The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 77: Chapter 77

Catrina’s POV:
I sat by the lake on Mondragon pack land, trying to find a little bit of peace.
Being pregnant was exhausting, and my emotions were all over the place. But being close to nature always calmed me down.
“This is supposed to be a peaceful time.” I thought, taking a deep breath of fresh air.
“I’m so worried about Rowan.”
Suddenly, a voice shattered the quiet. “Well, well, if it isn’t the runaway cheerleader.”
I turned and saw Brock Callahan walking towards me, a smug grin on his face.
My stomach dropped. What was he doing here? How did he find me?
“Brock,” I said coolly, trying to sound calm even though my heart was racing.
“What are you doing here?”
He came closer, his annoying smirk still in place.
“Just checking on my old girlfriend. Heard you’ve been busy, what with being pregnant and all, hanging out with werewolves.”
His mocking tone made me bristle.
“I’m not your girlfriend anymore, Brock. And what I do is none of your business.”
He narrowed his eyes, getting way too close for comfort as he looked me up and down.
“Actually, Catrina, I think it is my business. Especially since you’re involved with that… wolf guy. Rowan Magnus, right? The high school quarterback? Never thought I’d see the day.”
My heart pounded, but I held his gaze, refusing to show him how scared I was.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
He threw back his head and laughed, but it wasn’t a happy laugh.
“Don’t play dumb, Catrina. Everyone knows about your rich boyfriend. And I gotta admit, it stings a little that you replaced me so fast.”
His words felt like a punch to the gut.
“Why does he even care? After all this time, after the way he treated me…”
I remembered that awful night after prom, how he'd ditched me in the cold without a second thought.
Anger flared within me.
I pushed those bad memories aside and stood up a little taller.
My protective instincts were kicking in.
I had to defend Rowan, defend our baby.
“Rowan is my mate, Brock,” I said firmly.
“And this baby is ours. You don’t have the right to tell me what to do. We’re already a family.”
His face darkened.
“Family, huh? So, you’re really going to live like this? Knowing what Rowan and his kind are?” He shook his head, disgusted.
“I thought you were smarter than that, Catrina.”
My anger boiled over.
“You don’t know anything about Rowan or me. He’s a better man than you’ll ever be.”
He stepped closer, his eyes narrowed.
“Is that so? Because it looks to me like he’s just using you, like all wolves use their women.”
I clenched my fists.
“That’s not true! Rowan loves me, and I love him. We’re mates. We have a connection you wouldn’t understand.”
He scoffed. “Love? That’s a nice word, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re just a breeder to them, Catrina. I've heard ‘bout that.”
I felt a surge of fury.
“How dare you! Rowan would never treat me like that. He’s fought for me, protected me, been there for me through everything.”
Brock’s lip curled in a sneer.
“Yeah, well, let’s see how long that lasts. Face it, Catrina, you’re just a convenient omega to those wolves. You and that baby are nothing but pawns in their games.”
“You’re wrong!” I shouted, my voice shaking with emotion.
“Rowan is my true mate, the only one for me. And this baby… this baby is everything to us!”
Brock’s expression darkened, and he moved even closer, invading my space.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Catrina. You and that baby would be so much safer with me. I can take care of you, give you a normal life, away from all this werewolf craziness.”
I stared at him, speechless. Was he serious?
“Are you crazy? I would never leave Rowan. Not for you, not for anyone. This is my family now, and I’m staying here.”
His face twisted with anger. “So, that’s how it is, huh? You’d rather be with those monsters than me, the guy who actually cares about you?”
Courage surged through me.
“Rowan is not a monster, Brock. He’s the man I love, the father of my child. And I will never abandon him or my family.”
He suddenly shoved his phone in my face.
“Then see for yourself,” he sneered.
“Looks like while you’re sitting here waiting for your precious Rowan, he’s been busy having fun with some college girls.”
I blinked, confused. College? What was he talking about?
Then I looked at the pictures, and my heart sank.
There he was, clear as day—Rowan, laughing and hugging some human girls.
He looked happy, carefree… and there was no mistaking how close he was to them.
My stomach churned. Could this be real? Was this what he’d been doing while I waited for him?
Hurt and betrayal washed over me, but a tiny voice inside whispered.
“No, this can’t be right. Brock’s lying. He has to be.”
“Those are lies!” I snapped, glaring at him.
“Rowan wouldn’t do that! He wouldn’t betray me like that!”
Brock just smirked, clutching the phone tighter, like he was enjoying this way too much.
“Oh, these aren’t lies, Catrina. Look closer. See how happy he is? Hooking up with humans? Doesn’t sound like he’s in any hurry to get back to his ‘true mate,’ does it?”
Every word he said was like a knife twisting in my heart.
But I couldn’t let him win. I couldn’t let him destroy my faith in Rowan, in our bond.
“It’s not true!” I insisted, my voice trembling.
“Rowan would never betray me or our baby. He loves me, I know it!”
Brock’s face darkened, and he took a menacing step closer.
“Open your eyes, Catrina! He’s just using you, like I said!”
My protective instincts flared.
“I won’t leave Rowan! I won’t abandon my family! No matter what you say or do!”
His face twisted with fury, and he suddenly shoved me, hard.
I stumbled back, my heart racing, fear flooding me like icy water.
He’s going to hurt me. He’s really going to hurt me.
“You’re leaving me no choice, Catrina,” Brock snarled, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
“If you won’t come with me willingly, then I’ll take you. By force if I have to!”
He lunged at me, his fist raised, and I braced myself, knowing I couldn’t fight him off.