Catherine’s POV
“That’s right. Because we are not mates. I like you in the same way a human does. I like you, because you are rich, you have a good figure, and you are gentle to me.” I was no longer a deserter. I turned around and met his eyes.
“How greedy and snobby you are!” Blake was a bit disappointed.
“You’re right. That’s why I keep turning you down. We both know that the feelings between mates are pure, and my feelings for you now aren’t,” I said frankly.
Then I heard him saying with a smile, “I just love how straightforward you are.”
I was stunned.
“You don’t think that I am one of those easy women? That I want nothing but your money and your fame?” I was surprised.
Blake said mockingly, “You never ask me for money, and you never seduce me. Is it really worth it to singe your wings like this?”
He leaned closer to my face and said in a deep voice, “Don’t lie about things you haven’t done, unless you want to do them with me now.”
My breathing paused, and I took a step back, keeping my distance from him. My tone failed to stay normal anymore. “Don’t get so close to me. I admit that I haven’t made these two requests to you, but if you really want to marry me, I will disappoint you. Maybe I will throw weight around. Maybe I will spend your money like water.”
“I don’t mind that. You can spend my money however you like.” Blake approached me.
“Blake, what are you doing?” I noticed him approaching.
“You know what you look like right now? You look like a cute bunny that makes people want to bully.” Blake said jokingly.
I glared at him and said, “Come at me if you dare. You will be sorry!”
His lips curved up. “What will I be sorry for? Noah and Hedwig want us to be together, and they’ll be heartbroken if we’re not.”
I was pissed off. How terrible Blake was! He dared to use the kids as an excuse.
I had been able to threaten him with the kids, but now, the threat seemed to have been less powerful.
“Why don’t we satisfy our kid’s wishes?” As he spoke, his thin lips were already close to my mouth. In the next second, he sucked my lips without any self-control.
In the blink of an eye, my hands on the desk became weak.
I felt like I was falling backward.
Yet soon, an arm held my waist.
I didn’t lean backward.
Instead, I was firmly embraced by Blake.
Then he started to kiss me.
His kiss was strong, domineering.
Meanwhile, it was also tender.
My breathing was a mess, and so was my heart. My reason slowly drifted away because of Blake.
Blake wanted more. He slipped his hand into my thin pajamas…
“No.” I suddenly came back to my senses and pushed him away. My back hit the edge of the desk, and the pain made my head clearer.
“Why not?” asked Blake, frustrated.
I hurriedly pulled down the pajamas he had pulled up. I lowered my head in panic. “I just can’t.”
“Is it because of what happened five years ago?” Blake asked seriously.
I nodded in dismay.
“Cathy.” Blake called my name softly.
Hearing that, I looked up and said, “Blake, I don’t know what’s wrong with me…”
Blake gently pulled me into his arms.
I leaned against his beefy chest and sobbed softly. “For the last five years, I’ve been haunted by a nightmare. The one in my dream is not you, but it has been troubling me deeply.”
“I’m sorry.” Blake whispered.
There was a hint of anger in Blake’s voice. He continued, “It’s all Gina’s fault. I would have found you if she hadn’t taken your place.”
I remained silent. It was true that Gina was the one to blame. However, it was also the fact that I had already made a promise to Alpha Wyatt.
Blake paused for a second and said helplessly, “Cathy, you’re not still treating her as your sister, are you? Don’t be so naive, OK? If someone bullies you, you should fight back, instead of being a pushover and suffering in silence.”
“I am not a pushover. I just … promised someone not to hurt her,” I said, biting my lip.
“Who did you promise? Who can make you suffer all these humiliations?” asked Blake.
“It’s Alpha Wyatt, who I always thought was my biological father.” I didn’t want to suppress the tiredness and sadness deep down anymore.
“He’s not your biological father?” Blake asked in surprise.
I leaned weakly against his chest, shook my head, and said self-mockingly, “Do you remember that time I begged you to spare Gina? You scolded me and called me stupid. Indeed, it was stupid for me to let go of the person I resented. But I only did that since Alpha Wyatt came to me. He told me that he was not my biological father. To keep Gina, his biological daughter’s reputation, he left me in deep distress. I don’t want to see his face ever again. He raised me, so I wanted to pay him back. And that was the only reason that I let Gina off the hook. But it won’t happen again. The next time Gina tries to hurt me, I’ll never let her slide.”
Blake looked down at me in surprise.
“If you are reluctant to get back at Gina, let me.” Blake said, wanting to right wrongs.
I smiled bitterly, “I have already made peace with what she did to me. And you don’t have to get back at her on purpose. We will forget about her existence from now on.”
“Fine. I will let go.”
I stood up from Blake’s arms, raised my head, and looked into his eyes. “Let’s … let’s get married!”
“Really?” Blake was surprised.
“Yes. It seems that you’re the only one who will be accepted by the kids.” I smiled helplessly.
The surprise on Blake’s face was instantly replaced by disappointment. “You sound like you don’t have a choice.”
“Indeed.” I didn’t want to hurt him, but it was the truth.
Blake looked down at me helplessly.
“Same here. The kids are the only reason that I marry you, OK?” Blake joked.
I nodded. “Fine. I get it. You are a good father, and I am a good mother. Let’s just keep things going for the sake of our kids.”
“Don’t flatter me. What the kids think matters, but you know you mean a lot to me, too.” Blake emphasized.
I smiled and said, “Turn on the lights. How long are we going to cuddle like this?”
“Maybe a little longer. I don’t want to turn on the lights. I just want to hold you like this.” As he spoke, he buried his head in my neck.
My body trembled, and this time, I did not push him away.
I fought with instinctive repulsion and tried to calm myself down.