The Beta's Broken Mate

Johnathon POV

Johnathon was not pleased as he sat at the dining table, half bored out of his mind. His parents were insisting he needed to get married and settle down before he could have his inheritance. A bloody nuisance that but he'd agreed, his mind solely focussed on the money and nothing else. He could always divorce the woman afterwards he thought mischievously.

He'd been pleasantly surprised at finding himself at this estate in particular, a part of him hoping to see a certain woman in particular. He let his parents converse with Isabelle and continually glanced at the doorway, smiling widely when he saw the person he wanted to see, Cassie, his ex and the only woman he'd ever even showed or felt a tiny bit of love towards. He'd seen the blood rush out of her face when she'd seen him and the shaking of her whole body as she served them, extremely polite to them all despite the awkward tension and maliciousness from the room that was directed straight at her.

He couldn't help himself. Once she had gone back into the kitchen, he'd excused himself and followed her, his parents still chatting away and barely noticing him leaving. Cassie looked as luscious as he remembered with that golden blonde hair and those big blue eyes that always looked like they were twinkling, her pale pink lips that begged to be kissed and even dressed in well rags he had to admit, she looked delectable, a tasty treat and he licked his lips as he came to a sudden decision.

Naturally it had been a long shot even he knew that. But he would try anyway, who knew she might surprise him and agree, for once ignore those stupid morals of hers and give in to temptation. Because Johnathon knew she still loved him, she wouldn't have reacted the way she did if she didn't. So he'd done it. Offered her an apartment once he gained his inheritance for her and that pesky little son of hers to live in as his mistress, wanting to bed her as often as he could.

The stubborn woman had refused him regardless and he snarled, not happy in the slightest. It wasn't often a woman said no to him that was a given with his looks and charming manner. Since Cassie he'd had nothing but numerous willing bed partners trying to please him and he'd more than partaken his share of pleasure before leaving them high and dry as well. After all it was Cassie he always saw in his mind's eye not these cheap gold diggers who were only after his money or a one night stand.

Johnathon watched Cassie go upstairs after her refusal, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He'd had no choice but to threaten her and still she wasn't swayed. But he also didn't want to marry that harpy Stephanie who never ever seemed to shut up. Every time she'd so much as suddenly been in his path she'd talked his ear off while he pretended to listen and mutter the occasional "huh" and she'd never cottoned on! Said a lot for her intelligence or rather lack of it thought Johnathon rather viciously. Now what was he going to do? He did have a stipulation to carry out in order to get his hands on his inheritance otherwise he'd be penniless and his grandfather's will was clear to when it came to Johnathon receiving money from him as well. His eyes widened and he gave a slow smile as the solution came to him.

Johnathon was fairly humming as he made his way back into the kitchen and took his seat, his parents noticing him for the first time since he'd left.

"Johnathon" his mother admonished "it's rude to just leave when we're having a conversation that involves you" she said pointedly and he did his best to ignore her. Christ he despised her and his father.

"About that" he said calmly and watched his mother's eyes light up with hope. She'd always adored Stephanie, waxed on poetically all the time about what a fantastic girl she was and so polite, a woman that would do well in high society. Birds of a feather tended to flock together he thought derisively, his mother wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed either.

"Yes" his mother breathed excitedly as he held back his smile and waited to see her reaction.

"I will only Marry Cassie" he told them determinedly and her mother gave a large gasp, his father raising an eyebrow and staring at his only son with disgust.

"She's not suitable" his mother said irritably "now Stephanie on the other hand" she began and stopped when Johnathon held up a hand and interrupted her.

"Grandfather's will clearly states that I must be married and produce an heir in order to get his money as well as the both of you to receive your own portions yes" he said and his parents paled and nodded.

"Yes that's true" his mother admitted in a low voice.

Johnathon inwardly celebrated. He had them all where he wanted them. "You also have said that the estate is in desperate need of those funds to do renovations and expansions not to mention invest in more shares" he pointed out.

"Yes but your inheritance is untouched" his mother began in a warning voice but he ignored her.

"Grandfather's money is ten times what I'll receive from you both" he said slowly "and if you need the money so badly then you'll do what I want" he said, casting Isabelle a cutting glance when she tried to speak, leaning forward and putting his elbows on the table and looking very satisfied with himself.

"So here's what's going to happen" he told all of them with a wicked grin "you are going to let me marry Cassie and isn't it convenient I already have an heir" he muttered "so you won't have to wait on the money. As for you Isabelle" he said turning to the ashen woman who was beginning to look furious at the whole debacle and having her plans derailed "I will give you my inheritance from mother and father as compensation. Even less than grandfather's money it's still a large sum" he told her and watched as colour miraculously came back into her cheeks. As he'd suspected Isabelle only cared about the money, so long as he provided that she was more than happy to go along with his so called plan.

His parents grumbled but reluctantly agreed, their eyes too on the money that wouldn't be far off in their greedy little hands.

"But Cassie won't agree, she'll never wed you" Isabelle said dumbly "how do we get her to the altar and get her to marry you."

Johnathon gave her a considering look "we won't tell her" he said calmly before leaning back and beginning to involve them all in his plan to make Cassie his forever.