-UndoubtedlyYours-

-Chapter♚♕Ten-

✧THE FINAL STRAW✧

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WARNING:
This chapter contains mentions of  past abusive, a scene of abuse,
description of non-consensual watching of another sexual active couple
and non-consensual ejaculation on unconscious persons.

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Alphard hardly held much regret in his life, and marriage had always been a sort of win-and-lose battle. He could see what his cousins had managed—Orion and Walburga—A pairing he did not condone but watched happen anyhow.

But he would never forgive himself for not checking in on the graduating witches. Had he done so prior, perhaps he could save Rhea from the annoying presence that was her betrothed.

Antonio Dolohov.

The man was nothing more than a once over Death Eater, oh, Alphard had done his own research. And quite frankly he wasn't impressed with what he saw, nor was he at all surprised by the fact that his own niece didn't want him either.

Andromeda had left their pureblood world, and he worried on the account that Rhea would follow in pursuit.

Little did he know that she was in contact with Andy and Sirius, and her support was clearly showering her with the much-needed appraisal. But it truly didn't take a genius to see the difference between her interaction with her friends and those in her family.

Alphard had been rather disgusted to see how Radolphous—His own mate, treated the likes of his daughter as though she were nothing more a person residing in the manor rent-free.

A bargaining chip—Or what Rhea had informed him in a previous owl, a gift to a rising Death Eater.

As her father was getting much too old to participate in, and thus she became a prize.

He could agree that she was a prize, a beautiful and wondrous woman. "Stare much longer, brother, and your sister might catch wind of your sudden infatuation." Alphard grumbled into his sip of fire whiskey in hearing Orion's words.

They hadn't had much of a chance to speak, not with Antonio guarding her like a hound. He might act valiantly in his letters, proving to have the courage of a lion...But frankly, he was not his nephew, nor was he as cunning as his brother. No, he managed to remain witty, and to do so was keep a distance and approach her when he saw fit.

Until a thought arose as to why he was being so distant. He didn't want his identity discovered.

Childish in a few ways, but he didn't want his one bit of happiness ruined and taken away so quickly. She already had to apologize for the slow responses due to the fact her mother was getting curious as to who she was owling so much, and in the combination of her friends—Along with the occasional letter to her betroth to humor her parents and the relationship.

Rhea had to withdraw from the back and forth conversation, yet he hadn't been discouraged.

Or not until she had hugged a stranger and kissed his cheek. "Who in the bloody hell is that now...?" Alphard huffed and Orion continued to snicker.

"Speculation or reasoning?"
"Sod off."
"Alright, reasoning then. That is Jasper Selwyn if you hadn't recalled, and by the similar features of the gal standing beside Rhea—I'd say she is friends with his sister and they are familiar."

"Familiar." Alphard bitterly replied, finishing off his final sip and sighing.

"No wonder I left these childish ideals behind, I've found myself drinking more than—"
"I still don't see the issue, just take her. What could Dolohov do? Or better yet, what could Radolphous do?"
"Slaughter me, that's his daughter if I need to remind you." Orion shrugged his shoulders, and Alphard had only tuned out the relay that anyone in their right minds would beg to be a Black.