chapter 7

Rebecca's POV

My blood turned to ice. I quickly pulled on the robe hanging on the bathroom door and stepped into the hallway. Sofia stood near the entrance, her face pale.

"He's here," she whispered unnecessarily.

"I'll handle him," I said, surprising myself with how steady my voice sounded. "I have to start handling my own problems, like I did before I met him."

Sofia touched my arm. "Be careful. He's in a state."

I nodded and moved toward the door, where William continued pounding hard enough to make the hinges rattle.

"Rebecca! I know you're in there! OPEN THIS DOOR!"

I took a deep breath and unlocked it. William practically fell into the apartment, catching himself on the doorframe. He looked both furious and relieved, his hair disheveled, bloodshot eyes wild. His usually immaculate clothes were wrinkled, as if he'd slept in them.

"Where the hell have you been?" he demanded, reaching for me.

I stepped back. "Don't touch me, William."

His nostrils flared as he scented the air, and his expression darkened. "Let me in. We need to talk."

"No," I said firmly. "I don't want to see you. Please leave now."

He laughed incredulously. "You have some nerve. After what you pulled last night, you're refusing to see me?"

Without waiting for permission, he pushed past me into the apartment. Sofia moved to block him, but he towered over her, and she reluctantly stepped aside.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, confused by his accusatory tone. "Are you serious right now? You're the one with the mistress and the secret son. I saw everything, William. The messages between you and Olivia. The pictures of your son."

"That doesn't excuse what you did," he said coldly. "I can smell your betrayal all over you. I could smell it from the first floor. You betrayed me, Rebecca."

I laughed, the sound harsh and bitter. "I betrayed YOU? You've been sleeping with my bridesmaid for so many years! You have a CHILD with her!"

"That's different," William said dismissively. "I'm a wolf. We have different needs."

"And different standards of decency, apparently," I shot back. "You were using me, William. I read the documents on your laptop. You planned to discard me after I served my purpose."

"You had no right to go through my personal files," he snarled, taking a step toward me.

I stood my ground. "The moment I threw that ring back in your face, I was free. I can do whatever I want with whoever I want."

William's lips curled into a smirk that sent chills down my spine. "That's not how it works, Rebecca. You didn't formally reject me. We're still mates."

"Fine," I said, lifting my chin. "I reject you. It's over. I never want to see you again."

William laughed, the sound cold and mocking. "You're trying to reject me... but you failed. Wolf rejection has specific rules. What you just did means nothing."

I looked at Sofia in confusion. She nodded slightly, confirming William's words.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my voice smaller now.

William stepped closer, invading my personal space. "No, my dear little human, you are still my mate until I become Delta and you bear my heir. After that..." He shrugged. "I'll reject you myself."

The casual cruelty of his words stunned me. How had I never seen this side of him in five years? How had I been so blind to his calculating nature?

"I won't marry you," I said, my voice shaking now. "You can't force me."

"Can't I?" William's smile was predatory. "You'll be at the beach for our ceremony this afternoon. I've increased security around the entire beach area to make sure you don't run. There's nowhere to go, Rebecca... that's a promise."