Married to the Alpha

Chapter Five: The Ex

|Maria|

“B-Baron?!” I gasped in shock, my eyes wide as I stared at the man standing before me. His deep brown eyes locked onto mine, equally stunned.

“M-Maria!” he exclaimed, blinking rapidly as his mouth fell open. He seemed to be checking if I was real, and when he finally accepted that I was truly standing in front of him, he stepped inside the mansion and immediately pulled me into a tight embrace.

“It’s you!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with relief and joy. “I thought I was just hallucinating!” He held me close for a moment before stepping back, creating some distance between us as he looked me over.

“Look at you! Still as slim as ever!” he teased, breaking into a hearty laugh. It was only then that I snapped out of my daze, the surprise of his unexpected arrival finally sinking in.

“Yeah,” I muttered, still eyeing him curiously, unable to shake the question that now filled my mind.

Why is he here?

His smile gradually faded, his brows knitting together in confusion.

"But why are you here?" he asked, the question likely weighing on his mind the moment he saw me. I remained silent, rooted to the spot. My throat tightened, especially as his expression suddenly darkened.

I knew that look all too well.

Biting my lower lip, I sighed deeply. Should I tell him why I’m really here?

I imagined confessing the truth to Baron, explaining the situation that had brought me here. I could already picture his anger, his frustration as he tried to figure out how to help me out of this mess. That was just the kind of person he was.

I opened my mouth, ready to say something, but stopped when a voice behind me called his name.

"Baron?!"

I turned around to see Aunt Helen’s astonished face. My forehead creased as Aunt Helen smiled and immediately walked toward us, her eyes never leaving Baron.

"Baron! Dios Mio, it really is you!" she said joyfully.

"Yes, it's me, Auntie..." Baron confirmed with a smile, embracing Aunt Helen.

Aunt Helen did the same and I noticed tears welling up in her eyes. I couldn’t help but watch them, and suddenly, thoughts of my own parents flooded my mind. I missed them more than ever. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. This isn’t the time to think of them, Maria. You need to figure out why Baron suddenly showed up here and how Aunt Helen knows him.

"It's been so long since I last saw you! I thought you'd never come back!" Aunt Helen’s voice was trembling with emotion.

Baron only smiled sheepishly, while Aunt Helen peppered him with questions about how he had been. Baron responded with enthusiasm, the two of them catching up as if no time had passed. After a few minutes of the unexpected reunion, Baron’s gaze drifted toward me, his eyes filled with a curiosity that bordered on menace. Startled by the intensity of his stare, I quickly averted my eyes. Aunt Helen, noticing the exchange, turned to look at me. When our eyes met, I immediately looked away, worried that Aunt Helen might sense something was amiss.

"Why is Maria here, Auntie?" Baron asked bluntly, without a trace of concern for how Aunt Helen might react. I glanced at her and saw confusion etched across her face. Aunt Helen's gaze flicked between me and Baron, who continued to stare at me as though I were a puzzle he couldn't quite solve. I looked away again, trying to shake off the discomfort his scrutiny had caused.

"You two know each other?" Aunt Helen finally asked, her voice tinged with shock. Baron nodded. Aunt Helen chuckled in disbelief, shaking her head.

"What a small world," she remarked with a laugh. "Well, it’s good to know you two are already acquainted. I was just a bit curious when Maria didn’t return if it was Lucas who had arrived. So I decided to check, only to find out that you had come by unexpectedly," she explained, still smiling. It had been clear to me that Aunt Helen was genuinely pleased by Baron's presence. But then, I wonder what connection Baron had with Aunt Helen and Lucas?

"By the way, have you eaten dinner, Baron? Join us," Aunt Helen invited. Baron finally shifted his attention to her, and I felt a wave of relief that he drew his focus away from me.

"Not yet, Auntie. I didn’t eat because I was planning to dine here," he replied with a broad smile spreading across his lips.

"Well, that's wonderful!" Aunt Helen exclaimed, urging us toward the dining hall.

Aunt Helen led the way, leaving Baron and me alone in the entrance hall. I noticed how his eyes followed her until she disappeared from sight. Then, with a harsh sigh, he turned back to me, his expression darkening.

"What are you doing here, Maria?" he whispered, his voice laced with danger, making me nearly jump. "The last thing I want is to see you here—especially with Lucas!" he added, his teeth clenched in frustration.

I remained frozen, staring at him as his refusal of my presence here hung heavy in the air. The ferocity and curiosity in his eyes was unmistakable. I hadn’t expected to see him here, least of all to be reunited in such a place while I was already entangled in a mess. Nor I anticipated that he might be connected to Lucas and Aunt Helen. And now, I was about to discover why he was here.

Earlier, I might not have given much thought to my situation, which is why I almost told Baron the reason I was here without hesitation. But after that unexpected reunion, things felt different. I had no intention of answering his questions, at least not yet. I wasn’t ready to be interrogated.

"Let’s just go," I suggested, hoping to divert his curiosity. I heard him sigh heavily as I walked out first.

I could choose to tell him everything. I knew Baron could help me navigate this mess. But it was also my choice to stay silent, to handle things on my own.

When I arrived at the dining area, I noticed an extra set of plates had been placed on the table. I took my seat, and a few moments later, Baron entered the room, with Aunt Helen directing him to sit across from me. I glanced at the end of the table, the spot beside me. Aunt Helen had reminded me repeatedly that this was Lucas’s usual seat, and now, as his wife, I was expected to sit beside him. It was supposed to symbolize my support for everything he did and every decision he would make, a reflection of my role in this household.

We began eating without waiting for Lucas. We’d received a message that he would be late, so dinner started without him. As the meal progressed, I stayed silent while Aunt Helen and Baron caught up on each other's lives. I only spoke when spoken to, and my responses were limited to nods or shakes of the head.

I learned that Baron was Lucas’s cousin, which explained his familiarity with both Lucas and Aunt Helen. I found myself staring at Baron, realizing he could be the key to understanding Lucas’s true identity. The urge to ask him about Lucas was strong, but I managed to keep my curiosity in check.

Aunt Helen recounted how Baron had spent much of his childhood at the mansion. She described how close the three of them—Baron, Lucas, and another guy I didn’t know—had been, with her taking care of them all those years. They had been the best of friends back then.

My curiosity piqued about the third person she mentioned. I remembered seeing a photo of three boys when I first arrived here. Their eye colors were the only distinctive features I could recall. Baron’s deep brown eyes, Lucas’s silver, and the third boy—did he have blue eyes? Or were they green?

“That’s why it saddened me when you and your family moved to the city,” Aunt Helen said, her tone somber. I glanced at Baron and realized he’d been watching me for some time. Our eyes met, and despite being caught, he didn’t look away. Feeling unsettled, I broke the gaze and focused on my food.

“You know my father got a stable job, so we had to move, and I continued my studies there,” Baron explained.

His words brought back memories of our friendship. I recalled how he’d told me about moving because of his father’s work. We had met as classmates in a particular subject and instantly clicked.

I finished the last bite of my meal and took a sip of water. Feeling the need to distance myself, I excused myself from the table. I didn’t want to interrupt their conversation, and besides, I needed a break from Baron’s scrutinizing gaze. I washed my dishes and quietly left the hall.

I needed to escape Baron’s questions, especially since we’d only just reunited after a year. I wandered through the mansion, considering stepping outside to enjoy the night air, but I wasn’t in the mood. Despite sleeping most of the day, I felt mentally drained.

The thought of escaping crossed my mind. It seemed like the perfect opportunity—Lucas wasn’t here, and Aunt Helen and Baron were still deep in conversation. There were no guards in sight. I could run, reclaim my freedom, and live my life away from all of this. But I couldn’t risk my family’s safety. When I chose to enter this mansion, I also chose to fulfill my promise and take on my role. Escaping would only lead to more guilt and consequences.

Perhaps I just needed to let things unfold on their own and see where fate would lead me.

I wasn’t sure how I ended up here, but I found myself wandering toward the lanai on the eastern side of the mansion. As I reached the edge, the cool night air greeted me, and I leaned against the railings. Below, I could see a small fish pond, the water illuminated by soft, artificial lights that made the fish shimmer beautifully. I watched them swim for a while, but soon grew restless and turned my gaze to the moon rising behind the distant mountains.

Baron’s confused expression flashed in my mind, along with the veiled question he’d hinted at—the reason I was really here.

Married. I am a married woman now.

I lifted my hand and stared at the gold band with its diamond stud, catching the light of the moon. Marriage was never on my list of things to do—at least, not like this. I sighed deeply, reflecting on how much had changed in just one night. One moment I was sent to return a handkerchief and settle my family’s debt, and the next I discovered I was the p*****t. And now, I was married to a man I barely knew.

Can I survive this? All I wanted was to help my family. I could do that with my strength and knowledge, but not like this. Being married is a responsibility I wasn’t prepared for.

"Maria..."

A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. I quickly dropped my hand, staying in place, letting the night surround me. His footsteps approached until he stood beside me, his presence a shadow at the edge of my vision.

"How are you?" he asked after a moment.

"I'm fine," I replied shortly without looking at him.

Silence settled between us again, thick with unspoken words. But it seemed he was too troubled to keep quiet for long.

"I went to your home, like I always do when you're around," he began, his words drawing my attention. I turned to look at him, catching him by surprise. But I quickly looked away again.

I wanted to ask about my family—are they okay? Is Carlo alright? Do they miss me as much as I miss them since arriving here?

"When I found out you weren’t home, I thought you’d just stepped out. I didn’t stay long. But then, to see you here... Maria." His voice was edged with confusion as he continued, but I remained rooted, staring into the dark woods as if they held some hidden secret.

"Why are you here?" His tone betrayed his impatience, the question laced with a need for answers. I turned my head to face him, met with the sight of his furrowed brow as he looked down at me.

Don’t speak, Maria. Keep yourself together.

Memories flooded back—how I met Baron, how we grew close, how I developed feelings for him and eventually began a relationship. He was my ex-boyfriend, the only one I’d ever had, and our relationship lasted almost two years. We were together through college, and I grew dependent on him, believing he was the one for me. So when he asked me out, I agreed without hesitation, thinking, why not give it a try?

But our relationship wasn’t like the ones I’d read about in books—no butterflies, no racing heartbeat. What we had was more like a deep friendship. So when I suggested we break up and stay friends instead, he understood. He knew how hopelessly romantic I was, always dreaming of fairy tales and happy endings. When I told him he wasn’t the right guy for me, he agreed. We both knew it was the right decision, and he became one of my best friends.

"Maria... Please, tell me. Why are you here? Don’t you know you could be in grave danger if—"

"Just let me be, Baron," I interrupted before he could finish. He fell silent for a moment, then sighed deeply, as if weighing his next words carefully.

"But why? What's going on? Is there something happening between you and Lucas?" Baron demanded, his voice nearly cracking with urgency.

"This isn't your business anymore... Baron," I whispered, gripping the handrail with all the strength I could muster. But before I could steady myself, Baron seized both of my shoulders, forcing me to face him.

"If something's really happening between you two, you need to end it now," he urged, his grip tightening as he leaned in closer. "Lucas isn't who you think he is, Maria! He's far more dangerous than you realize!" His voice rose, trembling with conviction.

I remained silent, holding his gaze as his words echoed in my mind.

“Are you even listening to me, Maria?” he asked impatiently, his frustration evident. I offered a small smile, nodding slightly. After a moment, his grip on my shoulders softened, as if he understood the inevitability of my decision. He knew me well enough to realize there was no turning back.

If I could end this arrangement with Lucas without risking anyone's life, I would. But my family is entangled in this mess, and the fact that I'm legally bound to Lucas through marriage complicates everything. I may not have walked down the aisle in a traditional wedding, but I still honor the sanctity of marriage.

I sighed deeply, gently prying his hands from my shoulders. He didn’t resist, allowing me to take a step back. I looked into his eyes, trying to convey the resolve in my heart.

"I know you're worried about me, Baron, but you have to understand that this is my choice. I can take care of myself, and you know I don't go back on my word once I've made a decision," I said, offering him a faint smile.

He stared at me, disappointment flickering across his features. His shoulders sagged as he looked down at the floor, clearly disheartened by my words. I was about to turn away when he suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me back to face him once more.

"But... we've known each other for so long. Can't you trust me on this?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You need to respect my decisions, Baron. We ended things years ago. Whether you're asking as a friend or as someone from my past, I would still make the same choice," I replied firmly.

He seemed stunned by my response, giving me the opening I needed to put some distance between us. But before I could step away, his reflexes kicked in, and he grabbed me again. I rolled my eyes in frustration.

"You don't know him, Maria! You barely know him! Lucas is my cousin, and I know everything about him! But the most important thing is, you’re not safe with him. Your worlds are completely different—"

"Then I'll learn everything I need to about him in time!" I snapped, cutting him off. "I don't care if being with him puts me in danger. And don't presume to know me better than I know myself, Baron! Stop trying to control me—you’re becoming the very kind of man I despise!" My voice wavered with emotion, and I saw him flinch at my words. I squeezed my eyes shut, biting down on my lower lip to keep my composure.

"No... That’s not what I meant..." he started, shaking his head as he let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temple as if trying to make sense of it all. His hand still held mine, and when I tried to pull away, he stopped me. I glared at him, anger flaring up inside me.

"You don’t understand, Maria—"

"Then help me understand!" I interrupted again, challenging him with my gaze. He met my eyes for a long moment, before finally sighing in defeat, as if he were caught in an impossible situation.

The truth is, I do understand some of what he's trying to say. Lucas’ world is very different from mine, and I’m not naive about what that means. Baron, having grown up with Lucas, probably knows more about the dangers I might face than he’s willing to admit.

I tried once more to free my hands, but Baron held on tight, his eyes now closed in what seemed like deep contemplation. When he finally opened them again, he looked straight into mine.

"It's... it's complicated..." he admitted, his voice tinged with resignation. Without another word, he pulled me close, resting his head on my shoulder, his weight heavy against me. I braced myself, expecting him to say something more, but instead, he simply leaned on me, silent and defeated.

I exhaled deeply as the weight of his sudden gesture settled in. He always does this, especially when he's stressed, and it’s always directed at me. I heard him sigh heavily, his grip still firm on my right arm.

"You're still as stubborn as ever, Maria..." he murmured, his voice tinged with frustration. I couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking my head. The tension between us evaporated in that instant.

"God, you're really impossible to convince," he swore, but I smiled in response. Somehow, I missed this—the familiarity of our old dynamic. We had become close friends after our relationship ended, and that closeness had only deepened over time.

He took my left hand in his, then stepped back, creating some distance between us. I wasn’t sure why until he lifted my hand and stared at the ring on my finger. I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

His brows knitted together as he looked at me, about to say something when we were interrupted by a sharp clearing of the throat from the lanai's entrance. I turned, curious to see who it was, only to be taken aback.

"What the devil are you doing, Baron?" Lucas's voice rumbled with barely restrained anger as he addressed his cousin. A chill ran down my spine at the sound of his deep growl. I blinked, noticing how dark Lucas's expression had become. Behind him, Aunt Helen stood, looking at us with shock written across her face.

I turned back to Lucas, who was now striding toward us. He shot me a sharp look before turning his menacing gaze to his cousin. His eyes dropped to something between us, and I realized he was staring at the hand Baron still held. Lucas's jaw tightened as he focused on that connection.

I quickly pulled my hand away from Baron’s grip, feeling his eyes on me as Lucas finally reached us. Without warning, Baron grabbed my arm, pulling me behind him. He positioned himself in front of Lucas, facing his cousin's dangerous aura head-on. It dawned on me that Baron was trying to protect me—from Lucas.

"Stay away... Baron," Lucas sneered, his voice laced with a threat. But Baron didn’t budge an inch. Panic welled up inside me—this was the last thing I wanted, for these two to clash.

"Baron—" I started, hoping to deescalate the situation.

"Stay there... Maria," Baron interrupted, his voice firm. I glanced at Lucas, who was now glaring at his cousin.

"Give her to me, Baron..." Lucas demanded, his attention solely on his cousin now. I could see the struggle in his eyes, the effort it took to restrain his temper.

Oh gods.

"Baron, l-let me—" I began again, but Baron cut me off with a smile that seemed to assure me everything would be fine. He mouthed, 'I got this,' before turning back to Lucas.

Panic gripped me as the situation spiraled further out of control. And then Baron said something that left me utterly stunned.

"End your relationship with her, Lucas," Baron declared, his voice resolute. I gasped in shock. "You know she's in danger if she stays with you. Your world is far too dangerous for her!" he added, his words hitting me like a punch.

"What are you saying, Baron!" I exclaimed, flabbergasted. I broke free from Baron's hold, stepping between the two men. Baron looked down at me, confusion evident on his face.

"Why, Maria? This is the only way I can think of to keep you safe—" Baron started, but Lucas interrupted him sharply.

"And who are you to decide that Maria and I should break up?" Lucas’s voice was tightly controlled, a quiet fury simmering beneath the surface.

I quickly turned to face Lucas, my hands reaching for his arms in an attempt to calm him. Thankfully, the moment I touched him, I felt the tension in his body ease slightly. He looked down at me, and I found myself lost in the depths of his silver eyes, momentarily forgetting the chaos around us.

But I was jolted back to reality when I felt Lucas’s hand on my wrist, pulling me closer to him. My heart pounded in my chest, and I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breath. This situation was spiraling out of control, and I was caught between two men, each trying to protect me in their own way.

Calm down, Maria. Calm the f**k down.

“Why Lucas? Maria and I had something real, something serious. I know her better than you ever could, and you know as well as I do that she’ll never be safe with you,” Baron said with a sharp edge to his voice. There was an underlying tension in his words that hinted at something more.

Lucas turned, fixing Baron with a cold stare. I glanced up, catching the dark intensity in his eyes even from this distance.

“And why, my dear cousin, should that concern you? How long were you two even together? Because if I recall correctly, our relationship hadn’t even ended for a full year—”

“So you’re just her ex, then?” Lucas cut him off, his voice slicing through the air. His grip on my wrist tightened.

Baron fell silent.

“Well, dear cousin,” Lucas continued, suddenly pulling me closer, as if the distance between us was unbearable. I could feel the heat of his body, my nose brushing against his chest. His scent enveloped me, and I found myself closing my eyes, overwhelmed.

“Sorry to inform you, but Maria is my wife,” Lucas declared. Without giving me a chance to react, he pulled me away from the lanai, leaving Baron…and Aunt Helen behind.