Page 20 of Alpha's Fated Desire

I gasped as I stared out of the room I was secluded in all morning and at the beautiful home laid out before me.

I didn’t notice it last night while I was being carried up here in pain, but the floor was just the most magnificent blue marble I had ever seen in my life.

It felt wrong to step across such a beautiful floor, but I had to cross it to reach the majestic oak door that led to what I assumed would be Roman’s office.

I tapped out a tentative knock and waited for the reply.

“Come in,” his deep voice rumbled out.

I wiped my sweaty palms on my hand and turned the handle, stepping into his lair.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him. I couldn’t get over how drop-dead handsome he was. Honestly, with a face like that and the status and money he seemed to have, I just couldn’t understand why he had remained unmated for so long.

But that was none of my business.

We were here to discuss my future.

My stomach swirled in knots, and nervousness set over me. I slowly walked across the room and sat in the chair he had gestured towards.

“So, Gabriella…” he started.

Judging by his facial expression, this was news I was not going to like to hear. I could tell he felt conflicted about something as he struggled to tell me his decision.

“So,” he repeated. “The pack and I have come to an agreement that it is best for you to find a pack to mate and live with. It is the cleanest solution for all parties involved.”

“Well, yeah,” I replied sarcastically. “I would just love to have a pack to mate with, but as you so eloquently pointed out last time, I’m old as fuck.”

His eyebrows rose up at my crude language, but he pressed on.

“For the Omega Outings, yes, you are no longer eligible. But there are plenty of unregistered alpha packs who will be happy to take in any omega through… a side deal.” He said carefully, avoiding my gaze and staring studiously at the wall behind me.

His words were like a punch to the gut. I stared at him in complete disbelief.

“Unregistered alphas? You’re going to give me over to fucking criminals? Through what, the black market?” I shouted at him.

He flinched but didn’t say anything, still avoiding my gaze.

His words slowly sank in, and I realized with horror that he was deadly serious. He was going to ship me off to live happily ever after with fucking ax murders.

“Gabriella, please be reasonable. This decision did not come lightly, but it’s the only one I can think of.” He said quietly, trying to de-escalate the situation.

I sat with his words for a minute, my mind processing the situation. Then I dared to ask the thing that was in my heart, the thing that was nudging at me from the moment I stepped into this house.

“How about you just mate me yourself? You guys are clearly in need of an omega, and Chase and I get along pretty well,” I whispered out, wearing my heart on my sleeve.

I bit my lip, horrified at myself for saying that out loud.

Roman stared at me in utter shock, like he just been hit by a sledgehammer. Then, his face twisted into a mask of pity and sympathy.

That was all the answer I needed.

“Forget I said anything,” I mumbled out, tears filling my eyes at the familiar feeling of rejection.

I shot up from my seat, not wanting him to see me crying after already baring my heart in the most embarrassing way.

“Gabriella! Wait!” He called out after me.

I barreled out the office door, barely seeing where I was going. I ran blindly into my room and bumped hard into a huge, solid mass.

---