ALPHA BIKER WHO CLAIMED HIS BROTHER'S MATE

40

MAYA’S POV:

My heart hammered against my ribs as Rafe’s words hung in the air. The heavy scent of incense pressed on me, threatening to choke the breath from my lungs. I looked into his eyes—dark, perceptive, and currently cutting right through my facade.

I couldn't find my voice. I just stared at him until the priest began the ceremony.

The vows were said in a hurry. It felt more like a business merger than a holy union. Rafe’s voice was steady, showing he was ready to get this over with so he could uncover whatever dirty and dark secrets I had hidden. Every time I said "I do," I knew I was signing a cold deal—marrying the rumored devil of the Cross brothers. Soon we were done with that phase. In that moment, the doors of the temple swung open.

The latecomers swamped in, and I tried to keep my eyes on Rafe, but my mind betrayed me, like I knew he would come. I took one look and I saw Jalen as he walked in with two of his guards. He looked sober.

Delinda’s spell was very evident. I ripped my gaze away from him as he settled into one of the aisles, forcing my focus back to Rafe. Rafe’s grip on my hands tightened, letting me know he had noticed where my eyes wandered.

"You may kiss your bride," the priest said, and Rafe pulled me in.

I didn't hesitate because I, too, was desperate to use him as a f*****g shield against the watching and judgy eyes of the pack members. My lips met his, and for a split second, the world narrowed down to just us. He tugged my waist hungrily—a symbol to mark his territory and show he was the ever-possessive ruler of the Iron Fang.

But it barely lasted as he hurriedly pulled away after making his impression to the crowd. His eyes were unreadable as he turned to the crowd with a smile plastered on his face. I, too, forced one for them.

Then he held my hand and helped me down the stairs. We made our way toward everyone as husband and wife. The bikers, who represented his family, roared and cheered in approval. My own side was empty as hell, but I didn't let that get to me. Rafe kept me tucked tightly against his side like I was a piece of cake he didn't want to share. We continued on our way with the congregation following us outside until I saw them.

My parents. They were standing in a secluded corner, looking like they had just attended a wake keep rather than a wedding. As we approached, I felt the familiar urge to apologize, to explain, to beg for a scrap of the affection they’d always withheld.

“I will be right back,” Rafe said and slipped away from the situation. I silently thanked him for understanding the concept of space.

"Mother, Father—" I began in a small voice.

"Save it," my mother snapped. Her eyes were like a volcano filled with fire, waiting to erupt. "From this moment on, you are no longer part of this family. We do not know you, and you certainly do not know us."

Silence fell on us and my eyes found my father’s. I waited for him to speak but he did nothing but look away. I held myself down so well that I did not snap on them. I mean, I had expected them to say something humiliating but not to take it to the last point, which is disowning me. But if it was the will of the Goddess, then who was I to object? I would be fine as always.

"Fine," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I expected you to belittle me, but I didn't think you'd disown me," I confessed.

My mother gritted her teeth.

"You are ungrateful, Maya," she spat, her lip curling in disgust. "We gave you a life, a reputation, and you threw it all away to marry a... low-life. You have ruined yourself. You’ll see." She slapped her forehead. “A girl we worked so hard for, and sent you to a school of elites with all we had. Just so that you could f*****g build connections and end up in the brighter part of this pack. I never believed my own daughter would shoot herself in the legs by mingling with the people we fought so hard to outgrow.”

I chuckled in a small tone. “Then it is destiny then. I am a true Iron Fang MC. No matter how much you run, you end up where you belong.” This was only to spite her because there was nothing left again to save in my dignity; she had already taken that away from me.

“Fine, wallow in f*****g hell.” She grabbed my father’s hand and he turned like the f*****g tool he was.

Without another word, they got into their car and sped off, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust and the wreckage of my past. I stood there, trying to catch a breath from the intensity of all that had just happened.

"Tough break," a voice drawled from the shadows and I turned sharply to see Jane.

She strolled towards me, wearing a dress so low-cut it was a miracle it stayed on. Her cleavages were practically on a parade. Or on auction available to the highest bidder. I cannot believe her father is a high-ranked elite in this pack. She doesn't act like it and my mother would have killed me if I wore that dress. Parents were different, and maybe it was because we fought so hard to be recognized in this part of the pack.

She stopped in front of me, clicking her teeth in mock sympathy. "Rafe really has this plot to destroy Jalen on lockdown, doesn't he?" Jane smirked, her eyes sizing me up. "To the extent he had to involve marrying you just to shield your whoring ass from the fallout. I mean your dress looks cute and he spent a lot to touch up your face. I have to commend him. He is a master at this game."

When I opened my mouth to speak, I felt Rafe’s hand on my shoulder, and Jane’s expression shifted in a heartbeat. She looked at him with a smile, her hand landing on her chest, drawing attention to her breasts.

"Happy married life, Rafe," she cooed. "Honestly..." She leaned in, her body nearly brushing against his.

I watched, my blood boil at the highest point, as Rafe’s eyes dropped to her chest for a fraction of a second. He looked back at me almost instantly, seeing me standing there. I was still bruised by my parents' rejection and Jane’s breasts seemed like the perfect eye view for him.

Goddess, if he was still in love with her then he should go for her and leave me the f**k alone. I hated how confusing this was.

Jane reached out for him, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "I’m so sorry for how I acted before. I just couldn't believe you were in love again... but I’ve accepted it now." She practically rubbed her breasts against his arm like I was f*****g invisible.

This tore more at the wounds that already sat in my chest. The humiliation was too much and the space I had been holding in my chest collapsed. "I can’t do this," I hissed and took a step back.

Jane acted like she wanted to reach out to me. “Don’t!” I yelled.

I turned and marched toward the tent where the drinks were laid out. I didn't want a glass; I wanted the whole bottle. I grabbed a dark green bottle of wine, ready to drown the sound of Jane’s voice and the sight of my parents' retreating car.

I raised it to my lips, but Rafe’s large hand clamped around my wrist.

"No drinking at the wedding," Rafe growled in a dangerous voice with his brows furrowed.

"Oh?" I challenged, glaring up at him. "So I’m not allowed to drink, but Delinda can?"

I gestured wildly to the side, where Delinda stood with a bottle of her own. She immediately raised her free hand in a gesture. "Hey, don't bring me into your lover's quarrel," she muttered, taking another swig. "I'm just the maid of honor and I do not want to be f*****g caught in the middle. Wedding’s over, let me have my wine.”

I let out a frustrated groan, ripping my hand out of Rafe’s grip. I couldn't stand the eyes on me, so I knew I needed privacy before I would end up on the f*****g news. No one had any good thing to say about me. I dashed back toward the temple, seeking the cold silence of the room.

"Maya!" Rafe’s voice thundered behind me, but I didn't stop. I needed to be alone, and he could go about with Jane for all I cared.