After My Alpha Took My Daughter to His Mistress

The words hung in the air like poison. Jackson's eyes gleamed with malicious triumph as he stood there, his arm still wrapped around Alexia's waist.

"I need to show you something," I said, my voice trembling as I reached for my purse. "My ID, our marriage certificate—"

Before I could finish, Jackson's hand shot out, gripping my wrist with bruising force. Pain lanced up my arm as he twisted, his fingers digging into my skin.

"You're not showing anyone anything," he hissed, his face inches from mine. "You're leaving. Now."

I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. "Jackson, please—"

"Mother, stop embarrassing yourself," he said loudly enough for everyone to hear, his voice dripping with contempt. "Everyone can see what you're doing."

Then, without warning, he shoved me backward. I stumbled, my heel catching on the carpet, and fell hard onto the marble floor of the lobby. The impact knocked the breath from my lungs, pain shooting through my tailbone as I landed in front of a crowd of horrified students and parents.

"Look at her," Jackson announced, his voice carrying across the suddenly silent space. "This is what happens when you can't accept reality."

I struggled to sit up, my palms stinging from scraping against the floor. Tears blurred my vision as I looked around at the faces watching me—some shocked, others whispering behind their hands.

"I think we need to make this official," Jackson said, his voice taking on the formal cadence that made my blood run cold. He stepped forward, towering over me as I remained sprawled on the floor.

"I, Jackson Scott, Alpha of the Northern Ridge Pack, reject you, Adele Bradley, as my mate." His words cut through me like physical blows. "You are unworthy of my pack, unworthy of my name, unworthy of anything but the pity you so desperately seek."

The rejection wasn't real—we were still bonded—but the public humiliation was excruciating. My wolf howled inside me, the pain of his false rejection burning through our connection.

"Security!" Jackson called, his voice echoing through the lobby. "Remove this woman immediately."

Two men in dark suits appeared, their movements too fluid, too precise. Werewolves. Of course he'd have his own security here.

They reached for me, rough hands grabbing my arms. I cried out as they hauled me toward the exit, my feet barely touching the ground.

"Let me go!" I struggled against their grip, but it was useless. "Jackson, please! We're still mated—you can't do this!"

His laughter followed me as they dragged me through the doors. "Watch me."

---

A screech of tires cut through the chaos. A sleek silver sports car had pulled up to the curb, its engine still rumbling. The driver's door flew open, and a man leapt out, moving with the fluid grace of someone born to power.

"Get your hands off her!" The voice was deep, commanding—and achingly familiar.

Elliot. My brother.

He charged through the doors, his normally perfect appearance disheveled, as if he'd rushed here straight from a business meeting. His eyes, so like our father's, blazed with fury as he took in the scene.

"Elliot," I gasped, hope surging through me. "Help me!"

One of the security guards tightened his grip on my arm. "Stay out of this, buddy. This doesn't concern you."

Elliot didn't hesitate. His fist connected with the guard's jaw in a sickening crack. The man released me, stumbling backward.

"Elliot, don't!" I cried out, knowing what would happen next.

Jackson appeared in the doorway, his Alpha aura flaring dangerously. "Well, well. The family circus has arrived."

He looked Elliot up and down, dismissively. "So this is the 'support' she's been boasting about? A weak human relative?"

Elliot stepped in front of me protectively. "I'm her brother. And you're going to pay for what you've done."

Jackson laughed, the sound cold and cruel. "You have no idea who you're dealing with."

He nodded slightly, and more men appeared from inside the building—at least five of them, all with the distinctive movements of werewolves. Elliot might have the element of surprise and righteous anger on his side, but he was outnumbered.

"Elliot, run!" I screamed as they closed in.

He didn't run. Instead, he turned to me, his expression softening for just a moment. "I won't leave you again."

The first blow caught him in the ribs, a sickening thud that made me cry out. He grunted but stayed standing, blocking another punch aimed at my head.

"Stop!" I begged as they surrounded him. "Please, Jackson! This isn't necessary!"

Jackson watched with detached amusement as his men closed in on my brother. "This is exactly what's necessary," he said calmly. "No one threatens what's mine."

Elliot took another heavy blow to the stomach, doubling over but still managing to land a solid punch on one of his attackers. Blood trickled from his split lip as he straightened, breathing heavily.

"You're nothing but a coward," he spat at Jackson. "Hiding behind your goons."

Jackson's smile widened as he watched Elliot struggle. "And you're nothing but a dead man walking."