Rejected by the Wolf, Claimed by the Fox

For 18 years, I had been hopelessly obsessed with my uncle Rowan. The night before my father sent him on a dangerous mission, I slipped into his room through the window. I offered him my first time, but I never expected him to want me too. The moment he lost control, he pinned me beneath him and took me hard. If I make it back alive, Serena, I'll marry you in front of everyone. But three years later, he came back covered in scars and knelt before my father. "Victor, I want to use the credit from this mission to ask for Lily's hand. " Everyone expected me to lose my temper, but I only lowered my eyes and meekly called her Aunt Lily. For three years, I rejected countless marriage alliances while I waited for him. Now, I pulled one proposal from the pile at random and agreed to marry. My father had seven sworn brothers, and Rowan was the youngest and bestlooking of the seven men I called Uncle. My father once said that if he had known about us earlier, he never would have sent Rowan away. Of all seven uncles, Rowan, a wolf shifter, was the best fighter. If he could not make it back alive, sending any of the others would only get them killed. But three years had already passed. Miss Moretti, Mr. Hale is back. My eyes flew open, and I ran outside barefoot. I ran so fast that the rain soaked the hem of my dress. When my father's seven sworn brothers looked at Rowan, their faces held both anger and relief. I did not understand where the anger came from. Dad, what happened? Why is he kneeling? Rowan glanced at me once as if I were no one important, then he lowered his head. Victor, Lily, and the baby are innocent. I don't want them to suffer because of me. Please, Serena, let us marry. For a moment, everything became clear. A girl carefully stepped into the hall from the rain. Her belly was already visibly swollen. Her voice trembled as she knelt before my father. My father silently turned the ring on his finger. Rowan had not expected it to be this difficult to ask for her hand. After all, our relationship had never been public, but he had forgotten somethingI had told my father about us long ago. Otherwise, I could never have turned down every marriage alliance and waited for him for three years.

Everyone in the hall looked at me with pity. I was the Moretti family's only daughter, a white cat shifter, but everyone on the estate knew better than to cross me. Uncle Mason stepped behind me, trying to comfort me. I raised a hand and stopped him. My eyes never left Rowan. Three years had aged him. A deep scar cut across his brow. He walked with a limp. Even the edge of one wolf ear had been torn. Uncle Rowan risked his life for the Moretti family. A man like that shouldn't be left kneeling. My father waved a hand. Dad, isn't the first Saturday next month a good date? Let Uncle Rowan and Aunt Lily get married then. My father choked up while several of my uncles lowered their heads in silence. Only the two people standing in the rain held each other and cried because the first Saturday of next month had originally been set as our wedding date. Rowan had returned, but I was not the woman he wanted to marry when I saw the tenderness in his eyes as he looked at Lily. I frowned. Did everyone lose their voices? Show Mr. and Mrs. Hall some respect. Congratulations, Mr. Hall!

I turned and walked away under my umbrella. I could feel everyone watching me from behind. Uncle Mason hurried after me. I'm sorry. I pushed open the door to my room. The marriage proposals from the past three years were piled in every corner. Uncle Mason, one of these men would be the most valuable ally. With the Marodi family's position, any marriage alliance would only be a bonus. Then which one is the best looking? When Uncle Mason hesitated, I pulled out a proposal at random. Damien Vale, you should choose someone else. Why? A lazy voice drifted in from outside the window. Because he has a terrible reputation; all he knows is drinking, partying, and wasting money. Everyone knows he's a useless playboy. I looked him up and down, then glanced at the marriage proposal in my hand. You look better than your photo. You little bastard, you dare climb the Moretzi estate wall? Do you want to lose a leg? Uncle Mason, I'll choose him. At my words, Dorian sat up and studied me. Settle things with Mr. Hal in seven days. I'll come pick you up for the wedding. Then he jumped down from the wall. You little bastard! He really is a useless little bastard. Not completely useless; at least he hears things quickly if he knew about them and me. He was not as useless as everyone thought.

That evening, I found Rowan waiting for me on the covered terrace. He sat across from me and dismissed the staff with a single glance. I sipped my tea and looked through a business report. Then I asked casually, "Is the baby hers yours? " Rowan said nothing. He silently peeled a few leeches for me. Miss Moretti, a bodyguard approached the table. then noticed Rowan. Mr. Hill, sorry to interrupt. Miss Moretti, the information you requested has arrived. The photo on top was of the girl Rowan had brought home that day. I leaned back and lit a cigarette. Roan could no longer sit still. I'm sorry, Serena. Meeting Lily made me want a quiet life. She can wait, but the baby cannot. I want to give them a proper place in my life. I don't want my child to be born without a name. If you wanted a quiet life, you shouldn't have come near me in the first place Rowan took an antique gold coin bracelet from inside his. jacket You liked these three years ago. I searched everywhere before I finally found one for you. Rowan pressed his hand over mine; his gaze darkened. You think a bracelet is enough to make me let this go? Did you just meet me today without hesitating? Rowan knelt before me. I'm sorry, my life is yours. Can you let her go? I smiled and stood up. I took one final drag from my cigarette but could not find an ashtray. Rowan lifted both hands helplessly. His gaze was unreadable, I crushed the cigarette against. his palm. Then die.

Rowan stared at me in disbelief. Is that how you fooled that girl too? Uncle Rowan, if pretty words could solve every problem, the Morettis would not be where we are today. I got up and headed toward the private dining room. A bodyguard hurried after me. Miss Moretti, your things. I took my purse and noticed that he was still holding the antique gold coin bracelet. It's worth something. Keep it. Thank you, Miss Moretti. My uncles greeted me warmly when I entered the dining room. As soon as I sat down, Lily took my hand. "My dear niece, I heard you and Rowan are very close. I also heard that you are the only person he listens to. "Once we get married next month, you should still visit us as often as you did before. Her smile was gentle, but there was something defiant in her eyes. Serena, we should exchange numbers. She pulled out her phone; the lock screen was a photo of her and Rowan. Then she tapped her forehead. Oh, I almost forgot. My phone broke, so I'm using Rowan's old one for now. She opened the contact list and smiled at me. He didn't save most of the names in here. Which chat is yours, my dear niece? Several of my uncles across the table had already realized that something was wrong. I glanced at the screen; it really was Rowan's old phone. Since she wanted to know so badly, I did not mind telling her. Of course, he saved my name—he saved me as baby.