Five

I felt acute distress as I fiddled with one of my son's LEGOs, watching him play in his toy room. My entire body felt stiff, and a deep soreness settled into my muscles from Byron's maltreatment.

This was becoming unbearable, and my mind spiraled into irrational thoughts. My heart craved a break out of this abusive hellhole I called a marriage. I needed to escape from the cycle Byron had trapped me in.

I had found my mate. It was supposed to cause a lining of hope for me. My mate would never treat me like Byron did, and something in me believed he would cherish and save me from this misery. But, of course, the universe had played a cruel joke. My mate was Byron's brother.

Just my rotten luck.

If only Alex had more power than Byron. If only he could crush Byron under his heel and rescue me, take Valen, and give us a new life. But my hope was a mocking fantasy.

Apart from Valen, my life was a miserable, twisted mess. There was nothing good or remotely interesting about it. The only thing keeping me from escaping was my son. If I hadn’t had Valen, running away would’ve been easier. I’d leave without looking back, never having to face Byron again.

But I was stuck being Valen’s mother in this never-ending nightmare until he turned eighteen and could finally make his own choices.

Some people in my situation might leave their children behind just to save themselves. But I couldn’t. I'd never see Valen again the second I stepped out of this house. Byron would turn him against me and make him believe I was a heartless mother who abandoned her child.

I couldn’t let that happen.

When the nanny came to take over, I hurried out of the room and rushed to my bedroom to call my dad. My parents were the architects of this mess. Well, maybe not my dad entirely, but he certainly played his part.

Dad worked as a driver for Jacob Campbell, my father-in-law, and because he had been loyal to him for years—even saving his life once—Jacob gave my dad unrestricted access to the Campbell estate.

"Can’t you ask for something in return?" My mom had yelled at him. "You’re so slow, so damn content with being poor. If I were you, I’d demand money and connections for saving the Alpha's life. But no, all you do is smile like a fool and act grateful for the crumbs he throws your way."

"Leave me alone, Yolanda!" My dad’s roar had shaken the walls. "All you ever talk about is money. Every cent I make goes straight to you to run the family; still, it’s not enough. Why aren’t you out there like your friends, running businesses and getting things done? If it weren’t for Jacob Campbell’s mother building their empire, do you think they’d have a damn thing today?"

"Oh, please, spare me the motivational talk. You wouldn’t know a good opportunity if it slapped you in the face."

That memory twisted something in my gut, especially when I heard my name dragged into their argument.

"Alexis is almost eighteen, the same age as Byron Campbell. I heard they’re throwing a party. Take her there, let her meet him. Who knows, maybe Jacob will arrange a match. It would be a blessing if she married into that family."

I’d felt sick to my stomach. "Mom, what makes you think Byron would even glance at someone like me?" I had asked, knowing enough about Byron’s arrogant, spoiled personality from what I’d seen in the media. And funny, looking back, I hadn’t even known Byron had a brother. Strange how they kept Alex out of the limelight like some dirty family secret.

My mom had taken me to her designer friend, who inspired my fashion dreams, and she said, "Your mom’s right. Imagine being a Campbell. You’d never suffer again."

I wiped my tears as those memories flooded back. I’d never suffer again? Was this even life? Byron was a psychopath, and I needed out. I dialed my father, and he picked up almost immediately.

"Sweetheart, how are you? I was just about to call you."

"Dad, I’m leaving," I said, my voice shaky but firm. "I don’t care if Byron sends his boys after me. I’m taking Valen, and I’m leaving."

The panic in my dad’s voice came through loud and clear. The last time he tried to intervene when Byron mistreated me, Byron had sent his goons to beat him up.

"Lexi, please," he pleaded. "You’re putting yourself in danger. You can’t just leave."

"I can’t stay!" I yelled, my voice cracking under the weight of my desperation. "If I hadn’t listened to you and Mom—if I hadn’t gone to that damn party—I wouldn’t be in this mess. I am leaving, and no one can stop me!"

I could hear him exhale, likely pacing the room or rubbing his forehead. "And what about Valen? Remember what Byron said—you’d never see him again. Everyone’s scared of Byron, even his father. Think about it. What happens to me, your mother, brother, and sister if you run? He’ll come for us. He’ll use us to find you."

My heart sank because I knew he was right. But how could I live like this? "I can’t keep doing this, Dad. I just can’t. You’ve got to help me."

"Sweetheart, no matter what you think, Alpha Jacob won’t go against his son. He always sides with Byron. You know how they are. They protect their own."

"You knew that, yet you let me walk into this hell!" I snapped, furious and hopeless. He kept apologizing, but I wasn’t listening. Apologies meant nothing when my life was falling apart.

I hung up, went to my room, and collapsed onto the bed. My mind kept racing, but exhaustion finally took over, and I slept for five hours straight. When I woke, I felt oddly refreshed.

The peace didn’t last. Byron wasn’t home, so I savored the quiet, watching TV. The maid interrupted me, saying someone was downstairs to see me. I wondered who it could be since Byron didn’t allow visitors—especially not my family or friends.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"They want to see you," she said.

I told her to let them in, but I knew before they even stepped through the door. I could feel the bond—the pull that twisted my insides.

Oh my God. It was him. I wanted to run, but he’d already seen me.

"Are you going to keep running from me forever?" His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.

"You can’t be here," I stammered, turning around. Why did he have to look so damn good? "Please leave. You’re going to get me in trouble."

He didn’t leave. He stepped closer, each movement calculated until my back hit the wall.

"We’re mates, Alexis. Mates don’t avoid each other. They embrace the bond—or reject it."

"Reject me!" I blurted out, panic rising. "Your brother is my husband. He’ll never hear of this."

His finger trailed down my neck, making my skin burn. "You know what happens if we reject the bond."

"I don’t care!" I said, pulling away from his touch. "Leave me alone. We’ll have the rejection ceremony, and that’s that. My life is complicated enough without adding this chaos."

He stared at me with those intense hazel eyes and chuckled, amused by my act. "Can we at least talk? Understand why this bond can’t work?"

I sighed, moved to the living room, and sat on the farthest chair from him. He sat across from me, but his eyes never left mine.

"Why did you marry him? Were you that desperate you didn’t know what you were getting into?"

"You don’t know me!" I snapped. "You know nothing about me."

He looked at me, really looked at me, like he silently judged every choice I had made—especially marrying Byron. His disappointment felt like a slap, and the worst part? I couldn’t shake it off.

As much as I adored Valen, no one had forced me to keep him. Deep down, I should’ve done the right thing and gotten rid of the pregnancy before it bound me to Byron forever. But no, my mom had planned everything with her wicked scheming, practically jumping for joy when I told her I was pregnant.

And even though Byron couldn’t stand the sight of me, he accepted the pregnancy without question.

Speaking of the devil, Valen’s voice echoed from upstairs.

"Mommy, I’m coming downstairs!"