once flown a warbird straight through the burning clouds of cannon fire, risking everything to saye pack civilians and comrades alike. She had been prepared to die doing it.
The thought brought a faint warmth to Kade’s otherwise cold demeanor.
Aurora’s cheeks flushed red, then paled. His words were like the crack of an Alpha’s strike across the face. The rest of the guests shrank back, unwilling to get caught in the crossfire.
Fortunately, Caelum stepped forward, breaking the taut air. “Kade. An honor to finally meet you p>
Vaughn, Aurora’s uncle, seized the chance. “Kade, you’ve only just returned to the Capital, so you might not know–Caelum is one of the rising stars in the tech world. His company went from nothing to a full listing in just three years. ”
hope we’ll have the opportunity to work together,” Caelum added smoothly.
“ Young and accomplished? ” Kade’s laugh was low and edged with steel. “Vaughn, are you joking with me? You dare call a man who cheats on his mate ‘accomplished p>
12:50 PM P P
Chapter 46
The air thickened. Every gaze shifted toward Aurora and Caelum.
+8 Pearls
After all, the story of that fateful banquet night–when a giant display had shown Caelum’s mother Eleanor and sister Giselle conspiring to ruin his own mate, just so he could cast her aside and be with Aurora–had already swept through the upper ranks of the Capital’s packs.
Both Aurora and Caelum flushed a furious crimson.
“ It’s a misunderstanding,” Vaughn rushed to say.
“Yes,” Caelum echoed. “Aurora and I are only friends p>
“Friends?” Kade’s voice was velvet over razors. “I hear that last month, while your mate traveled alone to retrieve her parents‘ remains from overseas after a tragic accident, you were right here in the Capital–keeping this ‘friend‘ company p>
Caelum’s heart jolted. How in the moon’s name did Kade know that?
“It was sudden,” he explained quickly. “Aurora got a headache, and I had to rush her to the medics. I couldn’t make it in time to accompany my mate p>
“Headache?” Kade’s eyes were shards of ice. “So your friend outweighed your own mate’s grieving parents p>
The unspoken judgment rang through the room. Everyone here was too sharp to buy the word friend. Many already knew Caelum had concealed his marriage, letting the world believe he was unattached.
And the Blackridge bloodline was infamous for its uncompromising loyalty to their mates. In their creed, betrayal was unforgivable.
No wonder more than a few of the guests now looked at Caelum and Aurora not with admiration–but with pity.
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