The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Rowan POV:
Everything felt heavy, like a weight on my shoulders. Seeing the hurt and confusion in Catrina's eyes was worse than any physical pain.
I messed up badly by keeping secrets from her, even if I thought I was protecting her.
But she was so understanding. She took my hands and forgave me, and it helped ease the guilt I felt. Catrina was a light in all this darkness, her strength and kindness amazed me.
I held her close like she was the most precious thing in the world. And she was.
I would do anything to get rid of this Kezrach Larva that threatened our family.
"I'm so sorry, my love," I whispered into her hair. "I should have trusted you more, trusted us."
Catrina looked up at me, her eyes still hurt but full of love.
"I know you thought you were doing the right thing," she said, gently touching my face.
"Just...no more secrets, okay? We’re in this together, no matter what."
I kissed her hand, making a promise. "Never again, I swear. From now on, you'll know everything I do, everything I feel. We are one, and we’ll face any challenge together.”
For a moment, it was just the two of us - mates, lovers, ready to fight for our family. Then Isabelle cleared her throat, breaking the spell.
"As sweet as this is," she said in her dry way.
"We have a serious problem to deal with before you two run off into the sunset."
I almost growled at her for interrupting our moment, but Catrina just rolled her eyes like a teenager who was annoyed. I had to laugh a little at how cute she looked all mad.
"You never let us relax, do you, Izzy?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood a bit.
Things were super serious, but a little break was nice.
Isabelle's eyes narrowed like she was warning me. "If you want to keep using some of your body parts," she said, "you better not call me that nickname again."
Catrina tried to hold back a laugh, burying her face in my chest.
But the laughter didn't last. I heard footsteps coming toward us. My wolf senses went on alert, and I turned to shield Catrina.
How was this possible? Did the Mondragon Packhouse security suck that much? Where was Carson, that annoying beta, when you actually needed him?
Only one person would waltz into the mansion like that, and the scent confirmed my dread.
"What is he doing here?" I growled, holding Catrina tight.
Isabelle's face turned grim. "Marcus," she said in a low voice.
My gut clenched. My dad, the jerk who started all this mess, was here in the enemy's house! It didn't make any sense. What was he up to now?
Heavy footsteps thumped on the shiny floor, then stopped.
There he was, Marcus Magnus, my own father. His face, usually all smug and arrogant, was creased with worry lines.
The sneer he always had was gone, replaced by a fake calm that didn't reach his eyes.
"Rowan," he started, his voice rough.
"Son, I'm so glad you're okay. We've been freaking out ever since you disappeared."
Freaking out? The nerve of him! After everything he did, all the lying and controlling, now he pretends to care?
I scoffed, a short, disbelieving laugh escaping my lips.
"Don't lie to us" I spat.
"We both know you don't care about me. What you really care about is the mess you made when you 'disappeared.'"
A flicker of anger crossed my dad's face, but then he forced a smile. "Don't be silly, Rowan. Of course, a father worries about his son! When we heard you vanished without a trace, the whole Magnus pack panicked. We looked everywhere, scared something awful happened."
His voice softened, almost pleading. "Then we heard rumors... whispers of you being with the Mondragons. We couldn't believe it at first, but the more we heard, the more it seemed true. I had to come, Rowan. I had to see for myself, for the good of the pack."
There it was, the real reason for his visit. Not that he cared about me, but because me being with the Mondragons threatened his grip on power.
He looked at Catrina, his eyes mocking, and a growl built in my chest.
"I see you still have a thing for strange things, boy," Marcus taunted, staring at Catrina.
I snarled, wanting to rip him apart for insulting her. Only Catrina’s hand on my arm stopped me.
"Enough, Marcus!" Isabelle snapped. "You will respect your Alpha’s mate, or you’ll be punished."
Marcus glared at his sister before forcing himself to calm down.
When he spoke again, his voice was low and mean.
"So it's true then?" His eyes were like ice as they bored into mine. "You got Henri Blanc's daughter pregnant, what a surprise."
His words hit me like a punch. Catrina stiffened beside me, the name clearly familiar to her.
"Wait... Henri?" she whispered. "My father?"
My Father laughed cruelly at my surprise.
"Yes, you idiot. Henri Blanc...he used to be one of us. A Magnus, born into this pack."
I shook my head, unable to believe it. Why hadn’t this come up before? Why would her family keep such a big secret?
The truth must have shown on my face because Marcus smirked, ready to deliver his final blow.
"Oh, you haven't even heard the best part, have you boy?" He leaned in, enjoying this.
"Henri is your mother Vivian’s brother. Her twin, in fact."
The world seemed to stop. Catrina was...my cousin? My own blood?
Horror and disbelief washed over me. This couldn't be true. How could fate be so cruel, leading me to my own kin as a mate?
I barely heard Marcus's last words as he pushed past me.
"Enjoy your little mutt-pup, boy," he sneered. "My grandchild is going to be a freak, just like its parents. But hey, at least it’ll keep things interesting, right?"
I stared after him, numb.
I barely heard Isabelle calling my name as my legs buckled under the weight of everything I’d just learned. I saw Catrina’s face, her beautiful features filled with pain and dawning understanding.
“Catrina…oh god, Catrina…what have I done?” I reached for her, but the words were empty.
What could I possibly say to make this right?