Chapter three

I opened my eyes slowly because my head felt like someone was drumming inside it. I shook my head for a couple of seconds, trying to make my vision clear.

I grabbed what I assumed to be a pillow, plopped over it, and then inhaled. This place smelled so nice, just like chocolate, fresh flowers, and then that musky cologne that I could remember from anywhere.

I pushed up immediately, then groaned because the movement took a toll on me. I clutched my head.

"I take it that you have recognized where you are." A voice I knew to be Hayden said.

I opened my eyes immediately, and there he was leaning over the wall. He pushed away from it and then walked to the bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked me, but I was more concentrated on his body.

His hair kept dripping water, showing that he just showered, and due to how close he was to me, I could smell his spicy shower gel, which I loved so much when we lived together.

I moved down to his abs, which were on full display since he wore only black shorts that hid absolutely nothing and were pulled a bit lower than they should have been, giving me a great view. I felt my sex clench and moisture pool at my core, so I pressed my thighs together, trying to stop myself from overthinking. But I did; I remembered how he worshiped my body in the dead of night.

How he held me down when he was drinking from my core with his sinful mouth, or how he kissed me, devouring my mouth, but then I shook my head. I should not be thinking of all this about this ruthless wolf.

I guess I could blame all these on the fact that I have not had sex since I left him, and the only sex I ever had was with him. So I guess my body craved him as my mate, even though I hated him.

When I looked up, he was smirking and had a knowing look on his face, which I did not like because he was mocking me.

He inhaled then chuckled, "I see you still smell like vanilla when aroused, but the way you were spitting words at me the other day, calling me a murderer and all, I did not think that only the view of my naked chest could make you so wet."

I was taken aback for a second; I guess I had forgotten how blunt he was.

"You wish, I said and made to stand up, but he grabbed my face.

"No, you wish," he whispered, then reached for my face, his hand moving through my hair. I leaned into his warm touch.

He smirked, then was about to kiss me when his phone started to ring. As if on cue, my sanity returned to me, and I pushed him off immediately.

He stood up, then walked to the table, picked up his phone, and listened without saying a word to the caller.

I tried not to think of myself trying to kiss that monster after everything because I could not understand how I was still so attracted to him that I lost all my senses when I had already broken our mate bond after I left Shadow Pack. So I concentrated on looking around. Everything was dark red or black, just like his room back at Shadow Moon Pack, where we used to stay. The bed I was on was massive; the sheets were extra-soft curtains; the wallpapers and colorful rugs all screamed luxury; and they confirmed my assumption that this was his room.

I was still wondering why I was in his room when I remembered how someone grabbed me yesterday and then remembered my kids. Elijah and Lily, I panicked immediately and stood up immediately.

I looked around to see if I could see anything to use as a weapon, but I did not. So I grabbed the pen I saw on the side table. When I turned to him, he was already done with the call and sitting down on the sofa.

"I believe we have something to discuss. So please take a seat," he said, pointing to the bed.

"No, we do not; the only thing I want is for you to bring my kids right here and release us immediately," I screamed at him.

"No, now sit," he commanded with his alpha tone, hoping that it would push me to sit down. Even though our bond had been broken since I went to a witch who did that for me when I was on the run, I was still from the shadow pack, so his influence over me should still be there. But it only pushed me to sit down, so I stood again.

I grabbed a vase, not caring how expensive it was, then threw it at his head. I grabbed the bouquet that was in it and started beating him with it.

He grabbed my two arms together and pried the flower out of my hand.

"Sit down, or you might not see Elijah and Lily again," he threatened.

My wolf whimpered, and my breath got caught in my throat. 'Did he say never see them again? I questioned myself in my head.

I sat down immediately. "Please don't harm my children," I begged, feeling helpless.

His gaze became hard, and he glared at me. "Did you just really believe that I would hurt a child? Who do you think I am? A child slayer or what?"

'A murderer' was at the tip of my mouth, but I did not want to provoke him any further.

I quickly cleared my throat, then wiped the tear that slid down my cheek and whispered, "Please let me and my babies go, Hayden. I beg of you."

He pulled my face up and then wiped the cheek with his thumb. "I do not know the kind of theories you have made up about me in your head, but I don't harm children, and I will never harm my children."

A vein nearly popped out of my head, my pulse started to hammer, and I felt like there was a hard lump in my throat. This was the last thing I wanted; I never wanted him to find out about them because then my fate would be sealed and my place would return to his side, because Hayden, I know, will never let any of us slip out of his hand.

I forced myself not to react to the emotions I was feeling; instead, I kept my tone light.

"How are you sure that they are yours?" I asked casually.

He smirked, "Because I sent some samples to run a D.N.A. at our lab, and they just called me now to tell me the results."

"Look, I don't care what they told you, but I want my children now," I screamed, losing my cool.

He grabbed his iPad and then showed me a video of them in a luxurious bathtub and Grace washing Elijah's hair.

"They are taking their bath, as you can see. Now shut up because I don't have all day," he commanded.

I shut my mouth, not because I was interested in what he was going to say but because I wanted to get this over with so I could run.

"Where are you ever going to tell me about the twins?" He asked with a grim face.

I flashed a smile that I did not feel. "Of course."

"When?" he asked.

"When they grow up and would be able to stomach your rejection if that is the case."

"And pray tell, why will I reject my children?" He asked in a low, icy voice that screamed of concealed anger.

"For the same reason, you planned to burn me alive, Cecelia."

He smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "It's good to know that you are jealous of Cecelia, but like I have told you in the past, she is nothing but a friend, and I agreed to marry her again because of the edge that her father's business gives me."

I scoffed, "Yeah, a friend."

"But for telling me about the children, you would have never done that; you would never give up your location for anything. I know how stubborn you are, but then I guess the moon goddess has her way of doing things."

"The moon goddess did not do anything; I want my children now or I will slit your throat."

He barked out a mocking laughter. "Although you are one tough cookie, stronger than the people in your rank, you are no match for an Alpha, let alone one as strong as I am."

I wanted to say something, but I knew that he was speaking the truth.

"So what do you want? Because I am tired of your stupid commands."

He smiled at me and then answered, "My family, I am taking both you and the kids back home to shadow back, but you can leave if you do not want to."

"Like hell, you would. I am taking my kids with me," I screamed at him, but he did not answer. Instead, he pressed a button, and the door opened.

"Mommy!" Elijah and Lily screamed, then ran to me.

I hugged them, then kissed each on their forehead.

"No greeting for Papa," Hayden asked and then ran into his arms too.

"Good morning, Papa," they said.

He stood up and twirled them up in the air, and they kept screaming.

Watching them together gave me heartache because Elijah looked like a younger version of his father.

"Mommy, Is Hayden truly our papa?" Lily asked.

"Yes, Mommy. Am I truly their papa?" Hayden asked with a mischievous smile.

"Yes," I answered because there was nothing else to say.

"Yahhhh!" Elijah shouted.

"Now we don't have to stay in our ugly house. Instead, we will stay in this beautiful house," my daughter shouted, and her father smiled.

"That's right, ladybug, but not this house. We will stay in a much bigger house with your grandpa and grandma, and you get to meet many sweet friends."

"No, they will not; they are coming with me, and we are leaving this place."

Their faces fell immediately. "Mama, please let us stay with Papa."

"Please, mama, I want to have many friends and have beautiful clothes. None of the kids in our school would be my friends; they kept calling me poor. "Please mummy, please," Lily begged.

I looked into Hayden's face, and I wanted to punch him to wipe that victory smile off his face. If I said no, my children would see me as the bad guy and may even go to him when they get older.

I smiled and said, "Of course, let's all go to Daddy's mansion."

"Yes, yes." They screamed and ran to Hayden.

"Let us go have breakfast and let mommy freshen up."

They nodded, and he led them out of the room and left me standing there.