Dating My Ex's Uncle

"I'm getting fed up on this matter," I sent my reply and sighed, staring at my sad self in the mirror.

Everything was going well before our marriage so what went wrong? Did I become ugly to him? Have I become boring and irritating in his eyes? Did I somehow do something to offend him? Is that what caused all of these awful treatments?

A chime from my phone brought me out of my reoccurring thoughts.

"I've told you to find yourself another man, V. You can't continue living like a nun for crying out loud. Aren't you tired of being celibate despite having a husband?"

"How can you advise me to cheat on my husband?" I sent my response and hers came almost immediately.

"How are you sure your seemingly busy husband isn't cheating?"

I shook my head, typing and reminding her of what his father or the Alpha would put him through if they heard about him cheating. He just wouldn't try it.

"You know some parents publicly act like they hate it but support it in private right?" She replied again and I let out a hot breath.

"I know, I know," I typed back, frustration evident in my words. "But I just don't think it'll happen. He just wouldn't risk it."

My friend's response popped up almost instantly. "Then you need to take matters into your own hands. Show him what he's missing. Bring the spark back into your marriage."

"Like I haven't been trying to do that already," I wanted to type as I read her words. It wasn't the first time she had suggested something like this, but this time, it seemed different. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

"I don't know," I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. "Do you really think that'll work despite all I've done in the past?"

"Trust me," she replied confidently. "Men are simple creatures. Appeal to his primal instincts. Give him something he can't resist."

Her words echoed in my mind as I stared at my reflection. Maybe she was right. Maybe this was exactly what our marriage needed. A jolt of excitement, a reminder of the passion we once shared. Something out of the ordinary. Something different from what I've been doing. But what?

With a newfound determination, I made up my mind. "Okay." I typed back, my heart racing with anticipation. "But what do you suggest we do now? All our past plans failed woefully..."

"Hmm," she said and I could hear her sigh from across the screen. "He has an office, right? And you still have the aphrodisiac I asked you to buy two weeks ago. It's simple. Go to his office unannounced. Surprise him with a little gift-yourself. Give him a little something to boost his desires. Then, seduce him. Make him forget about everything else."

"What if he's in a meeting? Or stuck till nighttime?"

"Then that's perfect. Get in, prepare something to ease his mind, and add the aphrodisiac to it. Once that's ready, walk-in seductively, give it to him with a peck, and wait for the magic to happen. Trust me when I say he'd take a break just to have a piece of his wife."

It sounded risky, but at this point, I was willing to try anything. "Alright," I agreed, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. "I'll do it."

I logged off from the chat site and set my phone aside. This was it. This was my chance to reignite the passion in my marriage of two years.

But as I began to prepare myself for the task ahead, doubts crept into my mind. What if it didn't work? What if I made a fool of myself? What if...?

"Valerie," my wolf called and I shook my head. No. I couldn't afford to entertain those thoughts. I had made my decision, and I was going to see it through.

With a deep breath and a few words of encouragement from my wolf, I turned away from the mirror and headed for the door. It was time to make my move.

My heart raced as I stepped out of the private elevator onto the top floor of my husband's office building. The familiar sight of his workspace greeted me, but to my surprise, it was deserted. The quiet hum of the air conditioning was the only sound echoing through the empty corridor. I went out too and it was the same thing. Empty.

Panic began to creep into my mind as I went back to his office. Where could he be? Had he left for the day already? Or worse, had he caught wind of my plan and deliberately avoided me? What if...?

I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed his personal assistant's number, my fingers trembling slightly as I waited for him to pick up.

"Hello?" came the voice on the other end, professional and composed as always.

"It's Valerie," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I am trying to reach my husband but it's not connecting. Neither is the office line. Do you know where he went?"

There was a brief pause before his assistant spoke again. "Oh, Mrs. Allen, I'm sorry I didn't inform you earlier. Me, the Boss and the rest of the staff went to our branch office for an emergency meeting. We should be back soon."

My heart sank at the news. So much for my well-planned surprise. "Do you know when you'll be done?" I asked, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

"We should be back within the hour. Hopefully, before then the boss will be able to return your call" his assistant replied. "Is there anything I can help you with in the meantime?"

I hesitated for a moment, considering my options. I could leave and come back later, but that would mean wasting precious time. No, I had come here with a purpose, and I wasn't going to leave empty-handed.

"No, that's okay," I said finally, mustering up a smile. "I'll just wait."

"Alright, just let me know if you need anything," his assistant said before hanging up.

I sighed and pocketed my phone, glancing around the empty corridor. It seemed like I had no choice but to wait. But as I settled into one of the nearby chairs, determination flickered in my eyes. I may have hit a roadblock, but I wasn't about to give up. This was just a minor setback, a delay in my plans, nothing more.

With a deep breath, I leaned back in the chair and waited for my husband to return, ready to execute my plan as soon as he walked through that door.

As I sat behind my husband's desk, waiting for his return, my mind raced with thoughts of what I would say and do when he walked through that door. But as the minutes ticked by, impatience gnawed at me, urging me to take action.

With a shaky breath, I reached into my purse and retrieved the small bottle of aphrodisiac I ordered. The brown liquid inside shimmered faintly in the soft glow of the office lights, and I couldn't help but wonder if today was the day he'd finally unleashed his beast.

Carefully, I uncorked the bottle and poured a few drops into a glass of orange juice and the rest into a cold juice in the freezer. As the liquid dissolved, a heady aroma filled the air, sending a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

But before I could second-guess myself, I downed my portion of the drink in one swift gulp. I didn't expect the feeling to come almost immediately and to dull it a bit, I rose from the desk and began to pace around the office, the click of my heels echoing in the empty space.

I began to feel hot and as I made my way towards the window, my foot caught on something. A loose floorboard perhaps, and I stumbled forward, reaching out to steady myself.

To my surprise, the force of my fall triggered a hidden mechanism in the floor, causing a section of the wall to slide open with a soft hiss.

Curiosity piqued, I stepped cautiously into whatever it was, my heart pounding in my chest. The insides were dark and the air was filled with mixed scents. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I gasped in shock at what I saw before me. Rows of neatly hung clothing lined the walls, clothes that I washed, spread, and ironed with my own two hands.

My husband's clothes! I knew he had a room where he spent most of his nights, so I wasn't surprised at that. What surprised me was the lingerie, the pajamas, the sex toys charging in the corner, the used condom pack lying on the floor, and everything a lady who's been denied her husband's touch shouldn't see in his office room.

And at the center of it all stood a small table, upon which lay a framed photograph. No doubt it was my husband, Daniel, but he was locked in an embrace with someone else, another woman.

My breath caught in my throat as I reached out to touch the image, my fingers trembling with shock, fear, and a lot more.

But before I could reach the picture to see who my husband was cheating on me with, a deafening explosion rocked the building, causing me to scream and tremble in fear. I dashed out of the room to find the whole building disintegrating, brick by brick.

"Oh no," I immediately yelled, rushing towards the exit, and the last thing I remembered was trying to leave the building in one piece.

I slowly blinked my eyes open, the harsh glare of the hospital lights assaulting my senses. Panic surged through me as I realized I couldn't move or speak, my body seemingly paralyzed from the neck down. Even my eyes stopped opening after a few seconds.

But before I could fully comprehend what was happening to me, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching, accompanied by the familiar voice of my husband, Daniel.

"Don't you congratulate me! The girl is alive!" My husband hissed, but somehow I was able to hear it.

"Valerie is awake despite the explosion? How on earth is that possible?" The voice almost yelled in shock.

"I don't know. But she's still unconscious," he muttered, his tone filled with annoyance. "I also want to know how it is possible that she didn't die like she was supposed to."

My heart skipped a beat as his words sank in. What did he mean, "supposed to die"? Was he responsible for the explosion that had torn through the office building? His office building?

I strained to catch the rest of their conversation, my mind racing with a thousand questions. Who was he talking to? And why did he want me dead?

"It doesn't matter now," Daniel continued, his voice laced with frustration. "We need to finish what we started before she wakes up and ruins everything."

"Speaking of ruin, did you manage to get the thumbprint?"

"Yes. All that's left is for the girl to kick the bucket," Daniel answered and I felt a cold chill run down my spine as I listened to his words. My own husband, plotting my demise? Maybe he is referring to someone else, right?

"We need to act fast," The other guy said, his tone urgent and filled with fear. "If she wakes up and starts talking, Alpha Allen would have our heads. I can't risk upsetting your grandfather again."

I struggled to keep my breathing steady as they began to discuss.

"We could stage another accident," Daniel suggested, his voice cold and calculating. "Make it look like she was too weak to hold on to life. She isn't my mate anyway so I don't care how she dies... I just want Valerie gone."

Hearing my name, I immediately dismissed the thought that maybe it wasn't me he was referring to and my heart pounded in my chest as I listened to each of their twisted ideas, each one more horrifying than the last. How could they be so callous, so willing to take another person's life? My life!

Their voices went down for a moment and by the time I could hear them again it seemed like they already decided on what to do to me. Next thing, two people entered my room and they began to speak in very hushed tones.

"Blend in like a nurse or doctor then administer this to her. Make sure she dies within the hour, then our business is done. I don't care if it's an overdose, just make sure she dies. I'll find a way to blame it on the explosion. Understood?" Daniel spoke, and the person responded with a grunt. They were not joking! He wanted me dead, and it had to be today!

As Daniel and his accomplice left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts, desperation, and fear washed over me. I was just twenty-one. I hadn't even done half of the things I planned to do. I couldn't just die. I had to do something, anything, to escape their clutches before it was too late.

Summoning every ounce of strength I had, I willed my body to move. But no matter how hard I tried, I remained frozen in place, my limbs refusing to obey my commands. It was like I was paralyzed or something.

"Eva?" I called my wolf, hoping to use her strength but the worst thing happened. I couldn't feel her, it was like the space she used to occupy was gone. It was empty.

"Eva?" I called my wolf again, tears swelling in my eyes as thoughts of Daniel, his mistress, and his conversation filled my subconscious.

I didn't want to die, so I used every strength in me. The first thing I was able to move were my eyelids, but my legs and arms wouldn't move.

My heart drummed and tears stung my eyes as I prayed for strength, for a miracle to save me from this nightmare. I didn't want to lay there vulnerable and helpless while they injected me with something that would end me.

And then, slowly but surely, I began to move. It started with my fingers and, with immense pain, I was able to move my legs. That was all I needed to run.

I struggled to sit up, ignoring the blaring alarms of the machines that surrounded me. With trembling hands, I disconnected the wires and tubes that bound me to the hospital bed, each movement sending waves of pain shooting through my body.

But I pushed through the discomfort, my mind focused on one thing and one thing only, escape.

With shaky legs, I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and forced myself to stand, swaying unsteadily as I fought to find my balance. My vision blurred and doubled, the world spinning wildly around me and that was when the headache began.

But I refused to give up. Clenching my jaw in determination, I took a hesitant step forward, then another, willing myself to move despite the overwhelming odds.

With each faltering step, I grew closer to the door, my heart pounding in my chest as I listened for any sound of Daniel. Luckily, I was able to leave the hospital room. All I had to do now was find my way out of the hospital before they caught me again.

It felt like my late parents were on my side, and they wanted me to get to safety until I got to the entrance of the hospital and I heard Daniel's voice screaming to lock down the hospital as I was missing.

My blood ran cold, and I didn't dare turn around. I couldn't risk being seen. Without a second thought, I broke into a stumbling run, my legs moving of their own accord as I fled for my life.

As my running gave me away, I began to hear footsteps behind me, and with every ounce of strength I had left, I pushed myself harder, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I raced towards the exit.

But just as I reached the doors of the hospital, a blaring horn shattered the air, and I froze in terror as the screech of tires filled my ears. A car just turned around the corner and was heading straight for me.

Instinct took over, and I forced myself to leap to the side, narrowly avoiding being struck. Gasping for breath, I struggled to push myself up, my limbs trembling with exhaustion and fear. From the corner of my eye, I saw the family logo hanging from the car, so I was ready to run again. Before I could even gather myself, the driver's door and passenger's door swung open, and a concerned voice called out to me.

"Mrs. Allen? Are you okay?" the voice asked, filled with concern and urgency. Relief filled me as I realized it wasn't Daniel or someone under him.

I struggled to lift my head and nod, my vision swimming as I gazed up at the other figure standing over me and truly, it was someone I had seen somewhere. He seemed older and had this cold but welcoming aura just like my dad so I opened up to him.

"I need... help," I managed to gasp, my voice barely a whisper as darkness threatened to consume me.

Without hesitation, the man lifted me gently into his arms.

"Drop her!" I heard Daniel yell, but I desperately clung to the man instead, my entire body trembling with exhaustion and fear and before I knew it I was in the back seat, my limbs finally giving up.

"Don't worry, you'll be..." The man began to speak, but I couldn't hear the rest of his sentence due to the closing of my eyes and shutting down of my body while I prayed, he didn't give me over to Daniel.

"Where am I?" I half winced and groaned while my eyes adjusted to the sharp blinding lights of wherever I was.

Remembering I was being chased to be killed I snapped up immediately, looking around and panting like a five-year-old who had a nightmare about her dog's brutal death.

I noticed the difference in the walls, curtains, and practically everything else and I was a hundred percent sure I wasn't in my old hospital room. But it was definitely a hospital.

Thinking Daniel finally caught up with me, I carefully began to unhook myself from every goddamn machine, ready to escape for the second time today.

"Oh my! What are you doing, ma'am?" A woman came in trying to stop me. "He told me you'll try to run. Can you give me a moment to explain," she quickly blurted after seeing the fear on my face but that didn't make me pause.

"You're safe. Master brought you here for treatment, and you've been unconscious for two days now. No one is going to hurt you, not while the Master is here."

"Master? You mean Daniel?" I asked in a hoarse tone and she quickly poured me a glass of water while she nodded.

"No. Not your husband, my Master. I'd let him know you're awake now. I wouldn't dare introduce the Master," she said with a sweet smile. "Now, please lie down while I fetch the doctor to check up on you."

Reluctantly, I eased myself back onto the bed, my mind reeling with confusion. Who was this master that saved me? What was his connection to the Allen family?

As I waited for the doctor to arrive, my thoughts raced with questions, each one more perplexing than the last. But before I could make sense of it all, the door swung open and a middle-aged man in a white coat entered the room.

"Good afternoon," he greeted me with a warm smile as he approached the bed.

I nodded, still feeling a sense of unease lingering in the pit of my stomach. He introduced myself and asked how I was amongst other things but I didn't know which answer to give. My husband cheated and betrayed me. Could I ever be okay?

"I'm... I'm not sure," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Okay, I guess."

The doctor nodded sympathetically, his expression gentle and reassuring. "That's perfectly understandable. You've been through quite an ordeal. Just try and limit your movement and your stitches will heal in no time."

He proceeded to examine me, asking me questions about my health and any pain I might be experiencing. I didn't even know they operated on me till he mentioned stitches.

As the Doctor left the room, my thoughts turned to what would be happening back home. What would Daniel be doing now that I've been missing for two days?

Before I could dwell on it any longer, the woman who had initially stopped me from leaving returned with a tray of food.

"Here you go, dear," she said cheerfully, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "I brought you some food. You must be hungry after everything."

I nodded gratefully, my stomach rumbling at the sight of the food. As I began to eat, savoring each bite, a sudden knock on the door interrupted my meal.

Curious, I glanced up to see a man standing in the doorway, his tall figure silhouetted against the harsh glare of the hospital lights. The woman stylishly excused herself and the man walked in.

"Hello, ma'am," he said, his voice deep and commanding. "I heard you were awake, and I couldn't resist coming to see you myself. Are you feeling better now?"

I studied him carefully, noting the air of confidence and authority that surrounded him. His dark hair was neatly styled, his sharp features softened by a warm smile.

"Yes, thank you. Who are you?" I asked cautiously, my instincts on high alert.

With that creepy look, it could be the man Daniel sent to drug me.

The man chuckled softly, stepping further into the room. "Forgive me, where are my manners? My name is Ares. I'm the one who brought you here."

Before I could respond, he spoke again, his tone earnest. "You might or might not know me, Valerie," he said then removed his glasses and I could swear the joints holding my jaw in place went loose when I saw his whole face.

"I know you must have a million questions," he said, his eyes locking with mine. "But for now, all you need to know is that you're safe here. No one is going to hurt you."

It took me a while to recollect myself from the shock. "You won't let them hurt me or you won't hurt me?" I asked with trembling lips as I locked into those black eyes.

"What do you think, Valerie?" He replied with a question, now moving closer to me. "Would I hurt you to get revenge on the rest of the family?"

I was about to say something, a plea maybe when his index finger landed on my lip and he flashed a mere smile.

"Eat first, then we'll talk about business."

His presence in the room was suffocating, it took every energy in me to finish the food in front of me before it was carried away.

"Can we just talk about it now? The suspense is killing me..." I whispered, since I hadn't gotten my voice back fully, not to mention, his presence here was giving me chills.

"Only if you're ready, Valerie..."

"Thank you for saving me, sir. I really didn't think..."

"Someone like me would save you," he ended my sentence with a chuckle. "Let's cut all of that. Why were you running from Daniel? Was he the one trying to kill you?"

"I- he-" I began to stammer, not knowing where to even start from. "It's a long story, sir," I choked, my throat becoming dry while tears built up behind my eyes.

"Valerie," he called softly. "You don't have to say it if you don't want to... I just wanted to know how to help."

"Yes, he was. I don't even know why," I broke down immediately and the next thing I felt was a pair of arms wrapped around me, trying to calm me down. "I have done nothing but love that man, be a submissive and obedient wife. How could he cheat on me and then dare to even order my death." I poured out all my tears, questions, and frustrations on his chest and he took them all without any interruption until I was done.

"Did he make mention of what papers he made you thumbprint when you were unconscious?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Do you know what they are?" I wiped my tears and asked but he just stared at me like he was looking for the appropriate words to use. Was it that bad?