All Chapters of The Alpha Billionaire's Fake Mate: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

ELENA POVThree days later, I stared at the third pregnancy test lying on my bathroom counter; all three showed the same result.Positive.My hands wouldn't stop shaking, the mate bond wound on my chest still bled through the bandages I changed every few hours.I wrapped the tests in toilet paper and shoved them deep in the trash, then sat on the edge of my bathtub trying to breathe."Okay," I whispered to myself, "okay, you can do this."I couldn't do this.I needed supplies, prenatal vitamins at least, maybe some crackers that might stay down.The pharmacy was fifteen minutes away, and I pulled on a hoodie and kept my head down as I walked.Inside, fluorescent lights buzzed overhead like angry bees. I grabbed a basket and headed for the vitamin aisle."Prenatal vitamins," I muttered, scanning the shelves."Aisle seven, dear."I jumped and turned around. An elderly woman stood behind me, silver hair pulled back in a neat bun.She stared at my face with an intensity that made me uncom

ELENA POV "Keep Maya inside, no matter what happens, don't let her come out here." Sophie stared at me like I'd lost my mind."Elena, you can't go out there alone," she said. "I have to," I said, already moving toward the door, "just keep her inside, please."I walked out before either of them could argue, my legs shaking with every step toward the front gate.Five years since I'd seen Cassian Vandenberg's face, five years since he had destroyed me in front of everyone. I reached the intercom and pressed the button."What are you doing here?" I said, "How did you find me?""That doesn't matter," Cassian's voice came through the speaker, "I need to talk to you.""We have nothing to talk about." "Please," he said, "five minutes, that's all I'm asking."I walked down the long driveway to the gate, keeping the metal bars between us like a barrier. Up close, he looked terrible, with dark circles under his eyes, skin too pale, and his scent was wrong.Muted, like something was dying i

CASSIAN POV "What really happened the night my parents died?"Uncle Marcus's smile froze, his hand stopped mid-reach for his coffee cup."Why are you asking this now?"The question came out too smooth, too practiced, like he'd been waiting for me to ask it someday.I pulled the hospital bracelet from my pocket and dropped it on my desk between us.Marcus stared at the plastic band like I'd thrown a live grenade."What is this?""You tell me."He picked it up, his fingers trembling slightly as he read the words printed on the label.Patient name, Elena Hartwood, date, five years ago, reason for visit, prenatal care, first trimester."This could be anyone's," he said finally, setting it down carefully, "where did you find it?"I stayed silent, watched the way his jaw tightened, the way his eyes darted to the door and back to me."Cassian, you look exhausted." Marcus moved closer, his voice shifting into that concerned uncle tone, "When was the last time you slept properly?""Don't.""I

ELENA POV "Do you have a child, Elena?" The question hung in the air between us like a blade about to fall, my heart was pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears, feel it in my throat, taste it on my tongue. He was staring at me with those dark eyes, waiting, watching every breath I took. I should tell him the truth, I knew I should, the words were right there on my tongue, yes, I have a daughter, yes, she's yours, yes, I've been raising her alone for five years. But then I remembered that night, the altar, the white dress I'd worn, the way he'd looked at me with such hatred. Your father murdered my family; your bloodline is poison. The words he'd said in front of everyone, the way the pack had watched me bleed and done nothing, the way he'd walked away without looking back. That man didn't deserve to know about Maya, didn't deserve to touch her, be near her, breathe the same air as her. "Why would you think that?" My voice came out steady, carefully controlled, like I was