Desired By Three Alphas; Fated To One novel Chapter 276

DANE'S POV

I dragged Catherine out of the room, my jaw clenched so tight it felt like it might crack. She kept pulling at my hand, trying to twist out of my grip, but I didn't loosen it. The moment we stepped into her room, I let go.

She spun around angrily, her face twisted with fury.

"How dare you?" she hissed. "How dare you embarrass me like that in front of a stranger—no, in front of a SLUT you smuggled into my home!"

I didn't shout. I didn't curse. I didn't even blink.

My voice came out low, calm, and final.

"We are getting a divorce."

She froze.

Her eyes widened like she didn't believe what she had just heard.

"For… for WHO?" she demanded, stabbing her finger toward the hallway. "For that thing? That dirty runaway tramp you just dragged in?!"

My wolf growled so loudly inside me it rattled my bones.

I stepped closer, towering over her.

"She is not a thing," I said through my teeth.

"She is my mate."

Catherine's mouth fell open. Her face drained of color. Then flushed red in anger.

"Mate? MATE?" she spat. "So that's your excuse now? That's how you justify ruining everything? Ruining the alliance? Ruining my family name? Ruining the throne?!"

Her voice grew louder with every word until she was practically screaming.

"You want to throw away everything we built because you suddenly want to rule beside some nobody?! That girl will drag you down! She will pull you down from Alpha to NOTHING!"

I laughed.

A short, cold, humorless sound.

"With or without you," I said slowly, "I am not 'nothing.' The people chose me to lead them because I earned it—not because I married you."

She flinched at that.

I pressed on.

"And your father didn't make me Alpha. I did that. Through loyalty, through work, through sacrifice."

Catherine's eyes filled with angry tears.

"And what about me?" she hissed. "What do I get after all these years? After everything I gave you?!"

"The truth," I answered flatly. "Tomorrow, we separate. Get ready."

She let out a loud, furious cry.

"DANE! You can't do this—!"

I didn't stay long enough to argue.

I opened the door, stepped out, and shut it behind me. Her shouting grew muffled through the walls, but I didn't care.

For the first time in years… I felt clarity.

Pure clarity.

I walked back toward my room, linking my Beta as I did.

"Markus. Council meeting. At once."

"Now?" he answered. "Is everything alright?"

"Just do it."

My tone shut down the conversation immediately.

When I reached my room, I paused at the doorway.

Lila was standing. Arms folded. Eyes narrowed.

Beautiful—even when angry.

The moment our gazes met, she spoke.

"You're… married?"

Her tone wasn't small. Or shy. Or scared.

It was sharp. Hurt. Jealous.

And for some damn reason… I liked that. I loved it that she had been jealous.

I stepped inside slowly.

"Yes," I said. "But let me explain."

She didn't move. Didn't blink. Didn't yell.

So I told her everything.

"When I met Catherine, I wasn't Alpha," I said quietly. "I was Beta. Her brother—my best friend—was the Alpha. When he died, her father begged me to take her as my wife… to protect her and help maintain the family's legacy after she became Alpha's last surviving child."

Lila's expression shifted from anger to surprise.

"He asked you to marry her?" she whispered.

"Yes," I nodded. "And I agreed. Not because I loved her. Not because I wanted her. But because I wanted to protect the pack… and her."

Silence stretched between us.

I waited.

She stared at me—her eyes moving over my face, searching, thinking.

Finally… the tension in her shoulders faded. She understood.

Her tone softened. "I see…"

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

Then she asked quietly, "Is there anything else I need to know?"

I nodded slowly.

"Yes. There is one more thing."

Her breath paused.

"I have a son," I said gently. "He's ten. Not Catherine's. His mother and I separated years ago. He comes to stay with me tomorrow. Please, you have to accept him… both of you are the most important people in my life."

"What about his mother…."

I sighed and shook my head.

"Me and Hailee are just friends now… you don't have to worry about her; she has a man she loves."

Lila's brow furrowed, and then she asked, "Did she reject you?"

I swallowed hard and responded.

"My and Hailee's relationship was complicated, but I don't want to talk about it now. But I promise to tell you everything. All I request from you is to accept my son…"

Her eyes widened, not with anger—but surprise.

Then…

A soft smile touched her lips.

"Alpha Dane…" she sighed. "What do you take me for? A monster? A mate who would hate your child?"

I blinked.

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