The Billionaire Alpha's Secret Empire

Violet's POV Enough is enough, Dad!I shouted, my fists clenched at my sides, as I faced my father. Anger coursed through me, mixing with fear, making my voice shake. Every word felt like it was tearing me apart inside. You are going to marry him, or you will lose everything! He snapped back, his eyes blazing like he could burn a hole right through me. His face twisted with anger as he got closer, his body tense, like a coiled spring. You will marry him. You have no say in this matter, he said in a harsh tone. I can't marry someone I don't love! I've never even met him before! I shouted, my desperation rising. I wanted him to understand, to see how wrong this was. His lips curled into a hard line. You will marry him, and you have no say in this matter! There's always a first time for everything, he barked, the finality in his tone sending chills down my spine. I felt the heat of rebellion in my chest, pushing me to stand tall. No! You won't have your way. Not this time. I turned on my heel and marched away from him, determined to escape this nightmare. But then the voice of my stepmother, Kiana, sliced through the air. If she doesn't agree, then we will stop paying her mother's bill. I felt my heart drop straight into my stomach. "What bill? What had happened to my mother?" I faced my father again, dread pooling in my gut. Your mother has been marked by sickness, my father said, his voice cold and unyielding. No, it can't be! I shook my head furiously, refusing to believe what I had just heard. My mother had been fine when we last spoke just days ago. Perhaps this was just a trick to force my hand, a ploy to make me agree to this forced betrothal. If this is your way of plotting to make me marry someone I don't know, you are worse than I imagined, I spat, angry tears brimming in my eyes. I searched his face for any hint of compassion, any sign that this was a lie. But he just stood there, frozen in determination. My heart sank deeper. I shot Kiana a look of contempt, anger and dread coursing through my veins, then burst out of the room. I still can't believe she just stood there, a triumphant smirk on her face, like she had won a world chess championship. As I stepped outside, I jumped into a taxi, with a destination in my mind. My mind raced with fear for my mother's health. I couldn't let my father control my life—or hers. I pulled out my phone, desperate to reach her, but only found the irritating beep of a voicemail message signaling the number wasn't available. Please, Mom, pick up!I whispered, panic gripping me. If my mother really needed help, I would do anything to save her. Not when did I know I had a chance of saving her. She had gone through enough pain for her to die just like that. She had suffered enough already. Memories of my childhood flooded my mind. I could still see her pleading face as she had been thrown out by my father. I was just a little pup back then, my heart aching as I watched the only person who had ever truly cared for me disappear from my life. My mother always told me to stay strong, that things would get better, but they hadn't. And now, with Kiana in the picture, everything has only got worse. I gave up all hope of my mother returning to the house when Kiana moved in a week later pregnant, with my father showing her all the care and adoration. I had endured it all, the humiliation and bad treatment from Kiana who would stop to make sure I was unhappy. The cab driver's voice snapped me from my thoughts. Are you okay?he asked, glancing back at me. I quickly wiped my tears away and nodded. Yeah, sorry. Why are we stopping? I asked, my mind still racing. Well, we're at Wall Street, ma am, he replied. As I alighted from the cab, I didn't know how I would face Dylan about the bonding predicament I now found myself in. I could picture the disappointment on Dylan's face, In my mind and that definitely left a sadness in my soul. I met Dylan in high school. I was rushing to the library, books in hand, when I collided with someone in the hallway. He was the first to apologize, then I realized he was a gentle wolf. My eyes met piercing blue ones, framed by blonde hair. He helped me gather my scattered books and stretched out his hands in a friendly manner: "Dylan." He smiled. We exchanged a few awkward words. "Are you new here?" he said. "Yes, first year," I had replied shyly. He gave me a bookmark with his number on it. "In case you need help finding your way around," he said, winking. I brushed it off as a cute meat, no idea he was my fated mate. He showed me around the pack where my high school was located, and I discovered he was a son of a Prominent Gamma in Lockwood. That was the start of everything. Dylan was my bonded mate of three cycles now, and I didn't intend to rip his heart out like that. He will feel pain, and he may take revenge. My thoughts were messy as I took the last turn to his home and I vowed I'd never submit to my father's will of marrying a stranger. Not when Dylan was my fated mate by the moon Goddess. I walked towards his house, dread settling in my stomach. I couldn't imagine facing him with the awful news. My father's demands sat heavily on my heart, and I feared the disappointment that would paint Dylan's face when I told him I might be forced to marry another wolf—someone I didn't know. Would he hate me for it? Would he feel betrayed? I couldn't reject him like that just to please my father. I'd endured enough dominance, and I'd stand firm this time, no matter the circumstances. If my mother truly needed the Healer's touch, I'd use my stash, and if that wasn't enough, I'd hunt for more. I pushed open the door, and a she-wolf's scent hit me like a snarl – a familiar shoe lying abandoned. What is a woman's shoe doing in Dylan's living room? I racked my brain, trying to pluck the scent, but it slipped my mind like a rabbit in the tall grass. Was Dylan playing on the field? Cheating on me? I smiled, thinking I was probably getting really anxious. Dylan wouldn't betray me like that. His living room was a mess, though. And as soon as I stepped in the passageway, a familiar musk hit me like a gut punch. I knew that scent was like my own pelt. I howled his name, but silence answered. I made my way down the hallway toward his bedroom, my gut twisting tighter with every step. And then, as I yanked the door open, I felt my entire world shatter. A scene happening before my eyes. I stared at the two sweaty bodies that were right in sync having a go at each other and a tear dropped my cheeks. I remained standing there, my mind blank as I desperately hoped I wasn't witnessing this scene that was happening right before me. I pinched myself hard, hoping it was all a nightmare and I would wake up in my bed, but that didn't happen. "Dylan!"I yelled. My shrill voice must have shot through the room as Dylan immediately sprang up from the bed, disentangling from Freya who only had an evil glare at me as she covered her naked body with the bedspread. Violet I..."Dylan was saying, but I cut him off. My wolf snarled angrily I sniffled a tear as Dylan quickly put on his shorts, "How could you do this?"I sobbed, my voice quavering. "Violet, please hear me out!" he said, moving closer to me. He took another step forward, reaching out for my hand, but I stopped him instantly. "Don't come any closer!"I snapped and pulled out my hands and halted Dylan from coming closer. "Leave her, the b***h is not worth it,"Freya sassed, throwing me an evil glare. I suddenly felt a lump forming in my throat and my heart heaving with pain from Freya's betrayal. I had known Freya to be vile and always competitive towards me, but I didn't imagine she would be this mean. I didn't imagine that my stepsister would betray me this much. I saw the smile that now crept on Freya's face, and it dawned on me just how much she hated me. I turned away, trying to hide the tears that brimmed in my face. Then I looked right into Dylan's face, gave him a hard glare before storming out of the room, slamming the door angrily.