Mated to my sister’s ugly mate

In the kitchen, Shadow deftly sliced the tomatoes and beef, preparing a wicked concoction of tomato beef noodles. The air was thick with tension as she worked, her movements deliberate and precise.

Alpha Dominic stood by her side, an unwavering presence. Ever since his apology, he had remained glued to her side, never leaving, never straying. It was as if he couldn’t bear to let her out of his sight.

As the blade cut through the meat, his voice broke the silence. “You cut slowly,” he remarked, his tone laced with an unsettling edge.

Shadow’s gaze became incredulous. How dare he insult her cooking skills? This man, who had never even wielded a knife in his life! Determination gripped her, and she sliced the beef into strips with even greater speed. The defiance in her eyes burned brightly.

“If you plan on scrutinizing my every move,” she challenged, “then I suggest you find yourself another place to stand. I won’t tolerate any obstacles in my path.”

It was the dead of night, the silence heavy and suffocating after their heated argument. Alpha Kilian, Alpha Dominic’s brother, couldn’t bear the loneliness in the dining room. Instead, he chose to watch Shadow intently as she moved about the kitchen.

Alpha Dominic raised an eyebrow, trying to justify his presence. “I must watch you,” he claimed, his voice tinged with a hint of fear. “What if you poison me? I have no desire to meet my demise just yet.”

Shadow scoffed, her eyes glinting with mocking amusement. “Do you think I am so foolish? How could I jeopardize my own life? After all, you paid three hundred million dollars for me. That would be a waste, wouldn’t it?” Her words held a bitter undertone, inadvertently revealing her true feelings.

Alpha Kilian took her words to heart, sensing her hidden bitterness.

“The elders discussed the matter,” he interjected, his words slipping out before he could stop them. “My cousin did not intend for things to end up like this.”

Shadow shook her head, her eyes filled with understanding. “I am not blaming him. But tell me, why are you acting so differently now? On my first day here, you insulted him, calling him a cripple. And now, you’re defending him. Are you truly on good terms?”

Alpha Kilian’s response was cryptic. “What do you think?”

In her heart, Shadow wanted to call him every name in the book, a shameless lunatic. Yet, she bit her tongue, unable to fathom the complex ties that bound the two brothers together.

With a sigh, Shadow placed the two steaming bowls of noodles on the table. The late hour had melted away the tension between them, and they found solace in conversation as they partook in their meal. But it was mostly Shadow who dominated the conversation, trying to uncover the mysteries of Alpha Kilian.

Yet, every inquiry was met with a nonchalant shrug and monosyllabic responses. Likes, dislikes, desires-Alpha Kilian remained an enigma.

The next day, panic coursed through Shadow as she checked her phone for the time. “Crap, crap, crap! I’m late!” she muttered under her breath, throwing off the covers and racing into the bathroom to freshen up. Hastily changing into her clothes, she hurried through her morning routine before darting out of her bedroom.

Descending the stairs, her eyes caught Alpha Dominic’s figure leaning casually against the staircase. His eyes twinkled with an odd sense of enthusiasm, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. It was as if he had downed a potent energy drink!

Given his reputation for sleeping in, and the fact that they had shared a late supper just hours ago, she expected him to appear exhausted. Instead, he resembled a human filled with an otherworldly energy, while she, in comparison, felt like a mere ghost.

His body must’ve been forged with the strength of iron, for it showed no hint of weakness or fatigue. His towering figure loomed over her as he furrowed his brows, sensing her discontent. “Didn’t you rest well, my dear?”

Was he flaunting his superiority? It angered her, her lips contorting into a scowl. She stole a glance at her timepiece, shaking her head in frustration. There was not a moment to spare. “I am nearly late. Breakfast will have to wait today.”

But just as she was about to hurriedly flee, he gripped her arm firmly, yanking her back into his grasp. “Allow me to transport you, my Lady.”

Though she protested silently, the ticking of time relentlessly pressed upon her thoughts. Boarding the crowded bus would surely lead to her tardiness, and the consequences from her family loomed darkly in her mind.

Yet, before he could retrieve his keys, he was abruptly summoned away on urgent matters. “You,” he commanded one of his loyal sentinels. “Ensure that Shadow arrives safely at her workplace.”

Without uttering another word, they went their separate ways.

…

Meanwhile, as she toiled away at her office, he arrived at a secluded teahouse, known only to a select few.

Owen stood by the entrance, acknowledging his presence with a subtle nod. “Young Master, sir awaits you in the private chamber,” he spoke with utmost respect, guiding him towards the door.

Seated with his back turned to the entrance, George exuded an aura of unease. A tea tray, gleaming with polished silver, lay before him, reflecting his brooding countenance. It was plain to see that the man’s temperament was far from amiable.

“What do you desire?” Alpha Kilian settled onto the sofa, deliberately distancing himself from his father. His tone held an air of indifference, as if he were conversing with a mere shareholder rather than the man who had brought him into this world.

“Reveal it!” The elderly man waved his hand dismissively, unfazed by his son’s attitude.

Owen presented the tablet to him.

On its screen, a headline had just been released that morning.

“Is Young Madame Lances having a tryst with her spouse’s cousin?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The title longed for attention, grasping at the curiosity of all who laid eyes upon it. Not only did it tease the scandalous notion of an illicit affair, but the inclusion of the prestigious Lances name ensured that all eyes would be fixated.

Within mere hours of its publication, the article had garnered a significant number of readers.

“One of our anonymous sources has provided photographic evidence of Alpha Kilian’s wife, Shadow, engaged in a suspicious relationship with one of his cousins! Click for further updates on this tantalizing connection!”

Accompanying the article were two incriminating images. In them, the two figures appeared intimately close, their surroundings hinting at a dinner gathering with the Eden family.

“Well? Will you not explain yourself?” George seethed, his rage consuming him. He hurled his teacup to the floor, its shattering fragments resonating throughout the private chamber.

Anger clouded Alpha Kilian’s gaze as he assessed the scene before him.

For years, ever since his mother’s untimely demise, their interactions had been fraught with tension and disputes.

Their encounters always seemed destined to end in conflict.

“I am growing older, Alpha Kilian, and the day will come when I must pass the reins of the Lances Group to you,” George spoke slowly, carefully selecting his words. “Shadow is a kind and virtuous woman, and I hold no ill will towards her. But if you truly find no solace in her company, then you may consider divorcing her once you have assumed control of the company.”

The Lances family boasted numerous relatives, all vying for the coveted title of CEO of the Lances Group. Though Alpha Kilian was the rightful heir, dissenting voices rose, questioning his sexuality as he had yet to take a wife. It was precisely for this reason that George had orchestrated his union with Shadow.

Since his mother’s passing, Alpha Kilian had refrained from venturing into the public eye, concealed by a facade only a few glimpsed.

George had attempted to appease him by introducing a multitude of eligible women. Some were breathtakingly beautiful, others exuded pride and intelligence, while the rest possessed a gentle charm. Yet, one after another, they were all rejected by his son.

He never even tried to touch them.

What choice did George have but to coerce him into a marriage, a move intended to silence their detractors?

One day, Alpha Kilian would understand his father’s intentions and fulfill his duty by siring an heir to the Lances family. Only then would George find solace. However, it seemed his son still remained oblivious to the consequences of his actions.

“That matter is strictly between Shadow and me. I advise you to no longer concern yourself with it,” Alpha Kilian asserted firmly.

Suddenly, Shadow’s ignorance of the scandal flashed through his mind. She had ventured out earlier, completely unaware of the impending storm.

Alpha Kilian clenched his fists, realizing that he had gravely underestimated Jessica’s audacity. Not only did she dare to capture their image, she even sent it to the ravenous media.