Chapter 193

[ 1,281 words ]

Third-Person POV:

Angela stood in front of the mirror, gently running her finger over the mark on her neck.

It had been a week since Rick marked her as his mate. He had promised to restore everything Chris had taken from her—her honor, her respect, and even the home her parents had built.

A small smile appeared on her face.

She wasn’t happy exactly, but she was doing better than before. Her wounds had healed, and the bald patch on her head had begun to fill in with new hair. Even her wolf had finally started talking to her again, although she was nowhere near as cheerful as she used to be.

Angela moved her hair aside to examine the bald patch.

She still remembered the warriors holding her down while Chris ordered them to shave her head. The fifty lashes had been painful, but the humiliation of being punished in front of her own people had hurt far worse.

She quickly pushed those memories aside and glanced at the clock. Rick had gone to attend a council meeting that morning and should be home any minute.

He was still carrying out his duties as Beta, although he had stopped reporting directly to Chris. Angela knew he couldn’t avoid the Alpha forever, but strangely enough, Chris hadn’t summoned him either.

Perhaps he was too busy with his new mate. The sound of the front door opening interrupted her thoughts.

Angela smiled and reached for the scarf Rick had bought her. Although he had repeatedly assured her that the bald patch didn’t bother him, she still preferred keeping it covered.

She tied the scarf around her head and hurried into the living room.

“You’re back!” she greeted him warmly. “How was your day? I thought the council meeting would never end.”

Rick had just entered the cottage. He tossed his coat onto the couch and barely acknowledged her greeting.

Angela approached him, intending to give him a hug, but he pushed her away before she could wrap her arms around him.

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me?” He snapped at her.

Angela stumbled backward, confused by his sudden anger. “Tell you what? What happened?”

“That Chris had already signed the Alpha papers! You knew about it, didn’t you?”

She took a moment to understand what he meant. “Well, yes. I knew he’d signed them after my father’s death. But I thought everyone had guessed. He’s already the Alpha, isn’t he?”

Rick let out an angry laugh.

“Guessed? Angela, the entire pack believes his appointment will be finalized at the upcoming ceremony! Nobody knew he’d already signed the papers privately with the council elders.”

He began pacing around the living room, running a hand through his hair.

“I’ve been speaking to council members for days, trying to find a way to challenge his claim. Do you have any idea what would’ve happened if I’d challenged him publicly without knowing he’d already secured the position? I would’ve become a laughingstock!”

Angela watched him worriedly. She had never seen him this furious, especially over something she hadn’t considered important enough to mention.

“But you’re still the Beta, Rick. The council members respect you, and you’ve served this pack for years. Surely there must be something you can—”

“A Beta?” Rick interrupted, turning toward her. “Is that all you think I deserve?”

Before Angela could answer, he marched toward her and grabbed her throat. “Rick!” She caught his wrist, frightened by the sudden aggression.

“I married an Alpha’s daughter , Angela! Shouldn’t that make me an Alpha? Why the hell do you think I agreed to become your mate?”

Angela looked at him in disbelief, struggling to loosen his fingers. “Please… you’re hurting me.”

Rick released her with a rough shove and resumed pacing.

“What a bloody fool I’ve been! I trusted you, thinking you knew what you were doing, and now look at me! I’m still the Beta while Chris is enjoying his Alpha position!”

Angela rubbed her aching neck, unable to understand what had gotten into him.

“I even let Vikki down because of you,” he continued bitterly. “She stood by me all this time, and I threw everything away because I thought marrying you would change my life. What a mistake!”

Angela slowly lowered her hand.

Vikki? Her maid?

She remembered how uncomfortable Vikki had seemed around her. Angela had been too occupied with her own suffering to question it.

Now, Rick’s words were beginning to make sense. “Rick…” She struggled to keep her voice steady. “Are you saying you only became my mate because you wanted to be the pack Alpha?”

He turned toward her impatiently. “Damn right! What else did you think it was for?”

Angela felt as though she was looking at him for the first time. “But you told me you loved me. You promised to take care of me and help me get my life back.”

“And I would’ve done all that if things had gone according to plan!” Rick snapped. “But Chris has already secured the Alpha position, and there’s nothing I can do about it now.”

He gestured angrily toward her. “Come on, Angela. Don’t act so innocent. What did you think you had to offer me besides being Alpha Cedric’s daughter?”

Angela remained where she was, unable to find an answer.

Only a few minutes ago, she had been smiling at the mark on her neck, believing she had finally found someone who genuinely cared about her.

Now she understood why Rick had been so eager to mark her. It had never been about love.

And judging by the way he was still cursing Chris and the council members, he didn’t even seem to realize how badly he had hurt her.

***

Rick stood in the Alpha’s office as he waited for Chris to speak.

He had received the summons that morning. After avoiding Chris for so many days, he had finally been called to the pack house, and Rick knew better than to ignore a direct order from his Alpha.

Chris sat behind his desk, leaning comfortably against his chair as he studied the man standing before him. “So, Rick, have you made up your mind?” Chris finally asked.

Rick raised his head, uncertain what he meant. “About what, Alpha?”

Chris gave a small laugh before getting up from his chair.

“Come on, Rick. We’re both grown men. There’s no point pretending.” He walked around the desk and stopped in front of him. “I know you’ve been trying to get your hands on the Alpha position. You’ve been looking for ways to challenge me. Unfortunately, there’s only one Alpha position in this pack, and it already belongs to me.”

Rick lowered his gaze.

“Listen carefully, Rick. No woman is worth throwing away everything you’ve worked for. A man’s worth comes from the position he holds and the respect he commands, not from the woman standing beside him.” He placed a hand on Rick’s shoulder.

“You earned this position through hard work. Why would you risk losing it over a woman?”

Rick remained silent, though Chris’s words were starting to make sense.

“You keep your position, your authority, and everything you’ve earned. I have no intention of replacing you, Rick, but I won’t tolerate you plotting behind my back either.” He gave Rick’s shoulder a firm pat before returning to his desk.

“Don’t be a fool and throw away your future over a damn woman. Especially one who has already cost you so much.”

And just like that, the two men found common ground, choosing their positions and power over the very woman whose life they had both destroyed.

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