Chapter 2

Elvina’s POV

I watched him unbuckle his pants as his eyes were still locked with mine. Immediately, his cock sprung loose.

He finally brought his body over mine and parted my tighs. He lined up the tip of his cock on my entrance, then he lowered his lips to my neck and he slid inside me in one smooth, and powerful thrust.

I arches my back, holding tight to his muscular arms as he continued thrusting inside me. The wet sound of his pounding filled the room. A soft moan immediately slipped from my mouth.

Every movement was deep and deliberate, driving me higher until I was completely lost in him. 

His pace quickened, he then gripped my hips tight as he pushed both of us over the edge. 

I cried out his name as a wave of pure euphoria crashed over me, rippling through every inch of my body. 

Seconds later, Arthur groaned against my shoulder, shuddering as he surrendered to his own release, holding me tightly against his chest as our breathing gradually slowed in the quiet room.

Afterward, he pulled the soft sheets over us, gathering me close against his side. I rested my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

For one night, I had allowed myself to forget the past, the betrayal, and the pain. I didn't know what tomorrow held, but as I drifted off to sleep wrapped in Arthur’s arms, I knew I would never forget this night.

The next morning, i was awakened by the bright ray of light that shun through the curtains. 

I stretched, my body aching with a strange, satisfying fullness that brought an immediate blush to my face as memories of the night flooded back.

I turned onto my side, expecting to find Arthur lying beside me, but the sheets on his side were cold.

Immediately my eyes flew open as i felt the emptiness.

He was gone!

Sitting up, I pulled the duvet over my chest and looked around the quiet room. "Arthur?" I called out, my voice raspy from sleep.

But there was no answer.

I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, catching sight of my phone resting on the bedside table. 

My heart sank when I saw it lying face up, the screen lit with a notification. On the lock screen was a bright, clear photo of my six-year-old daughter, Iris, grinning widely in her favorite pink dress.

I picked up the phone, searching the room and the adjoining bathroom, but there was no sign of him. No note on the table, no message left behind, nothing.

A cold lump formed in my throat. It hit me instantl,  he must have seen the photo. A single mother with a child from a previous marriage was the last thing a wealthy man wanted to deal with.

He had probably panicked and slipped out before I woke up to avoid an uncomfortable conversation.

I swallowed the sting of humiliation, telling myself it didn't matter. It was only meant to be a one-night stand anyway. 

I gathered my things, dressed quickly, and left the suite without looking back.

By late afternoon, the flight home was behind me. I pulled my luggage up the walkway to my house, eager to unpack, shower, and go pick up Iris. 

But as I approached the porch, my steps slowed to a grinding halt.

Standing right by my front door, leaning against the railing with his hands shoved in his pockets, was Felix.

"What are you doing here, Felix?" I asked, keeping my distance as I set my suitcase down.

"I came to see my daughter," he said smoothly, taking a step toward me.

I rolled my eyes, feeling an instant wave of exhaustion.

"iris is at Helena’s house. I told you that before I even left for the beach, and I texted you her schedule yesterday just to make sure you remembered."

Felix sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked at me with an expression that was entirely too soft, too pleading. "I know, Elvina. I know. I…I just... I wanted to see you, too."

"Well, you've seen me. Now you can leave." I stepped past him to unlock the front door.

"Elvina, please, just wait a minute," he pleaded, grabbing the edge of the doorframe before I could push it shut. "Can we just talk? I made a mistake, a massive mistake, and I've regretted it every single day since."

I paused, turning to face him with a cold stare.

 "A mistake, Felix? You cheated on me with your secretary, Agnes. You asked for a divorce when our daughter was only four years old. We went through the entire rejection ceremony, we shattered our mate bond into pieces. How can you stand on my porch today and expect me to just forgive you?"

Felix flinched, looking genuinely pained, though I knew better than to trust his pathetic act.

"I broke up with Agnes," he said hurriedly. "It's over between us. It was never real, Elvina. I was stupid, ambitious, and blind. I want my family back. I want YOU back."

"I have zero interest in getting back together with you," I said flatly. "Our marriage is dead, Felix. The only thing connecting us now is Iris."

Before he could respond, I stepped inside and shut the door firmly in his face, turning the lock with a sharp click.

"Elvina, please!" Felix called through the wooden door, his voice muffled but desperate. "Just hear me out on one thing! Next month is the annual Ashbourne Pack banquet. The Alpha will be there, along with all the high-ranking members of the council. I... I never told anyone in the pack that we got divorced."

I closed my eyes, leaning my forehead against the cool wood. "That's your problem, Felix, not mine."

"Elvina, I'm begging you!" he pressed on. "If I show up alone or if word gets out about the divorce right now, it will ruin my standing in the pack. My position as Gamma depends on maintaining a respectable image. Just come with me as my partner for that one night. Act like we're still together for a few hours. I promise you, if you do this for me, I will never bother you about getting back together again. I'll respect your boundaries completely."

I stood in the quiet hallway, weighing his words. The last thing I wanted was to play happy family with my ex-husband at a high-society pack function, but the offer of him finally leaving me alone for good was far too tempting to ignore.

I unlocked the door, opening it just a crack to look him in the eye.

"One night," I said, keeping my tone sharp. "You pick me up, we attend the banquet, we play your little game, and the second it's over, you leave me and Iris alone."

Felix let out a long breath of relief, nodding eagerly. "One night. I swear it. Thank you, Felix."

I shut the door once more and locked it, letting out a long, heavy breath into the empty house.