Page 30 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

“And who is to blame for that?” Jacinta asks, addressing the ceiling.

Clara’s eyes narrow, and I know she’s about to let fly.

“Me,” I emphasize. “I did not go looking for him to claim him. All blame in this situation clearly rests on me.”

“Are you admitting fault?” Sherman asks, raising an eyebrow. “That could be akin to weakness for an alpha.”

I glare at Sherman, letting my wolf rise. A growl rises in my throat, escapes my lips, and rumbles around the room, almost shaking the walls.

“I am your alpha,” I state. “I admit fault when it comes to my son—I have failed him, and this I will repair. As your leader, I am not at fault, and when I say Nico is my heir, that is final. He is the child of my chosen mate, the firstborn of my blood. On this, my word is law.”

There is an uncomfortable shuffle around the table as the others try to avoid my alpha stare.

I had to bend to them not so long ago, but now they must obey me. And I will never let pack politics interfere in matters of the heart ever again.

“Are we done?” I say, making it clear by my tone that we are. “Excellent,” I announce, standing up and gesturing for Clara to come with me.

We leave the hall together, and I note Clara’s tight, ashen face and clenched fists. I know she’s upset, and I can’t wait to get her out of sight of the others to comfort her. Once we’re back in the park, I put my hand on her arm to stop her, trying to look into her eyes.

“Hey, it’s okay,” I say to her. “It’s all done now.”

“How dare you!” she hisses. “How dare you let Nico down like that?”

“What?” I ask, confused.

“They were saying such horrible things about him, and you practically joined in. You called him unstable!”

“I didn’t!” I protest.

Did I?

“You might as well have! How could you do that to our son? He’s been suffering, all alone, and none of this is his fault!”

“Clara!” I yell, grabbing her upper arms and pulling her towards me. “You don’t have to tell me any of this! I was trying to defend him. I’m sorry if that’s not what it sounded like, but I’m on your side!”

She tries to pull away from me, wiping the tears streaming down her cheeks. Her brown eyes are blazing with flecks of gold, turning her into a furious force of nature.

She’s so fucking gorgeous! Does she even know what she does to me?

“Galen,” she finally murmurs, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I was so uncomfortable in there, and when they started talking about Nico, I just kind of lost my mind.”

“It’s okay,” I answer, putting my hands gently on her shoulders. “I completely understand. But you don’t have to worry now—I’m with you. I’m standing by your side, and I will always be. With you, and with Nico.”

She looks up at me, her bottom lip trembling as the tears keep coming. “Do you promise?” she chokes out. My desperate need to protect her mingles with my growing lust. The urge to ravish her right then and there threatens to overwhelm me.

“I promise,” I whisper, tightening my grip on her shoulders.

I feel her soften under my hands, and my resolve weakens. Her scent is thick around me, muddling my mind and destroying my self-control. I can hear her heart pounding.

And sense the throbbing heat between her thighs.

She wants me, too!

I look down at her sweet, red mouth, her lips looking lush and full from arousal as well as tears. I can taste her already, and with her mouth inches from mine, I know I’m done for.

I have to have to take her. Right now.

The heat in my own body crests through me, a river of incandescent, overpowering lust. The throbbing hardness of my cock overwhelms my senses, and I grip her shoulders roughly, ready to throw her over my shoulder, drag her home, and finally have my way with her.

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