Chapter 2

I watched for a long five seconds as the kiss unfolded, Aliyah's body merged into my mate, her hands touching him where only I have the right to.

But the part that broke me the most was Antonio's reaction.

He didn't push her away; he didn't tell her that this was inappropriate; he just... accepted.

While I stood behind them, my pregnancy test results in my hand.

When she finally pulled away, she stared up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Damian, you must not leave me again," she whined, rubbing my mate's chest.

"I'm here now, don't worry alright?"

"You were gone for so long, our Pups missed you," she continued in a tone that I'd never heard Aliya speak in.

Like a needy child.

She grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. "They have missed their father."

"They'll be strong pups," Antonio replied proudly.

"What are you doing here anyway? Let's go to bed."

"What?" I couldn't stop the word from escaping my lips.

Aliya didn't even look at me, she acted like I was invisible, like it was absolutely normal for this to happen.

Not only was she taking a position that should have become mine, but she was also trying to take my mate to her bed?

"Let's go, you need to rest. You've been stressed and that's bad for our pups," Antonio said to her.

My hands squeezed the paper tight as frustration built in my chest.

Yes, I understand she's heavily pregnant and that the mate bond can be intense especially after a loss.

But why does it have to mean sacrificing my mate?

Shouldn't he be telling her the truth?

Or at least resisting her touch?

"Are you really going with her?" I asked as she pulled him out of the door.

They shut it in my face without answering.

Then my mate's mind opened to mine, using the mind link, he said, "I'm just going to put her to bed. Don't worry too much, okay?"

I took a deep breath of relief, thanking the goddess that my fears weren't going to happen.

He won't go that far.

The kiss was just a mistake, he's trying to keep her mind stable until she gives birth but he definitely knows where to draw the line.

I sat down on the bed and smoothed the test results again.

When he gets back, I'll show him so he can stop bonding with someone else's child because he thinks there's no more hope for us.

I picked up the novel I was reading earlier to make waiting for my mate to come back from the battle easier and I immersed myself in it.

Suddenly, my phone made a sound and I jerked up.

I'd been so engrossed in the love story I was reading that I'd forgotten about the time.

I looked at the large wall clock above the door and I frowned.

It's been four hours since they left, this is almost midnight.

Where is Antonio?

I tried reaching him in the mind link but he was fast asleep.

My mind flew up again. What was happening?

Okay, maybe he was too tired and fell asleep.

He's just gotten back from months of fighting after all and now, the responsibility on his head after losing his brother.. it must have been too much.

Another ping reminded me to check my phone and I dug it out of the drawer and I frowned to see the notifications.

Images sent by Aliya?

Why is she sending me pictures?

The Luna hates me just as much as the entire Pack does.

She is an Alpha's daughter and she was mated to an Alpha so the fact that I have an equally strong mate was irritating her.

To everyone, I should have been with a lowly omega, someone of my status.

But then I opened the message, I won't know what's happening until I do anyway.

The second I did, I dropped the phone in panic, a scream pushing out of my throat before I stopped myself.

"No, no, no..” I cried, "This can't be happening!"

I pulled the phone back up from the bed and looked again.

As sure as day, there was my mate and Aliya, naked.

She was sleeping on his chest, her pregnant tummy on his body.

I was still trying to process this when she sent me another message.

A text this time.

"I know you've seen the picture, so don't bother waiting for Antonio to come back tonight. He's mine now."

I immediately began typing, my head was cloudy, rage, shock and heartbreak mixing with pain.

"Why are you doing this, Aliya? I know you're pretending to be crazy. But why are you doing this?!"

Her reply was instant, like she'd been waiting for this for a while now.

"I know you didn't know, you're too dumb after all, but I was supposed to have both Alpha Twins. Both of them wanted me. I only rejected Antonio because I was worried about what people would think. That's why he began coming close to you."

I rolled my eyes, "You're a liar. This mate bond is real and I'm sure you will regret this soon!"

She sent laughing emojis back.

"You're so gullible it's boring doing this. But fine, I'll clear up your doubt. Go and check the wedding ring he gave you on your mating day. Our initials are written inside."

Desperate to prove her wrong, I rushed into our closet where Antonio kept his collection of jewellery. Mostly watches but important things like this ring.

He didn't wear it all the time because of shifting.

I picked it up and turned it up to look inside, my phone clutched in my hand so I could snap the evidence and send it back to her lying ass.

But my lips parted in a surprised gasp.

A&A.

Aliya and Antonio.

Two people who should have never been together in any way but right now are lying together in one bed, naked, and now, their initials are engraved on his wedding ring.

My memory went back to the first time he looked my way, during that summer I turned eighteen.

It was also the night Aliya and Damien sealed their bond.

It suddenly occurred to me why Antonio had been so drunk.

Did this mean that everything he was confessing to me wasn't actually meant for me but.. her?

Am I a second choice to my mate?

No.

I can't let her lies and deception get to me.

I'm sure this was a plot by her to take Antonio from me and I won't let her win.

My hands touched my stomach again and I whispered out loud, "I have to give him this one last chance. If he admits to all of these things, then I'm leaving with my child."