CHAPTER 2: You Are Mine

NARAYA

“Daddy? Who is this woman?”

A cold, unexplainable ache ripped through my chest as the little boy’s words echoed in my head for a few seconds.

My Roger... Daddy?

I stared at Roger, waiting for an explanation. A laugh. An indication that the pup was lying, joking, or even wrong.

But his face was completely stoic.

“Roger, what the fu—”

“Hey, hun,” a smooth, melodious voice cut through the air.

My “fu—” died on my tongue.

A she-wolf stepped out from the shadows behind him, a designer suitcase rolling behind her. I tore through her with my eyes. Platinum blonde hair, sharp green eyes, full painted lips, and long legs. She looked nothing like a wolf from BloodMoon Pack.

My gaze shifted from the woman to Roger, blood boiling in my veins. I felt my fangs almost shooting out.

Roger's face lit up, showcasing that damn charming smile of his. The one he used to give me after a fight. But now...

“Hey, darling,” he murmured.

The blonde-haired woman beamed right back at him, oblivious to the tension brewing in the air. Or was she just rude?

I didn't even get to breathe when Roger reached for her, his hands curling around her waist like they belonged there. He hauled her up onto her toes and then—

They kissed. Right in front of me.

I blinked, a ringing sound forming in my ears. The kiss didn't last long, but I felt every sting of pain cut across my chest.

Ava gasped, scraping at my ribs from within. My hand twitched towards my chest, but I didn't let it.

“Eww, Mum.” The little girl wrinkled her face, stepping between Roger and the sophisticated she-wolf.

“Sorry, Jennie.” The woman laughed, scooping the girl up into her arms. Then her green eyes slid over mine, sharp and assessing.

“Roger,” she purred. “You didn't tell me we had a guest.”

A dark, bitter chuckle almost broke from my lips.

Me... a guest?

In my own mate’s home?

“That's Naraya.” Roger locked his eyes on me, his voice steady.

For one stupid second, I breathed. I hoped I was wrong about everything.

“She’s my sister. She comes around to clean the house. I didn't realise she'd be here tonight,” he said, his eyes void of any remorse.

Tears stung my eyes, but I didn't let them fall. Five years of being in a secret relationship with my fated mate, just to be reduced to the hired help. His sister? Was that how badly he was ashamed of me?

My nails dug into my skin as I stared at the man I had planned to spend forever with.

“Really?” The woman’s lips curled upward as she moved towards me. “I am Melissa, Roger's fiancée. It's so nice to meet you, Naraya.”

“Come, Brian. Come say hey to Aunty,” she said, extending her manicured hand towards the little boy who was glued to Roger's leg. He moved slowly and cautiously towards her.

Air sagged in and out of my lungs. Roger, her fiancé? Just what the hell was going on?

“This is Brian and Jennie,” Melissa continued, her voice bright. “They are our children. Mine and Roger's.”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. My gaze shifted to Roger. Only this time, he couldn't muster the courage to meet mine.

“Y... your children?”

“Yes.” Melissa smiled.

The twins stared at me like I was a foreigner they didn't want around. L-like I was garbage.

“Mum, I'm hungry.”

“Me too,” Jennie chimed in.

“Enough of the chitchat,” Roger interrupted, his Alpha voice cold and final. He took the little girl, who looked like his exact replica, while holding Brian by the hand as he guided them into the mansion.

“Would you mind helping Melissa with her luggage, Naraya?”

“Oh please, I wouldn't want to stress her out,” Melissa intervened, reaching for the handle of her suitcase.

“No, let her. She will,” Roger stepped in. His voice left no room for argument.

“Really?” She flashed me a row of perfectly shaped teeth. “Thank you, then.”

She strode past me, leaving her heavy suitcase at my feet. Their laughter echoed through the mansion, gushing over its beauty. Over the hard-earned transformation created by my hands.

For a long moment, I stood paralysed by the door.

So Roger had been lying to me all these years? All his meetings with the Northern Pack Alpha were actually to tend to his own family?

And now... he had brought them here. To my face!

A sudden harsh grip yanked at my wrist.

“Naya, what the hell were you doing here?” Roger hissed, dragging me aggressively down the corridor towards the darkest, most secluded corner of his mansion.

The tears I had been holding back fell freely as I stared into his eyes.

“Really, Roger? Is that all you have to say? What am I doing here?”

He sighed, brushing a hand through his tousled hair.

“You know that's not how I meant it. Y-you weren't meant to find out this way.”

“How was I supposed to find out? After our tenth wedding anniversary? When the twins were all grown?”

“Honey, I can't find the restroom,” Melissa's voice echoed sharply from within the mansion.

“Upstairs. The third room on your left!” he barked.

“Naya,” he groaned, reaching to cup my face.

I shoved his hands away.

“Enough, Roger!” I spat, not giving a damn who heard us or what consequences it might bring. “I'm done with your lies. I'm done being your dirty secret. I'm done with this... this nightmare.”

A cracked smile broke through my lips. Tears slipping down my face. “Everyone warned me. Zilla told me of your ways. H-how dare you break my heart like this?”

“Roger? Any problems?” Melissa's voice echoed again.

“Everything is fine, darling. I'll be up in a minute!”

Roger inhaled sharply, his eyes wild.

“I'm sorry, Naya. Melissa and I... it just happened. It's politics. I don't love her. She’s just a means to an end. Once her father signs the deal and secures my position, I’m discarding her.”

He grabbed my hand and forced it flat against his racing chest. “It is you, Naya. My heart beats for only you.”

A ragged laugh cut through my throat. “You don't love her, yet you have kids with her, huh, Roger? Do you seriously take me for a fool!?”

“She needed reassurance,” he said simply, as if explaining a business contract. “Her father wouldn't trust the alliance without a blood legacy. I needed to give them something to trust.”

I shook my head as a knot formed in my stomach. “And you also don't love the kids, right?”

“That's the reason I didn't tell you.” He growled, punching a dent into the drywall. “I knew you wouldn't understand. I work so hard to secure our future, Naya. And all you do is make things worse and make me look like the villain!”

He stepped into my space, his intoxicating scent of cedar and oud wrapping around me. “Please, Naya. Give me a chance. Let me show you you can truly trust me. It is you I love, Naraya. No one else.”

“I think I've seen enough,” I muttered, walking away when he pulled me back.

I tried to twist away from his grip, but he yanked me back, slamming me against the wall. His lips crashed against mine in a crazed rage.

I pushed against his massive build, but Roger only leaned closer. His hand slid beneath my top, his grip fierce, tight, and possessive against my breast, while his muzzle buried itself in the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent.

“You are mine, Naya. Mine and mine alone. Even your wolf knows that.”

Ava whimpered within me. She instinctively surrendered to our mate's touch while my mind still clawed against his claim.

“Roger?”

Melissa's voice froze us mid-track.