The Mermaid Princess Rejects the Alpha

I closed my eyes as tears streamed down my cheeks, transforming into a few brilliant pearls before tumbling into Silas' palm.

He froze for a split second, then pulled me into his arms.

"Annie, why are you crying?" he asked, his voice edged with panic. "Are you feeling sick?"

Every word dripped with affection, completely sincere. And yet, barely an hour ago, he had been wrapped around another woman, lost in passion.

The image surged in my mind, and nausea hit me instantly. I shoved Silas aside, then rushed to the bathroom, retching over the sink.

He hurried after me, patted my back, and handed me a glass of water. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"

"I'm fine. It's probably something I ate. I just want to lie down for a while," I replied with a wry smile.

With that, I returned to the bedroom.

From there, I could hear the guests talking about me, their voices laced with envy. One commented, "I heard mermaids can't stay on land for too long, or they'll dry out and die. How is Luna Annelise doing just fine?"

"Because Alpha Silas cultivates moonlight lilies with his own blood. As long as she drinks the extract each month, she'll be fine."

"Oh, my gosh! Alpha Silas dotes on her way too much!"

Another added, "Exactly. They haven't had an heir all these years, and Alpha Silas isn't anxious at all. He's always the one comforting Luna Annelise, telling her not to rush."

"Did you see that massive pool built into the mountainside? It cost millions of dollars! There are natural coral formations, schools of fish, shellfish, and every kind of marine life imaginable. Everything was designed to recreate the ocean so Luna Annelise could swim freely."

A werewolf exclaimed, "Alpha Silas treats her incredibly well!"

"Luna Annelise loves him just as much. To be with him, she traded her singing voice to a sea witch in exchange for legs."

"Oh, my! They both gave everything for each other! Their love is even stronger than the bond between fated mates."

In the past, hearing those words would have made me feel unbearably happy. But now, all I felt was irony.

…

I had just stepped into the hall when a dancer suddenly burst into my path. She deliberately slammed into me, and my hand jerked.

I knocked over a candle stand, and the flame scorched my skin instantly.

"I'm so sorry, Luna Annelise. I didn't mean it!"

The dancer apologized through tears, but only I caught the flash of smug satisfaction in her eyes.

At that moment, Silas rushed to my side and cradled my hand, his eyes filled with worry. "Annie, does it hurt?"

Then, his head snapped toward his subordinates, and he roared, "Go get the healer now!"

His voice thundered through the hall. It was so loud it felt like the entire room had shaken.

A beat later, he turned to the dancer. His gaze was sharp as he kicked her hard. "You worthless Omega! What the hell are you doing? If anything happens to Anneliese, I'll make you pay for it!"

The dancer, Helena, staggered to her feet and ran out, her face twisted with grievance.

An icy dread filled me. Silas' panic when I was hurt, his fear, and the love he showed were all real, but so was his betrayal.

I couldn't understand how a man could love a woman so deeply and still betray her.

…

After the healer bandaged my hand, Silas stayed by my side. It wasn't until I pretended to fall asleep that he slipped out of the room.