FALLING FOR MY EX-MATE'S FATHER

Seraphina Vale “Tell me it's a lie!” I screamed, stepping into the tastefully furnished office of the CEO of Blackwood Pharmaceuticals Holdings and slamming the door shut behind me. Ryker Blackwood’s gaze was fixed on the open laptop before him, his eyes narrowed in full concentration. “And what is that, Sera?” My heels hit the floor sharply as I walked towards him. I stood before him, hands placed on my hips. “About you and Bianca. Are you seriously kidding me right now? I just heard her discussing in the lobby that you asked her to marry you. Is that true?” Of course, I knew it was true. Bianca Frost wouldn’t have made that up. But then, I desperately hoped that it wasn’t. Ryker finally raised his head. His hazel eyes sized me up critically. His expression dimmed and something like guilt flickered in his eyes briefly before he threw his head to the side and leaned back into the chair. His silence was answer enough. At that moment, it felt like his claws had just reached into my chest and ripped my heart apart. “You—really asked her to marry you?” My voice cracked. “What about me? Us? I thought… we were together. Everyone thinks we are together. We are fated mates for crying out loud and you dare ask another woman to marry you. How cruel could you be, Ryker?” “Hey, stop!” He suddenly shouted. The guilt in his eyes a moment ago had been quickly replaced by rage. “Just stop it, okay? Don’t you dare try to play the victim card. Yes, we are fated mates but I never told you I’d be accepting our bond, did I?” My lips parted in sheer disbelief. “You never told me you would accept the bond?” The words tasted bitter on my tongue. “But… you made love to me every damn time, right from when I got a job as your secretary and we realised we were fated mates. For two years… yet you did not accept our bond?” “Yes, I didn’t,” he answered firmly. “Tell me, Sera… every time I f****d you, did I compensate you or not? I bought you a house, a car and I even sponsored your extravagant lifestyle, so stop acting like you did not benefit from me.” “Wait… those gifts, I thought they were proof of your love for me, but you were just paying me off with them?” “What did you think?” he taunted. At that instant, it felt like my life had just flashed before my eyes. I almost couldn’t believe my ears. I had thought I was in a relationship for two years but I had been nothing but a body for his own release. I stood there, my body trembling, and it was definitely not from the cold. Ryker stood and rounded the mahogany desk. He sat on the edge, arms folded over his chest. “See, Seraphina… you don’t have to get worked up over these things,” he said softly. “I know we are fated mates but I really can’t accept you.” My eyes widened at him. I wanted to ask for the reason why but I couldn’t find my voice. But he seemed to be able to read my expression so he continued smoothly. “Bianca is my father’s Beta’s daughter but you… you are just an Omega. What do you think the people would think of me if I had you as my Luna when I become the Alpha of the Silvercrest Pack? They would mock me… the other packs would look down on me and most importantly my father would probably think that I might not be able to make better choices for the pack when my choice of a Luna is questionable.” Tears stung my eyes as I listened to him talk about me like I was nothing but a stain. I struggled to keep my tears from falling. No… I wouldn’t cry for this bastard, especially not in his presence. But as for my weak wolf, Sabel, she whimpered in sadness. I swallowed past the thick lump in my throat. “I understand,” my voice was husky. “Bianca will definitely make a better Luna than I will.” Then he pushed himself off the desk, took a step closer to me and wrapped his arms tightly around my waist. My breasts pressed hard against his chest and his lustful gaze dropped to my cleavage. As much as I wanted to push him off me, I couldn’t… because even now, his scent of mint and something dark wafted into my nostrils. His strong Alpha aura pressed hard against my neck and my wolf longed for him, for him to choose us. “But I love you, Sera…” then he quickly corrected himself, “I don’t love you exactly but I love making love to you.” His finger trailed from my jaw to my cleavage, sending shivers down my spine and causing my heart to beat loudly despite the fact that I was still very much angry at him. “I love… being around you. I don’t think I will ever be able to get over your tight juicy p***y and addictive smell.” His nose twitched. For a moment, I was hopeful. Maybe he would choose me because he loved my p***y. Even though the reason was ridiculous, I just wanted to be chosen. That was how much I loved him. “So what are you saying?” “I’m saying that you should be mine, Sera. Be my secret mistress. I will still treat you the same way I do, Sera. Bianca would be my Luna, but you would be the one pleasuring me and I will make sure you keep up with your lifestyle,” he said arrogantly like he was the prize. My stomach twisted. Rage blinded me. With no knowledge of where my strength came from, I pushed myself away from him and before I could control myself, my hand connected with his face. The sharp sound of the slap echoed through the room. “You bastard!” I cursed angrily. “How dare you think I would be your little secret?” Ryker’s face snapped to the side, his pale smooth skin reddening from the impact. When he stared back at me, his eyes were bloodshot, fangs protruded forward and gritted while his claws were clenched into fists by his sides. He looked like he would shift the next minute and rip me apart. My chest slammed against my ribcage as I took a shaky step backwards but I forced myself to stare at him head on. “How dare you lay your filthy hands on me?” He roared, taking a step closer to me. For a moment, I thought he was going to hit me but he never did. “You should be thankful I ever took an interest in you.” His voice was condescending. “Do you know how many she-wolves would jump at the offer of being my mistress?” “Then you should go and meet them,” I snapped back. “Go and meet them, Ryker. But as for me, Seraphina Vale, I refuse to be your little dirty secret. I would rather die than do that.” “Is that so? Then I will make sure no man in this pack and beyond would ever take an interest in you. You will remain alone for the rest of your miserable life.” “I don’t care!” I refused to bend to his will. “Let’s just end this shenanigan.” I paused then my voice became authoritative, “I, Seraphina Vale of the Silvercrest Pack, reject you, Ryker Blackwood as my mate and future Alpha. I sever all ties with you because you are the worst mistake of my life.” The bond sparked between us, ready to snap— “Really? You dare reject me?” He sounded like his ego was bruised. “No problem then. I, Ryker Blackwood, reject you as my mate.” And that was it. The bond snapped apart. Pain… excruciating pain slammed into me. It felt like a two-edged sword had been driven into my chest. I clenched it tightly and gasped out painfully, my tears uncontrollable this time. But as for Ryker, his face twisted with pain but he still stood tall. Alpha power at play. “Now leave!” He commanded. “And don’t you ever show yourself in front of me ever again.” Through my blurry eyes, I stared at him briefly. He looked nothing like the man who had thrust into me last night, the one who held me close to his clammy chest when it was all over. He looked different… like a monster in animal form. With weak and tremblng legs, I staggered out of the room and once I stepped into the corridor, I let darkness consume me.