Chapter Four

My heart raced as Maximo's voice from the other line seem to echo through the living room. Despite my trembling hands, I remain my composure to answer while my voice quivered as I called his name.

His words were sharp, his tone colder than ever. It was clear he was angry, but I couldn't bring myself to care anymore.

I had endured enough pain from the previous night, not to mention the indifference he have shown towards me earlier.

I cooked for my husband and his mistress! Any person who is in the right mind would not do such a thing.

How could they?

"I said, where are you?" his question is demanding, his voice cutting through the silence between the lines.

My eyes look around unable to answer him.

I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. My mind raced, a million thoughts colliding, but I found myself unable to form a coherent sentence.

If I tell him where I am, he will go ballistic, I am certain. He could not know that I am inside Heart's place. He may cause huge trouble and I could not allow him to do such a thing.

"Lewiston," he muttered once more when I kept my silence.

I sensed Heath's presence coming near me, his steady gaze fixed on me.

He put the tray he was holding from the kitchen and then stand in front of me.

Heath may not say it but he seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.

Without a word, he reached out and took the phone from my hand.

My eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by his audacity.

"Maximo," Heath's voice was calm, unwavering. "She's with me, and she's fine." He said while staring down at me.

I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. Heath's audacious move left me speechless.

Maximo's anger was palpable, even through the phone. I watched as Heath listened, his expression unchanging, his demeanor resolute.

I wanted to take the phone from his hold and apologize to Maximo instead; and promise to go back home but Heath ended the call already. His actions asserted a sense of control that I had never seen before. I stood there, stunned, still holding the phone, my mind spinning. Heath turned to me, his gaze gentle yet firm.

"He can't hurt you, Cza," Heath's words were a balm to my wounded soul. "You're safe here."

I blinked back tears, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions. Heath's unwavering support was a stark contrast to the pain Maximo had inflicted on me. Without a word, Heath guided me to the kitchen, away from the vibrating phone that still echoed Maximo's desperate attempts to reach me.

In the kitchen, Heath went back to the living room. After a few seconds he came back with the tray he had earlier and began preparing tea, his movements methodical. I watched him, still reeling from the whirlwind of emotions that had enveloped me.

As the kettle hissed and steam billowed, I found my voice.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Heath turned to me, his eyes meeting mine. There was a kindness in his gaze that I had never seen before.

You see, all my life he hasn't shown any concern towards me. He was always been the stoic one, who just nods his head whenever I am with Heart.

His sister may be my best friend but we don't share a long conversation.

Not until today. I broke down in front of him...and he offer his shoulder for me to lean on.

My eyes are glued on him as he leans on the counter with a serious demeanor before sighing. "Because you needed someone to protect you," Heath replied simply, his tone gentle yet resolute. "Maximo doesn't have that right over you."

"He's my husband..."

He nods his head. "But he doesn't act one." Heath turns his back to me with his shaking head. "Didn't know werewolves could be this asshole too." His last words came out as a whisper yet I clearly heard it still.

A tear slipped down my cheek, making Heath look at me. For the second time, he sigh and reached out, his fingers brushing it away. "Didn't know you are this crybaby."

At that moment, I felt a warmth spread through my heart, a newfound sense of safety and belonging that I had been yearning for the past few weeks.

I had no one except for Heart to speak about my rants and cries, not even my brothers who protected me all their lives.

After the wedding last month, I stopped seeing them for fear of breaking down and going honest about my situation.

I simply do not want them to worry.

"How did you even agree to this kind of arranged marriage agreement?" Heath's sudden question was soft, curiosity evident in his eyes.

I sighed, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation. "It was my father's decision. He thought it would save our family's business."

Heath's brow furrowed, sympathy crossing his features. "And Maximo? Why did he agree?"

I looked down, the painful memories of Maximo's indifference flooding back. "For appearances, I suppose. He has to marry before he can have the title of being an Alpha. And..." I trailed. "He doesn't care about me, about us."

Heath's gaze held mine, a mixture of understanding and something else I couldn't quite decipher. "You deserve better than this, Cza. You deserve to be loved and cherished. Cze never let a fly lay on you and now you let that man have control over you? That's bullshit, Cza."

I bit my lower lip.

That's what I was thinking too. I still can remember how the news bombed my whole life that day.

Father was so desperate and helpless, Mother was left at Montenegro's Pack to make sure that our father would oblige to Jackson's conditions.

And I was left with no choice.

That man. He may be my Dad's best friend, but an Alpha is always an Alpha.

Cunning, deceitful, regardless of whom he is dealing with.

That night, I once hope that I did not come back.

Two months earlier…

I stepped into the familiar embrace of our family home, the sounds of heated arguments emanated from the living room. I just came from the comfort of my cabin in the woods after a month of destressing but the heated conversation surprises me. Curiosity and concern gripped me, and I rushed to see what was going on.

Cly and my dad stood opposite each other, their voices raised in frustration and anger. They seemed to be at odds over a decision that would impact our family's business.

"Dad, there are other ways to save the company! We don't have to go through with this arrangement!"

"I've already signed the agreement, Cly. It's the only way to secure our future…" he trailed. “They gave me the money but your Mother has to stay with their clan until the marriage will come to place.”

Confusion gnawed at me as I listened to their heated exchange. I couldn't fully grasp the situation until my dad saw me standing on the threshold with a bag of books I bought earlier.

Dad looks so serious but I can clearly see that distress on his face.

"Cza, you're back," he called.

"Dad," I responded and walk straight to him.

He gave me a peck on my cheek before I stand on the side, feeling the heavyweight of this conversation that is going to happen.

My heart pounded, and I felt a sense of foreboding in the air.

Dad sighed after a minute of silence.

"I've made a decision to save our company. We will be merging with my best friend Jackson's business. And to seal the deal, Cza, you are going to marry his son, Conri Maximo Montenegro."

Shock and disbelief filled the room as the weight of my father's words settled over us without any second thoughts.

What happened to the company? Marriage? And to a man I barely knew?

I was stunned, unable to find the words to express the turmoil inside me.

My mind raced, trying to process this unexpected turn of events. The whispers of destiny had led me to this moment, and I couldn't help but wonder if fate was playing a hand in my life once again.

The mysterious man with watery grey eyes haunted my thoughts, and now, a new path was being laid out before me.

"W-What?"

"I am sorry, Cza, but I assure you, this won't be as hard as it looks."

At that moment, I knew that my life was about to change in ways I could never have imagined. Uncertainty loomed ahead, and I could only hope that whatever lay on the horizon would lead me to answers, understanding, and, perhaps, even love.

From that moment, for the first time in my whole life, they left me with no choice.