Chapter 2
||Claire||“You are doing great, Claire. Don't let them get to you.” Dean said with a nervous laugh.“Thanks,” I chuckled.Dean and I were great friends. He and Mark, the beta of the pack became my very good friends after I moved in with Alan years ago.They were also Alan's best friends. It was astonishing how open and accepting they were to me.I wasn't the kind of girl people wanted to be around so it was a big thing for me when they were friendly towards me.The four of us pretty much did almost everything together, from having our meals together, to training and hanging out.“Claire,” Dean pulled me out of my head.“Hmmm?”“I asked if you needed anything. I have border patrol in a few minutes.”I shook my head biting my lips to refrain from inquiring more about Olivia's visit from him. My heart dropped whenever I thought about her.“No, I'm fine. Get going before you are late.” I waved him off.Then my heart squeezed in pain. The pain felt physical like someone was sucking the blood out of me. I clung to my chest.Fuck! I couldn't be jealous... Could I?This was an insane reaction to jealousy.“Hey, are you okay? You seem to be in pain.” He studied me. Concern plastered on his face and his brow knitted together, waiting for my response.“Yeah..of course, I'm fine. I just have a stomach upset. There is nothing for you to worry about.” I breathed through my lie as the pain sharpened.“ Good. Get some rest. See you at dinner. “I nodded.“Sure. I will. I'll just go and find Alan before I go to bed.” I gave him a light half smile.Departing from Dean, I ambled through the hall whimpering and hoping Alan was still in his home office. He told me he had an appointment with some investors this morning.Everything had been a whirlwind of work and my Luna lessons. We barely got time to spend with each other.I knew seeing his handsome face, feeling his warm touch and embrace would take away this pain of jealousy in my heart.My stomach started to hurt. I tried to dismiss it at first but the pang was becoming unbearable.I had experienced this pain before. It was short and agonizing. It was a year ago and it had no attachment to jealousy.The pain was more like a strain on the mating bond..... Around the time Alan went away on a business trip.I stumbled and rounded the corner. Slightly pushed the door of his office.A thudding noise echoed from inside, followed by groans and moans. Then a muffled noise as if the person's mouth had been covered.My eyebrow furrowed as questions rolled into my head.Who the hell will dare to have sex in the Alphas office?Annoyed at them, I pushed the door further open and the names I heard made my knees cramped.“ Alan! Alan... Aahhh!!” a soft moan left Olivia.I froze in my spot. Every fiber of my being felt numb. Cold sweat beads on my skin.I must have heard wrong. Stupid, Claire! Olivia was Alan's cousin. Yes, that was it!They will not do that. Alan will never do that to stain what we shared.Alan loves me...This must be wrong. I convinced myself.And pushed the door just to confirm that nothing crazy was going on.But the joke was on me.What I saw next had me doubling over in stupefaction. My heart broke into tiny pieces with every sound that came out of Alan’s lips.Standing by the edge of his desk was Alan with his black trouser down a little above his feet. His skin was golden. With sweat trailing down the line of his muscles.My mate had another female in his arms.His back tensed as he was deeply buried inside Olivia. Who had her legs spread across the table.“Fuck !” he groaned.I knew what that meant. He does the same thing to me when he was close to cumming. But the difference was this time it wasn't me.It was another woman. He was fucking his very own cousin Olivia.And I wonder if Olivia was truly his distant cousin.My heart cried and the stabbing pain of his betrayal was eating at me raw.My wolf howled inside my head. Fighting me for control. She wanted to tear both of them from limb to limb.Shock and surprise couldn't explain what was happening within me. I wanted to scream at them to stop.I wanted to run and at the same time, I wanted to help my wolf to beat the crap out of them.But I did none.I couldn't move...I wanted to kill Alan. I wanted an explanation from him.How could he do this to me?How can he throw whatever we shared just for a moment of pleasure?Was this even the first time?My wolf whimpered.I wanted Alan to feel guilty, just to diminish the anger I felt. I wanted him to tell me it was a mistake and that my eyes were playing tricks on me. I wanted him to see my pain.Before I could decide on what to do. Alan finally smelled me. His eyes met mine before Olivia turned to the line of his sight.Their faces were full of shock as Olivia's shock form twisted into a wicked smirk.They groaned and moaned as they both released.When Alan came down from his high, his body tensed and he froze as reality sunk in.“Claire???” he murmured.I ran...ran and ran“Shit! Alan I think we broke your mate..” I heard Olivia taunt. I didn't look back. I just ran.“Claire... WAIT!!”“Claire... DAMNIT!” Alan chased after me.I ran into our bedroom and he busted in before I could close the door...“Claire, I can explain,” he whispered panicking as my tears started raining down.I couldn't think!I couldn't speak!My brain has shut down... Completely!I felt empty. I felt lost. My trembling feet moved and gave away when I neared the foot end of the bed.I plumped down as he leaned against the wall. The room was quiet for about five minutes before he started.“Claire...I-I...” he stuttered. “I don't know what to say.”“Was this the first time?” my voice trembled but I tried to hold it together.He sighed heavily...“N-No..”“How many times?” I asked though my brain was telling me not to inquire.“Claire... I don't think you want to know.”“How many times, Alan?” I roared in rage.My eyes were bleeding. My heart was bleeding.“Six...” he started unsure. “Eight... Fifteen?? Yeah, about fifteen times.”I gasped and more tears fell from my eyes. I was in pain. I was dying inside.“If my brain recalls correctly all those times you were on business trips I felt the exact pain. Were you with her? Were you sleeping with Olivia?”“Y-yes,” he whispered looking away as a whine from my wolf left my lips.A sob tore from my mouth.“ How, Alan?” I screamed in despair. “ How can you do this? She is your cousin for crying out loud? Can you be any more disgusting? “ I yelled as loud as my throat will permit me.“No, she is not my cousin,” Alan screamed.His eyes were red. All the shame and guilt in them disappeared.“ I lied okay. Olivia is not my cousin. She is my mistress.”I felt cold instantly.“ My fucking WHORE. I lied to you so that she could come and go anytime I want. “ I gasped as more tears fell. “ My business trips were becoming too much and I feared that sooner than later you will begin to ask questions. So I brought her here and introduced her to you as my cousin. So you will never suspect us... It was all a cover.”|| Claire ||I was disheveled. Alan has been lying to me all this time. The hurt in my chest ripped wider and my stomach and chest smeared in pain.I wrapped my arm around myself to provide me with some warmth and comfort.“Get her out of our pack before I have the blood of the bloody whore on my hands!” I growled, threatening.“I can't! “ he hissed.“You can't kill her, Claire.” he roared as his eyes darkened.His wolf was present. His wolf was on their side. He was possessive of Olivia. When did that happen?I seriously didn't see that coming! “If you still want me sane, then you need to send that bitch away.” I stood on my grounds. I won't let him treat me like I was nothing.“Don't call her that, Claire. And I can't ask her to leave. She is carrying my pup.” I gasped. “ Claire, Olivia is pregnant!!”Claire, Olivia is pregnant..... The words started taunting me. My ears began ringing. Everything around me became silent. Muddy.I felt like the air has been sucked out of my lungs and
||Claire||Before I could give in to the darkness that wanted to consume me, Alan gave a mighty roar and grabbed my arm.I whimpered.His touch did not feel like how it used to. Instead of feeling the usual sparks, I felt like I was being burned by his touch.But Alan did not let go of me regardless of how hard I wrestled against him. He dragged me halfway through the room. Pushed me into a chair and right before my brain could process what was happening, I felt the stinging telltale sign of silver as he chained me down into a chair.Fuck! The rope had been drenched in a silver solution. Struggling, I wept in agony as Alan tied my hands behind the chair and ankles to each side of the chair.Tightly...I was so damn mad. This shitty Alpha rejected me and dared to torture me.“What are you doing, Alan?” I shrieked.The rope was digging into my flesh. Bet it would leave a scar when this is over. Silver or not.“Fucking bastard! Take this thing away from me.” I yelled.He only stopped his
Chapter 5||Claire||My mother crushed into me and we both sobbed together. I embraced her tightly. I needed her warmth. I wanted to feel anything other than the coldness that had clenched my soul like a blanket.“They haven't, Claire. You are not alone. Hazel is in pain too and needs time to heal. And my grandchild is definitely alive. I can feel her heartbeat. Strong like her mothers.” she chuckled and I giggled lightly.“Her??” I drew away a little, with my arms still around hers.“Yes, Claire.” she nodded and beamed at me with tears trickling down her cheeks. “ I wish you will give birth to a little princess with your looks,” she said and we both giggles through our tears.Thank God my baby is fine. I exhaled.Cupping my cheeks, she wiped away my tears and I did the same to her as she whispered. “ You are not alone, Claire. You might have gone through hell today but don't forget you have a mother and a father rooting for you. ““ I know Mum. “ I smiled.“How far along are you?” my
||Claire||Five months had passed, and those months had been nothing short of challenging and transformative in my life. I was determined to embrace this chapter with courage and strength, though I couldn't deny the occasional pang of sadness at not having the support of certain loved ones by my side. Each day brought new sensations and a growing bond with the tiny being whose existence was intertwined with mine. The thought of holding my child, of seeing his little face for the first time, filled my heart with a mixture of longing and hope.Here I was, in the bustling maternity ward, where the air was filled with the laughter and excitement of loved ones visiting the mothers and their new bundles of joy. Everywhere, happiness seemed to dance in the atmosphere, painting the walls with the sheer bliss of new beginnings.But amidst the chatter and celebration, a stark contrast lay beside one solitary bed, a bed void of any eager visitors or well-wishers. My heart ached as I gazed at the
||Claire||An hour later, I paid for the cab and set off into the woods. The darkness swallowed us instantly from the canopy of trees.I could barely see a thing. There were no fireflies or sounds from small insects. The place was quiet. Not even a cricket chirped.All noise died out as my boy and I trudged a little deeper into the forest where our cottage was and after ten minutes walk or so.My wolf, Hazel became alert and started sniffing the air around us.We sensed scents and heartbeats. Different kinds of them. The rotten scent of a spoiled fish. All coming from my small hut.“Bloody rogues!” my wolf snarled.My heart leaped as I saw a flashlight through my little window. Followed by the crashing sounds of my things as my cottage was been raided.I quickly hid my body behind a tree as a giant of a man stepped out of my cabin, glancing around and sniffing the air as if he could sense something or someone..me!“How many of them?” I asked Hazel through our open-mind link.“About fou
||Claire||“Who is your Alpha?” I asked pretending I didn't know who he was.“Clayton Wolke. The Alpha prince,” he answered, gazing into my face as I nodded.“Let's get out of here.” he cocked his head to the side. His blue eyes appeared to be more thoughtful than scrutiny.I swallowed, bobbing my head.“This way.” he guided me to the passenger seat, and shut the door like a gentleman before getting behind the wheel, in his electric red sports car.“ Will he be fine with you bringing a rogue and a rogue child to his territory?” I raised a brow.“Yes. He won't refuse me. I will speak to him first thing in the morning.” he turned the heater on when he hopped in and glanced at me through the corners of his eyes.“Have we met before?” Beta Bredon asked while starting the car.“No,” I muttered.“Hmmm, you look familiar. “ he uttered.My breath hitched under his scrutinizing eyes. Wondering if he remembers me but he doesn't appear to and I also didn't want him asking questions about my pr
Chapter 9||Alpha Clayton||A week later, in my hand was an official invitation letter from desert moon pack. Inviting my family to the Luna ceremony of Olivia Smith their Luna to be...In there was a picture of her that was sent to my father way back before we received the invitation.The sight of her nearly paralyzed me.The Luna seemed bright, oozing with strength, and filled with confidence.She was incredibly dressed to kill in that dark red pencil skirt that was tight around her hips and thighs, and a soft white corset top that clung to her body like a second skin.Her bright chocolate eyes seemed so full of life. It was as if her eyes were spearing into my soul.I felt my mouth water. There was something I couldn’t shake off about her. I wanted to touch her, sniff her and kiss every inch of her body.I didn’t understand my thoughts.Havoc, my wolf, and I watched her picture with great interest. Helplessly studying every curve of her body.The first time I saw her was four years
||Alpha Prince Clayton||Confusion set off in my head. Nothing makes sense. The crowd became chaotic as mumbling and murmuring rang through the ceremonial hall.Well, it seemed I wasn't the only one who was surprised by the Luna presented.Luna Alice, Alpha Alan's mother was quick to explain to everyone.“ Settle down people, Olivia has been in Alan's life for over a decade now and I can say she is the daughter I never had. “ she gave a tight smile. “She may not be Alan fated but mates nevertheless”Double shit! What??“I'm elated and pleased to have Olivia in my place, following my footsteps. She is kind, resourceful, and resilient. A perfect combination for a Luna. And with her carrying the Crawley bloodline, I believe her job as the Luna is partially done. “ she smiled brightly and her eyes hazed over. It looked like a genuine emotion.Olivia did not stop caressing her baby bump. They both seemed happy or at least infatuated with each other.Chosen mate? Ha!I was still in increduli