Page 73 of Abandoned By My Alpha Husband

He was right.

If I refused this contract, I didn't know if I'd find anything better. There weren't many suppliers in Silver pine, prices were high, and they weren't friendly to new businesses.

But if I accepted...

"Think it over." Lucifer stepped back and sat down again. "Take your time. No rush."

I closed the contract and put it in my bag. "Keep the original pricing. Don't lower it."

"Elena—"

I dodged his outstretched hand and bit my lip. "I don't want to owe you."

"If that's everything," I said, "I'm leaving."

I turned toward the door.

"Elena." He grabbed my arm, forcing me to face him. Lucifer stared at me, gray pupils contracting. "Do you hate me that much?"

His warmth seeped into me where he held me, heat spreading from that spot. My wolf was already reacting. I tried to pull away, but he only gripped tighter, fingers digging into my shoulders.

"I don't hate you." I tried to keep my voice steady, but my breathing was coming faster. "I just don't want anything to do with you—"

"But we do have something." He leaned in, warm breath hitting my face. "Elena, we're mates. We have two children."

My legs were going weak. Heat pooled low in my belly. Damn it, why—why did my body still react to him like this? Lucifer noticed. His eyes darkened. He pressed me against the door. "Elena," he breathed against my ear.

I couldn't help but shrink back, and in the next second, his lips closed around my earlobe. I gasped. He sucked harder. I whimpered, nearly collapsing, but his arm came around my waist, hand gripping my hip to hold me up.

He pinned both my wrists above my head with one hand, voice rough. "You need me. Even when you try to refuse me."

My wolf let out a low whine inside me. I glared at him, clinging to the last shred of my sanity. "So what? I can find another man—"

The rest of my words were swallowed by his kiss.

His scent surrounded me. Cedar, amber, and something I couldn't name—something that belonged only to him. My heart pounded so hard I could barely breathe. Lucifer's kiss was deep, urgent. His tongue tangled with mine, and just as I was about to suffocate, he bit down—punishment—then pulled back.

"Another man?" His voice was low. His grip on my wrists tightened. "Who? That Alpha from Rivervale?"

I froze. "You investigated me?"

Lucifer seemed amused by my shock. His nose brushed my cheek. "I wanted to know what my mate has been through. Is that so wrong?"

Mate. The word made my lower belly clench. My wolf cried out in pleasure.

"Our bond is broken," I said through gritted teeth. "Remember? You rejected me!"

The air went still.

I stared at him. Tears welled up. "You had them throw me out. You made me walk away in the rain—" I couldn't finish. I turned my face away.

A few seconds later, Lucifer's tongue traced my cheek, slowly, gently, kissing away my tears. "Elena," he murmured in my ear. "I didn't have anyone throw you out. But I know—I did banish you. That's because I thought you were involved with the Butcher Squad. You hid being a half-blood. I thought you weren't honest with me, didn't trust me. And I was afraid the Elder Council would kill you—I know I didn't trust you. I hurt you. Elena, that's why I want you to give me a chance to make it right. I can't lose you, Elena... I finally found my mate. How can you be so cruel and just leave me?"

I turned. My gaze crashed into Lucifer's gray eyes—full of emotions I didn't want to see. That tender pleading crumpled my heart almost instantly.

"Elena." His voice was strained. "Please. Give me a chance."

I shook my head. "I told you. I don't need you in my life." Even if he had his reasons, I was truly scared. Being rejected by my mate, abandoned by my mother—those blows one after another had scarred me. And these five years I'd gotten used to living alone. I didn't dare start over.