The Alpha's Heartbound

Chapter 7 You F**ked Someone’s Mate

REIKA'S POV

Nyx's voice was unmistakable, and when I turned toward the doorway, his gaze was hard and cold as he took in the scene. Every fiber of my being froze, my mind spinning. Why was he here? My voice caught in my throat, but Apollo didn't hesitate.

"Who are you?" Apollo's tone was sharp as he scooped up his shirt from the floor and draped it over my shoulders, his gaze never leaving Nyx.

It was such an endearing gesture from him, covering my naked body. If I hadn't known he was only here hoping to have an heir, I would have thought he truly cared about me.

"I'm here to get my mate," Nyx spat, his words dripping with entitlement. That familiar disdain in his eyes was like a slap. Mate? He'd thrown that title away the moment he'd rejected me, so why now? His gaze hardened.

"I'm the Alpha heir of the Shadow Claw Pack."

I could sense Apollo's confusion turning darker as he processed Nyx's words. I didn't tell him the whole truth that the mate who rejected me was an Alpha heir. I know I could be in trouble if I told him. But now that he knows, my legs are shaking, my heart hammering in my chest fearing what he could do.

Would he reject proceeding to sign our contract and tear me apart?

Nyx's lip curled as he continued, "You didn't know, did you?" His voice dripped with mockery. "You just f**ked someone's mate."

Apollo's face darkened, his fists clenched as he stepped toward Nyx. "Shut up. You're in my territory, and if you want to leave here in one piece, you'll watch your mouth."

Apollo turned to me, and his fierce and questioning eyes searched mine. "Is he telling the truth?" he demanded, his voice low but powerful.

I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Shame and confusion clouded my thoughts.

"He rejected me," I managed to whisper.

But Apollo wasn't satisfied. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

"Is. It. True?" he asked again, and this time, I nodded, feeling my face flush with shame as I did.

Nyx's expression twisted into a smug smirk, and he took a step closer, his words aimed to provoke. "Did she tell you the whole story? How was she supposed to be mine?" He looked me up and down as though I were still some possession he could claim at will, some object he'd simply loaned out to another Alpha.

I could feel Apollo's growing rage, but I finally found my voice. "I never wanted to see you again, Nyx. You made it very clear you wanted nothing to do with me. You have Anya, your girlfriend. You rejected me in front of her, remember?" I straightened up, though my insides quivered with a mix of fear and anger.

"Reika, I'll explain everything when we get home," Nyx offered a hand. Come with me," he invited, his voice gentle. But none of his lies worked. I made up my mind.

"You don't get to decide for me now, Nyx," I said firmly.

Nyx's sneer deepened, his eyes moving between Apollo and me. "You think you're safe here? That he'll keep you?" His voice was a venomous whisper.

Apollo stepped forward. "You're finished here, Nyx. Leave, or I'll call my pack, and trust me—they'd love to deal with an intruder."

Nyx backed down after one last spiteful look. "This isn't over, Reika," he muttered as he finally turned and left.

APOLLO'S POV

I watched the flicker of fear in Reika's eyes as she faced me, and it stirred something I couldn't quite name. For an unknown reason, I had the urge to remove those fears. But I couldn't afford to appear weak, not now.

"Tell me everything," I demanded, firmly holding her face to clarify my authority. She didn't pull away, though I could see her swallow hard.

"I...I was an orphan. Alpha Martin picked me up from the forest," she began. She told me how their Alpha cared for her and how the pack, except for her friend Maia, treated her like dirt.

Nyx, the Shadow Claw heir, was also her childhood friend. When they grow up, he rejects her because of his ambition to lead their pack after learning she is a weak Omega unfit to be his mate. She told me everything until the day of Nyx's rejection and escaping from the Shadow Claw pack.

"Why do you think he is still looking for you after everything that happened?" I asked firmly, not leaving any space for lies.

Reika looked away. "I didn't think he'd care enough to come back. After everything, I didn't think I'd matter to him. This might be a scheme from him to control me, thinking I am still part of the Shadow Claw pack."

Every piece of her story confirmed my worst suspicion: this was about more than just some scorned mate seeking redemption. Nyx had plans, and whatever those plans entailed, Reika was his key.

When she stopped, she hesitated, her fingers nervously clutching the hem of my shirt hanging loosely around her shoulders.

"Are you going to reject me too?" she whispered. "After what happened between us… I might be pregnant with your child."

Was she trying to use the possibility of a child as leverage? I wouldn't put it past anyone, not in this world. But when I looked at her, honestly, the doubt faded. The fear in her eyes was raw, genuine. She was terrified—not just of me, but of her past, of Nyx's intentions, and of the brutal possibility of being discarded again.

"Is there anything else you're hiding from me?" I asked, leaning closer. "I won't tolerate secrets, Reika. Not in my pack."

She shook her head, her jaw tightening with a determination I hadn't expected. "No. I've told you everything."

"Good. Then go back to your room. I'll handle this."

As soon as the door closed behind her, I sank into my chair, my thoughts tangled. This wasn't just about protecting her from Nyx. If she was carrying my child, everything would change—my role, responsibilities, and legacy. I'd sought a surrogate because I needed an heir, but Reika… was more than I'd expected in ways I hadn't even begun to understand.

The door creaked open, and my beta, Orion, walked in.

"Alpha, are you sure you don't want me to detain the intruder?" he asked, ready to act if necessary.

"No, we need him to be back in the Shadow Claw pack. Have someone follow Nyx and be discreet; we must learn more about them. He dared to cross my territory; he would pay the price," I said, gritting my teeth.

"I won't disappoint you, Alpha," Orion assured. "By the way, how was Reika? Is she okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"You have no idea. Reika might be pregnant, and there's more to her than I realized."

"Pregnant? Since when..." Orion paused, seeing Reika's scattered clothes and me only wearing my boxer shorts. He understood, and he knew better than to ask more questions.

Orion let out a low whistle, his voice grim. "Then we have to lock down the pack. If there's a chance she's carrying your child… we can't afford any vulnerability. Not with the intruder waiting for any sign of weakness."

"We have to prepare. And find out who dared to help Nyx."

"Alpha, I swear I wiped out Reika's scent on our way here, so there's no way he followed Reika's scent," Orion said confidently, his eyes pleading for mercy.

My beta, Orion, is the only wolf in our pack with the unique ability to erase a wolf's scent so that someone can never be traced. I trust him. "But how did Nyx make his way here?"

We have been isolating our pack for years to avoid trouble, especially since I have yet to have an heir. The only way to find us was from a good witch.

"Yesterday, one of our warriors learned that the Shadow Claw pack put a bounty on Reika's head. It must be how a witch helps them get the big bounty."

"I will show no mercy to those who helped Nyx cross my territory."