Chapter 3: Jealous Alpha

"Theo, thank you for being so kind to me and Lacie throughout all these years. I have no clue how to even begin repaying you...."

"Why talk like I'm a stranger? I helped you because I wanted to. You don't owe me anything. By the way, how was the photoshoot?"

"It went well. They offered me a contract extension, saying my face suits their criteria."

"Well, as I said, you are very beautiful, Catrina... Very beautiful."

They strolled towards her apartment building, a grin plastered on her face and her heart thumping with excitement.

Theo, the man who had been helping her all this time and who had brought her and her daughter to this city, had just picked her up from the studio, and now she was going to whip up a bomb dinner for him as a token of appreciation. 

Entering her room, Catrina headed to the kitchen to start taking out the ingredients from the fridge, while Margaretha cradled Lacie in her arms.

Lacie is her daughter, who is three and a half years old.

"Look, sweetheart, your mom's here," Margaretha said.

Smiling, Catrina took her daughter from Margaretha's arms.

"Do you miss mommy, sweetheart?"

Lacie let out an excited sound of approval as she tugged gently on Catrina's curls. The toddler seemed to be growing more and more active, and Catrina was more than happy.

Her daughter was all she needed to continue her life after her heartbreak because of the cruel Alpha who banished her while she was pregnant with his child.

Theo walked toward Catrina, touching the toddler's cheek with his calloused hand. "She's growing at a rapid pace."

"You guys are like a happy family already? Why don't you get married? You don't have a mate either, right? Cat, Theo?" Said Margaretha as she leaned on the table after taking out a milk pudding from the refrigerator.

Catrina's cheeks turned a rosy hue. Married to Theo? She didn't want to start to hope because it would only make her feel heartbreak again. She was a nobody, while Theo was the son of the Lycan king.

"Married? Why does that sound like a good idea?" He burst into chuckle. "Now let's get Catrina's take on this. What's your take on sweet Cat? I hope there isn't another man occupying your heart."

Although Catrina knew that he was joking, she was still blushing like a virgin.

"Theo, I think that's too far away to think about. Right now, all I have on my mind is my dear daughter. I want to protect her so that no one can take her away from me."

Catrina's mind subconsciously went back to remembering the man who had planted his seed in her womb only to throw her away so heartlessly.

That man, Carlo Donovan, is the Alpha of the Blackthorn pack. 'He's probably living his best life now, peacefully with his Luna,' Catrina thought. Free from the lingering presence of her or her child. 'What a heartless man.'

"And, oh! Cat, Theo, there's a party invitation the day after tomorrow!" Margaretha said as she took out an envelope from her pocket.

"From who?" asked Theo.

Margaretha skimmed through the letter briefly, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. But then she said with a happy smile,

"The Blackthorn Pack! Donovan family mansion!"

*****

"Who's that guy?" Carlo asked Zeke as Catrina and Theo entered the apartment building. They were in the car, so Catrina was unaware of his presence. 

By the Moon Goddess, she was exactly the same as Carlo remembered. The woman who's been haunting his thoughts all this time.

Her beautiful face, her Ocean-hued eyes, her slender figure—that Carlo hate to admit that he missed so much.

"Theo, the youngest son of the Lycan King. Weakest among his brothers. I sent the party invitation to both of them," Zeke replied to him.

Carlo gave a subtle nod.

He already felt a very strong enmity toward the Lycan king's son, especially as he saw him with her.

His wolf, Shadow, let out a menacing growl, compelling him to assert his dominance and engage in a battle with Theo's wolf.

"Are they close?"

Zeke nodded. "Yeah, since three years ago. Why? Are you jealous?"

'Absolutely, i am.' He never liked sharing what was his. Carlo couldn't let that Lycan cub be around her. Because he was wrong when he thought he had moved on, his feelings for her remain unchanged from four years ago.

Four years ago...

~Flashback On.~

That was a full moon night, Carlo had just ascended to the position of Alpha after taking over the reins from his father.

He and his friends reveled in the euphoria of the moment, indulging in drunkenness and several spontaneous fights with the rogues.

They wandered around the surrounding woods of the city until they passed a pack's territory that appeared diminutive in size yet exuded an air of tranquility.

"What territory is this? It's so small; do they have an Alpha?" Asked Carlo.

"This is the Bluemoon Pack, Alpha. Their Alpha is a fifteen-year-old girl who has never left this place since her father died." Zeke responded.

"How about we just invade their territory, then take over this land to build our new base? I like this area."

"I don't think that's a good idea. It's been ages since the Bluemoon pack fought over territory with another pack. They're weak as their number of strong warriors is getting smaller, and most of them are now she-wolves. But this pack has a hidden gem; most people swear their Omegas are sexy as fuck."

Hearing about Omegas, Carlo and his friends couldn't help but feel a surge of arousal. Without a moment's hesitation, they get into the Bluemoon pack to see for themselves the veracity of Zeke's claims.

The hills that flanked the Bluemoon pack were a lush green color at night, and the scenery were just as lovely as the werewolves who lived there.

That was the first time Carlo met her.