lphas Second Choice novel Chapter 22

I slipped my phone away and nodded.

Kayla leaned forward immediately. “Then who is he? Which small pack is he from? If things are hard for you

two financially, Wesley and I can-”

Before I could reject her offer, Wesley suddenly cut in, voice low and severe.

“That’s enough, Kayla. You’ve crossed the line all day.”

He turned to me, jaw tight, Alpha pressure pushing through the air.

“Lauren, if you truly have a husband, why are you living alone in that abandoned estate? I checked earlier. There wasn’t even a pair of men’s slippers at your door.”

His perception was absurdly sharp.

“I don’t know who he is,” Wesley continued, pausing as if the words tasted bitter.

“But if he really is your mate…” His voice dropped to ice. “He’s not worthy.”

For a moment, I was stunned.

That old house was my mother’s place. Every year on this day, I returned to make a meal for her.

Years ago when the area faced demolition, it was my Alpha husband who traded a high–value piece of land

to keep the house standing.

There weren’t shoes in the entryway, but the entire plot of land was bought for me.

Whether my husband was “worthy” wasn’t for Wesley to decide.

Kayla forced a smile. “Why are you so worked up? Shouldn’t you be happy for her? Maybe she even has kids

now.”

Wesley didn’t spare her a shred of dignity. “Kayla, if you want to start a scene, go home.”

Her face stiffened, but she didn’t dare make another sound.

Dinner felt like sitting on a needle bed for both of them. I, on the other hand, enjoyed every bite.

When the meal ended, Wesley suddenly placed a gold card in front of me.

“There’s money inside. Take it. You don’t have to return anything. If it’s not enough, I’ll transfer more regularly.”

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I stared at the card, raising a brow. “Why give me money out of nowhere?”

“For what happened back then. I owe you.”

His tone was sincere, yet carried the force of an Alpha’s command, an expectation that I would accept his

compensation.

For a heartbeat, I simply felt… ridiculous.

Back then, he threw me out like a beggar. Now, with both of us married, he wanted to play savior. Absurd.

I turned the card between my fingers and suddenly said:

“If you’re serious, ask you and your mother to apologize a hundred times at my mother’s grave. Maybe then

I’ll see even a sliver of sincerity.”

Wesley’s expression darkened instantly, a violent furrow cutting through his brow.

I hadn’t expected him to agree anyway. I tossed the card aside and stood to leave.

He grabbed my wrist sharply.

“Take the money.”

His palm was burning hot, Alpha dominance searing into my skin.

“It’s for your own good.”

I slowly but firmly pulled my hand away. “Wesley, you’re crossing a line.”

His eyes reddened, emotions churning wildly beneath the surface.

“Let me drive you.”

I shook my head. “No. My husband’s coming to get me.”

I paused, added politely:

“Thank you both for dinner. I ate very well.”

And I had watched enough of the show.

Wesley had never been impulsive, not once. He had never lost control for love.

Whatever he showed today wasn’t affection. It was simply his nature breaking through, control, possession,

charity disguised as care.

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Kayla looked happy, but I knew better than anyone what kind of Alpha she had married.

I washed my hands in the restroom, then stepped onto the street to wait for my ride. Behind me, from the

alley, sudden shouting erupted.

“Why should I shut up?! How am I supposed to watch my Alpha care about another she–wolf? Do you even

care how I feel?!”

Kayla’s voice cracked with furious sobs.

“From the moment you saw her, you were no longer yourself. When she said she was married, your fists clenched so hard your nails nearly bled–don’t pretend I didn’t see it!”

“That card was from your private account. Even your mother begged you and you refused. But today, you handed it to her right in front of me! Wesley, what am I to you?!”

A sharp slap cracked through the alley.

I stopped walking. Wesley’s voice followed, low, brutal.

“You two were supposed to be like sisters. You stole the Frostfang Pack Luna position from her and now enjoy everything it brought you. Seeing her like this, do you feel anything at all?”

His tone dropped even colder.

“If you can’t tolerate giving her a little money, then when she learned the whole truth back then, how much

did she have to endure?”

“There is no future between her and me. Can’t you let her go?”

Kayla’s sobs turned small and broken, fear and shame mingled.

I listened, and only felt bored.

Until a familiar black stretch limousine rolled up in front of me. The door hadn’t even opened before a small boy jumped out from the back seat, barreling into my arms.