Chapter 78
Summer’s POV
After showering quickly, I wrapped myself in a towel and faced an unpleasant reality–I had nothing to wear except the clothes hanging in the closet outside, where Alpha Foster waited. Taking a deep breath, I
cracked open the door.
“I need clothes,” I said flatly.
Alpha Foster was sitting on the edge of the bed, scrolling through his phone. He looked up with a smile that made my skin crawl.
“In the dresser,” he said, pointing. “I had some new things brought in for you.”
I slipped out, clutching the towel tightly around me as I hurried to the dresser. Inside were brand new clothes–all in my size, but nothing I would ever choose for myself. Low–cut blouses, skin–tight pants, and
dresses so short they barely qualified as clothing. Each piece screamed of Alpha Foster’s possessive fantasy, designed to display me as his prized possession rather than clothe me with dignity.
I had just picked up one of the least revealing options when I felt his heat at my back, his scent enveloping me before his arms did.
“You look beautiful, Summer,” Alpha Foster said softly, his breath hot against my neck as he wrapped his
arms around my waist. “You’ve always been exquisite.”
Every muscle in my body tensed. I grabbed the first items my hands touched–a simple shirt and pants- and twisted out of his embrace, retreating back to the bathroom to change. When I emerged again, Alpha Foster was pouring two glasses of wine.
“A drink to celebrate your return?” he offered, holding out a glass.
“I’m not celebrating,” I replied coldly. “And I haven’t returned. I’m here for Felix, nothing more.”
Alpha Foster set down the glass with a sigh. “Always so stubborn. It’s one of the things I’ve missed about you.” He moved closer, his hand reaching to tuck a strand of wet hair behind my ear. “We were good together once, weren’t we?”
I stepped away from his touch. “We were never good together. You made sure of that.”
His expression darkened momentarily before smoothing back into practiced charm. “You’re upset about the past. I understand. But we have a chance to start fresh now. To be a family again–you, me, and Felix.”
“What about your other family?” I asked pointedly, “Suzanna? Moore? The son you chose over your firstborn?”
“They served their purpose,” Alpha Foster dismissed with a wave of his hand. “Political necessities. But
1/2
Chapter 78
+15 BONUS
you were always the one I truly wanted, Summer.”
He moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “I was blind, manipulated by Suzanna and her family’s connections. I see that now. She poisoned me against you, against our son.” His voice dropped, becoming almost tender. “If you don’t want them around, say the word and I’ll send them away. Tonight. Right now.
I’ll do anything to prove to you that you’re the only one who matters.”
The audacity of his lies made me want to laugh hysterically. Did he really think I was still that naive,
broken woman who would believe anything he said?
“I want to see my son. Now.” My voice was steel, brooking no argument.
“All in good time,” he repeated, his tone hardening. “First, we need to reestablish some understanding
between us.”
When he reached for me again, I couldn’t suppress my revulsion. “Don’t touch me.”
His eyes flashed dangerously. “I am still your Alpha. Your legal husband.”
“No, you’re not,” I said firmly. “The Council approved our divorce petition. I am legally and ritually bound to Alpha Alexander Blackwood now.”
The change in Alpha Foster was immediate and terrifying. His handsome face contorted with rage, eyes blazing with a fury I knew all too well.
“Do not speak that name in my house!” he roared. “You are MY mate! MINE!”
The slap came so quickly I didn’t see it coming. My head snapped to the side, cheek burning from the impact. For a moment, the room spun around me as old terror came rushing back–the memory of countless other blows, other punishments.
“You ungrateful bitch,” Alpha Foster snarled, all pretense of charm vanishing. “After everything I’ve offered you–a second chance, your son back, your position restored–this is how you respond?”
