Cheated by my Alpha Husband, Claimed by the Rouge King

CHAPTER 2

MADELINE'S POV

I knew him! The name Alaric Nightshade echoed in every corner of every pack—no, scratch that—even humans knew him as a brilliant businessman! Aside from being the leader of the Shadow Pack in the East, he was a billionaire!

But what was he doing here? I didn’t remember sending him an invitation!

And I had to face the reality—this handsome, infamous Rogue Wolf was my second-chance mate! Who would have thought that behind his feared reputation hid the most handsome man I had ever met, aside from my father and brother, of course!

"Are you okay?" Alaric asked me while still gripping Karl’s arm. The sharp glare he previously directed at Karl shifted into a look of concern as he turned to me.

I nodded absently. Once he was sure I was alright, he refocused his attention on Karl, whose arm he still held firmly.

"Who gave you permission to hurt my mate?" Alaric demanded.

"Your mate?! She is my wife!" Despite the humiliation, Karl still managed to act arrogant. But his bravado instantly turned into a scream when Alaric twisted his arm!

It was only then that I realized the massive difference between their Alpha Auras. Alaric exerted enough Alpha pressure to force Karl to his knees right in front of my elite guests!

Now I realized that while Karl was the Alpha of a small pack, Alaric’s power was on a primordial level!

"She's not your wife!"

"I'm not your wife!"

I glanced at Alaric as we spoke the words in unison.

"You heard what she said, didn’t you? She’s no longer your wife. You have no more rights over Madeline. And you yourself are the reason you lost those rights! You wasted what you already had, Alpha Karl!"

"Stop hurting him, please!" Sofia suddenly interjected, reaching out to grab Alaric’s arm. She quickly pulled back, however, the moment Alaric looked at her.

"I don't like being touched by just any woman," Alaric said. I felt like laughing when I saw Sofia’s cheeks turn beet red.

"Even if Madeline has changed a lot, she still looks plain and boring. What could you possibly see in that woman?!" I could feel the venom in Sofia’s voice as she pointed at me.

"Things I know you don't possess. I know you, Ms. Devereaux."

Sofia froze at Alaric’s words, but this time, Karl spoke up, even though he hadn't quite recovered from what Alaric had done to him. His wrist was still flushed a deep red.

"This thing is your mate?" Karl said, mocking me. It was ridiculous how his words no longer affected me. "I mean, this b***h? Tell them, Madeline—that you have nothing left to be proud of. That you were never the owner of Marigold Treasure because you surrendered all your rights to me the moment we got married. Everything you once had no longer belongs to you! You are nothing without me, Madeline!"

I was about to speak when a voice boomed from behind us.

"Who gave the permission to speak ill of my daughter and the owner of the very land you are standing on?!"

The voice of Alpha King Theodore, my father, thundered through the hall, instantly silencing the room. He approached us, accompanied by my mother and Drake.

"W-what?! Daughter? Madeline is your d-daughter?!"

I wanted to capture this moment. Sofia’s reaction was priceless!

"No. No. I know this is some kind of prank just to humiliate us." Sofia covered her mouth with one hand while the other pointed at me. Her sophisticated facade had completely vanished.

"But she's wolfless! Madeline couldn't possibly belong to a powerful family! She's just an Omega," Karl added.

Sofia clung to Karl, nodding along. "Your ex-wife here is doing her best to humiliate us, honey. You know what, Your Majesty," Sofia said, facing my family. "This Omega is tainting the Moonfang family, your name."

"And that's my family, Sofia," I answered firmly.

"Enough with your lies, b***h!"

"She's my daughter," my father replied. He looked at me and smiled. I could feel his love radiating toward me. "My greatest regret was allowing my daughter to go with you, Alpha Karl, because I know you didn't care for her or love her."

"And all the gifts my daughter surrendered to you were actually property of the Crown," my mother added. Sofia and Karl were stunned into silence as my parents themselves confirmed my identity.

"So, the invitation was just a front to humiliate us?! Who do you think you are?!" Sofia became hysterical. I had never seen her like this.

And she deserved it! But I wasn't finished. The wounds they inflicted on me were deep, and I wouldn't stop until I saw them suffering and kneeling before me!

"Ma'am, here is the document you requested." Mira handed me an envelope, and I thanked her.

"And what is that? Your divorce papers with Karl?"

I realized Sofia would never run out of insults; to her, I was still the weak Madeline she once knew.

"This?" I held up the envelope before pulling out the contents. "This is a Notice of Reclaim. Since the jewelry designs and company assets were created using Moonfang intellectual property, and my ex-husband here breached our marital contract through infidelity, I am now freezing every account associated with Marigold Treasure."

"You can't do that!" Karl and Sofia screamed in unison.

"I already have. Here it is, isn't it? There's nothing you can do." I stepped closer to Karl, raising an eyebrow. "I planned to tell you the truth—about my identity. But you hurt me repeatedly. I just got tired. So, while you were off playing with your mistress, I was taking steps to take back everything I gave you. Because you don't deserve it."

"You mean to say you've been lying to me since the moment I met you?!" I saw Karl’s jaw tighten—an indication of his growing rage. "And what about him? How long have the two of you been playing me? And yet you dare call me a cheater and humiliate me in front of everyone I know? Is that why you invited every investor I've been talking to?!" I could hear his teeth grinding.

"And you traded me for the person who killed my mother?!" Karl added.

"Don't put the blame on me, Karl. I loved you as much as I could! And even when my dignity was all I had left, you took that too!"

Then, my tears started to fall. I wasn't crying because of him. I was crying because I remembered the time I was pregnant, right up until I lost the baby when I was only two months along. And Karl never even knew.

Because he didn't care about me. He never wanted to listen.

And he would never know.

"And about Alaric—I didn't cheat on you. I only just met him. I don't care whether you believe me or not. You don't even deserve an explanation."

"We aren't finished yet, Madeline," Karl threatened.

"The feeling is mutual, Karl. Don't just give an empty threat, because I can face you without even blinking."

I looked at Drake and nodded.

"Beta Yshael, lead these two outside," Drake ordered. Beta Yshael immediately complied, along with the other Moonfang Pack warriors.

Sofia screamed threats as they were dragged out, while Karl remained silent. I knew what was running through his mind, and I was prepared for whatever was coming.

"You bastards, don't touch me!" Sofia shouted again. I called out to her.

"Sofia." They stopped and looked back at me. "Keep the ring, Sofia. It’s a prototype made of glass and copper. Just like your relationship—cheap and fragile."

When those two disappeared, my father approached me. "Are you okay, hija?" my father asked, while my mother watched me with a worried expression.

"I'm fine, Mom, Dad, don't worry. I wouldn't be okay if you weren't here." I looked toward the guests. "I'm sorry for all the chaos," I said apologetically.

Some of them nodded, while others simply smiled.

"We’ll leave the two of you here for a moment," my father said, looking directly at Alaric. "I am entrusting my daughter to you, Alpha Alaric, and I expect that nothing will happen to her while she is in your care."

I glanced at Alaric as he nodded in response to my father’s words. My mother kissed me on the cheek, and Drake gave me a nod before they finally departed. I knew they had matters to attend to, as Drake had mentioned it to me the night before.

"So?" I faced Alaric upon hearing him speak. "Where do you want to go?"

My brows furrowed, but my heart was racing. Ember, my wolf, was leaping inside me, shouting, "Mate! Mate!"

"You don't trust me, do you?"

Did I really not trust him? Or was it myself I couldn't trust, especially since my heart and my wolf both recognized him?

"My family entrusted me to you, and yet you ask me that?"

"Does that mean you trust me?"

"The question is, should I trust you?" I replied with a question of my own. "Who are you, Alaric?"

"Who do you think I am, Celine?"

Celine, I repeated to myself.

I had hidden that name for so long. Yet, I couldn't explain the joy I felt now that he was calling me Celine.

"I know your wolf is welcoming me, Celine."

Welcoming you? No, you're mistaken, because my wolf wants to submit to you... I wanted to say it, but luckily, I restrained myself.

"Let's get out of here," I said boldly. Whatever happens, happens. I just wanted to escape the thoughts clouding my mind.

We walked out of the hotel together. Alaric assisted me into his car, even helping me with my seatbelt.

"I'm not used to this," I remarked.

"You should get used to it now, because you’ve returned to where you belong. I don't understand why you had to turn your back on the things that make you comfortable just for a worthless man."

"The Karl I met was different from the Karl I married."

He fell silent after I said that. I let him drive, not bothering to ask where we were headed. My heart was beating so fast; I was terrified of what this feeling meant.

We arrived at a place that felt familiar.

"I know this p-place..." I whispered. I turned to him. "Who are you, really?"

"I'm Alaric Nightshade—"

"Cut the bullshit! You wouldn't bring me here if you didn't know me. Who are you? Why does Ember recognize you?"

"It's not the right time, Celine." I stepped out of the car, and he followed.

When I looked at him, I couldn't see the ruthless Alpha Alaric people spoke of. In this moment, I only saw a man who looked as though he had endured many hardships in life.

"I don't know who you are, or why you know this place." I bit my lower lip, trembling again. "I cried here the night I lost my son."

"I know." He turned to face me. I didn't expect him to pull me close and wrap his arms around me, causing my tears to finally break through.

"I buried my son in this place. I was all alone in the heavy rain," I sobbed to him.

"You weren't alone that night, Celine. I was here. I just didn't approach you."

I was stunned by his revelation. I wasn't alone? That’s why I felt safe that night. I thought it was Ember’s presence, but it was Alaric.

I looked up, our eyes meeting. Overwhelmed by emotion, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. Alaric responded, his kiss tasting like fine wine. His scent was intoxicating. He nipped my lower lip gently—just enough to set my body on fire.

"Claim me, Alpha Alaric. Right here, with the moon and stars as our witnesses."

Without hesitation, I gave myself to him. Not out of sadness or a desire for revenge against Karl, but because it was what my heart truly wanted.

I made love to my mate.

************

I woke up in Alaric's room. After he claimed me at that place, he brought me to his home where we made love several more times. Do I regret giving myself to him? No. I didn't feel even a hint of regret.

"You're awake." Alaric stepped out of the bathroom with only a towel wrapped around his waist. I suddenly recalled just how blessed Alaric was in that part. I shook my head to clear the thought.

I cleared my throat. "Yeah. I need to go home; I have things to settle."

"I know you have questions, Celine." He walked toward me, causing me to step back.

"What are you afraid of, Celine? Are you afraid that I'm going to devour you—again?"

My cheeks burned and I knew I was blushing. "W-what? No. Yes, I have many questions, but I know you won't answer them anyway. So why bother?" I tried to keep my voice steady to hide my embarrassment.

"You're doubting me, and I know that. But one thing is for sure, I won't let anyone hurt you, Celine."

"Why are you protecting me?"

"Because you are my mate."

I couldn't respond. I knew there was more to it, but I didn't want to push him for the truth he wasn't ready to tell.

"That’s just what men do for women, right? We are supposed to protect you."

I was about to pick up the clothes I wore last night when he pointed to a large paper bag on a small table nearby.

"Use that. I had those bought so you’d have something to wear."

"Thank you," I replied, quickly changing.

"Drake called earlier. And I told him you were peacefully sleeping next to me."

"You... what—you said what? Oh my gosh!"

"I don't know how to lie, Celine." He simply smirked, leaving me stunned.

This man really is handsome! And I am proud to say he is my mate.

"I’ll drive you home, I need to meet with your father as well."

I simply nodded. Alaric wouldn't let me leave without eating first. I saw how much of a gentleman he could be, making it hard to imagine the dark side people attributed to him. He assisted me with every move until we were back in the car, driving toward the Moonfang Pack.

"Is it true?" I asked out of the blue.

"What exactly do you believe about me, Celine? I know you hear a lot of bad things about me, and I won't deny them. I am ruthless to those who have betrayed me, Celine. But everything I’ve done, I did for a reason. I don't want to make excuses just to make you believe I’m a good perso

n.”

“I want to hear about—”

"What to know about Karl’s mother?" he added, finishing my question. I nodded. "You think I'm the villain in his story because of his mother? Ask Karl about the accident eighteen years ago, Celine."