The Alpha Prince And His Bride
Book 3 The Alpha’s Substitute Bride – Episode 30

~HUNTER~

I stood in front of the woman I’ve literally pined for in the past few years. I wasn’t moving. All I could do was keep staring at her while replaying her words over and over in my head. I was torn between doing what would keep her happy and what my heart wanted to do.

I saw the hurt and disbelief in her eyes when I refused to give her an answer and it didn’t bother me as much as it would have done in the past.

“Hunter.” She hissed. The hurt in her eyes was now replaced by unmistakable anger. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Throw her out or come to my bed. I just don’t want to see you with her anymore. That’s simply disrespectful to our relationship. What would people say when they find out that you’re in bed with that woman even after finding out that your mate is alive and living in the same house with you?”

Maggie’s words shocked me to the very core. Did she really think that I cared about what others said about me? I’ve lived the past five years with the worst things possible said about me and I went about my life just fine with that.

I could not give her what she wanted. As much as it shocked me to admit it, I couldn’t let go of Isabella even if I wanted to. I was already attached to her in a way impossible to explain. When she’d asked me what was going to happen now, I knew immediately that I wouldn’t be able to let her go. I didn’t even have to question myself about that, I already knew the answer. But the question still remained as to whether or not the same thing applied to Maggie. Would I be able to let her go after finding her back after all of these years?

Everything was so messed up that I couldn’t think clearly. All of the things around me felt foggy and out of reach.

The moment I’d wrapped Isabella in my arms earlier tonight I could tell that I would fight anyone that tried to take her from me. She was so soft and sweet; so vulnerable and precious. Isabella was my very own diamond, a unique gem, one that I was so clearly lost over.

Maggie cleared her throat, bringing my attention back to her. My gaze touched her eyes and we stayed like that for a few seconds. This didn’t feel like it once did. Why did it not? We once had a strong connection, I mean there was still something there but it felt more like a distant memory than a powerful chord binding us together.

After a few more minutes I was ready to give her my answer. I knew that she wouldn’t like it and it was hard for me to say it to her but I had to get it over with.

“I need some time to think about this Maggie.” I whispered, her words still echoed in my head and I couldn’t be harsh to her after everything she’d been through. “I can’t just let go of Isabella and throw her away like she means nothing to me. She—”

I didn’t know how to explain my feelings to Maggie. She was my mate and here I was about to tell her what I felt for another woman that wasn’t her.

That only sparked another question in my head, how was it even possible for me to have feelings for another woman when my mate was present? Nothing was making sense to me, nothing at all. I shouldn’t be able to feel like this for someone when I was already bonded to someone else. But how bonded exactly was I to Maggie if we never completed the ritual? I needed to figure out what Isabella really meant to me before I made any drastic decisions.

I needed to understand why I felt all of these strong feelings for her.

Whatever I felt for Isabella was too strong to just be nothing and she deserved to be treated the right way. I never gave Isabella the treatment that she rightfully deserved; I would not stoop so low as to throw her out of my life when she’s been nothing but good to me. She was the reason I was able to breathe these past few weeks. She gave my life purpose, a reason to live again after I’d thought that Maggie was dead.

I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what was right from wrong. I’ve wanted Maggie more than anything in this entire world. I wanted her alive and in front of me, I wanted to apologize for not being there for her when she needed me the most. There were so many things I wished to say to her. Now she was here and she was demanding things from me. Things I would be happy to do if she’d asked me these same things only a few months ago. But now it wasn’t like that. Now I was torn.

Every time I closed my eyes I saw Isabella. I saw the way she looked at me; I saw her glowing gorgeous eyes. I saw her soft smile, her soft curves. I heard her voice. I felt her smile, felt her warmth.

I didn’t think that I would have ever been put into a position like this, one where I would have to choose between two women. To anyone, my choice should be easy, why not choose the woman you’ve wanted all along? To me it wasn’t that simple. Anyone who asked such a question clearly did not know Isabella. She’d managed to make a place in my heart . . . My heart.

Damn it.

I didn’t want to admit this to myself but it was true. So damn true and I couldn’t stand here and keep lying to myself.

Isabella meant a lot to me. So much that I was finding it hard to let her go when my own mate stood in front of me.

“I can’t believe that you would do this to me.” Maggie accused. “I’ve went through so much for you. I thought that when I came back I would be greeted by the Hunter that I once knew. I can see that I was wrong.”

Her words hit a nerve and I closed my eyes when she turned to leave.

I opened my mouth to stop her but closed it again. There was nothing that I could say to make this any better.

. . . . . .

~ISABELLA~

I was surprised when Hunter came back into the room and didn’t mention for me to leave. I was expecting him to come in and bring Maggie to replace me. None of that happened.

Our eyes locked just like it always did. There were so many unsaid words between us. I wanted to tell him so many things but ever since Maggie returned I’d lost my will to speak.

Before she came I felt like I had the right to demand things from Hunter, to demand he treated me like his wife.

I tried not to think about it anymore. Deep in my heart I’ll always be Hunter Miller’s wife, I knew that I would take these memories and feelings with me to the grave. He gave me so much to remember and treasure in such a little time. I wouldn’t regret all that we’ve been through together. In fact, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

My heart dropped when he grabbed something from the table and turned to leave. “I may not be back until the morning.” He said over his shoulder. I placed one foot on the ground, ready to stop him. But I didn’t go after him. I couldn’t force Hunter to stay with me, this was his decision to make.

I covered my face against the pillows after he left. He’d made his choice. He chose to do what Maggie asked of him. The thought of him in bed with her was enough to send me crazy.

Physical pain was nothing compared to this. Ever since Maggie had returned that was all I’ve been feeling. Pain upon pain and I didn’t think that I could take much more of it.

I wanted to jump out of the bed and scream at him, in fact, I wanted to scream at the both of them for bringing me into this mess. I shouldn’t have to suffer like this. All I’ve ever wanted was to be loved by Hunter. Was that really too much to ask for?

I barely slept the entire night without Hunter by my side. It was difficult especially after knowing where he was.

The next morning, I opened my eyes just in time to see him walk back in. I checked the time and stiffened when I saw that it was eight. He’d stayed in bed with her all this time?

I felt a stabbing pain in my chest followed by anger that fueled my veins.

I angrily got out of bed and faced him while blocking his way to the bathroom.

His irresistible scent hit me hard and it only made me angrier. Hunter looked down at me and studied every feature on my face. I tried not to think about how beautiful his eyes seemed to me right now or how good it felt to be near him again. Instead I focused on the anger that was slowly spiraling out of control.

“How could you do this to me?” I demanded from him. His eyes widened and he looked down at me as if he wasn’t sure how to respond to my question. “Why did you go to her last night? Why did you?” I screamed.

I knew that Maggie was still his wife while I was no longer his but I just couldn’t stop the pain. The more hurt I felt, the more I wanted to scream at Hunter.

He looked taken aback by my outburst. He took a step towards me and I took one back, keeping some distance between us. It was the only way that I could ensure that I didn’t get lost in him again.

“Isabella,” he whispered. He spoke in a gentle voice, almost like he was speaking to a baby. “Listen to me.”

“Why did you?” I cried before slamming my fists against his hard chest. I felt defeated and so lost. I couldn’t stand the thought of him with anyone else but me, no matter who that person was to him, I just couldn’t take it.

He grabbed both of my hands and pushed them over my head against the wall and leaned into me. “Listen to me Isabella.” He growled. “I wasn’t with her last night. I spent the night outside in the jeep . . . I promise.”

I paused after hearing his confession. It was crazy what happened to my body next. The anger just flew out of me like a raging fire dashed with enough water to cool it down.

After realizing that I’d finally relaxed a little, only then did Hunter let go of my hands. He quietly leaned his forehead against mine. “I wasn’t with her. You must believe me, please.”

I opened my mouth to speak when I heard footsteps approaching fast. There was a soft knock on the door and Hunter and I slowly rearranged ourselves.

“Come in.” He called.

“We have company.” Esma informed us after poking her head through the door. Judging by her sour mood, I could already tell that it wasn’t someone that I should be happy about.

We followed her out of the room and down the stairs. Maggie was talking to someone that I immediately recognized. It was that woman who’d tried to insult me at my welcome party . . . Maggie’s aunt. Was her name Sheila? I believe that was it.

“Did you invite her over here?” Esma asked her brother.

Before Hunter could answer his sister, Maggie rushed to his side and grabbed his arm.

“Oh Hunter,” she cried. “It feels so good to see my aunt again.”

Sheila walked towards us with happy tears in her eyes.

“I couldn’t believe the news when I’d heard it. My precious Maggie is back.”

I narrowed my eyes; something didn’t seem right at all about this entire thing. She seemed to be completely calm for someone who’d just found out that her niece wasn’t dead. “How did you know that Maggie was back? No one has spoken a word about it.”

The aunt looked at me as though I was the enemy. “Someone spotted a person that looked like Maggie. They informed me immediately. I came here to tell Hunter the news but instead was surprised to see my niece alive and well.”

“You don’t look that surprised if you ask me.” Esma mumbled. At least I wasn’t the only one that saw it.

“Esma.” Hunter said her name in a warning tone.

“This is all so crazy. Now you and Hunter can be together like you’ve been in the past. There is nothing separating you two anymore.” Sheila said to Maggie with hopeful eyes.

I couldn’t take hearing anymore of this. I turned around and walked out of there like my life depended on it. I didn’t stop walking until I was outside by the pool.

I inhaled the cool air and leaned against the wall for support.

“You’ll never have his heart.”

I opened my eyes to find myself face to face with the woman that made my life miserable even before I knew that she was alive.

I narrowed my eyes. “You don’t know anything.”

She laughed. “I know that he hasn’t been able to take his eyes off me since I returned. I know that I’m his mate. I know that he’s loved me since the moment he first saw me and has never stopped loving me. I know that this marriage was nothing but a show. He used you because he was lonely and was hurting over me. Whatever little moments you two have had I’m sure it was only because of the pain he felt after losing me. Now that I’m back, believe me, Hunter will be mine again. He will never love someone like you. I can already see it so clearly. He’s just a good person and doesn’t know how to tell you to get lost. After I have a little talk with him, he will change his mind. He’s always given me exactly what I’ve wanted. He wouldn’t stop now . . . Not for you.”

“Is that why I’m still the one he spends the night with while you stay in a guest room?” I asked her with a sweet smile. I didn’t wait for her to answer me as I stormed back into the house. I went outside to move away from her and the woman actually followed me out.

Even though I said those things to her, there was no denying that her words did affect me badly.

A lot of those things were true. When Hunter and I got married he was vulnerable and hurting because he’d thought that Maggie was dead; we did have moments where he talked about her and how much her death had hurt him.

Was that all it was?

Was I just an escape for Hunter?