chapter 3

"I don't know, but they were sent by david dad," Jane explained. The Why would he direct others to contact me? Was his son's rejection of me insufficient?

"I'm not going downstairs," I declared emphatically to Jane. Nothing could be more painful than the pain I'm already in.

"Are you sure?" she asked, her young eyes pleading with me to reconsider.

"Yeah," I said emphatically.

Jane gave me one last look before exiting the room, closing the door behind her. I sighed and sat on the bed, hoping they'd leave. I didn't want to know what they were looking for. I just wanted to be alone and recover from the pain that had subsided somewhat.

Mrs. William walked in with a tired look a few minutes later, when my door opened. She sighed deeply and ran her hand through her hair.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Rachel, but I need you to come downstairs with me." david dad sent a messenger to bring you. "They want to talk to you," she said as she sat down beside me.

I pouted as I turned to face her. "Well, I don't want to talk to them," I replied, conscious of how childish I sounded. david dad was requesting my presence, and I was declining.

Mrs. William patted my head gently. "Please, Rachel. We're talking about David dad. We must follow his orders. "God knows what could happen if we don't," she begged.

"I don't think anything can hurt more than the pain I'm already feeling in my heart," I said, rolling my eyes. I wished I could relieve the pain in my chest, but I couldn't. Going to see david dad would almost certainly cause me more pain, and I wasn't sure I could handle it. But I also knew that obeying his command was the right thing to do, so what the hell.

"Let's go," I said as I stood up.

Mrs. William walked into my closet and pulled out a jacket, handing it to me with a worried expression.

I never expected to be summoned by david dad. I never expected to be mated to his son and then rejected. Today has been filled with unpleasant surprises.

"Now, remember, when we meet the david dad and mom, you must bow your heads and agree to whatever they say." "Does that make sense?" one of the guards inquired.

"Yes," Mrs. William said right away. I nodded in agreement, too tired to say anything.

We arrived at house. He was at home because it was evening. He was usually at his workplace or attending meetings.

His house wasn't overly opulent; it was large enough but not as lavish as one might expect. Kessler, unlike other alphas, did not believe in frivolous spending of money. It was one of the qualities that people admired in him.

We began lowering our heads to bow in respect. as we got closer.

"Rise," said Kessler.

Mrs. William and I both immediately raised our heads and stood tall.

"I'm sure you realize you're still his mate until you're marked by another." david dad stated,

I nodded in response, recalling the guard's earlier comment about agreeing with everything the david dad says.

"We want you to move in with us," david mom stated.

I knew I shouldn't agree with everything they said, but not this. How was I supposed to live in the same house as the man who had caused me so much pain? Besides, I had a place to live.

I turned to Mrs. William and silently requested that she do something. She gave me a nod and turned to face the Alphas.

"With all due respect, Rachel has a place to live." Her parents are no longer alive, but she has my husband and me as guardians. Mrs. William explained, "She is perfectly fine living in our house."

"My wife did not ask whether she was okay living in your house or not," Kessler said, raising his voice at us. We flinched slightly. His wife noticed our fear and reached out to touch his arm.

"I'll handle this," she said to him before turning to face us.

"Look, David is the next Alpha, and an Alpha can't be as strong as he needs to be if he isn't with his mate." We understand that the Goddess chose you as his mate for a reason."

"But David doesn't, so could we please just drop this topic so that I can get back to my life?" I muttered under my breath,

Kessler rose from his seat, his eyes quickly changing from blue to red, then back to blue.

"How dare you speak to my wife in that way?" he yelled.

His authority gripped me. I couldn't stop myself; my knees buckled and I unintentionally bowed my head to the floor.

I rose to my feet and looked at them through teary eyes. Kessler continued to speak authoritatively. Every word he spoke had power and instilled fear in me.

"I could easily command you to move into my home, but I prefer that you do so willingly." My wife here believes that I should not press you. So here's the deal: move in, and I promise not to kill your entire foster family. Instead, I'll make certain they're well cared for."

I realized I was mistaken earlier. There was a punishment that was more painful than rejection.