Chosen By Fate, Rejected By Hate

Chapter 9

Mavi Pov

A soft hand brushed against my cheek, but my eyelids felt far too heavy to lift. A thick, heavy darkness was pulling me down, wrapping around my mind like thick fog. I tried to fight it, tried to cling to consciousness, but my strength slipped away. In the end, I had no choice but to let the darkness swallow me whole.

"Mom!"

A bright, familiar voice snapped me awake like a jolt of lightning. My eyes flew open, and there in the doorway stood Moses, his face lit up with the biggest smile I had seen in so long as he ran straight toward me.

"Moses!" I gasped, hardly daring to believe my eyes. I pulled him tight against my chest, wrapping my arms around him as if I would never let go. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. "I am so sorry, Moses. I am so sorry I failed to keep you safe."

Moses gently pulled back from our hug and lifted his small hand to wipe away the tears rolling down my face. His touch was soft and full of kindness that made my heart ache even more.

"You do not have to say sorry, Mom," he said firmly but gently. "I know you never wanted Alpha Abner to take me away. And you know what? Everything turned out okay. Because now I finally found Dad." His eyes sparkled with pure joy, and I could see how much happiness filled his little heart now that he could finally call someone his father.

I lifted his hand and pressed it gently against my side, needing to feel his warmth close to me. "Are you truly not angry at me? For hiding the truth about your father from you all these years?"

Moses shook his head quickly, his expression full of understanding far beyond his years. "No, Mom. I know you must have had a very good reason for keeping it a secret. Whatever happened, I trust you. And now I am just happy that I finally have a dad too."

My heart swelled with so much love and gratitude that I pulled him into another tight hug, closing my eyes as I breathed in the familiar scent of my son. He was not just smart and kind, but so gentle and understanding. He had grown up to be such a wonderful boy, and I knew I was the luckiest mother in the world to have him.

A sharp, loud cough suddenly echoed from behind us, cutting through the quiet moment. I looked up and saw Alpha Magnus standing there, his face set in that familiar, unreadable serious expression.

"Let us discuss the agreement we talked about earlier," he said, his voice cold and flat. "Carrie!" he called out.

His secretary stepped inside right away. "Yes, Sir?"

"Take Moses out to eat first. His mother and I need to speak privately," he ordered. Carrie nodded and walked over to Moses, guiding him gently out of the room. I watched them go, my chest growing tight again as the door clicked shut.

"How did you manage to get Moses back from Alpha Abner so quickly?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity and worry. Alpha Abner commanded so many men, and I knew how proud and stubborn he was. He would never surrender Moses easily, not when he found out Alpha Magnus was his father.

Alpha Magnus looked at me with a sharp glint in his eyes. "Do you really think I cannot take back what belongs to me just because he has a few men? I have my own resources and connections far stronger than you know. I brought Moses back without even needing to draw a weapon. But do not be fooled. Alpha Abner will not stay quiet. He will not rest until he gets what he wants."

A cold knot of fear twisted in my stomach at his words. He was right. Alpha Abner would not give up so easily.

"Does that mean he will try to take Moses away from me again?" I asked, my voice trembling with worry.

"Do not fear for our son's safety," Alpha Magnus said firmly, his tone unwavering. "As long as Moses is with me, no one will ever dare lay a hand on him. I will make sure of that."

A small wave of relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by a heavier feeling when he spoke again.

"So now that your son is safe, are you planning to leave right away? From this moment on, I will take full responsibility for him."

It felt as though a giant hand had wrapped around my heart and squeezed hard. We had only just been reunited, and yet I was already being told I had to let him go. I could not imagine waking up every morning without seeing his face, or tucking him into bed at night. My fingers curled into tight fists at my sides, but no sound came out of my throat. It felt as though my voice had gotten stuck somewhere deep inside. I wanted to fall to my knees and beg him not to take my boy away, but I knew my words would not change his mind. I could see from the look in his eyes that his decision was final. No matter how much it hurt, no matter how heavy my heart felt, I had no choice but to accept it.

I took a long, shaky breath to steady myself before I spoke. "Please take good care of him, Alpha Magnus."

"He is my son too," he replied coldly. "You do not need to remind me of my duty."

"He likes to have stories read to him before bed," I rushed to say, every word feeling like a goodbye. "And he always wants a glass of cold milk at night. And please... I hope your future wife will treat him with kindness and love him as her own." There were so many more things I wanted to tell him, but I knew if I stayed any longer, I would break down completely. It was better to leave now while I still had the strength. "I will take my leave now." I stood up slowly and walked toward the door.

"You can come and live with us if you wish."

My hand froze right above the doorknob the moment I heard those words. I turned around slowly, looking at him in total confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You may stay in my home to look after Moses," he explained. "I know he will find it hard to get used to living with me alone. But there is a condition. You will live there as his nanny and nothing more."

I wasn't sure whether to feel insulted or grateful. The idea of being hired to care for my own child stung more than I could say. But then I thought of the alternative. Being separated from Moses completely. Being far away from him every single day. If being his nanny was the only way I could stay close to him, then I would take it no matter what.

"I accept," I answered quietly. "I will be his nanny."

"Very well," he said. "Once he grows comfortable with me, and you decide you wish to leave, you are free to go whenever you please."

Before I could reply, the door opened again, and Moses stepped back inside, his face still glowing with happiness.

"Mom? Dad? Are you done talking now?" he asked innocently.

"Yes, Moses. We are finished," Alpha Magnus answered. "We are going home now."

"Home?" Moses beamed brighter than ever. "To our house, Mom? Does that mean Dad is going to live with us too from now on?"

"Not our house, Moses," I corrected him gently, my heart heavy. "We will be staying at your father's house instead."

"Really?" Moses cheered, jumping up and down excitedly. "Hooray! Finally our family is together at last! Now I have both Mom and Dad! No one will ever tease me again for not having a father!"

Alpha Magnus and I looked at each other across the room. His expression was blank, and I had no idea what thoughts were running through his mind. I let out a quiet, shaky sigh. I had so much to prepare myself for as I stepped into his home. But the heaviest weight of all was the secret I still carried deep inside me. The truth that I was his destined mate, the one he had rejected publicly years ago. If he ever found out... would he throw me out without a second thought? Or would he hate me even more than he already did?

What will happen when the truth finally comes out? Will Alpha Magnus send me away forever, or will fate have one last cruel twist waiting for both of us?