Betrayed By The Alpha: Unknown Twins

Step By Step

NATALIA

~~

As I stood in the kitchen, my hands busily chopping vegetables and stirring pots on the stove, my mind drifted to the events of the last few hours.

With each slice of the knife, a surge of frustration coursed through me. I needed an outlet for my emotions, a distraction from the thoughts that seemed to worsen my frustration with each passing second. And cooking, my lifelong passion, served as the perfect escape.

Glancing over my shoulder, my gaze landed on the living room where my twins, Davin and Davina, were engrossed in a cartoon on TV. Their giggles and animated expressions provided a welcome respite from the numerous thoughts that plagued my mind.

I cherished these moments, seeing my children happy and carefree.

But even as I focused on my cooking, memories of Derek and Rylan invaded my thoughts like uninvited guests at a peaceful gathering.

Seeing Rylan again had stirred things in me that I told myself I'd never feel again, and I hated that he still had that much influence over me, despite the fact that he betrayed and abandoned me in the worst way possible.

To top it off, the sudden engagement with Derek had caught me off guard, leaving me conflicted and uneasy. I had known him for years, assuming he was just a close friend, whom I was grateful to for saving my life, and helping me build myself.

How could he keep his true identity as the Alpha Prince concealed from me for so long and then, out of nowhere, propose marriage to me? And out of nowhere, just to prove a point, I accepted his proposal.

The door to the living room swung open, disrupting my thoughts. I instantly recognized Derek's familiar voice, filled with laughter and warmth, as he greeted the kids.

Their high-pitched squeals of delight confirmed his presence, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation. The timing couldn't have been worse; I didn't want to see Derek right now.

Setting down the knife, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to silence the storm raging within me. I reminded myself why I loved cooking so much, and how it was the only thing that could help me keep a positive mind at the moment.

Getting angry and irritated was something I didn't want to feel, especially not towards Derek of all people. But, I couldn't help myself. I was angry.

As I resumed my cooking, each movement became deliberate and deliberate. The clatter of pots and pans served as a rhythm, pushing away the thoughts of Derek and Rylan. With each sizzle, I found comfort in the sizzling sounds, grounding me in the present and keeping my mind from spiraling back to the thoughts I didn't want to dwell on.

But of course, even my passion for cooking couldn't completely drown out the irritation gnawing at me. I was upset with Derek for his silence about his royal lineage, upset with him for proposing in front of his father with no regard for my true feelings.

Our friendship had evolved into something more complex, and now I felt trapped, with no other choice but to accept his proposal. It was an engagement that technically happened without my consent and any discussion.

These thoughts fueled a determined fire within me, and I sliced the vegetables with precision, feeling the weight of my conflicted emotions lift, albeit temporarily. The aroma of garlic and spices filled the air, mingling with the sounds of bubbling pots.

Davin and Davina's voices grew louder, accompanied by the distinctive sound of Derek's laughter. Their genuine joy tugged at my heart, creating a small crack in my anger.

Perhaps, amidst all this chaos, there was a silver lining in the form of my children's happiness. They loved Derek, and I couldn't deny that he loved them just as much as they did.

Taking another glance at the living room, I saw their little faces filled with unadulterated joy as they interacted with Uncle Derek. Summoning all the strength I had, I shifted my focus back to the stove, accepting that these moments were not just about me. They were about my children too.

The door creaked open, announcing Derek's entrance into the kitchen. His presence alone was enough to stir something inside me, a combination of frustration, anger, and maybe even a hint of affection, but not the romantic kind.

I swallowed my pride, determined to put on a brave face for the sake of my children, pushing aside my own emotions.

"Hey, Natalia," Derek greeted me, flashing a warm smile that once would have made me feel safe. "You look amazing as always."

I turned to face him, the conflicting emotions simmering beneath the surface. "Hi, Derek," I replied, my voice tinged with a forced cheerfulness. "Dinner will be ready soon."

I tried my best to maintain composure as I heard Derek's voice again, concerned and apologetic as he broke through the silence. "Natalia, are you still upset with me?" he asked, his voice gentle yet laced with a hint of worry.

Denying my true feelings, I responded curtly, "No, Derek, I'm not upset. You can keep waiting with the kids while I finish up dinner."

Derek, perceptive as ever, refused to let my pretend indifference slide. "If you're still upset with me, Natalia, I would appreciate it if you just expressed your anger," he said, his voice carrying a plea. "I know I was wrong to hide my identity and propose out of the blue. But I did it because of how much I care about you."

I turned to face him, a mix of frustration and hurt etched on my features. I couldn't contain my glare as I asked him pointedly, "And how is lying to me caring about me, Derek?" My voice wavered, a hint of vulnerability seeping through.

Derek took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine for understanding. "I didn't want you to become too serious around me simply because of my status as a prince," he explained, his voice tinged with regret. "I wanted us to have a chance to build a genuine friendship, and for you to be comfortable with me, without the pressure of who I am."

His words struck a chord within me, stirring up conflicting feelings of anger and sympathy. "But Derek," I sighed, my voice weary, "how could you not see that your actions changed everything? By hiding such a significant part of your life, you took away my ability to make an informed decision, to choose whether I wanted this life with you. Now, I'm the woman who's engaged to the Alpha Prince from one day to the next."

He looked at me with remorse-filled eyes, his voice filled with regret. "I know, Natalia. I realize now that I should have told you sooner," he admitted, his vulnerability shining through. "I was afraid of losing what we had, and I thought if we got engaged, it would give you the chance to truly know me and how much I care for you."

"You know what? Arguing about it won't change anything," I murmured, a mix of resignation and acceptance in my voice. "We can't undo the past, so let's just drop it."

Silence hung heavy in the air as Derek absorbed my words, contemplating his response. After a moment, he spoke again. "Natalia, tell me how I can make it up to you," he said sincerely, his eyes reflecting a newfound resolve. "I'll do anything you ask of me."

His words caught me off guard, and for a moment, but I liked that he had said it himself that he'd do as I asked. "The only thing I want right now is for you to not speak about our engagement to the kids before I do," I said firmly, finally voicing the pent-up frustration I had suppressed.

I couldn't contain my reprimand as I continued, my voice tinged with reproach, "You mentioned it to them back at the palace, Derek. Now, Davin is calling you Dad." My voice shook, betraying the unease that had taken root in me.

Derek's expression softened, understanding dawning upon him. "But Natalia, I love it when Davin calls me Dad," he confessed, his voice filled with pride. "We are engaged to be married, and eventually, I will be their father. It doesn't bother me if they start calling me Dad."

His words stung, causing a fresh surge of discomfort to ripple through me. "But, it made me uncomfortable, Derek," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "It blindsided me, and I wasn't ready to process the implications of it all."

He reached out, his touch gentle as he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "I understand, Natalia," he murmured. "I'll be more considerate of your feelings. I won't speak about our engagement in front of them if it makes you uncomfortable."

Relief washed over me, mingling with the remnants of hurt. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice filled with gratitude. "It’s all just a lot to take in, for both me and the children, and I want to take things step by step."

A worried look creased Derek's face as his eyes drifted away, his confident demeanor momentarily faltering. Something had changed, and I couldn't help but feel a ripple of anxiety.

"What is it, Derek?" I asked, my voice laced with concern. "Why has your expression suddenly shifted?"

Derek sighed, his gaze refocusing on mine as he took a deep breath. "Natalia, I know you prefer to take things step by step," he began. "But my father has invited us to dinner tomorrow at the palace. And I...I assured him that we would be there."

I felt a knot tighten in my chest, my frown deepening. It felt as though my carefully constructed world was being tested, and I hated how sudden everything was.

"Tomorrow?" I repeated, disbelief coating my voice. "Derek, we've barely sorted things out. Why do we need to meet your father at this stage?"

Derek's eyes pleaded with mine, his voice betraying a hint of desperation. "Natalia, I understand your concerns, and I don't want to rush anything," he said earnestly, reaching out to grasp my hand. "But my father insisted, and I couldn't bring myself to decline. It's important to him, to us, that you and the kids join us."

My frustration intensified, mingling with a growing sense of helplessness. "But Derek, I'm not ready for this," I stated, my voice wavering. "I still haven't fully adjusted to the change in my life, and I can't drag my kids into this so soon."

"Natalia, I understand your fear," he reassured me. "But this dinner could be an opportunity for us to bridge the gap and show my family that we are serious about our future together," he said, and hearing him mention a future together with me, only worsened the unease I felt.