The Beta's Broken Mate

Johnathon

She saw his smile first as she tried to rush serving the appetisers, wanting nothing more than to get the hell out of the room. "Cassie" he said and she closed her eyes in resignation. "How are you doing" he said calmly and she tried her best not to glare at the ingrate, his parents also looking up now and narrowing their eyes at her.

"I'm fine" she almost growled "how are you Johnathon" she said icily and he smiled, not fazed by her rudeness at all or her intense hatred of him.

"Fantastic" he said as she almost hit him over the head with the tray "we were just discussing the possibility of marriage between our two families weren't we mother, father."

Cassie's knees knocked together. Surely her stepmother wasn't forcing her to marry the blasted man. No that was going too far. Cassie would rather be homeless. Mr and Mrs Leville looked at Cassie askance with the usual disapproval look on their mean faces and she glared back at them. They'd never considered her good enough for Johnathon when they first began dating and he'd shown his true colours once he'd abandoned her the second she found out she was pregnant with Liam. His parents had also been more than happy for that to occur and none of them had shown any interest in Liam as a son or grandchild. Something she was thankful for every damn day. Johnathon would have been a terrible father and as for those two as grandparents? She knew they'd be just as horrid. Liam was far better off with just her.

"Yes" Mrs Leville added, leaning forward, her eyes raking over Cassie with contempt "we were. I think that Stephanie is more than suitable for Johnathon and they do like each other very much."

Cassie almost wept in relief even if it did hurt that somehow her half sister was more to their liking than Cassie had ever been. But looking at them now she felt like she'd had a lucky escape. If she'd been tied to Johnathon for the sake of their child she'd have been miserable. Stephanie and him deserved each other she thought with a small smile.

"Congratulations" Cassie told them sweetly as Johnathon looked nonplussed by her reaction "I'm happy for you both."

Mr and Mrs Leville looked just as confused while Isabelle looked a little annoyed. Clearly she had wanted Cassie to yell or scream or something and wasn't happy that she'd maintained her cool. She sailed back into the kitchen and began to get the main course prepared while the adults resumed talking behind her. She fairly danced around the kitchen. If Johnathon and Stephanie got married she'd be free of not one but two toxic people in her life and it was worth celebrating. She was not so pleased when the kitchen door opened and instead of Isabelle standing there, Johnathon strode in acting like he owned the place and staring down at her as she blinked and stayed silent. Now what did he want?

"Cassie" he said smoothly as she looked at him icily. How she'd fallen for him in the first place she had no idea. Sure he was handsome with tussled brown hair and hazel eyes, muscled body and honey golden skin but the outside definitely didn't match the inside, which was cruel, mean and downright cowardly. He could have chosen to stay by her side especially during the pregnancy but instead he'd heeded to his parent's advice and wishes, leaving Cassie high and dry, raising a child by herself.

"What" she glowered and he raised an eyebrow at her.

"This doesn't have to mean anything" he said to her suggestively and she just looked at him incredulously. What on earth did he mean by that?

"I'm sorry what" she said dumbly. He sighed and moved closer, putting both hands on the kitchen counter and leaning forward to stare at her intently.

"You know I loved you Cassie" he said smoothly "I always have but my parent's insisted they'd disown me if I stayed with you."

Oh she knew all right. His parents had made it more than clear they didn't like her thought Cassie bitterly and not once had Johnathon come to her defence.

"So you chose money over love" she said quietly her voice barely above a whisper "and now what is it you want?"

His eyes were glinting now, raking her over and she shuddered at the expression coming over his face as he licked his lips. "We can still be together" he murmured "just because I'm getting married doesn't mean we have to stay apart any longer. Especially since I'll receive my inheritance and will no longer be living with my parents."

Cassie wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly or at least she was praying she hadn't. Had he meant that he wanted to be married and still be with her as well? Like a bloody mistress? The hell she would. She decided to clarify.

"Explain" she said slowly and he smiled triumphantly thinking she was considering his offer.

"I'll get you an apartment, you and the boy, Stephanie doesn't have to know and I'll visit you every other day."

"For what" she said blankly and he raised an eyebrow.

"Well" he said seductively "I sure as hell miss that great body of yours Cassie and you can't tell me you didn't enjoy it when we made love together."

She couldn't believe the nerve of him. He really did think she would become his mistress after everything he'd put her through? After everything Liam had been put through because of him.

"We did it once" she stormed at him "and I got pregnant and you left me to fend for myself and now you want me as your side piece" she said irritably "so that you can have your cake and eat it too? Hell no" she snapped "you come near me again and I won't be responsible for my actions Johnathon, mark my words."

She slammed the tray she'd picked up down, not caring if the sound travelled to the dining room. She'd had enough of this horrible charade. Isabelle could serve the guests herself, a small part of Cassie wondering where her half sisters were or if Stephanie even knew that marriage for her was being discussed. It wasn't her business she decided halting at the foot of the stairs when he spoke in his cold voice, the threat and implication hanging in the air as she tensed and stilled "then I guess I'll have to insist on marrying you and claiming my son as my rightful heir instead then."