Hiding the Alpha's Heir - Chapter #2 - Free To Read

"Seraphina, allow me to explain, please..." Desmond pleaded as we were sauntering our way to our chamber after he came back from attending Count Jacob Urba's bachelor party. "It's not what you think—"

I silenced him by slapping my mate, who was also my husband. "You dare to explain when I already caught you?" I asked sweetly.

Desmond's face had gone pale, seeing how cold I was right now, even though I was smiling brightly. I could feel the emotions he felt at that moment, and he, too, could sense our bond, as we both marked each other. He appeared lost and frightened by the way I was acting, and I knew he could sense the pain I was experiencing.

I smirked. "That's right. Shut the hell up."

When I arrived at our chamber, my heart jumped out of my ribcage as I felt Desmond's pair of arms wrapped around me from behind. Then I felt his face buried in my hair. That made my heart ache. Tears suddenly streamed down my cheeks, and I fell in pain. My wolf and I were both howling in pain.

"Seraphim... I have hurt you... Please... Please forgive me..."

I smiled bitterly. Seraphim. That was my mate's endearment to me because he thought that Seraphina came from Seraphim, a celestial being, while my endearment to him was...Cinnamon. It was because he was the spice of my life. For me, he looked so alluring when I call him that way. He always squirmed and melted every time I would call him with that endearment, even though he was known as the ruthless ruler here in the north of the Sowinski Kingdom. But right now, just remembering those endearments we had for each other made me feel in pain.

Desmond must have felt what I was feeling because his hug tightened, which squeezed my heart.

"Seraphim... Seraphina... Please forgive me... Don't leave me... I cannot afford not to be with you." His voice croaked.

I could feel he was in pain as well, but nothing could deny the fact that I caught him sleeping with a... courtesan. He had a few drinks with them. If I only knew that he would sleep with a courtesan, I shouldn't have allowed him to come to Count Urba's bachelor party.

"Did you sleep with her because I couldn't bear a pup?" I asked in agony.

I realized we were married for five years, yet I haven't gotten pregnant with our pup. It was a trivial matter for Desmond, and he always assured me that we should enjoy ourselves being husband and wife. I agreed to it and felt blessed that he had the same thinking as mine.

But now that I remember, this must be the consequences...which was why he slept with a slut.

Desmond gasped in horror. "No! No!" He spun me around. His eyes were already red. "It's not... They put in an aphrodisiac incense... I thought that was you... Seraphina, believe me. All I thought about was you..." He knelt before me and hugged my waist. "I beg you... Please don't leave me. I cannot afford to lose you, Seraphina. Please..." he cried.

I stared down at him, not moving an inch. Just looking at my mate right now made my stomach churn. There was pure hatred starting to blossom in my heart. Even my wolf was feeling downcast when we found out about what happened. It broke our hearts...

Could I even trust him again?

Could I?

Could I forgive him?

I snapped back when Desmond was already sobbing while begging at me. His eyes were bloodshot from relentless tears. "One more chance, Seraphim... Please, one more chance, Seraphina. I will prove to you that—"

"Desmond." I cupped his face. "I will not leave." Then I reached for his hair and stroked it. "Didn't I tell you before that I can forgive? That is one of my vows, remember?" He nodded. "I will forgive you only once. However, if this happens again, I will not forgive you anymore. I will end our marriage and break our mate bond. Do you understand me, Cinnamon?" I said in my sweet tone, threatening him.

Desmond gulped and nodded. His sullen look brightened up as he took my hands and brought them to his lips, worshipping me like a goddess.

"Yes, thank you, Seraphim!" He stood up and hugged me so tight as he sniffed.

I tried my best to forget what I had seen at that time. I really did my best. But there were times that I didn't want him to come near me because every time I would see his calloused big hands, I remember how those same pair of hands carressed the body of another woman.

Desmond noticed it. He noticed that I was starting to distance myself from him these past few weeks. I couldn't even allow him to kiss me on my lips because I would only remember that he kissed and ran his tongue over that courtesan's body.I did everything to avoid any physical contact with Desmond.

Even when we attempted to make love, I couldn't summon any desire for his touch. That's why we often ended up sleeping without facing each other. Or, more accurately, I was the one who lacked the mood for intimacy.

"I can't... I'm sorry..." I said, then promptly turned my back to him, pulling the sheets over my naked body.

I heard him sigh. Desmond was aware that I was still haunted by the events of the past few weeks. He couldn't simply ask me to forget it because there was no way I could.

"C-Can I at least hold you?" Pain resonated in his baritone voice as it croaked. Gone was the enthusiasm that had filled our conversations before bedtime.

I shivered in disgust at his question. "You should go to sleep. I am already tired," I said coldly.

"Seraphina..."

"I am tired!" I spat out angrily and shot a resentful look in his direction. "Can you not see that, Desmond?!"

Desmond's jaw dropped at my sudden outburst. Then his jaw clenched before he averted his gaze from me. "I-I understand. Forgive me if I make you uncomfortable..."

I exhaled sharply and turned away from him. I somehow I felt guilty about the way I just acted. I just couldn't help bursting out because my wolf and I couldn't move on from what happened. I couldn't tell my deranged thoughts to Desmond because I felt like... he wouldn't be able to understand my feelings.

From there on, Desmond and I started to distance ourselves from each other. He became quick-tempered. This time, it was the worst. My pack members had to beg me to halt Desmond from punishing some of them severely.

"Luna, please... Alpha is uncontrollable," one of the wives said as they knelt before me.

One of them cried. "Luna, please... My husband did nothing wrong to be punished in the prison cell. He finished his work as it was supposed to be. But Alpha... Alpha Desmond found him an eyesore. Then he ordered the pack guards to capture him..."

"Luna, please... Please do something. I am afraid Alpha Desmond will kill my mate... Please!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose and let out a weary sigh before nodding. "Lead the way," I said so I could calm them down and settle this issue as soon as possible.

I made my way to the prison cells, accompanied by the wives and mates of our men. Upon my arrival, a pungent scent of iron filled the air, and I soon realized it was the distinct odor of fresh blood. Desmond appeared taken aback by my sudden presence as I approached. His hands were tainted with crimson red blood. I heard gasps coming from the women behind me.

"What on the Moon Goddess' name are you doing to your pack members, Desmond?" I asked earnestly.

His expression softened for a moment before it changed into a stoic one. "Educating them."

My eyebrows furrowed together. 'Educating them on what, precisely? Can't you see these women behind me, fearing for their mates?' Desmond glanced past me, his face contorted with concern mirroring that of the women behind me.

Halt!" My voice rose, making him snap his attention back to me. I narrowed my eyes, locked in a challenging stare as I took a step closer, then firmly gripped his collar. "Do it again," I threatened my husband. "Do it again, Desmond. I dare you."

He squinted his amber eyes at me, irritation emanating from the emotions we shared through our bond. Desmond knew me well enough not to expect me to back down if he acted as an irrational Alpha once more.

Exhaling sharply, he issued a cold order, "Release them," his gaze unwavering as it met my ocean-blue eyes.

I let go of his collar and gestured toward the exit. "Leave now," I commanded.

A soft growl escaped him. "Seraphina, do not presume to—"

"I will tell you what to do when I see fit. Before further bloodshed occurs, exit this prison cell immediately," I pointed toward the way out.

Desmond opened his mouth to retort but halted, turning his back to me. I glared at his retreating figure before shifting my attention to the pack guards, who straightened their postures under my scrutiny.

"Inform me if Desmond loses control again. Do you all understand?" I asserted firmly.

As members of this pack, they should have understood whom to fear: not the Alpha of the Rising Diamond pack but rather the Luna who could make even Desmond cower in certain circumstances.

They bowed their heads and replied in unison, "Yes, Luna. As you command."

Afterward, I approached the prison cell where the wives attended to their husbands. Softening, I reassured them, "I've already summoned Anderson to come here. Rest assured, with the antidote he'll bring, they'll only need bed rest afterward."

The wives sniffled and nodded their gratitude. "Thank you, Luna."

As I left the prison cell, I waited for Anderson's arrival to ensure they would receive enough antidote for the Wolfsbane.

"Is he waiting outside?" I inquired of Anderson after bidding farewell to the women.

Anderson hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, Luna. He was conversing with Beta Harvey and Beta Oakley before I arrived."

"Understood. I will take my leave then."

As expected, Desmond didn't leave without waiting for me. He even enlisted the presence of his two Betas. Yes, Desmond had two Betas.

Ten years ago, during the rogue war, Alpha King Azarius recognized Desmond's significant contributions and granted him a noble title and an estate where he could build his own pack. We crossed paths because of the rogue war, as I was held captive by the rogue leader. Desmond rescued and saved me, and it was during those times that we discovered we were each other's mates. I was the only one who could tame Desmond whenever he was being furious and ruthless.

Our mate bond endured its share of challenges, but we eventually married, and I assumed the role of Luna of the Rising Diamond pack. Around that time, Desmond decided to appoint two Betas and three Gammas to assist in managing pack affairs.

As I left the prison cell, my gaze fell upon Desmond. He turned to look at me, and the two Betas offered me respectful nods, which I acknowledged with a nod of my own.

Despite the lingering hostility from recent events, I couldn't deny the effect Desmond had on my heart. But I immediately turned my head away as the image of him sleeping with that courtesan replayed in my mind. A sudden urge to cry overwhelmed me, and my wolf provided silent consolation in that agonizing moment.

"Seraphina..."

I bit my lower lip, when I felt him following me from behind. "Not now, Desmond," I said, my voice trembling before I cleared my throat. "We will discuss your actions today," I declared, still refusing to face him.

He remained silent. I only heard him sigh. I could sense that it might turn into a disastrous exchange, but I hoped for a better outcome.I could already tell that our conversation later would end up in disaster. I just hope not.