Page 17 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

"His Majesty has raised him five years, never tried to hide it."

"The Gray daughter's really unlucky."

But I couldn't hear any of it. The boy who'd burst into the hall was running toward us. I stared at him, my eardrums roaring. He looked about four or five, wearing a shirt and shorts, light brown curls pressed against his forehead.

He ran straight up and threw his arms around Lucifer's legs, tilting his face up. "Daddy! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

The guards stopped at the edge of the platform, looking at Lucifer helplessly.

Lucifer frowned and bent to pull him back. "Liam, don't—"

My gaze locked on the child's face. His brow, nose, the line of his mouth—that little face was a dull knife, cutting through my memory inch by inch. Five years ago, that early morning, I'd held him in my arms. His hand was so small, gripping my finger and refusing to let go.

This was my child.

The child I'd left at the guard station.

Liam suddenly jerked free from Lucifer's grip, pulling something from his pocket—I didn't even see his movement clearly because I was still drowning in shock. Then rocks and mud pelted me.

"You go away!"

Guests gasped. From the corner of my eye, I saw my mother frown, but she didn't step forward to help. Didn't speak up to stop him.

Mud splattered across my chest. The white gown was soaked through in a large patch. The pearl neckline dripped dirty water. I stood frozen, looking down at him. He clutched his little fists, his face flushed red, eyes full of rage and fear—like a small wolf protecting its food, baring teeth at an intruder.

"I don't want you to be my mommy!" he shouted. "I already have Mommy Lina! Go away! Why are you trying to steal my daddy!"

Mommy Lina?

The woman who'd been caring for him?

Guards led Liam away. He kept crying, calling me a thief, a bad person. I didn't know who'd taught him those words.

I stood there feeling like a clown.

My husband didn't know I was his mate. And my child had just thrown mud at me.

Chapter Four

Lucifer

The wedding was finally over.

In chaos.

Liam was still crying when the guards carried him away, shouting something about "bad woman" and even "I'll kill you"—who the hell taught him that? Guests whispered to each other. Liam disappeared around the corner, yelled "Mommy Lina," and then Lina's voice came, low and gentle, finally soothing him. I stood there, rubbing my temples. A spot of mud Liam threw still clung to my black suit sleeve—his aim was off. Most of it hit the bride, just a little splashed on me.

The bride. The Gray family's second daughter.

Liam's tantrum shifted everyone's attention from "His Majesty's wedding" to "bastard crashes ceremony." When he cried on the platform, I bent down to grab him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the bride standing there, her chest soaked, white dress covered in mud and scratches. She didn't cry. Didn't speak. Just stood there like a silent cow. I didn't laugh, but apparently, some kid in the audience made the connection—he laughed and said "cow" before his parents covered his mouth.

My temples pulsed. I grabbed the bride's hand and motioned for the ceremony to continue.

Nobody was watching anymore. The rest rushed by. The bride was led to the bridal chamber to await my favor. I glanced at the mud on my sleeve, pinched the bridge of my nose, then turned toward the study. The corridor stretched long, wall lamps dragging shadows behind me. I walked fast, leaving the whispers in my wake. I heard people saying "bastard," "farce," "that Gray girl sure got unlucky." Not loud, but I heard them.

Unlucky. I was pretty unlucky too. This marriage was a joke. Guests came for the spectacle, but I already knew what the Elder Council would say. My wolf was restless too. She has no scent, it howled. She's not our mate!

I pushed open the study door and exhaled heavily. Absolute disaster.