Claimed by the Alpha King: His Secret White Wolf

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, its golden-brown crust a perfect shield for the tender filet mignon within. Three years. Three years I'd spent perfecting this l

My husband-Colten was home. I quickly untied the apron from around my waist, tossing it onto the marbl

rance hall, a smile alre

oak door s

roze, cracking

in a permanent sneer, was his mother, Meredith. She clutch

d grating, cut through the warm air. She scanned our meticulou

d my feet to move, taking her ridiculously heavy cashmere coat.

when I reached for an embrace, his body s

. The distance was a physical thing, a cold draft in our warm house. As he passed, a scent waf

ce formed i

r over the armrest as if checking for dust. "Caroline, dear," she sa

" I asked, my

er me with disdain. "He has a brand to maintain. An image. He need

y name, no pack of influence, was no longer suitable. I looked to Colten, my

clinking of ice the only sound he offered. His sile

anter for the wine," I managed to say, my voice a strained whisper. I needed

vy and loud on the polished hardwood floors. The magnificent dinn

entryway, I reached for the heavy crys

ial hiss. "You have to get rid of her, Colten. And you have to

ng the decanter so tightly

linical, and utterly detached. "I'm already having the lawyers draft the agreement, Mothe

slipped, its base cracking against the edge of

exposed me

ead, heavy silence fell over the house. I cou

e decanter held in my white-knuckled grip. I placed it on the coff

what you

s. He set his glass down. The mask of the loving partner dissolved, repl

oline," he said

ed out a sheaf of papers bound in a crisp blue cover. He tossed it onto

ach letter a separate stab to my heart. The air left my lungs

a, a triumphant smirk on her face. "He's offering you a

ad supported, the man who was now a complete stranger. "The perfume," I heard m

? guilt?-crossed his face before it was gone. "Yes," he admitted, his voice devoid

f my life, every sacrifice, every late night I'd spent supporting his dreams while putting mi

iced look of sincerity. The one he used on camera. "Caroline, liste

charm on me. The thought was so r

statement. 'Amicable split.' We're seen having coffee next week. We support each other on social media. It prot

, unmitigated selfishness of his request was breathtaking. He hadn't just

laugh, escaped my lips. I pushed him, hard. The

n ugly snarl. "Don't be a fool, Caroline! What are you withou

age. "Who was it that begged their art school contacts to get you your first three auditions, C

ising from the sofa. "Don't you dare speak t

hateful blue folder. Without another thought, I snatche

ck stack of paper. With a strength b

RR

nal. It echoed in the pri

ared, their mouths aga

agreement at Colten's chest. The pape

my voice dangerously calm. "But I wil

ard the grand staircase. Each step was a deliberate, defiant act.

t