Chapter 30
Just as she started to pack everything away, the sound of the front door opening made her pause.
She hesitated, momentarily thrown–he was home far earlier than she expected. Jaxson never left work this soon.
The timing couldn’t have been worse, but Aveline kept her calm, moving past him with her things cradled in her arms, her expression unreadable. She banked on the hope that he’d be too distracted to pay her any mind.
Jaxson didn’t even glance at what she was holding–he strode right over and caught her wrist without hesitation.
The Alpha’s unique sense of control made her wolf whimper softly in her consciousness.
“Aveline, I was planning to pick you up at the research institute today. I waited outside for ages, but you never showed. Did you leave by another exit?”
She coldly met his gaze, gently pulling her wrist free. “I got a lift home with a colleague.”
Jaxson fell silent, caught off guard by her answer. A colleague?
Had that man really been her colleague?
Jaxson scanned her face, hunting for the slightest flicker of guilt, but she gave him nothing.
Not a single tremor, not a quiver–she held herself with the composure of untouched water, completely inscrutable. However hard he stared, there wasn’t a trace of dishonesty to be found.
With a soft laugh, Jaxson strode over and slipped an arm around her waist.
“You’ve put in so much effort, Aveline. Now that the pack’s affairs are all settled, I finally have a free week. What do you say we use this time to try for a baby?”
A frown pinched Aveline’s brow. Try for a baby? Was he serious?
She could’ve sworn she’d spelled it out for him last time, but Jaxson clearly hadn’t let go of his obsession.
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Her eyes iced over, voice sharp and distant. “Jaxson, I’ve already told you–I don’t want a baby right now.”
Just four more days and she’d be free of this manipulative alpha forever.
“But Aveline, after all these years together, don’t you think it’d be wonderful to have a baby? You always talked about wanting one before.”
That word-“before“-made something flicker in Aveline’s eyes, her mouth curving into a cold half–smile.
She dropped the things she’d been carrying without a second thought, lifted her gaze, and fired off a question with cutting ease.
“Jaxson, how are those condoms from Raskait working out for you? Bet they didn’t disappoint.”
Aveline didn’t hesitate to drag his secret into the light, bluntly naming the night he’d slunk away to meet Lirael behind her back.
Jaxson’s entire body went rigid. For a moment, he just stared at her, stunned silent.
He’d honestly believed she hadn’t suspected a thing–until now, when he realized she’d known every detail and simply chosen not to say a word.
“Aveline, wait–just let me explain…” Jaxson’s voice trembled with desperation.
She had no patience left for any more excuses. Without looking back, Aveline rushed into the study, slammed the door behind her, and twisted the lock with a sharp click.
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Betrayed by Her Ex, Marked By the Alpha King
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Chapter 30
Jaxson pressed his fingers to his temples, groaning in exasperation, then stomped down the stairs and made his way into the kitchen.
He yanked open the cabinet and reached for the gas stove, flicking it on.
Whenever Aveline shut him out, he’d head to the kitchen and whip up her favorite dishes–food had always been his go–to peace offering, and usually,
she softened.
But tonight, he sensed it would take more than a home–cooked meal to win her over.
While getting the meal ready, his gaze darted around, and he realized the house felt strangely emptier than before.
Even Aveline’s scent in the air had faded considerably.
He hadn’t spent much time here lately, but he distinctly recalled Aveline’s prized capsule coffee maker always sitting on the counter. Now, a bare patch marked where it had been.
A knot formed in Jaxson’s brow. He set the knife down and abandoned the half–prepared meal, taking the steps in a hurry.
“Aveline, what happened to the capsule coffee maker? The one that was always in the kitchen?”
Aveline faltered for a moment, caught off guard by his words. She’d left most of her belongings behind; the only sizable thing she’d carried out of the kitchen was the capsule coffee machine.
That machine had been her first big purchase since they’d become mates, back when money was tight, and she’d scraped together several months‘ pay to afford it. Jaxson hardly ever set foot in the kitchen, so she never imagined he’d notice its absence.
Lost in her thoughts, she startled at the sound of Jaxson knocking again.
“Aveline, open up!”
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