Chapter 2

Derrick

Of course, I remember today is our anniversary! I just don’t care, or better worded, I refuse to. I never wanted our mate bond, let alone our marriage, in the first place. I even went as far as trying to reject her, but my father wouldn’t let me. For Dahlia, he morphed into a cold, overbearing Alpha to me. Stripped me of my privileges in the Pack. Promised to dethrone me as his heir. He monitored my movements like I’m a prisoner. I was basically walking on eggshells.

And Dahlia? She was far gone in the euphoria of our bond—she thought she could change me. Win my love. I’ve never met anyone who is as stubborn as a mule like her. If only she could accept the ugly truth, that my devotion lies with another woman, Camilla Primrose. 

Camilla saved my life two years ago after I had a tragic bike accident in Paris. She treated me, never left my side throughout the whole month till I fully recovered. One month…one month was all we needed for us to connect, for our bond to deepen. Imagine my luck when I discovered that she is a member of my Pack, one of those few people who don’t stay around the Pack much due to handling her father’s business empire. 

Camilla and I thought she was going to be my mate at the Luna choosing ceremony. Never in a million years did I think the moon goddess would choose Dahlia for me. A stranger, a nobody! Yet my father desired her to be my future Luna, all because of his spite for Camilla’s father. I don’t know why he fails to understand that, with Camilla by my side, our Pack’s power and wealth will increase significantly!

Eventually, I broke Camilla’s heart after caving in to my father’s demand. Today, she is one of the most successful artists in the city, and there’s me, one of the most miserable husbands in the world. All thanks to Dahlia. 

Although by all standards, Dahlia is Luna material. She’s pretty, too. She loves to cook, perhaps how she managed to win the hearts of my Pack members more quickly. The pups love her too. In fact, I dare say she’s their favorite aunt. My wolf also fancies her, most likely because of our bond. And I can’t deny that she’s also a formidable warrior. 

Her only crime is…she’s just not what I want. 

Lucas cleared his throat, tousling me from my world of thoughts with his worried gaze. He was seated to my right in the boardroom, drawing the attention of the others, including the presenter, announcing our quarterly sales to us. But my best friend and soon-to-be Beta didn’t seem to care. Whatever sparked this newfound concern in him, I thought the Pack was in some form of danger. 

“Let’s reschedule this meeting, shall we?” I announced, and the others nodded like obedient robots. Packing their files and tablets before hustling out of the room. As the last person eased through the door, Lucas eased out of his seat. 

“Is the Pack in danger?” The question instinctively popped out of me. He shook his head, messing up his styled brown hair.

My brows knitted together. Then what was getting him worked up for no reason?

“I just got a text from Laila…Couldn’t you have handled the conversation better?”

His mate, who happens to be best friends with my lovely wife. Yeah, I can pretty much piece together the reason for his display—Dahlia. 

“Today is your anniversary, and yes, I know you don’t like her much, but… a little niceness won’t hurt, you know,” his brows pinched in distress, forcing my palm to roll into a fist on the table to which his eyes noted.

“Laila said Dahlia has been crying ever since you left,” he added as if that’s supposed to make me soften.

“Good for her.” I seethed. 

“Derrick…” 

“It’s little compared to the distress she has caused me since invading my life!”

His chest deflated as he freed a deep exhale. “She’s your mate.”

My jaw locked from the knot that constricted my chest.

“Remember, Dahlia is going to be our future Luna.” 

“Not on my watch.” I rumbled as I rose from my seat, buttoning my suit jacket.

“What else could you possibly want, Derrick? She’s perfect for you. For our Pack. The pups love her, our members do—” 

“But I don’t love her!” I slapped my palms against the table, shutting him up. “I can’t believe I cancelled an important meeting for this.”

I brushed past him and eased out of the room. Of course, he followed behind me quietly. He knew better than to challenge the authority in my Alpha’s blood. The last thing both of us want is to go full on display with our powers in a place where more than half of our employees are humans. 

“Sir, I got the flowers you requested,” my guard muttered as we walked outside the skyscraper where a black Mercedes Maybach was parked waiting for me. “It’s in your vehicle.” 

“Great, flowers for Camilla, again,” Lucas snorted beside me. 

I shot him a withering glare, “You’re not coming with me.” 

“Yeah, I’d rather spend time with my mate, unlike you.” His bite was feral, daunting enough to make my blood boil against my skin. Lucas and I barely argue over anything, but when we do…it is usually about Dahlia. The sooner I become Alpha, the faster I'll get rid of her. 

I chose to ignore him and enter the back seat, where a bouquet of fresh roses was already sitting beside me. 

“Cami’s gallery,” I ordered my driver, who acknowledged me with a nod before driving. The journey took only an hour, and every second was worth it the moment I walked into the ridiculously large room illuminated by ample lights that complemented the spotless white walls decorated with large, colorful portraits. 

And at the center of it was my woman, dressed in a black, backless, floor-length silk dress that clung to her curves like it was sewn to her skin. My smile lengthened at the way her blonde curls danced in tune with the gentle sway of her head as she gave the guests insights into her work. I didn’t need to be close to pick up the elegance in her words, and the sweetness that her wisps of lavender scent blessed me with—one of the perks of being an Alpha-blooded werewolf. Now, this is the woman I want. An embodiment of grace and elegance itself. Unlike Dahlia, who is bubbly like the world is an amusement park, too trusting for her own good. 

One thing’s certain. A million Dahlias can never compare to Cami.

“You look ravishing,” I whispered from my distance with a teasing smile. Her ear wiggled from my tone, prompting her eyes to dart around till they finally found me. She brightened like a bulb, forgetting her guests altogether. She quickly gave them an excuse so she could walk towards me. And boy! She took her time making the world her runway with those stiletto heels. I could already imagine my hands latched to her hips as I thrust deep into her core, branding her soul with my imprint.

“Mi Corazon!” she squealed,  “You made it.” She cupped her tiny, warm hand around my cheek.

“Now, why would I miss your exhibition for anything in the world?” I pulled out the bouquet behind me, earning a sharp gasp from her. She didn’t care about the eyes glued on us, neither did I. She simply claimed what was hers—my lips. Though I would have loved our kiss to be longer. Deeper. 

“They’re pretty,” she hushed before taking a sharp sniff. 

“Not nearly as pretty as the lady standing before me,” I clipped my thumb and index finger between her chin, and she chuckled like a girl getting her first doll. 

“I’d really crossed it off that you would come today. I mean, today’s your anniversary after all…” Her smile dimmed at the mention of ‘anniversary’. 

“Come on, Cami. You know that lady means nothing to me.” 

“Still…” her chest collapsed from her sigh. “I’m scared.”

My forehead creased, her glow lost its allure further, letting worry shine instead.

“You and Dahlia have been together for a year now. What if…” her eyes peeled from mine back to the flowers, “what if she steals you from me. What if you suddenly fall for her? That’s if you’re not falling already–” 

I pressed my finger against her lips, assuring her with the gentlest smile. “She will never have me. Soon, very soon…I’ll get rid of her.” 

She responded with another hopeless sigh, “You’ve been saying that for months now. How long do I have to wait, Derrick? Till you have another anniversary with her? Till she has your child?” 

I traced the outline of her face with my knuckles, and she leaned in closer. “It won’t be long, I promise.

My father is planning to let me replace him soon. Just wait till I become Alpha.” 

“What are you going to do when you’re Alpha?”

My smile deepened, but my wolf scorned me in my core, knowing the confession that was about to roll off my tongue. 

“I’ll divorce her.”