Chosen By Fate, Rejected By Hate

Chapter 13

Mavi Pov

"And they lived happily ever after," I finished the fairy tale I was reading to Moses. He had asked me to read him a story again, even though I was slowly helping him get used to sleeping without one.

Ever since Moses and I moved into Alpha Magnus’ house, I have been gently trying to break that habit. I do not know how long I will be allowed to stay here. Once Sonia and Alpha Magnus get married, I am certain she will find a way to kick me out. And I know Alpha Magnus will never have the time to read bedtime stories to our son, not with how busy he is running his company.

I have already spoken to Moses about this. I explained that he should not keep insisting that his father marry me, because Alpha Magnus has his own life to lead. I told him we have no real relationship, and that I am only here to take care of him. Someday soon, I will have to leave too. But I promised him I would not go far, so I can still visit him often.

My son is very smart, so he understands our situation. Even though it clearly saddens him, he is trying his best to accept the truth.

I stroked his cheek gently and smiled as I watched him. Even at his age, he still looks so much like a peaceful baby when he sleeps. Moses had drifted off long before I finished the story. I pulled his blanket up securely around him and quietly left his room.

I went downstairs to the kitchen to drink some cold water, my throat feeling dry from reading. As I drank, my mind wandered to Alpha Magnus. I wondered if he had come home yet. We have been living under the same roof for weeks now, but I still do not know which room belongs to him. I never see him entering or leaving any door, and I feel too shy to ask Dayay or the other maids. I am afraid they might misunderstand and think something improper about me.

After I finished drinking, I turned to head back to my room. I was just stepping into the living room when the front door suddenly swung open. A handsome man walked in, grinning as he supported Alpha Magnus, who could barely stand straight from being so heavily drunk.

"Hi there. I take it you are Mavi, right? Moses’ mom?" the man greeted me warmly. "I am Alex Sanchez. Magnus’ best friend," he introduced himself. He carefully guided Alpha Magnus to lie down on the sofa, his eyes already half closed.

"What happened to him? Why did he get so drunk?" I asked Alex, frowning as I followed them across the room.

"We had a few drinks at my place for my birthday today. That is why he had too much. He gets drunk quite easily, so I only ever invite him to drink on special occasions," Alex explained quickly.

"Are you not going to take him to his room? He cannot possibly sleep comfortably on that sofa."

I did not understand why, but I found myself worrying about him. The space on the sofa was far too small, and he would surely wake up sore and uncomfortable.

"Do not worry. He will sleep it off and head up to his room once he wakes up later," Alex said with a casual wave. "By the way, Mavi, I am really glad to finally meet you. And I am very eager to meet my friend’s little boy too."

I simply gave him a polite smile and said nothing more. He seemed sincere enough, and I could see genuine warmth in his eyes when he spoke of meeting Moses.

"Well, if he will be fine here, then I will head up to my room now. Please remember to lock the door and the gate properly before you leave," I told him before turning toward the stairs.

Once I was back in my room, I lay down on my bed and tried to rest, even though I was not feeling sleepy. But no matter how hard I tried to clear my mind, the image of Alpha Magnus lying alone downstairs kept coming back to me.

Even if I tried to deny it, I could not help but worry. This house was always cold, and I knew he would be shivering lying there without any cover.

"Why are you even worrying about him?" I muttered to myself, feeling foolish. "He never thinks about me or treats me with any kindness. He does not deserve your concern."

My mind went back and forth for several minutes, debating whether I should just stay in bed or do something about it. In the end, my conscience won. I got up and opened the drawer where I kept my extra blankets and linens. I picked out a thick, warm one and carried it down to the living room.

He was still fast asleep. Even in his sleep, his brow was furrowed in that familiar frown. I stood there for a moment just looking at him. There was no denying how handsome he was. Even with that scowl on his face, it did nothing to hide his striking looks. It was no wonder Sonia was so infatuated with him.

My gaze drifted slowly from his eyes and nose down to his lips. Those lips I had kissed once before. As I stared, vivid memories of that heated night inside his car came rushing back, the very night that brought Moses into our lives. My face burned hot with embarrassment just thinking about it.

I shook my head vigorously and forced my eyes away from his mouth. I even gave my own cheeks a light slap as if trying to snap myself out of it. Why were those memories resurfacing now? I thought I had buried those feelings long ago.

I took a deep breath and stepped closer to tuck the blanket around him. I was just adjusting the fabric over his chest when his eyes suddenly flew open, and he reached out to wrap his hand firmly around my wrist.

"What are you doing, Mavi?" Alpha Magnus slurred, clearly still far from sober.

"I am just covering you with a blanket so you do not catch a chill," I answered nervously, unsure if he was even understanding my words. "Go to your room once you are feeling better," I added, trying to pull my hand away and leave.

But before I could step back, he tightened his grip and pulled me toward him until our faces were only inches apart.

"Stay," he murmured, his eyes half closed. Before I could pull away, he reached up and cupped the back of my neck, then pressed his lips against mine in a deep, passionate kiss.

My eyes went wide with shock. I tried to push him away, but his arms were surprisingly strong and held me firmly in place. I knew he was drunk and had no idea what he was doing. If I did not stop him now, I had no idea how far things would go. Desperate, I reached out until my hand found the edge of the flower vase sitting on the center table beside the sofa.

I grabbed it and swung it hard against the side of his head. His grip on me loosened instantly. I scrambled away from him as fast as I could and rushed back up the stairs to my room. I would just have to think of an excuse tomorrow when he asks how the vase got broken.

I did not feel guilty about hitting him. The wound would not kill him, and besides, he was a werewolf. It would heal in no time at all.