All Chapters of Accidental: Alpha's Surrogate Bride: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Ilaria's POV Calista stepped into the cage leaving the door open. She loosened the ropes around my wrists and I flinched. Her smile was cold and taunting. “You really do make this too easy,” she said.My hands clenched. “What do you want?”She tilted her head like it was obvious. “You, gone. Dead. Out of Reed’s life. You actually thought you could be his Mate?” Her laugh echoed off the walls. “You’re even dumber than I thought.”I tried to keep my voice steady. “You can say whatever you want. It won’t change anything.”She took a slow step closer, eyes glinting. “Really? Then maybe you should know the truth before you die. That night in the garden—the little show between Reed and that me?”My heart slammed hard against my ribs.“That was me,” she whispered, gleefully. “My magic. A simple illusion. And you—” her finger jabbed toward me, “—fell for it without question. You should’ve seen your face.”The air caught in my throat. The image of Reed kissing Calista and the ache it carved

Reed's POV Outside, the night air was cool against the walls of the house, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth. I stood in the garden, the quiet settling deep into my bones. My pulse was steady, but the weight of what I was about to do pressed hard against my chest.I’d sent Ilaria upstairs long before this moment. She didn’t need to hear what the witch was about to tell me.Florence stood at the edge of the garden, her dark cloak trailing over the grass, her staff humming faintly with quiet power. The glow at its tip cast her sharp features in pale light, her gaze steady, as if she could see right through me.“You want the truth,” she said, voice low and deliberate.I nodded once. “No holding back. I need to know everything. I can feel her wolf. It’s there, just out of reach. But I can’t bring it to the surface for her.”Her eyes flicked toward the house, making sure we were alone. “She is your mate, Reed. The bond between you is already rooted deep. Her power is tied to

Ilaria's POV The light from the altar washed over Reed’s face, pale and sharp in the dark. His breathing was uneven, but when Florence looked at him with concern, he forced a strained smile.“I’m fine,” he rasped. “Just find her wolf. That’s all that matters.”My heart twisted. Even now, when his body was clearly struggling, he still thought only of me.Florence lifted her staff higher, her voice ringing steady. “Moon Goddess, hear our call. Accept the offering. Return to her what was stolen. Let the wolf answer her Mate’s sacrifice.”The night deepened around us, the air shimmering faintly with power. I pressed my palms together, my chest tight. ‘Please, I whispered in my heart. Don’t take him from me. Don’t hurt him. I’ve already brought him enough pain.’The wind shifted, and Florence’s eyes flashed silver. “Ilaria,” she said softly, almost in awe, “your wolf… she’s magnificent. Strong. As beautiful as you.”A sound rose in the distance, low, wild, and powerful. A howl. It wasn’t

Calista's POV I brushed my fingers idly against the edge of the small velvet pouch resting on the table. The thrill of scheming always gave me a strange kind of calm. Every move was a step closer to taking back what should’ve been mine.A soft knock came at the door. “Come in,” I said smoothly.The maid assigned to Ilaria stepped inside, her head lowered, hands tucked in front of her. She looked nervous—good. Fear makes people easier to control.I turned the chair slightly to face her. “Close the door,” I said. She obeyed without hesitation.Slowly, I picked up the pouch and held it out to her. “You’re going to help me with something… simple. Do it right, and you’ll never have to worry about money again.”Her eyes flicked to the pouch, then back to me. I could see the hesitation there, but also the spark of greed. They always gave in eventually.“What’s inside?” she whispered.“Nothing you need to understand,” I replied, my voice soft but edged with warning. “All that matters is that

Ilaria's POV My knife clattered to the floor, and the sound cut through the hum of the competition like a blade. My heart lurched.I grabbed it again, forcing my hands to steady, but the handle was loose. One twist and it snapped off. My throat tightened.The timer above the stage kept ticking, red numbers flashing brighter with every second. The other contestants moved smoothly, their equipment humming, their confidence radiating. My station felt like a battlefield.Breathe, Ilaria.I reached for the spare knife, but it cracked in my grip like thin ice. Panic surged. My chest squeezed tight, and the edges of the room blurred a little. I could hear murmurs from the audience again, louder and more cruel this time.“She’s done for.”“Kneel down now and save us the time.”“Typical Omega.”I bit down on the inside of my cheek to keep the tears at bay. Don’t break down. Not here. Not in front of them.And then… a voice brushed against the edge of my mind.“Ilaria.”I froze. That voice, lo