Alpha's Regret: Mated with My Ex's Uncle

Chapter 7

Esmond's POV

The voice hit me like a bucket of ice water, smothering my rage.

My grip tightened on Camellia's chin for a solid three seconds before I turned to face Lionel.

He stood there like some damn statue, all rigid posture and radiating that suffocating Alpha energy.

My wolf instantly cowered under his overwhelming aura, forcing me to drop my hold on Camellia.

She scrambled away from me like I carried the plague.

My eyes darted to Lionel, but his gaze stayed locked on Camellia.

That pissed me off. Since when did he get to look at my mate like that?

But arguing with him wasn't an option — not after he'd morphed into this untouchable Alpha powerhouse.

I forced a smirk under his mocking stare. "Just some playful banter between mates."

Lionel didn't even bother responding. He just walked off like we were beneath him.

The second he disappeared, I whirled on Camellia. "Stay the hell away from Lionel!" However, she snorted. "Why not tell him that yourself?"

My jaw clenched. Her words reignited the anger in my heart, but I couldn't retort. We both knew why.

Last time I'd badmouthed Lionel, he torpedoed my biggest project with Dalton Group.

It cost me millions and tanked my standing in the pack.

Alpha Drogo still hadn't let me live it down.

Camellia stormed off without another word.

I watched her back, my heart filled with reluctance and anger.

I followed Camellia and caught up with her in quick strides at the doorstep of our home.

Camellia frowned at me, "What's the matter?"

"We need to talk."

"Unless it's about breaking the bond, save it. I won't bring it up for now."

"For now?" I growled.

"Yeah."

She shrugged, her face blank. I felt very unhappy.

My wolf thrashed in frustration, but I swallowed the anger. At least she wasn't pushing for rejection anymore. Plenty of time to fix this.

After a moment of thought, I nodded and said, "Cam, I'm glad you're giving us another chance," I lied smoothly.

Camellia wrenched her arm free. "Let go. I need sleep."

She vanished upstairs before I could blink. The bedroom lock clicked as I reached the door.

"This is your fault," my wolf snarled in my head. "You hurt our mate. That rogue stinks of deceit."

"Since when do Alphas apologize for having side pieces?" I shot back. "Hazel's just entertainment."

My wolf continued to roar in dissatisfaction, but I didn't pay attention to his words.

I was also dissatisfied with Camellia's behavior. Why couldn't she understand me?

How could I let a rogue become the Luna of the Ironclaw?

It was absurd that she even wanted to reject me over this.

The shower started running next door. The sound was like an invisible hand, teasing me.

Memories of Camellia's skin against mine made my fists clench. Once, we were intimate, but now things had turned out like this.

My wolf growled louder as steam seeped under the doorframe. I was halfway to breaking down the door when my phone buzzed.

Hazel's text glowed, "Honey, you're gonna be a daddy."

I didn't believe it at all. We weren't mates. How could we have a child so easily?

I grabbed my phone and stared intently at the words.

But Hazel quickly sent me photos from the hospital. Looking at the examination report in the photo, I was filled with doubts.

Bullshit. We'd used protection every time. Either she was lying or... she had gone to a doctor from another pack and used some improper means to get pregnant.

Either way, it crossed my line.

I dialed with shaking hands. "Where are you?"

"Not even a congratulations?" Hazel's voice dripped fake sweetness.

I laughed coldly, "Are you sure you're pregnant and it's mine?"

"Esmond, you're my only man. Don't you know whether it's yours or not?"

Her tone was accusatory, with a hint of grievance, but I just felt annoyed.

"Then get rid of it."

I couldn't have this child. A child born from a non-mate relationship would affect my mate's fertility, and how would I inherit the Alpha position then?

Besides Camellia, I didn't need any other woman to bear my child.

"No, this is our child. I want to have it."

I frowned tightly. If I had known she was so unreasonably persistent, I wouldn't have touched her in the first place.

"Last chance," I hissed. "Where. Are. You."