Chapter 2
Lucas said, "Evelyn, I'm such a jerk.
"I had no idea you were pregnant.
"The doctor said the baby made it.
"You can hit me, curse me, or tear into me. Whatever you need. Just don't ignore me, please."
I glared at him, cold and distant. "You didn't know I was pregnant, so that makes it okay for you to leave me to die on that crazy machine?
"You turned into a werewolf, but you chose to save Chloe instead of me."
Lucas's face went pale.
He crawled closer to me. "Chloe gets migraines.
"It was all happening so fast.
"I just acted on impulse—"
"Acted on impulse?" I cut him off. "So saving Chloe was your gut reaction.
"Lucas, we're done.
"I'm calling off the engagement."
Lucas's eyes flew open in shock.
He shook his head frantically. "No, I don't agree. Evelyn, I love you."
He suddenly yanked his shirt open, showing his bare, muscular chest.
He said, "Evelyn, let me mark you.
"Werewolves can only ever mark one mate in their entire lives.
"I'm giving my life to you."
He suddenly leaned in and bit down hard on my scent gland, marking me as his.
A sharp pain tore through my entire body.
His scent flooded my veins, burning his mark deep into my blood.
I pushed him away as hard as I could. "Lucas, are you crazy? Let go of me!"
Lucas held me in a death grip.
He didn't let go until the mark was done.
His mouth was smeared with blood.
His eyes were wild, almost feral with obsession.
He said, "Evelyn, you're truly my wife now.
"I swear, I'll protect you and our baby with my life."
I touched the bite mark on the back of my neck, cold chills washing over me.
My brother, Gavin Summers, burst into the room, slamming the door open.
He grabbed Lucas by the collar and slammed him hard against the wall.
Gavin roared, "You bastard! How dare you force your mark on Evelyn?"
He hauled off and punched Lucas right in the face.
Lucas didn't try to dodge.
He stood there and took a dozen punches straight on, not even flinching.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, and then he bowed to Gavin. "Gavin, I was wrong.
"I'm willing to transfer thirty percent of Grey Group's shares to Evelyn.
"I'm begging you, just give me one more chance."
Gavin was shaking with rage. "You think the Summers family needs your pathetic money?"
I grabbed Gavin's sleeve. "Gavin, forget it."
I touched my flat belly.
The baby was safe, and Lucas had shown real sincerity.
The mark of a werewolf was permanent, and I didn't want my baby to be born without a father.
I said, "Lucas, this is the last time.
"If this kind of thing ever happens again, I swear I'll make you wish you were dead."
Lucas was over the moon.
He hugged me excitedly. "Thank you, Evelyn.
"I swear, I'll never let you suffer again."
*****
A month later, our wedding went ahead as planned.
All the big shots from Drystone showed up to congratulate us.
Lucas was dressed in a bespoke designer suit.
He hovered protectively by my side the entire time, making sure I was safe and comfortable.
It was time for the wedding toast.
Chloe came over, dressed in a white gown.
She held two glasses of wine in her hands.
Her eyes were rimmed red. "Evelyn, I'm really sorry for what happened with the drop tower.
"I'm here to apologize to you.
"I wish you and Lucas a lifetime of happiness together."
She passed me a glass of wine.
Lucas chimed in, "Evelyn, Chloe knows she was wrong.
"Just take a sip to accept her apology."
I looked at Chloe's pleading, innocent face, disgust churning inside me.
But with all these guests around, I couldn't make a scene.
I forced myself to take the glass and sip.
I swallowed the wine.
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness crashed over me.
The world in front of me blurred and spun.
My body turned to jelly.
My knees buckled, and I could barely stay upright.
"Evelyn," Lucas called out, catching me before I could fall. "What's wrong?"
"I'm so dizzy..." I mumbled.
I slumped against him, my body going limp.
Everything went black.
*****
Half-awake, half-asleep, I felt myself being placed onto a plush, comfortable bed.
Heavy, ragged breathing filled my ears.
And then, I heard a woman's sweet, sultry moans. "Lucas, be gentle. You're hurting me."
I could barely force my eyes open, my eyelids impossibly heavy.
Through the haze, I caught a glimpse of myself from a year ago.
Lucas had drunk himself sick at work, ending up with a stomach bleed. I stayed up all night making soup, feeding him spoonful by spoonful.
He squeezed my hand and said, "Evelyn, marrying you feels like fate's smiling down on me."
I laughed and teased, "Then you better treat me right for the rest of your days."
He nodded earnestly, like he meant every word.
Funny how short the promise had lasted.
*****
On the large new bed, two people lay locked in a passionate embrace, both naked.
The man's back was broad and muscular.
It was my husband, Lucas.
And the woman under him was Chloe.
"Lucas," Chloe purred, her voice soft and coy. "Didn't you say you'd only ever mark Evelyn?
"What are you doing now, then?"
Lucas's movements paused for a moment.
He let out a low, tortured groan. "Shut up. If a werewolf betrays his mate, the backlash is brutal.
"I need... I need your body to ease the pain."
Chloe let out a flirty giggle.
She slipped her arms around Lucas's neck. "So, who do you really love, Evelyn or me?"
Lucas was breathing hard, his chest rising and falling with every ragged breath. "My first time must belong to you.
"Chloe, I owe you."
My heart twisted in agony.
I bit down hard on my tongue.
Blood flooded my mouth, sharp and metallic.
Tears slipped silently down my cheeks.
Yeah, right. This was what Lucas called protecting me with his life.
This was his so-called sincerity.
While I was pregnant with his child, he was having sex with another woman in our new home.
I desperately tried to move, but my body felt so heavy.
I couldn't even lift a finger.
Chloe tilted her head.
Her gaze drifted over Lucas's shoulder and locked straight with mine.
She curled her lips into a defiant smile.
She silently mouthed the words. "He's mine."
Humiliation and rage nearly tore me apart.
I finally broke down.
Everything went black again.
*****
When I finally woke up again, it was already morning.
The sunlight blazed into my eyes, making me wince.
I shot upright in bed, gasping for air.
Lucas walked out of the bathroom in a fresh bathrobe.
His hair was still wet, droplets running down.
"Evelyn, you're awake?" he greeted me softly.
He came over to the bed and reached out to touch my forehead.
I smacked his hand away.
My stomach was in knots, waves of nausea rolling through me.
I snapped, "Don't touch me. You make me sick."
Lucas froze for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "Evelyn, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"