~ALPHA MARCUS~
After we left the meeting, it was already past four in the evening, and the journey back to my mansion was tense. Isabella sat beside me in the car, her expression unreadable.
The weight of the pregnancy decision, the unraveling of a love once believed to be unbreakable, pressed down on me as well.
I never loved Tanya from the start, so I don't understand why I'm feeling this hurt right now. She is just one of those ladies who has passed through my bed.
As we entered the grand foyer, the opulence of the mansion felt like a cruel reminder of the shattered engagement and the rift it had caused.
Once inside, I turned to Isabella as we sat on the couch, my expression grave. "Is it true, Isabella? Did Tanya lie to me about the child?"
She met my gaze, her eyes unwavering. "Alpha Marcus, I know Tanya to have always been impulsive and unpredictable. She's probably hoping that by claiming the child is yours, she can secure a strong place in the pack along with her mother."
I frowned, the doubt gnawing at me. "But we both had something on the night of—"
Isabella interrupted, "Don't let her manipulate you, Alpha Marcus. She had an illicit affair back then as well. We'll find out the truth in due time. Until then, focus on us. On our future together."
I was shocked when she mentioned Tanya having an illicit affair, but I remained calm.
The accusation struck a chord, but doubts still lingered in the recesses of my mind. Tanya's earnestness during our time together, and the genuine love she shared with me, clashed with Isabella's narrative.
I sighed, the weight of the situation settling on my shoulders. "What evidence do you have to prove all these claims?"
"I know the other guy she's dating. And I can even prove it to you right now."
"Hmm, okay..." I nodded, though the unease lingered. "I need some time alone. I'll be back later."
"Where are you going?" She asked, concern etched on her face.
"I just want to be alone for now."
Isabella's gaze followed me as I left the living room, seeking solace in the sprawling mansion.
The hallways echoed with emptiness as I navigated my way to the study, a room that had once been filled with plans and dreams for the future.
Closing the door behind me, I sank into the plush chair, my mind swirling with conflicting emotions.
Tanya's face haunted my thoughts, her pleading eyes etched in my memory. I wanted to believe her, to trust that the child she carried was mine, but doubt crept in like a relentless shadow.
Unable to bear the weight of uncertainty, I decided to clear my head outside the mansion. I took my car keys and left the house without informing Isabella.
As I stepped out, My guards wanted to follow me, but I stopped them. I just want to be left alone to sort myself out. Then I drove off.
Getting to a nearby bar, The rhythmic hum of chatter and clinking glasses enveloped me as I settled onto a stool.
The bartender eyed me with curiosity as I ordered a drink, the amber liquid providing a fleeting sense of warmth.
As I sipped my drink, Tanya's face continued to surface in my mind. The pain of her betrayal mingled with the ache of a love lost.
Lost in my thoughts, a new voice interrupted my reverie. A woman took a seat beside me.
She was a stranger, but her features were captivating. Her dark hair cascaded in waves, and her eyes held a mysterious allure. She sat with a confident grace, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
"Alpha Marcus, right?" she said, a playful smile tugging at her lips as she bowed her head a bit.
I nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Yes, that's me."
She extended her hand. "I'm Vivian from the neighbouring pack. Mind if I join you?"
A hint of a smile crossed my lips as I shook her hand. "Not at all, Vivian."
As the night wore on, Vivian and I shared laughter and stories, a temporary escape from the turmoil that awaited me at home.
Her presence provided a fleeting reprieve from the pain, and for a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in the warmth of companionship.
As the hours passed, the bar emptied. Leaving just the two of us alone in there with the bartender.
"Alpha Marcus, do you mind going to my place tonight, so we can have a nice night together?"
The invitation to her apartment seemed like a lifeline. I accepted, the decision driven by a desire to numb the ache that lingered in my heart.
Getting to Vivian's apartment, inside her bedroom, I closed the distance between us, my hand gently grazing her cheek. My touch sent shivers down her spine, and she couldn't help but lean into my caress.
Without a word, I pulled Vivian into an embrace, my lips finding hers in a hungry kiss. The world around us disappeared as we lost ourselves in the heat of the moment.
Vivian's fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, while my hands explored the curves of her body, igniting a fire within.
Our kisses were a fusion of passion and longing, each one deeper than the last. My hands traced a path down her back, and she arched into my touch, a soft moan escaping her lips.
As the intensity grew, I lifted Vivian, her legs wrapping around my waist. The urgency between us was a silent plea for more, an unspoken agreement to let go of the restraint that had held me back seconds ago.
The night air cooled our heated bodies, but the fire between us raged on, and our clothes were shed in a frenzied dance of desire.
Every touch, every kiss, was a declaration of the longing I had kept hidden for Tanya. At that moment, Vivian and I surrendered to the passion that had simmered beneath the surface.
Time stood still as we became one, the world fading away until only the echoes of our moans could be heard.
**********
Around 1 AM, I left Vivian's apartment while she was still deep asleep, and the weight of the engagement disruption and Tanya's betrayal settled back over me.
The city streets were frigid and odd as I made my way home. The grandeur of the mansion loomed ahead, a stark contrast to the tangled emotions within.
Immediately I stepped into the living room, Isabella greeted me with a forced smile. "Welcome back home."
"Thanks," I replied nonchalantly and strode to the room.
After a moment, Isabella came into the room as well. She clasped her hands, staring at me from head to toe. "Don't you think you need to tell me where you've been since last night?"
Without paying attention to her, I hung my clothes in the closet. I was about to head into the bathroom when she abruptly blocked my way.
"I demand an answer Marcus!"
"It's Alpha Marcus!" I angrily yelled at her and pulled her chin tightly. "Do you think I chose you as my mate to disrespect me? Huh? Choosing you was just to get back at Tanya. So say a more disrespectful word, and I will have you thrown out this minute!"
I tossed her to the side, grabbed a towel and went into the bathroom. Seeing how out of control I was, Isabella maintained a complete silence.
By the time I was out of the shower, she was already lying down on the bed. I picked up my phone and left the room.
In the quiet moments of solitude in the guest room, the memory of Tanya's tearful eyes and the echo of her pleas continue to play in my mind.
"No, I won't be deceived! I don't love her!" I quickly cautioned myself.
I have an important day ahead of me at the company today, so I need to focus more on the pack, and myself.
'This is all your fault Tanya! Once you are finally out of our lives, Marcus will be mine forever.' Isabella thought to herself inwardly and slept off...