Chapter 5

Kate’s POV

Judith’s words rang in my ear and it made me shiver, causing my fur to stand. I raced past the trees in the woods and it made me feel bad for causing the greens dizziness.

Why in the world do I have to be the one to be married off? If this so-called man is so wealthy enough to clear our debts why didn’t she just marry Jean off to him? At least they can freely leech off him without feeling guilty.

Tears laced my eyes heavily again. I have been crying nonstop, confused about where to begin. Judith might be a witch and Jean a devil, they are still the only family I have. And that house is more of mine than it is theirs.

It is my late father’s legacy. What kind of daughter would I be if I could not keep it? I inhaled deeply, feeling the air caught in my lungs. My wolf appears exhausted from the endless run. I have been doing too much of that lately. Sighing in resolve, I headed back to the house to call Lois. He is the only one that I can talk to in a moment like this.

As soon as he got my call, he said he would come to the house to see me.

“What happened? Why did you sound so down?” He asked, settling himself into the bed.

Without a word, I moved close to him and hugged him tightly. “Lois, I am about to lose my mind.” I wailed.

“Why?”

“Judith wants to marry me off.”

“For what reason?”

“My father had plenty of debts to pay to loan sharks. If we don’t pay up, the house will be taken away. Judith doesn’t want to lose the house, I do not want to either. The only way out that she found was me getting married to a man old enough to be my father. Even when I told her that I have a mate, she turned a deaf ear, asking me to find the money within three days or she would marry me off.”

“That is ridiculous. Why is she being so bitchy? She knows there is no way you can get that money on your own.”

My eyes watered again. “I don’t know what to do, Lois. I feel so lost.”

“Why not ask Dame?” He suggested.

“No, why would I do that? This is my cross to carry.”

“A cross that you definitely cannot bear alone. Dame is an Alpha and a CEO, and he loves you. There is no way he would fold his hands and let someone take you away from him. Moreover, he can afford to pay the money. I am sure it probably wouldn’t be noticed in his account that he took such money out. Just ask him.”

I shook my head in refusal. “I can’t do that. Won’t he think I am only with him for the money?”

“If he loves you, he will never think that. And trust that he won’t forgive you when he learns that you shouldered such huge responsibility and broke your mate bond. You and I know there is no way you can get that money within the next seventy-two hours.”

I took in a deep breath. Lois is definitely right. It sounds absurd to keep something like that away from the one I am planning to spend the rest of my life with. His phone rang loudly, causing Lois to curse under his breath.

“Martin is calling. I need to go now. I will talk to you later tonight. Bye, I love you.” Lois said quickly as he placed a kiss on my forehead and hurried off.

Jean let herself in as soon as he left. I don’t need a seer to tell me that she had been eavesdropping. For some unknown reason, Jean seems to covet everything that is mine. I can’t help but think that she might be a crackhead.

“What are you doing here?” I questioned, not bothering to hide my displeasure.

Jean scoffed with a devious look in her eyes. “Who do you think you are trying to avoid the marriage mum arranged for you? You ungrateful brat!”

She obviously wants to pick a fight, but I have no time for it. “If it is so desirable, why aren’t you taking my place?” I threw it back at her.

“You bitch! Do you think you are special?”

I rolled my eyes, getting up from the bed to leave the room for her, but my legs felt stuck all of a sudden. The floor shifted underneath me and without warning my body went limp with my eyes fluttering shut.

*********

“Pregnant? How the hell is she pregnant?” I heard Judith say from what seemed like a far distance as I tried to open my eyes.

“Stop raising your voice, please. She needs to rest.” A lady said. She had a lab coat on.

My eyes finally adjusted to what had felt like the blinding light not knowing it was the white walls. Judith noticed me and moved closer to the bed while the doctor excused herself. Jean lingered in the corner of the room glaring at me.

“W..what happened?” I asked in a coarse voice.

“I could ask you the same. You fainted, and I rushed you to the hospital, thinking something actually went wrong with you. Only to discover that you are pregnant. Who is the asshole that knocked you up? Are you trying to sabotage my plans?” Judith talked with all of her veins popping out. I fear she might burst into bloody shards.

My hand instinctively went to my belly protectively. Dame would be overjoyed at the news. “Alpha Dame Gruett is my mate and he got me pregnant.” I announced with a hint of pride.

Judith gasped. “That's a lie!”

“He will confirm it to you if you need proof right now. He is my mate.”

“How did a wretch like you get someone so powerful and wealthy?” She couldn’t help but show her fangs.

“It's the goddess’s doing,” I replied scratching my dry throat. Judith suddenly poured water out and handed it to me. I am indeed taken aback. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Judith beamed a bit too widely. “Why didn’t you tell me your mate was that wealthy? This means we wouldn’t need to worry about our debts again. It would all be cleared in no time. And with this pregnancy, we can get all that we want.” She cackled.

I blinked back at how she suddenly started making a togetherness statement. She is so odd.

“So, when will you tell the Alpha?” Judith asked.

My response hung in the air when Jean who had been quiet all through, stormed out of the room. Judith stared for a brief second and snorted.

“Just ignore her. Will you call the Alpha now?”

“Not now. He might be busy. I will text him.”

She clapped in delight. “That is so sweet. Why not rest your back? I will bring you some homemade meals. I will be back soon.” Judith said and hurried away.

I chuckled dryly. She really has a different attitude to her. My hand rubbed at my belly again. This should finally seal the deal between Dame and me. I am finally getting everything that I have ever wanted. And the thought of it makes me want to scream at the top of my lungs. I shouldn’t hesitate to milk this moment. Judith has no choice now.

***************

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Dame’s POV

“Your mate missed the coffee donation today, is she alright?” Lance asked as he walked into the office.

I scoffed in irritation. Kate does too much every time. She had been bringing morning coffee from her work to my office for weeks now. I wonder how her paycheck handles that.

“Her father just died, she is probably still mopping about,” I replied.

He gave a close look. “You don’t like her much do you? But it seems to me she is the longest you have kept to your side.”

“It's all just for fun. She means nothing to me,” I replied, grinning to myself at my latest scorecard. I had always heard that grieving girls are interesting to fuck. I have never known a grieving lady.

When Kate told me of her father’s death, I decided to test the theory and they were right. Her father must be cursing me out in his grave.

“You have lost your damn mind!” Lance growled, giving me a displeased look.

I chuckled dryly. “Why are you so affected by this?”

“You tell me. I have never heard of anyone who intends to play their mate just for sex. Do you even know how the mate bond works? Why would you sleep with her when you have no intention of claiming her?”

I shrugged not feeling any kind of guilt. “Because I just couldn’t pass up on her. And I must say, the sex has been worth it. She is creamy as hell.”

Lance dipped his finger in both ears to not hear me out. “You are pathetic. How will you get rid of her now?”

“That might seem a bit difficult. I have to bring all of this to a close before she becomes too attached. I can’t have anyone wailing after me all in the name of mate bond. I think I have had enough of her now. She has to leave.”

“You don’t know how glad I am that I do not have a sister.”

“But you do have a female cousin.” I retorted with a wink.

He groaned in frustration heading for the door only to stumble backwards as the door opened up unexpectedly with my assistant, Quadrick, and to my surprise a young lady struggling against each other.

“What is this nonsense?” Lance questioned.

Quadrick panted heavily. “I am so sorry sir. I told her she couldn’t come in, yet she forced her way in threatening me with her wolf. She claims you would like to see her.”

I laughed at how weak he sounded before turning my gaze to the lady. She seems familiar. Then it struck me that she is Kate’s stepsister. I noticed her during the funeral service. “To what do I owe this sudden visit? I do not like unwanted guests meddling in my space at all.” I said with a straight face. “And what is your name?”

“Jean, Kate’s stepsister.” She mused, shrugged Quadrick off, and took two steps forward squaring her shoulders. “You will like to hear what I am about to tell you.”

“And if I don’t?”

Jean smirked, unbuttoning her shirt halfway to show off her well-rounded cleavage, and replied, “You can throw me out yourself.”