Page 118 of Alpha-Ex Wedding Ruse
I turned away from him, dabbing at the corners of my eyes, trying not to break in front of him.
“I know I’ve said this too many times,” I whispered, swallowing hard, “but this really has to stop.”
I took a breath, but it was shaky.
“You’re getting married, Luca. We—” my voice faltered, “we can’t keep doing this.”
He scoffed. “What are you now, my personal alarm? You never miss a chance to remind me of this wedding.”
“I don’t have to remind you, Luca. You should know. And you shouldn’t be here.”
He gave a short nod, and for a split second, I saw the hurt flash across his features. “Yeah. See you at the welcome soirée tomorrow, then.”
He turned, grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair, and strode out of the house without looking back, leaving the scent of his cologne and the weight of everything behind him.
And I palmed my face, unable to stop the tears that fell freely from my cheeks.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Leila’s POV
It was nowa day until the wedding, and tonight was the family soirée. The Bronx Pack was hosting the Manhattan Pack, along with other dignitaries flying in for the wedding. The event would be held at The Grand Marlowe, a five-star hotel not far from the actual wedding venue. It had been fully booked out for the wedding.
I zipped up Ollie’s lunch pack, forcing a small smile for my little boy’s sake. I’d barely slept, lying awake all night staring at the ceiling. My wolf had been restless, whimpering inside me like a wounded creature. My heart felt like a stone sinking in my chest. And my mind wouldn’t stop circling back to last night—to the way Luca kissed me, touched me, like I was his to claim, his to own. Possessive. Certain. Like nothing and no one else existed.
And yet…the reality was inescapable. Tomorrow, he would be another woman’s claim. He would mark her in the ceremony, make her his Mate, his wife. And I would stand on the sidelines, watching the only man I had ever loved give himself to someone else. Forever.
That hurt more than any wound ever could.
Ollie’s giggles filled the kitchen as he skidded inside, socks sliding against the tiles. His joy was infectious, though bittersweet to me. He’d been the happiest kid since finding out about his father. I felt much lighter now that Ollie knew the truth. Not just because I didn’t have to pretend or lie anymore, but because I knew Luca would always be there for him—always show up for him. He was a good man, and a good father. Whatever else happened between Luca and me, Ollie had the kind of father any boy would be lucky to have.
“Mom, will Dad come visit at Aunt Val’s place? He promised we’d start the new LEGO set he got me yesterday.”
I quickly dabbed at my damp cheeks, crouching in front of him with the brightest smile I could muster.
“You’re only going to be at Aunt Val’s for a couple of days, baby,” I said, ruffling his curls gently. “Besides, your Daddy’s going to be…busy.”
The smile on Ollie’s face faltered. He studied me for a beat longer than usual, then lifted his tiny fingers to touch my cheeks.
“Have you been crying, Mommy?”
My chest ached, and the tears I’d been holding back for days threatened to burst free like a broken dam. I wasn’t prepared for the question I couldn’t answer—what would happen when Ollie realized his father was marrying someone else? He was too young to understand bonds, marks, and the brutal finality of them, but one day he would. And when he did, would he look at me and wonder why his father had chosen another woman over us? The thought gutted me.
“Something got in my eyes, baby.”
“Are you sure, Mommy?”
I nodded, forcing another smile—this one a little more real than the last. “Yes, Ollie.”
Just then, Valerie stepped into the living room.
“The Uber’s here, Ollie,” she said, glancing at me with a questioning look. I ignored it and handed him his lunch pack.
“Make sure you’re a good boy, Ollie. And don’t give your Aunt Val any trouble, okay?”
He bobbed his head enthusiastically. “Goodbye, Mom.”
I turned my cheek so he could kiss it before he trotted out of the kitchen.
