Apology Chord

The wolf inside me howls when the bond snaps into place. I’ve found my second-chance mate. Just a few days ago, the man I’ve loved my whole life gave me to our former enemy in exchange for his sister’s hand in marriage. After I risked my own life to save his, my first mate Alpha Raul traded me like a thing. My heart and mind are in chaos, and I feel like I’m losing my grip on reality. The only thing I’m absolutely certain of is that I want more of the tenderness this stranger is offering me, to lose myself in him. His eyes widen, nostrils flaring, and I know he can smell my interest. I’m straddling his waist, and our bodies are pressed together. “You are mine,” he says quietly, and runs his thumb across my lower lip. My breathing is erratic, and I can feel the heat coiling in me, pulsing through me in delectable waves. This is crazy. I don’t even know his name and still, everywhere our skin touches I can feel the want crackling between us like electricity. I want this so badly, but it’s not who I am. I can’t use my savior to avenge myself on Raul and put a plaster on my shattered heart. “I’m sorry, I can’t. This isn’t right,” I offer an apology before getting off of him. But his hand snaps out and grabs my wrist, yanking me back onto him. “Tut-tut little wolf, there’s no running away from me. You’re mated to Alpha King Aiden now and I fully intend to keep you.”

I covered my mouth, tears brimming in my eyes. The man I'd loved for seven years was now cheating on me? Had all his promises been nothing but lies? I remembered the day he proposed to me four years ago, with his earnest gaze and heartfelt words. "Olivia, you are my choice, always. Even if fate brings me a fated mate, my heart will remain yours." His sincerity had been convincing until when he brought the Omega home, pleading, "Olivia, I rescued this girl from a cruel Alpha. Could you help care for her?" Even when I discovered they were fated mates, I chose to trust him because his apology seemed genuine, "Olivia, I'm so sorry. I tried to prevent this from hurting you, but my wolf was in agony. I promise, once it settles, I'll reject her." How foolish I was to believe his honeyed words. Until the night he walked up to me, darkness filled in those eyes that used to be the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. “I'm sorry, Olivia, but I think it's time you leave. I realize I don't love you anymore, and my heart beats for no woman but Sophie. Take your things, and leave this place while you still can.” I sneezed while wiping away my tears. I'd heard and watched enough. And I've made my decision. I was never a weakling. Even if we’d shared many memories over our four-year marriage, I never lacked the courage to leave him. Since he'd betrayed me, I wouldn't want him either. #Book 2: Alpha's Redemption: Chasing My Second Chance Mate

“Five minutes,” Dominic said, his voice low and desperate. “That’s all you have to walk out of my life. Don’t pack a thing—I’ll give you everything you need. Just go… because if you don’t, I swear, I’ll never let you go. Ever.” I froze, my heart pounding. His words were harsh and final. But then I saw it, the way his hands slightly tremble, and the way his chest rose and fell too quickly. He’s shaking. He’s not just pushing me away. He’s terrified. Terrified of himself and of what he might do. A slow smile tugged at my lips as I placed my hand over his heart, feeling the hurried rhythm beneath my palm. “Then it’s a good thing I don’t want to go,” I whisper. “I want to be with you.” Something inside him snapped. Dominic grabbed me, crushed me against him in a desperate, almost broken embrace. His arms tightened like he’s afraid I’ll disappear, his breath shuddered as he buried his face in my neck. He clinged to me like I’m the only thing keeping him in the world. And I hold him just as tightly, because I’m not afraid. ****** When Sophie Carter caught her husband, Ethan Koleman sleeping with his secretary, she expected an explanation or even an apology, but instead, she was slammed with divorce papers and an eight year sentence in jail. What did she do? Ethan accused her of attempted murder. Four years in jail, an offer is presented to her by her husband’s biggest rival, Dominic Hayes. “Marry me and I’ll help you take revenge.” Of course, she takes it. But never did she expect to discover a shocking secret about Dominic that broke her.

[WARNING STRONG MATURED CONTENTS] Beside me, I sensed his movement as he turned towards me, his eyes searching for mine. I purposely avoided meeting his gaze, instead focusing on calming my racing breath. But try as I might, my breath still trembled, betraying my inner turmoil. Despite my rapid blinking, a single tear escaped, making its way down my cheek. I heard the covers rustle as he shifted closer to me. His finger gently brushed against my face, capturing the tear. "I'm sorry, Hailey," his voice resonated in the dimly lit room, both deep and gentle. His touch was followed by a soft stroke through my brunette hair and a tender kiss on the crook of my neck. "I know this isn't what you wanted," he murmured, regret evident in his voice. "It doesn't matter," I replied quietly, my gaze still fixed on the ceiling. His apology felt like a stab to the heart, but I couldn't hold him responsible. Our circumstances were far beyond our control.Swallowing hard, I tried to push down the ache in my chest. "It was unavoidable, it isn't your fault," I muttered, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark, tousled hair. His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. I allowed my cheek to rest against his strong chest, finding some solace in his comforting presence. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat brought a sliver of comfort to my shattered emotions. "I wish I could have given you more time to get to know me before all of this," he confessed, a touch of bitterness seeping into his words. "But those old Elders insisted on sealing our union immediately."

Beverly Sinclair and Evan Gray have loved each other for ten years, and they've been married for six. To everyone else, Evan seems madly in love with Beverly. He's devoted, gentle, and basically the perfect husband. But it's only when his mistress shows up at her door that Beverly realizes it was all a cruel joke. He's been cheating for five years, and he even has an illegitimate child. He keeps the other woman right under Beverly's nose, all while wearing the mask of a loving husband. He says he loves her—even more than life itself. But how is this love? Evan hides behind layers of fake affection, dragging everyone around him into the charade, all so he can build the illusion of a perfect marriage. Even Beverly's son has been lying to her. It's a double betrayal from father and son, especially when they act like the mistress is the one who completes the family. Utterly devastated, Beverly decides she's done with this. She returns to her classified team and leaves behind the absurd, hollow life that never truly belonged to her. When the one-month notice period ends, she disappears completely, vanishing from the world without a trace. From that moment on, Evan never sees Beverly again. ... Evan loves Beverly to his core. He was just too afraid to lose her, yet that fear turned their marriage into a tragedy. He thought he hid it well. He thought their marriage was still blissful and that the woman he loved so deeply would never discover the truth. But it's only after Beverly vanishes from his world that he realizes just how wrong he was. Evan breaks down, losing his sanity. He gives up everything. He jumps through hoops and kneels before every god he can find, begging for just one more glance from her. With red eyes and shaking hands, he pleads, "Can you please... love me once more?" However, the truth is that a late apology is worth less than nothing. Beverly already has someone new in her life. There's no place left for Evan or their son.