_Chapter 004

Malachi's POV

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As a man who's spent years mastering restraint, there were a few things I couldn't control.

Valerie Sinclair… is quickly becoming one of them.

I'm standing beside the bed the next morning, buttoning up my shirt. Unable to peel my eyes off her sleeping form. She looks so peaceful compared to the chaos last night.

Her back faces me, body covered by the bed sheets. Her silky black hair spills in waves behind her, still looking so beautiful despite all the sins we committed.

My wolf is barely able to control himself the longer I stare—so I turn away, grunting to myself. This has been my life for the last two years. Ignoring instinct. My urges. The impossible pull of the bond, as if it doesn't exist.

But oh, it does. And I've known this ever since the first day I lay eyes on her.

I still remember it as if it were yesterday.

The way Draven talked about introducing me to his wife. “Then the way I waited at a gala organised by the company that fateful night… only to have my world tilt over the moment she walked in.

When my wolf howled ‘mate’, I knew I couldn't claim her. Yet here I am in the process of doing just that.

I finish buttoning up when I have the willpower to look at her again. Still so peaceful. So blissfully unaware.

Just when I take a step forward, my phone buzzes in my pocket. My jaw works but I pull it out regardless, sighing when I see my assistant's name flashing on the screen.

“Good morning, Alpha.” His voice is measured as always. “Sir, I got the information you've been after. The one about Miss—”

“Yes,” I lower my voice, pivoting away from her. “Valerie Sinclair. Anything from the last three weeks? Where has she been?”

“She's been in her house for all that time, sir,” he confirms. “No going to the office. She didn't even step out for basic shopping.”

“And Draven? Did you find out if he's been around her during this time?”

“He hasn't, sir. The last time they were seen around each other was three weeks ago. At his Bel Air mansion.”

I lick my bottom lip.

Of course.

It all makes sense now.

I look over my shoulder at Valerie, noticing the way she twitches. “... So in other words, my suspicions were correct. He did go ahead with divorcing her and taking the child.”

A part of me once feared my son was getting too attached to the human girl. After all, most male wolves wouldn't usually go through the stress of marrying the woman they pick to carry their heir.

But this? This is exactly the window I've been waiting for.

“It appears so, sir,” my assistant pauses and I can almost imagine that inquisitive look he usually gives me. “Sir… I know it's not my place to pry. But—”

“Then don't.” I spin on my heels, facing my mate again. “I'm simply curious because my son never mentioned the arrival of the baby.”

Not that I owe him the explanation anyway. I just don't want him having any… ideas.

He seems to buy the diversion. “Oh, okay.” Then he chuckles. “For a moment I thought you were planning to use her as a surrogate too. I mean… she's a fine specimen. And—”

“Tobias,” I blurt flatly. “I'm hanging up.”

I proceed to do just that, shoving my phone back into my pocket. I inch toward the sleeping beauty on the bed, pulling back from creeping in and just holding her.

Instead, I thread my fingers down her hair, taking in the scent of honey and lavender. “It's good that you're still asleep,” I whisper. “Otherwise I can't bank on letting you leave.”

She stirs but doesn't shift in my direction.

Moving forward I can't afford to avoid her like I've been doing for two years. So I pull out my business card, the one with my private number.

Hopefully, she's curious enough to call it.

With that, I take one final look at her before walking out of the room, the door shutting softly behind me. Upon entering the hallway, everything that happened last night rushes through my head.

I didn't come to this club by mere coincidence. The moment Tobias got word that Valerie was finally out of the house—clubbing nonetheless—I came here immediately.

Call it fate playing games with me—I don’t know. What I do know is that for two years I've done nothing but walk away.

From her scent. From her presence. From the way my wolf claws at the edges of my control every single time I hear her name.

I keep telling myself it's because she's human. I can't give in to a bond with her. Perhaps I should even reject her. Yet, as the days pass… I get increasingly obsessed.

And now—I'm done holding back.

As I trail down the hallway, I pick up my phone again, dialling my assistant's number.

“Sir?” He sounds confused that I'm calling again.

“Confirm when Miss Sinclair is resuming at the office again.”

He pauses for a beat before responding. “I'll get right to it. Give me a minute, please.”

I put the call on hold, waiting patiently as I saunter out of the club. I get a few stares lingering longer than they should… but ignore them.

Soon, just when I get to my car door outside, Tobias comes back with a response.

“Next week, sir. Monday to be precise.”

I arch a brow.

Next week?

“That's a bit early for a woman who just gave birth three weeks ago. No?” I ask myself, unlocking the car door. “It's fine then. Cancel everything. I won’t be unavailable that day.”

I hop into my car, taking a short breath before adding: “I'll be making a quick stop at Mourningale International. It's been too long anyway.”

If Tobias has any suspicions, he doesn't mention it. He just says obediently. “Understood, sir.”

I hang up and start the car, taking one last look at the club. The place where I finally demolished my walls and answered the bond’s call.

Draven’s face crosses my mind—brief, unwelcome. I push it aside just as quickly. He was never meant to keep what was mine.

Right or wrong stopped mattering the moment I touched her. Now… I intend to finish what I started.