Betrayed By The Alpha: Unknown Twins

Want Her Back

NATALIA

~~

My breaths came in shallow gasps as I stood in the center of the room, feeling torn by the emotions running through my mind.

Derek loomed before me, his eyes burning brightly with a passion that sent shivers down my spine. On the other side, Rylan's presence was an unexpected wave, stirring the carefully constructed walls I had painstakingly built around my heart in all those years.

I shifted my gaze between them, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. Derek, with a desperate look in his eyes, reminded me of all his years of taking care of me and my children without ever forcefully asking for anything in return.

Rylan, on the other hand, stared at me, his eyes betraying nothing, as he stood like a ghost from the past—a painful reminder of wounds that never fully healed.

Six years ago, Rylan shattered my world, choosing my ex-best friend as his Luna over the lies she had cooked up for him. The pain had cut deep, leaving scars that time couldn't erase.

And now, fate had the audacity to bring him back, alongside a proposal from the last person I expected—a friend turned prince who suddenly confessed his alpha status with nonchalance, as though he hadn’t been lying to me in the past six years.

Derek's words reverberated throughout the large hall, every sound leaving its imprint on the fabric of my existence and causing my heart to skip several beats, but not in a good way. "Natalia, will you be my mate?"

My head spun as the question lingered in the air. I made an effort to speak up, but the bitter pills of rejection and betrayal stuck in my throat. Rylan's unreadable expression added to the suffocating atmosphere, trapping me in a whirlpool of conflicting emotions.

The courtiers and servants watched in a mixture of curiosity and anticipation as a hushed silence fell over the room. Derek's father, the Alpha King, watched the scene with an almost uninterested detachedness.

The decision I was going to make weighed heavily on me, threatening to shatter the pieces of my already broken heart.

"Derek..." I began, hesitating as uncertainty clawed at my insides.

His hopeful, bright eyes begged me to keep going. "Yes?" he prompted, his voice a low rumble.

I felt the need to get away since I was caught up in the moment and everyone was staring at me. However, I was stuck in this elaborate spectacle by my fate, so there was no way out.

"Yes," I finally conceded, the word leaving a bitter taste on my tongue.

A smile that resembled the sun peeking through storm clouds lit up Derek's face, and before I could fully comprehend what I'd agreed to, his lips claimed mine in a possessive kiss. The court erupted in cheers, a chorus of approval for the union of the Alpha Prince and his chosen mate.

The Alpha King stepped forward, his eyes appraising me with a hint of approval. "Congratulations, Derek and Natalia. May your union strengthen our pack and the territory at large.

Derek's hand found the small of my back and steered me in the direction of the cheering audience. The weight of his touch felt both possessive and unfamiliar, a stark reminder that I had just agreed to become a part of a world I never sought.

The scent of delicacies filled the air as we entered the palace's main hall, tempting my senses. There was a feast prepared by the palace staff, and a variety of snacks were spread out on the table.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of Davin and Davina, my beautiful babies, who were already engrossed in enjoying the endless snacks in front of them.

Davina, with her curls bouncing, was the first to spot us. With a delighted squeal, she dashed in Derek's direction, her small feet tapping the polished floor. "Uncle Derek! Uncle Derek!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his leg. "These are the best snacks ever! You have to try them!"

Derek chuckled, bending down to ruffle her hair. "Well, I'm glad you like them, Davina. Are you saving some for me?"

Davina's eyes widened in mock seriousness. "Maybe, if you say pretty please."

Derek was not even close to answering when Davin ran towards me, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "Mom! Mom! Can we stay here forever? This place is amazing, and there are so many snacks!"

His words tugged at my heart, and I crouched down to his level, my fingers combing through his curly hair. "Oh, sweetheart, we can't stay here forever. This is a special place, but our home is waiting for us."

Davin's expression fell, disappointment etched on his features. "But Mom, this place is beyond gorgeous—I have never seen anything like it. Can't we live here with Uncle Derek?"

I was moved by his innocence, but before I could say anything more, Derek shot back, his eyes gleaming mischievously. "You know, Davin, your wish might come true sooner than you think."

Davin's eyes widened with curiosity. "What do you mean, Uncle Derek?"

I shot Derek a questioning look, my intuition whispering that he was about to reveal what had just happened a few minutes ago. Left to me, I wouldn't tell my children at all because I didn't want to get their hopes up, but I knew they were going to find out sooner or later.

Derek, however, took the lead, a playful grin on his face. "Well, Davin, your mom and I were talking, and we thought it might be nice if your mother, as well as you and Davina, stayed here in the palace with my family and me."

Confusion flickered across Davin's face. "Stay here? In the palace? Are you being serious, Uncle Derek?"

Derek nodded, his gaze meeting mine. "Yes, Davin. You, Davina, and your mom could live here with me. How does that sound?"

A knot began to tighten in my stomach as Derek's words began to sink in. I jumped in, trying to distract Davin before he had time to process the information. "Davin, my love, Uncle Derek is kidding around. We have our home, remember? Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

Davin's expression shifted from confusion to disappointment. "Oh, but Mom, I want to stay here. It's so big, and there are so many cool things!"

Before I could respond again, Derek stepped in, his voice gentle yet firm. "Davin, we're serious. Your mom and I are getting married, and you and Davina will be with us, right here in the palace."

A stunned silence settled over us. I exchanged a glance with Derek, and my heart raced as I saw the uncertainty in Davin's eyes. I tried to mask my discomfort, urging Derek silently to choose his words carefully.

The fear of disappointing my kids by giving them the hope that they would now have a father and a complete family, only for things to go south, gnawed at me, and it made me wish I could just stop Derek from talking.

Davina finally broke the silence, her voice hesitant. "Getting married? Mom, is that true?"

I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Yes, sweetheart. Uncle Derek and I are going to be a family," I replied, basically forcing myself to say the words.

Davin and Davina’s faces were contorted with a mix of emotions. Before they could process the emotions they felt fully, Derek, ever the charmer, intervened. "And you know what, kids? As soon as we're married, this palace will be your home too. You can have all the snacks you want, and the servants will get you anything you desire. How does that sound?"

Davin's eyes sparkled with excitement, and in a burst of energy, he grabbed Davina's hand. "Come on, Davina! Let's go find the servants and tell them what we want! This is the life I’ve always dreamed of!" he squealed in his excitement.

With the twins racing off, Derek and I were left in the silent hallway.

"Why would you tell the twins so early?" I seethed, my eyes narrowing in frustration. "I've just learned you're a prince moments ago, and now I'm supposed to be your soon-to-be wife because of your sudden proposal? What on earth were you thinking, Derek, or should I say, Prince Nathan?"

Derek held up a hand in apology, the light of mischief in his eyes replaced by a more serious look. "Natalia, I apologize. My intention was not to surprise you. I just wanted to confirm things in front of my father. He doubted the sincerity of our relationship, and I wanted to prove him wrong."

"Confirm a relationship that never existed in front of your father? Derek, what nonsense is that? I can't believe the dumb things you're saying. This is too much, too fast."

Derek became more remorseful. "I understand, Natalia. It was rash, and I ought to have talked to you about it beforehand. But please, give me a chance to explain. I care about you, and I want us to make this work."

I took a step back as the reality of the knotted mess I had found myself in closed in around me. "I need space, Derek. I need time to think."

As I turned away, his hand reached for mine, but I was quick to pull away, needing distance from the chaos that had become my life.