Chosen By Fate, Rejected By Hate

Chapter 20

Alpha Magnus Pov

My hands clenched into tight fists as I watched through the glass wall of the private bar room where Mavi sat with her friend Lotlot and two men I did not know. These past few days, David had told me Mavi now worked as Arthur Salvatore’s personal assistant. Seeing them together often gave me some comfort, knowing Alpha Abner would not dare make a move against her so easily. I knew Arthur well. We had met many times at gatherings, and he was always surrounded by trusted guards. Any fool would think twice before crossing him.

But my relief was tangled with guilt. I did not want Moses to grow to hate me if harm came to his mother just because I had cast her out of my home. My son barely spoke to me now. He had learned Mavi was gone, and nothing I did seemed to bring back his smile. I had faced countless battles and hard choices, but nothing hurt more than seeing my own child pull away from me. Apart from being with his mother, I did not know what could ever make him happy again.

And yet while Moses grieved, here sat his mother, laughing and drinking with strangers. I had expected her to be broken by our separation, to beg for a way back. Instead she looked as if she had already forgotten us.

“Lotlot can’t seem to find a decent man these days. She’ll take anyone who comes along,” Alex muttered with a scowl, his eyes fixed on the room.

“And you would have her choose who? You?” I raised an eyebrow. I had no idea Alex had once been Lotlot’s lover, a truth that only came to light when the two women were taken before.

“I haven’t cared for that fiery woman in years. Never again,” he insisted sharply. I only shook my head. It was plain as day he was jealous, too proud to admit he still held feelings for her.

Before I could reply, David returned after ending a call.

“The men with them are Ted and Ben,” he reported quickly. “Shane says Ted is the son of Lotlot’s mother’s friend. Ben is just his companion. This was arranged as a blind date by Lotlot’s own mother.” Shane was part of the Iron Pack, David’s partner, and secretary to Lotlot’s mother, so his words carried weight.

Just then the door swung open and Mavi stepped out alone. My brow furrowed at once. She walked unsteadily, as if already drunk, heading toward the restrooms. They had barely sat down. This was not right.

“David, go. Find out what is wrong and report back at once,” I ordered. He nodded and followed her.

“Those two have evil written all over them,” Alex said grimly. We watched as the man named Ben slipped out after Mavi, leaving Lotlot and Ted inside.

“Get ready, Alex. Looks like you may finally get the chance to play hero for your lady,” I said. He opened his mouth to answer, but David came running back.

“Ben dragged Mavi into an empty private room. He means to harm her!”

“Damn it!”

My blood boiled. I stood so fast my chair scraped the floor and stormed toward the room, leaving Alex behind.

“I’ll handle the one with Lotlot!” Alex called out, but I did not turn back. Nothing mattered but reaching Mavi.

David kicked the door open hard.

“You bastard!” I roared.

Ben was on top of her, kissing her neck while Mavi lay limp. Her eyes were half‑closed and she tried feebly to push him away, too weak to make him stop. I knew then. They had drugged her drink.

“Who the hell are you—”

I crossed the room in two strides and struck him again and again, until he could barely lift his head. Only when he slumped still did I step back. I went straight to Mavi and gently pulled her dress back into place, fixing every button Ben had undone.

“David! Drag him out of here. Make him tell us who sent him. And see to it he cannot hurt anyone ever again!”

“As you command, Alpha Magnus!”

David seized Ben like trash and hauled him away.

“Alpha Magnus?” Mavi whispered, her eyes fluttering open.

“It is me. You are safe now.”

I smoothed her hair and held her shoulders gently.

“I feel so hot… help me…” she moaned.

“Fight it, Mavi. I will take you—”

She pressed her lips to mine before I could finish. She kissed me with desperate hunger, her hands fumbling to undo my shirt.

“I need you… please, make love to me…”

“No, Mavi! Wake up! You do not know what you are asking.”

I bit back a curse, fighting every urge in my body. She was not herself. To give in would be to betray her trust, and I would never do that. I stood firm, trembling with effort, until I saw no other choice. With a heavy heart, I gently rendered her unconscious.

I stood over her still form, my mind in turmoil. Why did the thought of any harm coming to her tear me apart? Could I be falling for her? No. That was impossible.

I lifted her carefully into my arms and carried her out. Outside, Alex emerged with Lotlot, also unconscious. I shook my head at their carelessness. If we had not been there, tonight would have destroyed them both.

We brought them to Alex’s home to rest and recover. An hour later, David returned.

“Well?” I asked at once. “Did they confess who ordered this?”

“They did, Alpha Magnus. After I pressed them hard enough,” David said with a cold smirk.

“Who?” Alex demanded.

David glanced at me, hesitating.

“Speak,” I gritted out.

“It was Sonia.”

Silence fell over us. Alex and I stared at one another, too stunned to speak.