Elisabeth's POV
The room fell into a suffocating quiet, every breath suspended as Andy's confession hung in the air like a death sentence. I watched his face crumble, the weight of his own words finally hitting him. His mouth worked soundlessly, desperately trying to find some way to take back what he'd just admitted.
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. After endless suffering, watching him squirm felt like sweet justice.
"Another woman carries your child?" Alpha Jefferson's voice cut through the silence like a blade, each word sharp enough to draw blood.
Andy's face went ashen. Beside him, Rosalyn's earlier confidence had evaporated completely. She pressed herself against the wall, trying to become invisible, but there was nowhere to hide from what was coming.
The memory of that video flashed through my mind again. Andy's hands gripping Rosalyn's hips as he moved inside her, both of them lost in their betrayal. Rosalyn had looked directly at the camera with those knowing eyes, as if she wanted me to see exactly what she was taking from me.
"You already knew this was happening."
Alpha Jefferson's statement pulled me back to the present. His piercing gaze held mine, reading me like an open book. I managed a small nod, my throat too tight to speak.
"How long have you known?" Andy's voice cracked with desperation, but Alpha Jefferson silenced him with a single look that promised violence.
"Answer me," Alpha Jefferson commanded, his attention returning to me. The intensity of his stare made my pulse quicken in ways I didn't want to examine.
I forced myself to speak, my voice steadier than I felt. "Recently, I started noticing things. His scent clinging to her clothes, marks on her neck that looked familiar." My hand unconsciously moved to my own throat, where Andy's fingers had left similar bruises countless times.
"At first, I thought he was hurting her the same way he hurt me. But then she started acting different. Smug. Like she knew something I didn't." I glanced at Rosalyn, who flinched under my gaze. "I suspected, but I needed proof. So I hid my phone in our bedroom and recorded them."
The admission felt like ripping open an old wound. "That's when I saw exactly what they'd been doing in the bed I shared with my husband."
My voice broke on the last word, but I pushed through. "We both have his marks on our skin, but mine come from his anger while hers come from his desire."
Alpha Jefferson's expression grew dangerously calm as he studied Andy. "I've seen many things that disgust me, but a man who beats his wife isn't something I tolerate."
Andy opened his mouth to defend himself, but Alpha Jefferson's power filled the room like a physical force. The air became thick and oppressive, making my knees shake. "Don't speak while I'm talking."
Andy cowered, fear replacing his earlier arrogance.
"The alliance between our packs is finished," Alpha Jefferson announced with finality.
"But the contracts are signed," Andy stammered. "You can't just—"
"Try me." The threat in Alpha Jefferson's voice made my blood run cold. "Test my patience again, and you'll learn why other Alphas bow to me."
I couldn't stop trembling as his gaze shifted to me. Those dark eyes seemed to see right through me, weighing and measuring something I couldn't understand.
"Your marriage is over," he declared. "You're free."
The words hit me like a physical blow. Free. After years of being trapped, it seemed impossible.
Andy erupted. "You have no right!" His voice cracked with fury and panic.
Before I could blink, one of Alpha Jefferson's men appeared beside Andy, wrenching his arm behind his back with enough force to make bone crack. Andy screamed as he was forced to his knees, his face twisted in agony.
Rosalyn finally found her voice, shrieking Andy's name as she tried to reach him. One look from Alpha Jefferson froze her in place, terror replacing the sound.
"I prefer to avoid unnecessary violence," Alpha Jefferson said conversationally, as if Andy wasn't writhing in pain at his feet. "But I can make exceptions."
Even restrained and hurt, Andy's hatred burned in his eyes as he looked at me. "You think this changes anything? You're nothing but a worthless—"
The temperature in the room plummeted. Alpha Jefferson's eyes went completely black, and I stumbled backward as primal fear clawed up my spine.
"Finish that sentence," he whispered, his voice deadly soft. "I dare you."
Andy's face went white. "Alpha, I—"
"Everyone out. Now." The command rolled through the room with supernatural force.
The room emptied in seconds. Rosalyn helped Andy to his feet, both of them fleeing like the cowards they were.
My legs felt like water, but when I tried to follow them, Alpha Jefferson's voice stopped me cold.
"Stay."
Now I was alone with the most dangerous man I'd ever met. His eyes were still that terrifying black, fixed on me with an intensity that made heat pool in places I tried to ignore.
"When did he start hitting you?" The question was quiet, almost gentle.
"Shortly after he marked me," I whispered, the truth spilling out automatically.
Silence stretched between us. He studied me like I was a puzzle he needed to solve.
"Did you plan this confrontation?"
I shook my head quickly. "Andy wouldn't let me leave. He said divorce would ruin his reputation. I've been thinking about exposing him lately, but I didn't know what he'd confess. I just knew calling him impotent would make him angry enough to say something stupid."
Alpha Jefferson turned away without a word, dismissing me like I was nothing. The oppressive weight of his presence lifted, and I could finally breathe again.
Then reality crashed down on me. I had nowhere to go. My parents would never forgive this scandal. Andy had made sure I had no money, no resources, nothing of my own.
I was completely alone.
Panic started clawing at my chest, making my hands shake. What was I supposed to do now?
"Why are you still here?"
His smooth voice made me jump. I looked up to find him watching me with something that might have been amusement.
"What?"
A small, dangerous smile played at his lips. "You're coming with me. From now on, you're under my protection. You belong to my pack."