Chapter 4: Reject Him.

I knew he wasn’t kidding about making my life miserable. My wolf whimpered and retreated to the back of my mind.

That wasn’t how things were supposed to work between mates. But it was clear he didn’t see me as his.

“She’s not a stray,” Alexi said flatly, stepping between us. “Lyrien might not be from a respectable family, but she is a hybrid. That will help produce a strong pup. Besides, the marriage already happened. You can’t do anything about it.”

Dimitri stopped pacing. He ran a hand through his disheveled dark hair, then slowly turned to glare at me. “So that’s how it is. You allowed this gold digger into my house. You let an abomination become my wife… for a pup?!” His growl shook the entire room.

I whimpered again. I had nothing to say.

“I gave you enough time to have one, and you didn’t care about my warnings,” Alexi said, shrugging. “Now deal with her. I’m giving you a year. If you don’t give me what I want, I will take it one way or another. At least she is a rare specimen.”

“I don’t care about that,” Dimitri growled. “Look at her, Father. Really look. She’s nothing like the women I—” He cut himself off, jaw clenching. “Too timid. Too plain. I like my women with fire. Curves. Confidence. Not whatever this scared little thing is supposed to be.”

My face burned with humiliation. I wanted to sink into the floor. What would happen if he ever found out what I did to him while he was unconscious? He might actually kill me.

“I… I can leave if that’s what you want,” I whispered, voice barely audible.

Dimitri’s head snapped toward me. “Finally, something sensible out of her mouth.” He gestured sharply at the door. “Then do it. Pack your shit and get out. I don’t need a pity wife or a forced breeder.”

Alexi’s aura flared suddenly, heavy and commanding. “Enough.” His voice cracked like a whip. “She stays, Dimitri. You will fulfill your duty. The family needs this. I need this. An heir. A grandson to secure the bloodline. The accident nearly took you from me. I won’t let your stubbornness undo everything. Unless you are ready to pay ten times what I paid for her, I suggest you stop this nonsense.”

“How much?” Dimitri asked.

His father smirked. “Twenty million.”

Dimitri rubbed his temple, wincing. “You spent that much?!”

“I did. So, unless you have two hundred million, shut your fucking mouth and start doing your job.”

Dimitri growled lowly. “Fine. Let the stray stay. And tell Sasha to fucking come here. I won’t be alone with her.”

The crude words made me flinch. He really hated me.

Alexi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Sure, I can make that happen. Lyrien, come with me. Leave my son alone.”

I quickly followed him. What else was I supposed to do? Argue? Defend myself? Tell Dimitri I wasn’t some gold digger—that I’d been sold against my will? He probably already knew. Where else would his father have bought a wife for twenty million?

The words died in my throat. He had already decided who I was.

As we stepped into the hallway, Dimitri’s voice echoed behind us. “And get someone to change the locks while you’re at it!”

I flinched.

A bitter laugh escaped Alexi. “He always did have a dramatic streak.”

In the living room, Alexi stopped by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. “You’re crying.”

I quickly wiped my face. I hadn’t even noticed the tears. “I’m not.”

“I see.”

“Mr. Romanov?”

“Hm.”

“What happened to him?”

Alexi stiffened but didn’t lash out this time. “He was caught in bad business. A bullet hit him, covered in silver. That’s why he was in that state.”

“Do you know why I bought you?”

I laughed softly, the sound hollow. “To give you a grandson.”

“Correct.” He studied me. “You think this is personal. You think Dimitri’s reaction is about you.”

“Isn’t it?”

“No.” For the first time, his voice held something close to honesty. “My son hates being controlled. Even if I had brought him the most beautiful woman in the world and forced him to marry her, he would react exactly the same way. He is also an asshole.”

My eyes widened. A startled laugh escaped me.

Alexi’s mouth twitched slightly. “Don’t mistake my honesty for kindness. Do as you’re told and stay alive. I don’t want my money to go to waste. You have a year.”

“What if he never accepts me?”

Alexi snorted. “I don’t need him to accept you. I only need a child.”

I looked away, stomach twisting with all the secrets I carried. Secrets that could get me killed the moment they came out.

“Mr. Romanov… what would happen if Dimitri tried to kill me?”

“Nothing.”

His phone rang. He glanced at the screen, expression darkening. “I’m leaving now. Make sure my son doesn’t do anything stupid.” He paused at the door. “Stop crying over my son. He isn’t worth it.”

Then he was gone.

I avoided Dimitri as much as possible after that. Whenever he left his room, I retreated to mine. But one afternoon, hunger finally won.

“Sasha?” I called softly.

The bodyguard looked up from his book on the couch, his broad frame relaxed yet always alert. His dark eyes softened when they landed on me. “Yes, Lyrien?”

“Can you… stay out here for a while? I need to get something from the kitchen, but I don’t want to… you know.”

Sasha nodded, understanding immediately. “I’ll be right here. Mr. Romanov is still resting. I can cook for you if you want.”

I shook my head. “Don’t worry. I know how to feed myself. Maybe I should cook something for you and Dimitri?”

His lips tugged upward. “You know how to cook? Or are you going to poison us secretly?”

I startled, then smiled faintly when he chuckled. “I know you won’t do that. Go ahead, Lyrien. I’ll be here in case you need me.”

That small kindness warmed something in my chest. For once, someone didn’t treat me like garbage.

But I failed to notice the pair of icy blue eyes watching me from the hallway.

I finished dinner feeling proud of myself. It had been a while since I’d cooked, but I still loved it. And this kitchen? It was everything I’d ever dreamed of.

Sasha approached silently once I was done. “May I?”

I beamed. “Sure! Tell me what you think.”

He served himself a generous portion of roasted chicken with herbs, creamy mashed potatoes, and garlic butter vegetables. The kitchen smelled warm and inviting—roasted garlic, fresh thyme, and bright lemon cutting through the usual sterile chill.

For the first time in weeks, I felt a spark of normalcy.

He took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. Then another. A small, genuine smile tugged at his mouth. “This is excellent, Lyrien. I apologize for ever doubting your cooking skills. You could easily open a restaurant.”

My cheeks warmed with real pleasure. “Really? I was worried the seasoning might be off. It’s been so long since I had a kitchen like this.” I gestured around the massive space. “Back home… it wasn’t anything like this. But cooking always made me happy. I once dreamed of becoming a chef.”

Sasha nodded, savoring each bite. “You’re good at it. My mother used to cook like this. You should do this more often—if it makes you happy.”

I smiled softly, serving myself a smaller plate and sitting across from him at the island. City lights twinkled beyond the windows. “It does. Helps me forget… everything.”

“Lyrien?” Sasha’s voice pulled me back. He’d finished most of his plate and watched me with quiet concern. “You drifted off. Everything alright?”

I nodded, forcing another bite. “Yeah. Just thinking about how things have been. Dimitri’s been… vocal about how much he hates this. Hates me.”

Sasha set his fork down. “The Alpha is still recovering. That silver bullet did a lot of damage. Waking up forced into a marriage wasn’t what he wanted.”

I laughed bitterly. “He’s not the only one who was forced.”

“What do you—”

“So this is what my dear wife does in her free time,” a cold voice drawled from the entrance.

Dimitri leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest, black t-shirt stretched tight across muscles the coma hadn’t weakened. His sharp blue eyes flicked from the plates to Sasha, then settled on me with pure contempt.

Sasha straightened. “Mr. Romanov. Dinner’s still warm if you’d like—”

“I didn’t ask you, Sasha.” Dimitri’s gaze never left me. He stepped closer, his scent and rage hitting me hard. “So the stray plays domestic wife now? Cooking for the help like some pathetic little housewife hoping to win points?”

The small spark of joy I’d felt was shattered. I set my fork down carefully. “I… I just made dinner. For myself. Sasha asked if he could have some.”

Dimitri’s laugh was low and cruel. “Of course he did. Loyal dog that he is.” He moved closer, towering over the island. “And you? Beaming like a fool because someone actually ate your slop. Pathetic.”

Sasha cleared his throat. “It was good, sir. Really—”

“Enough.” Dimitri’s aura leaked out, heavy enough to make my wolf whine. “Go check the perimeter or something, Sasha. I want a word with my 'wife'.”

Sasha hesitated, glancing at me with concern, but eventually nodded and left.

I stood slowly, gathering plates to keep my hands busy. “I wasn’t trying to bother you. I’ll clean up and go to my room.”

“Look at me when I’m speaking to you, stray.” His hand shot out, hovering near my wrist. I flinched. “You think cooking some chicken erases what you are? A twenty-million-dollar hybrid brought to spread her legs and pop out an heir. My father must have been desperate.”

My eyes stung. I gripped the counter. “I know what I am to this family. You don’t have to remind me every day.”

“Oh, but I do.” He circled the island slowly, gaze raking over me. “If you were at least pretty, I could fuck you, but that is not even the case.”

I gritted my teeth. “Why does your father want a grandson so bad?”

“The bastard is delusional. He thinks he can control me. But as you’ve seen, I’m the only one who decides when I have pups.” He assessed me again. “And with the right woman.”

“I didn’t choose this,” I whispered. “I was sold. Against my will. Just like you were forced into the marriage.”

Dimitri stopped behind me, too close. His breath ghosted my neck. “Forced? Please. You probably jumped at the chance to sink your claws into Romanov money.” His voice dropped, dangerous. “I bet if I gave you an opening, you’d take it, wouldn’t you? Because all you are is a pathetic whore.”

The glass in my hand nearly slipped. He had no idea how much that hurt. If it weren't for my brother, I wouldn't have to endure this.

His eyes narrowed, blue flashing gold for a split second. “If you ever dare to get into my bed, I’ll make sure that is the last day you breathe, filthy hybrid.”

Tears spilled over. I wiped them angrily. “I’m sorry. I’ll stay out of the kitchen. Out of sight. Just… stop.”

Dimitri watched me cry, expression unreadable. Then that cruel smirk returned. “Cry all you want. It doesn’t change anything. You’re a breeder. Nothing more. Alexi wants a grandson in a year, or he’ll find another way. But don’t expect me to make it pleasant.” He stepped back. “Clean this shit up. And next time you play house, do it somewhere I don’t have to smell it. Stop flirting with my staff. If you sleep with someone else, I won’t ever lay a hand on you. You’re already dirty as it is.”

He turned and left. The door slammed down the hall.

I slid to the floor, knees to my chest, sobs shaking my shoulders. Could I... reject him?