Chapter 4

Guinevere POV

"What's the meaning of this?" My father's voice thundered through the room, his fury directed at Alpha Lance.

Alpha Lance looked stricken, his usual composure shattered. "I'm sorry," he stammered, his regret evident.

"Sorry isn't going to fix this!" My father roared, pacing back and forth, his anger palpable.

"Geoffrey, calm down," my mother urged, her voice soothing yet firm. "The ceremony has been performed; there's nothing we can do now."

"No," I interjected, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. How could she even say that? "I'm going to reject him. I love Hayden, and I'll do whatever it takes to get him back."

"You can't, Guinevere," my mother said gently, but with a hint of sadness. "It's not that simple, especially after the ceremony has taken place."

I ignored her, turning instead to Grandmother Lana, a flicker of hope in my eyes. "There is a way, right?" I pleaded.

She sighed deeply, the weight of her years and wisdom evident. "The ceremony has been blessed by the moon goddess. She has bound your link with Reagan, but there is a way."

I leaned in, hanging on her every word. "If the Alpha ring rejects Reagan as the Alpha, then he would have to step down, and only then can you reject him."

A spark of hope ignited within me. Reagan wasn't the true heir to the Moon Claw Pack—Hayden was. There was no way the Alpha ring would accept Reagan.

"How did this happen?" My mother asked, her gaze shifting to Hayden, who had been unnervingly silent.

Hayden's face was pale, his eyes downcast. "I was getting ready for the ceremony," he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "Then he attacked me, threatening to destroy everyone if I didn't comply."

He looked up, guilt and pain etched in his features. "I'm so sorry... I should have fought him, or found a way to stop this. It's all my fault."

"Hey," I said softly, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "It's not your fault. It's that bastard's fault, and we are going to bring him down."

My father looked at Alpha Lance, his gaze hard and unyielding. "This better work. I do not wish for us to become enemies," he said, turning away with a finality that spoke volumes.

Alpha Lance's face was a mask of regret. "Again, I apologize, old friend," he said, his voice heavy with sorrow. They all walked out, but before Hayden left, he glanced back at me. The sadness in his eyes mirrored my own, a shared pain that cut deep.

When the Moon Claw Pack had returned to their pack house, my mother called in one of the cleaners. "Prepare the room for Alpha Reagan," she instructed.

"What?!" I exclaimed, turning to look at her in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

My mother kept a straight face, nodding to maid to proceed. "He is the Alpha, and as tradition demands, you must spend a night with him," she said.

I scoffed, shocked by her words. "I'd rather go to hell. There's no way I'm staying in the same room, let alone breathing the same air as him."

"I wasn't asking, Guinevere. I was telling you," my mother replied, her tone firm and unyielding.

"You can't make me do that," I said, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and desperation.

My mother remained silent, her gaze steady and unyielding. The weight of her authority pressed down on me, suffocating.

"No," I repeated, the thought of even being in the same space as Reagan revolting.

I turned to my father, my last hope. "Dad," I pleaded, my eyes searching his for any sign of support.

With a sigh, he said, "Your mother's right."

My hands clenched into fists, my jaw tightened as I looked at my mother. Her face remained unreadable, a mask of cold indifference. How could she send me to him, knowing how much I loved Hayden? If she truly cared about me, she would have consoled me, told me everything would be fine. Instead, she seemed almost pleased with the turn of events.

"I hate you," I spat, my voice filled with venom.

"Guinevere," my father called after me, but I ignored him as I stormed away, my heart heavy with betrayal and anger.

I stepped into the room, already hating the bond that let me feel his presence from the hallway. As I walked in, I saw him standing by the window, his back to me. He turned, a smile spreading across his face as he saw me.

"I thought you weren't go—" His words were cut short as I used my wolf speed to slam him against the wall, my hand gripping his neck tightly.

He smirked, infuriatingly calm. "It's good to see you too, Andre."

My teeth clenched. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face permanently. "This is all your fault," I spat through gritted teeth.

"Believe me, I was doing you a favor."

That was it. My anger flared, and I released him only to punch him squarely in the face. He stumbled back, wiping a trickle of blood from his lip, still smirking.

Why did he keep smiling?

Enraged, I charged at him again, but he was faster. He grabbed my wrist and twisted it behind my back, pulling me close. His breath was hot against my skin, sending unwanted shivers down my spine.

"That's enough, love," he murmured.

"Let go of me," I hissed, struggling against his grip. But he only tightened his hold.

"Only if you promise not to hit me again," he whispered in my ear.

God, I hated him. I hated him so much. "Fine," I said, seething.

Slowly, he released me. I turned to face him, my anger palpable.

His eyes roved over my body before meeting mine again. "It's funny how you've changed so much but still feel the same," he said.

A shiver ran down my spine, probably from the hatred boiling within me. "And you've remained an asshole as always," I retorted with a forced smile.

He smirked, stepping closer until we were mere inches apart. He leaned in, and my heart pounded so loudly I feared it would explode. "Well, this asshole is your husband now, so get used to it," he whispered.

My hands clenched into fists. "Not for long," I said with a smirk.

His brows shot up in surprise. "What do you mean?" His expression grew serious.

"You might have stolen Hayden's place, but you still need the Alpha ring to accept you. It's going to reject you, and you'll face a huge embarrassment. And when it does, I'm going to reject you too," I said, grinning.

Reagan stared into my eyes for a moment, then burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the room.

"What's so funny?" I demanded.

"You're so cute," he said, still chuckling. "Why don't we make a bet?"

"A bet?" I repeated, taken aback.

"If the Alpha ring rejects me, I'll grant you whatever wish you want. But if it accepts me, then you grant me a wish," he said, a sly grin on his face.

"Deal," I said confidently. I couldn't wait to see him fall.

His smirk widened. "You have no idea what you've just agreed to."

Neither do you, I thought, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and dread.