Chapter 6: Do you love him?

Catrina finished cleaning her dress and was about to leave the bathroom when, out of nowhere, someone came up from behind and enveloped her.

"hmph- what ar-"

"Relax, then you'll be okay. Just listen to me, Catrina.’’

That voice is somehow not entirely unfamiliar. He dragged her body along without giving her a chance to resist.

The moment he released her, she finally realized that he was not taking her to the party hall. Instead, it was a room where a handsome man sat haughtily on the sofa.

"Thank you, Zeke."

Zeke? That's why the voice was so familiar! Turning around, Catrina saw the beta, who smiled briefly before leaving the room.

Catrina had yet to recognize the other man in the room.

If Zeke was here, then that meant...

"Hello, Catrina."

She turned her head and met the face she was avoiding the most for tonight. Right in front of her was the man who had caused all of her suffering.

Catrina was taken aback. "You?!"

A smile touches his lips, sending shivers down her spine.

"What do you want with me?’’ she inquired.

''What do I want with you? Do I even have to explain?''

Catrina was filled with resentment. Why did she have to be reunited with him again? She had kicked him out of her pack four years before.

"I want you. I won't let you go away before I get what I want."

His words made her wolf respond. Even though she had accepted his rejection, why did it feel like the mate bond was still there? And strong.

Catrina couldn't let herself fall into his trap again.

''I'm not interested in being yours. You heartless monster, I've had enough of you,'' she said, about to walk away from him and leave him for good.

Just as she was about to leave the room, a powerful hand firmly grabbed hold of her.

Catrina struggled, but Carlo restrained all her movements until she could not resist.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Her scream filled the room.

"Do you think there will be anyone who will hear you and help you here?''

Idiot! Catrina cursed herself. This was his mansion; of course, no one would help her. But she, of course, still had to get away from him.

"Theo!"

She hoped Theo could hear her; he always helped her, but what answered her was the  Alpha's angry growl.

"Forget about him. He won't hear you. He won't wake up until at least tomorrow."

What? Then she remembered Theo's condition and the drink given by a maid; apparently, this was all Carlo's doing.

"Don't hurt him! If you hurt him, I will kill you!

She went quiet for a second, realizing how dumb it was to threaten him. He didn't respond, but a moment later, his hold relaxed.

"You can hurt me, but please don't hurt Theo."

Carlo let go of her body and spun her around to meet his gaze, placing both hands on her shoulders. His face, with those intense eyes, looked the same as it did four years ago. The man who was not only his first love but also her first heartbreak.

"Do you love him?" he asked, his fingers digging into her shoulder. "Answer me, Catrina.

There was something in his voice that was hard to explain—an anger that made his voice boom, but Catrina didn't know why this mattered to him.

She certainly loved Theo as a friend, but that doesn't necessarily mean she was in love with him. Those feelings were like night and day.

However, somehow she felt a sense of satisfaction seeing the anger on his face.

That's why she said, "Of course I love him; he's the one who was by my side all this time when I was at my worst!"

Catrina almost smiled when she saw the rage cross his face.

She knew she had to get out of here immediately, get out of this mansion, and go home.

Hide her daughter; don't let him know anything about Lacie. Wait, does he know where she lives?

"Let me go, Alpha Carlo. You have abandoned me and rejected me; you can never have me again.''

Catrina did have to leave him behind; they could never be together again after all the heartache she had given him.

"Wait."

Her voice interrupted her just a few steps into her walk.

"You cannot leave while you are still having what's mine. My Heir."

And her greatest fear came true. No! She would not let him take Lacie from her, her only daughter.

"Where is she now?" he inquired.

"I don't know!"

"Stop fibbing. I saw her with my own eyes. That child is alive and healthy. And I know that she has my blood."

Carlo felt a strange sensation when he saw the fear on her face. She must love the child very much and would do anything to protect her. But Carlo had to do this if he wanted to get them back.

"Don't fight back; just do as I say. Or... you can rebel as much as you want, and it won't be you that I'll go after, but the child you've been protecting all this time."

"Please, don't do that!" Catrina had to carefully choose her words so as not to misspeak. "What do you want?

"I've made it crystal clear,” he said, a devilish smirk dancing on his lips.

This man was truly heartless. "I can't!

"You can, and until I decide what to do next, you're staying here."

****

That night, she had to call Margaretha to inform her that she could not go home for the night.  "I'll be back as soon as possible; please take care of Lacie."

Ending the call, Catrina strolled over to the window and cast her gaze outside. That heartless Alpha had left the room hours ago.

Catrina was sure he had forgotten about her and her daughter. He never acknowledged the baby she was carrying was his, so what does he want with them now?