No, I'm certain it was Ariana playing her usual mind games. She just loves attention too much and would do anything to get it. She's always been a little whiny she-wolf.

I gulped the alcohol in my cup and signaled someone to get me another bottle. I was in a private bar I sometimes come to when I get stressed and overwhelmed.

Whenever the pack business becomes too much to handle and I need to clear my head or when I have an issue with my mate, I come here.

"Alpha", you're here. I heard a voice say and I turned around to see it was my Beta Cassius.

I didn't say anything, instead, I turned the contents of the bottle into my cup and began drinking slowly from it.

"Tough day?" He asked and I just hummed.

He paused for a while and just kept looking at me like he was trying to figure out what I was thinking.

"You know, Riley called me, she told me what happened to Ariana. Why haven't you gone home man? That's your Luna in question." He said and I shot him a serious glare that forced him to keep quiet.

"Riley and her big mouth. And you, don't say what you have no idea about. Nothing's wrong with Ariana, she's just being her dramatic self." I replied and lit a cigarette.

It's been a long time since I smoked but since the drink wasn't calming me down, the smoke should do the job.

"But Alpha I still think you're not being fair to Ariana if we're going to be serious. She's your mate after all and her family has also proved their loyalty to this pack countless times."

"Heck even her mother is still at the pack's infirmary till this day because she got seriously injured while trying to protect some of our warriors during the last wolf attack."

"She's been healing much slower because her wolf got seriously injured. Even Ariana has proved herself to be a devoted Luna all this while, what more do you want?" He questioned.

"Her mother is fine and will be discharged by tomorrow. I'm paying for the treatment anyway and I saved them from penury, the least they can do is be grateful." I responded ignoring the surprised look on his face.

We sat in silence for a while and honestly, I was grateful for the silence because I was really tired of his rambling.

Was he trying to make me guilty of something or what? As if reading my mind, Cassius asked me a question that stunned me next.

"This is about Lily right? You treating Ari like this, missing your anniversary is all about Lily right?" He asked me and I could feel the veins almost popping out of my neck because of anger.

"Don't you dare speak on Lily." I lashed out.

"But why though? Even though you're my Alpha you're still my friend and I'll speak on issues concerning you when I feel you're not treading the right path."

"This is because of Lily right?" He asked again and I shot him a cold glare.

"It's complicated," I replied and he smirked.

"There's nothing complicated Damian. You know Lily came back to be with you and she didn't come back alone, she came back with a pup, how would you explain this to Ariana if she finds......"

"She can never find out. You can never tell her anything about Lily or her pup. Never mention the name Lily anywhere close to her." I replied with a hint of urgency in my voice.

"I wasn't going to tell her in the first place, but what if she somehow gets to find out. Do you think she'll forgive you?" He asked.

"She loves me too much, she can never live without me. She said so herself but to answer your question, I've been covering my tracks neatly." I said.

"Lily might confront her and you and I know too well Lily came back for you. Set a clear boundary now or you might regret it later. Unless you missed what you guys had and now want to rekindle it." He retorted.

"You got it all wrong. Lily can never confront Ariana, she knows better than to do that. After all, she's a weak, fragile she-wolf and an omega, she can't dare to confront the Luna.

"You should know things are not always the way they seem. I'll see you later." He said and got up to leave.

I stayed there for some time and then my phone started ringing again. I looked up and saw the caller ID was Riley. Why was he calling me again?

"Damian, is it true that you brought your mistress and her pup to the pack to be under our protection..." she tried asking and I just hissed. This damn girl.

"Ariana won't like this." She won't..."

"I do not want you speaking to Ariana about another woman. You'll keep quiet and stay out of my business, do you understand?" I spoke coldly into the phone.

I was sure she could feel the ice in my tone because she was too stunned to speak.

"You cheated.... You really cheated. You've been cheating on my friend, I'm going to tell Ariana. I only wanted to confirm." She threatened.

"Unless you no longer like the privilege of belonging to a pack. You'll do no such thing." I fired back and dropped the call.

I drank the last contents in the bottle and threw the cigarette. Since they were going to try to make things difficult for me I needed to talk to my mate.

I already knew Ariana wasn't going to leave me but I needed to pacify her at least so she would stop whining. At least if she were happy she wouldn't make trouble for Lily and her pup if she got to know about them.

I left the bar and drove straight home.

I entered the house and went straight to our room and there she was sitting quietly lost in thought.

Her back was facing me and I stood at the door for a few seconds staring at her. Her scent hit my nostrils and I closed my eyes as it made my wolf and me calm again.

She always had that effect on me.

"Hey," I greeted without looking at her.

"Are you calm now?" I asked as I placed my wrist watch on the table before turning to finally face her.

Chapter 8 She Wouldn't Leave Me

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