My Cruel Alpha

CHAPTER FOUR

ROMAN

I’m sitting in a loud bar, brooding. “How dare she ask me for a divorce?" I mutter to myself while staring at the bourbon in front of me. “The b***h thought I wouldn’t sign them?” I grabbed my drink and downed it in one go. Slamming the empty glass onto the table, I signaled the bartender for another. My mind raced with anger and confusion as I watched the amber liquid pour into my glass.

I was not going to let Katarina achieve her plans so easily. Katarina was manipulative and lying from the very beginning. I will not forget the events which led up to our so-called marriage.

Despite my current rage, a small part of me felt a strange sense of relief and hope. Perhaps this divorce would finally free me from the chains of a toxic relationship, allowing me to rebuild my life anew. I envisioned a future where I could be the Alpha without the constant shadow of deceit hanging over me.

When we "met" on my twenty-first birthday, she was eighteen. That little slut drugged me, and I woke up beside her in a hotel room. I knew she drugged me and taken advantage of me the minute I saw her. The morning after, I confronted her, demanding an explanation, but she played victim, claiming she didn't do anything to me.

I’ve hated her since that morning. Afterwards my father demanded I marry her. My blood boiled as I faced her, my hands trembling with a mix of rage and disbelief. Her wide, innocent eyes only served to fuel my anger further, making me feel trapped and betrayed. I could barely contain my fury, my voice shaking as I demanded the truth from her, all the while knowing I would never get the answers I sought.

Katarina must have begged my father to force me to marry her. She was the daughter of his gamma, she just wanted to be the Luna of the pack. The b***h entrapped me, she got the upper hand. He blackmailed me, threatening to take away my Alpha title if I didn’t marry Katarina.

I didn’t know some girls were so vile even at such a young age. My relationship with my father deteriorated rapidly after the coerced marriage. The trust and respect I once held for him were replaced by resentment and bitterness. His betrayal planted a deep-seated anger in my heart, making every interaction with him a painful reminder of the control he held over my life.

Katarina and I have slept together, but I’ve never felt a bond with her. Why would I mark a woman who wasn’t my mate or chosen by me to be my Luna? She didn’t deserve my mark. She's nothing but a wolfless w***e. Every moment spent with her felt like a prison sentence, filled with bitterness and regret. The very sight of her repulsed me, a constant reminder of my stolen freedom and the life I could have had. The mere thought of sharing a future with her made my skin crawl, leaving me consumed by an ever-growing sense of disgust and loathing.

Although I feel no connection to her, my wolf Raf shows tremendous affection for Katarina. I can't understand why Raf is so drawn to her when I can barely stand being in the same room. His affection for her only deepens my internal conflict. It makes me wonder whether there's something I'm missing or if my wolf simply sees something in her that I can't. This constant battle between my human disdain and Raf's undeniable fondness for Katarina leaves me feeling isolated from him.

It was only by chance that I was able to meet Layla. She is wonderful, gorgeous, and kind. When I asked her about the scar on her arm, my entire world changed for the better.

Layla saved my life as a child. During that she severely injured her hand. She saved me once and was on her way to saving me again. Our connection grew stronger with every passing day, each moment spent with her peeling away the layers of my bitterness. Layla's presence brought a sense of peace and understanding I had never felt before, filling the void left by Katarina's unwanted intrusion into my life. With Layla, I began to envision a future where love and choice shaped my destiny, not obligation and resentment.

While in the room fighting with Katarina, Layla overheard about the divorce and joined me at the bar. Layla's eyes widened in surprise, but a flicker of relief and hope quickly replaced her initial shock. She approached me cautiously, her expression mixing concern and elation.

"Is it true?" she whispered, her voice trembling with anticipation. I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of the moment. Layla's eyes filled with tears of joy, and she threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. Her embrace felt like a promise of a new beginning, one filled with love and freedom.

“Don’t worry about Katarina baby, she doesn’t deserve you.” Layla coos, running her hand up my thigh. She presses her body into me. “Be with me, Roman. I will be a better wife than she ever was.” She looks at me through her lashes.

Layla suddenly stands up and offers her hand to me. “Come with me baby.” Her invitation had a hint of seduction.

I take her offered hand and follow her, as she drags me through the crowded bar to the private room section. She takes one of the open rooms and pulls me inside with her.

Her sexy short dress is hugging her curves. I bite my lip and think of all the things I want to do to her. I gently push her down on the couch and slowly trail up her body. I inch closer preparing to take her lips with mine.

The anticipation builds as I lean in, feeling the warmth of her breath against my skin. My hands wander, exploring the expanse of her body, tracing the curves that her dress so enticingly outlines. I want to taste every inch of her, to feel her shiver under my touch and hear her whisper my name in the throes of passion.

Layla's voice breaks the silence, her breathy tone sending shivers down my spine. "Roman," she murmurs, "do you know how long I've waited for this moment?"

I pause, my lips inches from hers, and whisper back, "Layla, I've wanted you from the moment we met." She smiles, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pulls me closer, our lips finally meeting in a fervent kiss.

‘NO!’ Raf howls. 'She isn't our mate! This is not right!'