Rejected by Alpha, Mated to His Alpha King Uncle

Chapter 7: The Crystal Clear Betrayal

Chapter 7: The Crystal Clear Betrayal

(Vivian's POV)

I woke up with a splitting headache, disoriented as fragments of last night slowly pieced themselves together in my mind. The realization hit me with crystal clarity—my mate bond with Hadrian needed to end.

My eyes landed on an emerald ring sitting on the bedside table. It wasn't there before. I picked it up, examining the delicate stone that glimmered in the morning light.

"You're awake." Hadrian's voice startled me.

He sat down beside me, gently stroking my hair. His eyes were filled with rehearsed concern.

"I got you this," he said, taking the ring from my fingers. "Do you like it?"

I stared at the emerald, remembering the sapphire necklace I had wanted—the one he claimed was sold out.

"It's very pretty," I said, my voice neutral.

"I just bought it, and Uncle Lucian called me, saying you were at the bar." Hadrian slipped the ring onto my finger, his touch making my skin crawl. "Luckily, it was Uncle's place, and he protected you. If anything happened to you, I would go crazy!"

His words rang hollow. I forced a smile, thinking about Seraphina's social media post from yesterday. The expensive sapphire necklace gleamed against her pale skin—the very same necklace Hadrian claimed was unavailable.

Her caption burned in my memory: "Some she-wolves, no matter how hard they try, they can't get this special favor, but I can get it without any effort."

The blatant display of his preference stabbed deeper than any knife could. Eight years of devotion couldn't earn me what she received without trying.

My wolf whimpered inside me, as heartbroken as I was. I stroked the emerald ring, a poor consolation prize for a discarded mate.

Hadrian tenderly fed me breakfast, spooning venison stew into my mouth as if I were an invalid. His gentle ministrations might have touched me once, but now they felt like another performance in his ongoing charade.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, dabbing a napkin to my lips.

"Better," I replied, my mind working quickly. "Hadrian, I've been thinking..."

He looked at me expectantly, his hand resting on mine. I steeled myself and continued.

"We should invite Seraphina for a meal."

His eyes widened in surprise, quickly replaced by poorly concealed excitement.

"Really? You want to invite her here?" He tried to sound casual, but I caught the eager undertone in his voice.

I nodded, watching his reaction carefully. "Call Seraphina back for dinner. After all, we've been together for eight years, and she needs to eat something nutritious for the pup."

Hadrian's face lit up like a child receiving an unexpected gift. He squeezed my hand, completely oblivious to my scrutiny.

"That's very generous of you, Vivi. I'm sure she would appreciate it."

He left shortly after, claiming pack business but unable to hide his eagerness to share the news with Seraphina.

As soon as the door closed behind him, I reached for my phone and dialed a number I'd saved months ago.

"Jasper Hayes speaking," a clipped voice answered.

"This is Vivian Sinclair. I need your services today."

There was a brief pause. "I'll be there within the hour, Luna Blackwood."

I ended the call and began preparing for what would come next. The stage was set—all the players would soon be in position.

True to his word, Hadrian returned with Seraphina that evening. Her eyes darted nervously around our den, a mix of caution and poorly disguised envy evident in her expression.

"Thank you for inviting me, Luna," she said, her voice dripping with false gratitude.

I smiled pleasantly. "Please, make yourself comfortable."

Hadrian hovered attentively by Seraphina's side, pulling out her chair and asking repeatedly if she needed anything. His behavior was that of a mate caring for his pregnant she-wolf—not a pack sponsor concerned for a charitable case.

"Would you like some water? Are you comfortable? Is the temperature okay for you?" His questions came in rapid succession.

I observed silently, seeing their interaction through new eyes. The tender looks, the subtle touches, the unspoken communication—it all confirmed what I already knew.

As I watched them, a disturbing thought crossed my mind. Hadrian had a weak wolf seed—a condition we had learned about early in our relationship. The pack healer had told us privately that conception would be difficult, possibly impossible.

Yet here was Seraphina, prominently pregnant. If the pup was truly Hadrian's, it would be nothing short of miraculous.

I decided to keep this knowledge to myself. Let Hadrian remain ignorant of the truth. It seemed a fitting punishment for his betrayal.

"Your home is beautiful," Seraphina commented, her hungry gaze taking in the expensive furnishings. "So much nicer than my little apartment."

"Thank you," I replied evenly. "Hadrian, why don't you show Seraphina around?"

He jumped at the suggestion, eager to parade through our den with his mistress. I followed at a distance, watching how her fingers trailed possessively over our furniture, our artwork, our life.

Her eyes lingered on every luxury item, mentally cataloging what could soon be hers. When we reached the main living area, she turned to Hadrian with a coy smile.

"Alpha Hadrian, can you take me to the bedroom and have a look?" Her voice dropped to a seductive whisper. "I really want to know what your den is like, is it softer than mine, and is it more comfortable to sleep in than with me."

Hadrian glanced nervously in my direction, but his desire to please her was obvious.

"Just a quick look," he agreed, leading her up the stairs.

I stayed behind, counting silently to ten before following them.

Outside our bedroom door, their voices carried clearly to my enhanced hearing. My wolf whimpered inside me, distressed by the intimate tones they shared in our private sanctuary.

"This bed is so much bigger than yours," Seraphina giggled.

"It's the standard Alpha bed," Hadrian replied, his voice husky.

"I bet I'd look good lying here," she teased. "Don't you think?"

"You'd look good anywhere," Hadrian murmured.

Unable to bear another moment, I pushed the door open. They sprang apart guiltily. Seraphina was sitting on our bed, her hand resting on Hadrian's thigh. His arm had been around her waist.

Rage threatened to overwhelm me, but I forced myself to remain calm. Cora, my wolf, howled in agony at the betrayal of our mate bond.

Hadrian scrambled to his feet, his face flushed with guilt. "Vivi! Don't misunderstand, Seraphina wasn't feeling well, I just helped her up to rest for a while."

The blatant lie hung in the air between us. Even Seraphina had the grace to look embarrassed by such a transparent excuse.

"Dinner is ready," I said calmly, surprised by my own composure. "Shall we go downstairs?"

Confusion flickered across Hadrian's face. He had clearly expected tears, accusations, a scene—anything but this eerie calm.

He approached cautiously, reaching for my hand. "Vivi, I—"

"We shouldn't keep our guest waiting," I interrupted, turning toward the stairs.

As we descended, I could feel Hadrian's growing unease. His nostrils flared as he caught the scent of my barely contained anger, mixed with something else he couldn't quite identify.

Resolution. Finality. The end.

Jasper Hayes waited in our entrance hall, his attorney's briefcase in hand. His perfectly tailored suit and expressionless face revealed nothing of his thoughts.

Hadrian stopped abruptly at the sight of him. "What's he doing here?"

I gestured for Jasper to approach. He opened his briefcase and removed a document, placing it on the hall table.

"This is a Severance Contract," I explained, picking up a pen. "It effectively terminates all financial support to Seraphina Miller, effective immediately."

I signed my name with a steady hand and pushed the document toward Hadrian. His eyes widened as he read the terms.

"Regardless of whether it was me or you who provided the financial support, it falls under our mate bond shared property," I continued calmly. "From now on, if funds are transferred from your account under the guise of sponsorship, I have the right to reclaim them through pack law."

Hadrian stared at the document in disbelief. Seraphina's face drained of color as she realized the implications.

"Luna, did I make you angry?" Seraphina immediately adopted a pitiful expression, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry, please don't stop sponsoring me, okay? If Alpha Hadrian doesn't take care of me, the pup and I will have nowhere to rely on..."

Her performance was masterful—voice breaking at just the right moments, tears falling prettily down her cheeks. She clutched her belly protectively, using her pregnancy as both shield and weapon.

I remained unmoved by her display. In another circumstance, I might have pitied her desperation. Now, I found it absurd that Hadrian fell for such obvious manipulation.

"Please understand," I said coolly, "your financial relationship with the Blackwood family is terminated."

Seraphina's tears suddenly increased. She doubled over, clutching her stomach more dramatically.

"My pup," she gasped, her voice rising with calculated hysteria. "I feel pain. My pup is in danger!"

Hadrian was instantly at her side, supporting her weight as she leaned heavily against him.

"What have you done?" he snarled at me, his eyes flashing with anger. "Vivian, do you really want to force her like this!?"

He wrapped his arms protectively around Seraphina, his wolf scent marking her instinctively. The gesture created a stark visual—Hadrian and his pregnant mistress on one side, me standing alone on the other.