s face turned white as Katie’s words cut deep. “What are you talking about?” he stammered,
trying to feign innocence.
Katie’s eyes blazed with anger. “Don’t play dumb with me, Liam. I know you killed Ruby.”
His voice rose in denial. “Why would I kill our own child?”
Katie’s laughter was bitter. “Stop being such a disgusting liar. I know everything. I saw the records, I heard your conversation. I know you sacrificed our daughter’s life for your own selfish
reasons.”
His expression changed, and he began to justify his actions. “Dakota was really sick, and that was the only remedy. She is your cousin, your own flesh and blood. Would I have wanted her to die when there was a way to save her?”
“Was the only remedy putting your child’s life in danger just because of your mistress?”
She took a step closer to him, her eyes flashing. “Dakota is not your flesh and blood. Ruby was your flesh and blood, and you went ahead to do something as cruel as that to her.”
Liam’s voice turned placating. “Stop overreacting, Katie. Dakota is your family too. Ruby was already sick, and I just…helped her.”
Katie’s anger boiled over, and she slapped him hard across the face.
The sound echoed through the air, and Liam’s head jerked back. In shock.
“You slapped me,”
“Yes, I did. And I’ll slap you again if you don’t get the hell out of my face.”
Dakota rushed over to Lucian, holding his arm. “I’m really sorry. For everything,”
Lucian glowered at her. “Stop putting on a show. You should go and make peace with the love of your life, standing right beside you.”
Dakota’s smile was manic. “No, no, no. We can start their own little family. We can still get married, and everything has to go back to normal.”
Lucian’s gaze was incredulous. “You really think that’s possible? I would only have my true mate Katie, bear my pup. Besides, aren’t you already pregnant with Liam’s child?”
Dakota’s face contorted in denial. “No, no, no, no. I am not pregnant with his child. The baby is yours.”
Lucian’s laughter was derisive. “The baby is mine? I only touched you once, and that was when I was drunk. It was a mistake.”
Dakota’s voice rose in desperation. “It was during that drunken mistake, that’s when it happened.”
He shook his head. “I know fully well that that child is not mine. And I will not be taking responsibility for another man’s child.”
Liam tried to drag Katie by her arm just then. But she pulled back, resisting. Lucian immediately intervened, pushing Liam off. “Stay the hell away from my mate,” he growled.
Liam sneered. “She is my wife!”
“Your ex–wife, you mean. She has already divorced your ass.”
The tension escalated, and reporters appeared out of nowhere, cameras flashing.
“Two alphas are already in a standoff,” one of them shouted.
Katie stepped in, her voice raised. “Stop! Don’t fight.”
But Lucian and Liam were beyond reason, their faces twisted in anger. They bared their fangs and claws, ready to clash.
The fight started, with both men snarling and snapping.
Katie tried to intervene, but it was too late. Liam’s claws swiped out. It sank into Katie’s arm.
She cried out in pain as she fell to the floor.
The fight stopped abruptly as Liam’s eyes widened in horror. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” h repeated, rushing to Katie’s side.
But it was too late. Katie was bleeding, her eyes starting to close.
Lucian’s face contorted in rage as he batted Liam away. “Stay back,” he snarled, gathering Kati nto his arms.
‘Stay with me, Katie. Stay with me,” he whispered, desperate.
As Katie’s eyes fluttered closed, Lucien scooped her into his arms and rushed her to the hospital eaving Liam standing alone.
With guilt and regret.
***
Katie opened her eyes later, and Lucian was by her bedside, his face etched with worry.
Why is he being worried about her?” Katie wondered, her thoughts foggy.
Lucian sensed she was awake and breathed a sigh of relief. “Does it hurt anywhere? Are you >kay?”
Katie’s gaze drifted over him. “I’m fine,” she said, her voice weak.
He shot her a narrowed look. “Why did you try to come between us? I would have broken Liam’s
eck.”
The reporters were filming. I didn’t want negative publicity. Things were getting violent, and I had to stop it.”
His face softened, and he apologized. “I’m really sorry you had to pay for it.”
Her smile was faint. “I’m fine. I’ll heal soon.”
Her phone beeped that minute. She glanced at it.
Her eyes widened as she scrolled through the news. “There’s news spreading all over. Everybody’s bashing Liam online, saying he tried to hurt his ex–mate. He’s a cheater and an
abuser.”
Lucian’s gaze flicked to the phone, his expression unreadable.
‘Well isn’t that the truth? That serves him right.”
Suddenly, they heard some commotion outside,
Lucian’s expression turned cold. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of this,” he said, rushing to the door. Liam was trying to push past Lucien’s men, who were holding him back.
“Let me see Katie!” Liam demanded. “Get out of my way!”
Lucian fixed him a deadly look. “What are you doing here? You almost killed Katie. What are you looking for?”
Liam’s face twisted in anger. “You know it was an accident. Stop playing the good guy and ge out of my way. I want to see my wife.”
Lucien’s smile was mocking. “How many times do I need to remind you, she’s no longer you wife? Go back and face Dakota.”
Just then, Dakota rushed in, trying to hold Lucien’s hand. “Please, can we just have a private talk? We can really fix this. We can really be together.”
Lucien’s anger flared, and he pushed Dakota away. “Back off. Don’t come near me again unles you want me to do something I’ll regret.”
He turned to his guards. “Don’t let those two annoying people get inside.”
As the guards dragged Liam and Dakota away, Lucian returned to Katie’s side.
Are they gone?” Katie asked, her voice weak.
hope they will be. Or else, I’ll make them.”
Katie’s gaze searched his face. “Were you really serious about having babies? Wasn’t ou narriage just a revenge match?”
His expression softened, and he smiled. “That doesn’t mean we can’t try for real babies.”
3:02 pm
Katie and Lucien arrived hom
