The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Catrina POV:
Rowan surprised me with a kiss. His lips were soft, and I relaxed for a moment, my heart racing from his sweetness.
Then, just like that, he pulled away, leaving me confused. His face was hard to read.
"Catrina," he said slowly.
"You have to understand my position. I have duties and responsibilities to my pack that I cannot ignore."
I frowned, worried. "What do you mean?"
He sighed. "My marriage to Isabelle was arranged long ago between our packs. It is a crucial alliance that will ensure peace and prosperity for all of us."
My stomach dropped. "So you're still marrying her, even though I'm having your baby?"
He nodded sadly. "I don't have a choice. My pack comes first."
Tears welled up in my eyes. "But we're supposed to be together, nature says so! How can you just forget that?"
"I'm not forgetting!" Rowan said.
"I really care about you, Catrina. That's why I want you as my concubine after I marry Isabelle."
"Concubine?!" I shouted, pulling back in disgust.
"You want me to be your mistress, share you with another woman?"
That idea was stomach-turning. Mating was the deepest bond two wolves could have. Sharing that bond with someone else made any feelings I had for Rowan disappear completely.
"Absolutely not!" I snapped.
"I won't be some side piece while your wife gets everything! It's all or nothing, Rowan. I'm either your true mate or I'm nothing to you!"
Rowan seemed shocked by my outburst.
"Catrina, please, you must understand how progressive my offer is. Few alphas would even consider keeping an omega as their concubine to be near their child."
But I wasn't interested in his outdated traditions.
I shook my head. "Forget those old-fashioned ideas. Mating is supposed to be special, not some messy deal!"
I could see Rowan getting annoyed by me being so firm. He started to talk again, but I shut him down.
"No way! I don't wanna hear another word!" I yelled, my voice shaky from holding back tears.
"Did you honestly think I'd be okay with being your secret family on the side? Like I'd be happy sharing you with your fancy, high-class wife?"
Rowan gritted his teeth, his eyes getting angry. "Calm down. You don't get it."
"Oh, I get it just fine!" I fired back.
"I get that in your world, omegas like me are just toys for alphas to use and throw away!"
"That's not true…" Rowan growled, but I wasn't done yet.
"Yes, it is! You claimed me as your mate under the full moon, took my innocence, only to toss me aside and reject me when it no longer suited you!" Tears streamed down my face.
"Do you even know what that feels like?"
For the first time ever, Rowan seemed a little ashamed. He tried to say something, but I wasn't done talking yet.
I exploded. "You alphas are all the same! Want everything your way, perfect high-class wife to show off and a lowly omega to hide away like a baby machine for your illegitimate pups!"
My voice boomed, I didn't care who heard at the hotel anymore.
"That's not it!" Rowan boomed back, clearly frustrated.
"I'm trying to protect you and the baby! Isabelle even said she'd keep you safe."
I scoffed. "Safe? Like a pet she can bully whenever she wants? No way!"
Standing tall, I glared right at Rowan. "I don't need your pity, Rowan, or your 'protection.'"
He frowned. "Then what do you want, Catrina? You're carrying my family's bloodline. You can't just run off!"
"Yes, I can," I shot back.
"A good father would care more about the baby than some old-fashioned rules!"
Rowan looked stunned like I'd slapped him. We stared at each other in silence for a long time.
Finally, his voice was cold. "You knew I was the future alpha that night, Catrina. You must've known I'd need an alpha wife."
Rowan's words were like gasoline on a fire. My anger exploded again, burning away any hope of fixing things.
I got right in his face, my finger jabbing at his chest like a weapon.
"Don't you pin this on me!" I snarled, forgetting to be nice anymore.
"I was clueless about pack rules and dumb wolf traditions!"
Rowan tried to speak, but I shook my head furiously, cutting him off.
"No way are you the victim here. You tricked me, and marked me as your mate under the full moon! Was that all a lie? Did you always plan to ditch me for your fiancèe?"
"Absolutely not!" Rowan yelled back, his eyes blazing.
"At that moment, all I wanted was you, Catrina. You awakened something deep inside me, something I couldn't resist."
I snorted, not believing him for a second."Here we go again, blaming your 'wolf side' for everything. Own up to your choices for once!"
Jabs to his chest emphasized each angry word. "You. Mated. With. Me. No wolf magic, no destiny - just you acting on your selfish desires!"
Rowan's jaw clenched so hard, his neck muscles looked like they might explode. He was clearly trying not to lose his temper.
Finally, he spoke in a deep, growling voice, "Careful, omega. You're messing with something dangerous."
I tilted my head back, meeting his angry golden eyes. "What are you gonna do?" I dared him.
"Punish your naughty former mate? Put me, the lowly omega, back in my place?"
A part of me knew I was messing with fire, but I couldn't stop. All the hurt, rejection, and anger he caused me just came bursting out.
"Can't handle it, can you?" I spat at him.
"The great alpha heir, being questioned by a lowly omega. Must sting that I won't just obey you like some good little wolf."
My words hit him hard. His whole face went from tight control to pure rage.
"I don't owe you any explanations! I'm the alpha here! You would do well to remember that!"
His power slammed into me. My wolf side whimpered, telling me to cower and obey this strong alpha.
"I remember a stuck-up, selfish pup playing alpha! So weak he needs his daddy's money and power to hide behind instead of facing his mistakes!"
His hand shot up, a slap was coming, I knew it. But then, just as fast, it stopped in mid-air.
Everything froze. Rowan himself, even the air crackled with tension. On his face, a war raged. Was it his primal wolf side he wanted to control, It was like he didn't know if he wanted to hurt me or protect me, even from himself...