THIRTY-ONE

ARIA

I had to remind myself that Alpha Hayden Slade was a bloodthirsty, arrogant conqueror who would walk the ends of the earth to get whatever it is he wanted, whether it favoured anyone or not. He’s used to having his way and he does not give two fucks about me. I was the stupid one to have developed feelings for him and not be able to hold myself in check. I’m the fool to have hoped for more after he'd reminded me severally that this was nothing but business.

Perhaps it was the mate bond that made me feel so hurt, so bitter and so betrayed. It was the mate bond that gave me a sense of entitlement over him. I’d been beaten in the past, bruised and even heartbroken, but what I felt right now surpassed any of the ill treatment I’d received in the past. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest, I wanted to hit something.

I clutched my stomach and rubbed on it. I had something he wanted – his child. I carried the seed he desperately wants, the only thing that mattered to h