Cheated by my Alpha Husband, Claimed by the Rouge King

CHAPTER 1

MADELINE’S POV

I am trying my best not to cry, especially after seeing Karl with his mistress again. They were having s*x as if there were no tomorrow. He doesn't even know that I already know who the woman is.

But life must go on, as they say, and that’s exactly what I’m doing right now.

My steps feel heavy as I walk toward the boardroom where the shareholders of the company Karl and I built together are waiting. I smile bitterly.

As I enter the boardroom, everyone inside looks at me simultaneously. I see Eleanor, Karl’s sister, smirking at me.

"I heard Karl didn't go home to you last night? Is that right?" Eleanor asks. "Ah, my brother is busy growing the business, unlike you who just stays at home waiting for him to remember you. How pathetic."

I bite my lower lip and am about to speak when the door opens. Karl enters, followed by Sofia. From where I stand, I can smell the scent of after-s*x clinging to them.

I can feel the awkwardness in the room. How long have the people around me been deceiving me?

I grip the envelope I’ve been carrying tightly, as if it’s the only thing determining whether I live or die.

The weight in my chest is unbearable, knowing the fact that everyone here knows the truth.

"Hello, Mrs. Ratcliffe. It’s good that you’re finally here," Sofia greets me, acting as if she isn't hiding a massive betrayal behind my back.

I can’t really blame Karl for liking Sofia. Aside from being beautiful and sexy, she comes from a wealthy and influential family. Sofia’s family is the fifth richest in the Howling Pack.

If you put Sofia and me side-by-side, I look like her servant because of how I’m dressed. I sigh as a memory triggers a dull ache in my heart.

"I don't think I have any reason not to be here, do I? How about you? What’s your business here?" I look at her before shifting my gaze to Karl. "I didn't know you and my husband were so close." I emphasize the word husband.

I hear a collective gasp from the people in the room. I know why. They didn't expect me to find my courage in front of Alpha Karl himself.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Mrs. Ratcliffe."

"You don't know, or are you still playing dumb?" I stand up. I can no longer contain my rage. "Why, Karl? Where did I fall short? I am the brains of this company. I am the one who stayed up late designing the jewelry for this firm. But how did you repay me? When there are events, where am I? Stuck at home?"

I slam my hand on the table. It hurts, but nothing hurts more than the betrayal I feel from the man I thought would stay with me until we get old.

I face Eleanor. "You’re right, Eleanor. I am pathetic, and that’s because I loved your brother! I loved him so much that I was willing to absorb all of his frustrations!"

"Silence!" Karl bellows. His Alpha aura is so commanding that even Sofia, a Beta, is forced to sit down. "Go home, Madeline. Don't embarrass me!"

"Am I embarrassing you, or are you embarrassing yourself? Then again, how could you be embarrassed when every single person in this room already knows about your relationship with Sofia?"

I am no longer surprised when Karl smirks at me while walking toward Sofia. But what does shock me is when he pulls Sofia close and kisses her.

I grit my teeth, clutching my chest. Damn this bond! Karl is my mate, so it hurts to have him wound me so openly.

"R-reject me..."

"What did you say, my dear sister-in-law?" Eleanor asks with a smirk, clearly delighted to see me in pain.

I ignore her because, this time, my eyes are fixed on Sofia’s ring finger.

I can’t believe it—the ring she’s wearing is the very first design I made when Marigold Treasure was established.

"Reject me, Karl!" I say breathlessly. "Then let's have a divorce!" I add quietly but firmly.

I hear laughter from the people around us as if I’ve told a joke.

"Divorce? Oh, please, Mrs. Ratcliffe, you don't need to divorce your husband."

"You can have him, Sofia. Because you’re perfect for each other!"

"Ha! And what do you have to be proud of? You’re just an Omega, Madeline. You have no relatives to run to once Karl abandons you. Have you forgotten? You transferred all your rights in the company to Karl."

How could I ever forget my stupidity four years ago? I signed a prenup, and my foolishness didn't stop there. Out of love for Karl, I transferred my shares and rights in the company to his name. Until I had nothing left.

But that was four years ago. "That’s my problem," I reply, pulling a document out of the envelope. "Only your signature is missing; I’ve already signed it. Send that to the Moonfang Pack after you’re done."

With my head held high, I walk toward the door. But before I finally step out, I stop and face them one last time.

"And, Karl..." Once I have his attention and our eyes meet, I say the plan I’ve held onto for so long without hesitation. "I, Madeline Luna, reject you, Karl Romanoff Ratcliffe of the Northern Crescent Pack. From this moment on, I am severing whatever bond connects us."

I don't give Karl a chance to speak. I immediately exit the boardroom. I know they expect me to crumble because the bond is broken, but they are mistaken—they don't know who I really am.

When I get outside the building, a black McLaren is waiting for me.

"That was intense," the driver says with a loud laugh.

"I didn't give you permission to plant cameras in that building," I told him.

"And I love you too, sis," Drake replies. My older brother.

When Drake and I arrived at my house, I immediately gathered the important documents I needed to present tomorrow in front of Karl and other influential figures at Hotel de Luna—a hotel I actually own. Karl had no idea. He didn't know that while he was busy making a fool out of me, I was secretly reclaiming everything that rightfully belonged to me.

"Are you sure you won't run out of time? The event is tomorrow," Drake asked, sitting casually with his phone in hand.

I paused what I am doing. "I’ve been preparing for this moment for a long time, Drake."

"I know that. But I also know you’re having second thoughts because you still love your husband."

I smiled bitterly. Somewhere deep down, I had hoped Karl would choose me, but that never happened.

"Life is so unpredictable," I replied.

"Yeah. So unpredictable that those morons don't even know who you really are."

I didn’t respond and continue finishing with my task. I had been so busy that day that I hadn't managed to call my parents, but I knew they would understand.

Once I gathered all the documents, I called a meeting with my staff. I wanted everything to be perfect tomorrow. I wanted to show the people who hurt me that the person they were facing wasn't stupid or naive.

"Have the invitations been sent to Sofia and your ex-husband?" Drake asked.

I glanced at what he was holding. It was the divorce agreement. That was fast. The jerk couldn't even wait. But it was better this way so he would have no legal claims.

"Yes, and I made sure they’ll attend because I want to see their reactions."

"Who would dare miss a summons from Alpha King Theodore? And congratulations, Madeline—you're finally free."

Drake hugged me tightly, making me feel that I would never be alone. I realized I had been blinded by love back then, even turning my back on my own family.

—

"Wow! Look at you! You look so perfect!"

"Mom..." I said with a smile, looking at her. "I’ve waited for this," I admitted, staring into the mirror. This was the real me. No thick glasses. No fake pimples to make myself look ugly for the people who mistreated me.

I had changed so much of myself before, just to convince myself that Karl loved me despite my flaws. But I was wrong—Karl only married me for my intelligence.

"And I’m really sorry..." I added.

"Shhh. You don't need to apologize. Look at yourself now. You became strong because of the pain and struggles you endured. Remember, a diamond shines brightest because of a heavy process. And tonight, everyone will know who you truly are." She held out her hand, and I took it. "Let's go?"

I nodded. This is it, Madeline!

Mom and I entered through a secret door; no one could see me with the owner of Sweet Locket and Lace, a brand famous both locally and internationally.

As the host spoke, I couldn't help but scan the crowd. I saw Karl and Sofia in the front row, but someone else caught my eye.

I flinched in my seat when a man looked toward my direction, as if he could see me despite the thick glass partition.

He had piercing green eyes! He looked like a god!

Who was he?

I was about to ask Mom about him when my name was suddenly called.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to introduce the daughter of Alpha King Theodore, Celine Madeline Moonfang."

As I stepped out, everyone was smiling, except for Sofia and Karl, who looked like they had seen a ghost.

"I-impossible..." I heard Sofia stammer.

"Surprise," I mouthed to her.

After my speech, I approached Karl and Sofia, but suddenly, waltz music began to play. To my surprise, someone grabbed my hand and waist.

It was the man with the green eyes!

"Who a-are you?"

"Your future husband."

My brows furrowed at his answer. What the hell? I tried to pull my hand away, but his grip tightened.

"Let me go!" I said firmly, but my body refused to cooperate.

I felt my wolf, Ember, stir inside me, her tail wagging.

"Mate! Mate!" she chanted repeatedly in my mind.

"Ember..." I whispered internally. She had been dormant for a long time because I took medication to keep her suppressed. That was why Karl and the others thought I was wolfless.

"See, mademoiselle? Even your wolf recognizes me. And this time, I won't let you go, Celine."

"I don't even know you."

"We’ve belonged to each other for a long time, Celine. You just don't remember because your attention was elsewhere." His eyes darkened.

I was about to speak when someone suddenly pulled me away from him. I looked up to see Karl’s furious eyes. His grip on my arm was so tight I winced in pain.

"You dare to cheat on me?!" Karl screamed. The guests turned toward us, but they remained calm, as if waiting to see what would happen next.

"And what is this drama you've prepared tonight, Madeline? Have you become so desperate that you’re begging the Moonfang family for help? For what? To get Karl back?" Sofia said, though I could sense the hesitation in her voice.

"Do you really think I’m that desperate to take back something I’ve already thrown away?" I shot back at her. "The drama you’re talking about isn’t over yet. Because tomorrow, you’ll find out what else I have prepared to repay your betrayal!"

This time, I turned to face Karl. I locked eyes with him, refusing to back down.

I laughed. "Have you forgotten that we’re over, Karl? And don't you dare question me—you have no right!" I pulled my hand back, and Karl moved to slap me, but someone caught his arm mid-air.

"Don't you dare hurt my mate." The voice was low, but steady and full of power.

I saw terror fill Karl's eyes as he faced the stranger with the green eyes.

"A-Alaric Nightshade!" Karl stammered.

Wait—Alaric?

My eyes widened as I slowly looked at him.

He was the infamous Rogue Wolf of the East! And he was the reason for the death of Karl’s mother!