Chapter 4
Amelia’s POV
My brain buzzed as I stared at the text until my eyeballs hurt. Apparently, my one-night stand was the Alpha of the wealthiest pack in Canada.
How could I not know him when he was a thorn in Zach’s flesh since his company took first place in the country’s economy, directly making him Zach’s rival?
And what’s worse? He was notorious for being a ruthless playboy who toyed with women’s hearts and discarded them like trash.
A pang of regret shot through me and I felt disgusted at the thought that I had joined the group of women he slept with and trashed.
I felt so ashamed that I continued staring at my phone until my gaze landed on another video titled; “Interview with Alpha Xavier.”
I quickly clicked on it and the video started playing.
“We were going to keep our relationship secret before,” he was saying, an annoying smile plastered on his face.
“But since it’s now out,” he continued. “Then, I might as well clear the air. “The lady in the picture is Amelia Donovan, the love of my life and my chosen mate.”
I sneered inwardly. The love of his crazy life? How did he even know my name? I didn’t bother watching the video to the end, as I turned to glare at him.
“What the hell—”
“Before you begin,” he shot in. “You must know that I only helped you!”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “Helped me?” I scoffed. “Are you joking? You just put me in danger. Now, Zach would—“I trailed off.
“Do you think you had any right to release such—”
Before I could complete my statement, he snagged at my wrist and pulled me flush against him.
“I will never put you in danger.” He said hoarsely. “I’ll always ensure your safety.”
For a split second, I was ruffled and distracted by the serious look on his face that I almost believed he meant.
How would he ensure the safety of a lowly omega like me? When he’s out with different women he would eventually trash out?
No, he wouldn’t care about me. He was a jerk! I reminded myself and wriggled out of his arms.
“I don’t care about that now because you are going to release another interview and tell them the truth!”
“I wish I could.” He said and I could have sworn I detected a smirk on his face.
My breath came out in one explosive puff. “You wish you could? The hell you would!”
He moved closer to me, occupying my personal space and I once again forgot how to breathe as I subconsciously took a step backward.
“The whole thing is complicated. I found out about the article this morning and you might not know but if I hadn’t held the interview things would have gotten worse.”
“And who said it hasn’t already gotten worse!?” I bellowed, gradually feeling my control snapping out.
“I’m sorry but I can’t let anything ruin my company’s status. I can’t avoid upsetting my father plus, I was trying to kill two stones since I happen to need a girlfriend too.”
I couldn’t actually believe I was listening to all this gibberish but before I could curse at him, he was speaking again.
“Actually, I need a pretend girlfriend for a month to make my father grant me exclusive ownership of our conglomerate. I was going to hire one but since the article came out, I figured I could just hire you.”
“Selfish jerk!” The words escaped my throat, taking even me by surprise.
But I was past caring as I continued. “Who the hell do you think you are to push people around the way you like?”
My voice glittered with ice. “I don’t care what is going on in that dumb head of yours, but I’m not one of the girls you can buy!”
I said as I turned the doorknob, but his next words had my steps coming to a halt.
“I’ll give you enough money to start up your own fashion company. I know you want your career back!”
I would be damned to say I didn’t consider it for a minute. Having a fashion company of my own had been my lifelong dream, plus, he was Zach’s rival and if I wanted revenge on him and Ria, he was the best shot I had at it.
However, I’ve got my pride to consider.
Without uttering another word, I jerked the door open and went out. As I walked out of the huge gates of the mansion, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I might have just lost the biggest opportunity in my life.
Suddenly, I heard the screeching sound of a car and before I knew what was happening, someone pulled my wrist and slammed my back against the walls of the mansion.
I glanced up to see Zach’s face. His eyes didn’t hide the malicious intent in them.
“You’re more shameless than I thought,” he started, “you couldn’t even wait to get healed from the breaking of the mate bond before hopping on to another alpha?”
“That is none of your business!” I shot back frostily as I tried to wriggle from his hold.
“Are you serious right now? The whole of Canada is talking about you and in no time, the press would find out that you were once my mate and–”
He broke off, forking his fingers through his hair. “Do you know how much damage this would cause to my company? Let’s just go and clear the confusion.”
I knew all I had left towards Zach was rage but I felt a hard squeeze in my chest at his words. All he would ever care about was his company– his image.
He would never see the pain I was going through. Anger flared in my muscles again. Why did he think he could still push me around after hurting me?
I jerked his hands off. “I can make decisions on my own! And if there’s any problem with your company’s image, that’s entirely your cross to bear!”
Shock flashed through his eyes as his hands shot out again to grip mine but I quickly sidestepped him.
He glowered at me with disgust now. “Do you still think I’m asking for your permission?”
He snapped his fingers and four men jumped out of the car and lunged towards me with murderous looks on their faces.
“If anyone so much as lay a finger on her hair, I’ll make sure they are never able to walk out of here.” A cold voice bellowed behind me.
Alpha Xavier.
Murder was evident in his eyes as he narrowed his eyes at Zach. “Goodbye, Zach!” He said.
Fury flashed in Zach’s eyes. “This is none of your business, Alpha Xavier!”
Alpha Xavier stepped forward until he was eye to eye-with Zach. He extended his arm towards me and wrapped it around my waist.
“It is my business!” He enunciated every word. “And in case you didn’t see the news, she’s my woman.”
For some reason, I didn’t feel annoyed now that he was actually calling me his girlfriend in my presence. If anything, I felt a rush of both excitement and wicked satisfaction.
Blood drained from Zach’s face as he glanced at me. “You’re fooling yourself if you think he would ever see you as a woman. He’s only trying to use you!”
“Use me?” I cackled with laughter. “You thought you were the only one who was cheating? I only used you to pass the time also. I’ve been with Xavier even before I met you!”
A shocked gasp tore out Zach’s throat as he stared at me in horror. Even Alpha Xavier had a surprised look on his face.
