My Fated Alphas Cruel Game novel Chapter 2

2 Chapter 2 Bound in Shadows

Elena’s POVO

Alpha Marcus remained frozen in his chair, his piercing gaze locked onto mine for what felt like hours. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken tension. I couldn’t decipher the storm brewing behind his dark eyes.

Eventually, he rose from his chair with calculated precision, circling his mahogany desk like a predator. His movements were deliberate as he smoothed down his impeccable suit jacket, pausing briefly to catch his reflection in the glass cabinet door. Even in this moment, his vanity couldn’t be contained.

He positioned himself directly in front of me, leaning casually against the desk’s edge. The proximity made my skin crawl, yet I forced myself to remain steady on my feet.

“You were already aware,” I stated, breaking the suffocating quiet.

“I’m twenty–four years old. Naturally, I was aware.” His response was clipped, matter–of–fact.

“Yet you never mentioned it,” I pressed.

“I discovered our mate bond when I turned eighteen. You were merely twelve years old. What did you expect me to do? March up to a child and declare her the future Alpha’s mate? Besides, keeping quiet proved to be the wiser choice.” He ran his fingers through his perfectly styled hair.

“Why is that?” The question escaped before I could stop it.

“Because no one can discover we’re mates. Your ranking in this pack sits below even the omegas.” His words cut through me like shattered glass.

“And whose responsibility is that? You and your family abandoned my mother and me the moment my father died. He died protecting your father, if you’ve forgotten.” The bitterness in my voice surprised even me.

“Watch your tone with me, girl. We’re not here to dissect ancient history. We’re here to establish the rules moving forward. Sit.” He gestured toward the chair with the authority of someone accustomed to immediate obedience.

I forced myself to move closer, holding my breath as I passed within inches of him. His scent threatened to overwhelm my senses, but I refused to show weakness. I settled

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2 Chapter 2 Bound in Shadows

into the cold leather chair, my spine rigid.

He returned to his throne–like chair behind the desk, carefully unbuttoning his jacket before sitting. Even that simple action was performed with theatrical precision.

“Can we expedite this process? I need to return to class,” I said, desperate to escape this suffocating office.

“Expedite what, exactly?” Confusion flickered across his features.

“The rejection.” The words tasted bitter on my tongue.

“I never indicated I would reject you.” His statement knocked the wind from my lungs.

“I don’t comprehend this. You just admitted you’re relieved nobody knows about our bond. So why wouldn’t you reject me?” My mind reeled, trying to process his logic.

“Because rejecting a fated mate brings catastrophic consequences. It’s an insult to the Peak Goddess who orchestrated our pairing. She must have her reasons, though I cannot fathom what they might be. Given this pack’s troubled history, I refuse to invite bad fortune upon us.” His explanation felt rehearsed, calculated.

“So what happens now? You’ll acknowledge me as your mate and future Luna?” Hope crept into my voice despite my best efforts.

“Absolutely not. Nobody will ever learn of our connection. I won’t reject you, but you won’t be moving into the packhouse. We won’t behave as a couple in any capacity. If Alpha duties require your involvement, I’ll notify you. Otherwise, we maintain complete distance.” His words crushed whatever foolish hope had begun to bloom.

“While you continue parading around with your artificial girlfriend to maintain appearances?” I couldn’t hide my disgust.

“Precisely. I’m pleased you understand the arrangement.” His satisfaction made my stomach churn.

“I never agreed to anything. What prevents me from exposing the truth?” I challenged.

“Who would believe such an outrageous claim? Even if someone did, I’d simply deny it. They’d despise you for fabricating lies about their Alpha.” The smugness in his voice was unbearable.

“And what about my future? Am I supposed to remain on standby for the rest of my life? What if I want to attend college after graduation? What if I refuse to accept the same dead–end existence my mother has endured?” My voice rose with each question.

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2 Chapter 2 Bound in Shadows

“You have several months remaining until graduation. We’ll revisit your options then. For now, you understand the terms of our arrangement. You may leave.” He dismissed me like an unwanted servant, already reaching for his pen to resume his paperwork.

Shock numbed my limbs as I stood and walked toward the door. My hand trembled slightly as I turned the handle.

Viviana stood in the hallway, her presence immediately assaulting my senses. Her dress clung to her body like a second skin, barely covering what decency demanded. Her makeup was applied with the subtlety of a paint roller, and her ridiculous heels still left her shorter than me. Her artificially curled hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves.

“Darling, why are you wasting precious time with this garbage?” she purred as Marcus appeared behind me.

“Just another school altercation,” Marcus replied smoothly.

“We’re already late for lunch. You promised to take me shopping in the city. The drive alone will take an hour.” She pouted like a spoiled child.

“I apologize, sweetheart. Give me one moment, then we’ll leave. Elena, we’ll continue this discussion later.” Marcus’s dismissal was final.

I refused to dignify his words with a response. Instead, I walked down the hallway with as much dignity as I could muster, heading straight for the exit.

The moment I stepped outside and descended the front steps, oxygen finally filled my lungs again. I stood there, drawing in deep breaths of fresh air, trying to cleanse myself of that toxic encounter.

Beta Hugo emerged onto the veranda, his eyes finding mine immediately. For a brief moment, something resembling sympathy flickered across his features. But I dismissed the notion immediately. Nobody in this pack felt sorry for me.

I began walking toward town, already decided that school could wait until tomorrow.

“Why doesn’t he want us?” Tara whimpered in my mind.

“Because he’s an arrogant fool,” I replied tersely.

“Elena, he’s our mate. Don’t you want to return to the packhouse and fight for him?” Her desperation was palpable.

“Why would I subject myself to that?” I asked.

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2 Chapter 2 Bound in Shadows

“I live inside your mind, Elena. You cannot deceive me. You’re as devastated as I am.”

Her words struck too close to the truth.

“So what if I am? There’s nothing we can do to change his decision,” I said.

“We could return and demand his attention, make him see our worth,” she suggested.

“He couldn’t care less about us. That approach would only land us in the pack dungeon. Mother doesn’t need that additional stress. I’m counting the days until graduation. The moment I have my diploma, I’m taking Mom and getting us both out of this place.” I pushed down the pain threatening to consume me.

“But what about our mate?” Tara’s whining intensified.

“I don’t care about him anymore. Don’t you understand? He doesn’t want us, so why should we want him?” I tried to convince myself as much as her.

“Because he loves us. He just hasn’t realized it yet,” she insisted with naive hope.

“I can’t handle this right now, Tara.” I forced her voice to the back of my mind, craving

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