Chapter 5 The crack.

ORION POV

TWO YEAR LATER

Calanthe stood at the center of the hall, her back bent, hair covering her cheeks as she whispered words into the ear of the child who had come seeking her help.

The child giggled happily before scurrying away with the rest of the children. Then, almost immediately, the child's presence was replaced by a group of younger girls.

The Pack believed that I'm blessed.

Power that placed me far above a mere Alpha, a lovely son and the perfect Luna-loved by many and admired by most. There was never a day she did not care for the people, guiding them and interceding in their favor.

I should be happy. I had everything a man could want, but why did my happiness feel like an illusion rather than reality?

Everyday felt like I was slowly slipping into my own darkness. Something felt off, but I couldn't point it out.

"Time for the family picture," the entertainer said through the mic.

Calanthe turned, her eyes sweeping through the crowd in search of me. When her beautiful gaze landed on mine, soft with love, she smiled gently and nudged her head for us to go up the stage.

It was our son Tari's second birthday, organized by Calanthe, and everyone here had come to celebrate it with us.

I moved.

My legs glided through the crowd as they parted for their Alpha and his family-family-the word felt unfamiliar.

I reached the center where Calanthe stood, now holding Tari in her arms. When Tari saw me, he quickly stretched his little arms out for me.

"I guess our celebrant has a favorite parent," the entertainer said, causing the crowd to laugh.

I took him into my arms. His hands rested on my shoulders while I held Calanthe's soft ones in my other hand. We made our way to the stage, where the photographer, my parents, and Calanthe's parents stood, ready for the shoot.

"Are you okay?" she whispered in my ear.

"Yeah...why?" I asked.

"You look a bit off today," she whispered, her voice laced with concern.

"I couldn't sleep well last night," I replied, smiling for the camera flashes.

She turned, her eyes scanning my face. "Maybe if you stop sleeping in your office and actually come to my bed, then you might sleep like a baby."

"I've got a lot of work to do," I mumbled.

"Give the child to the mother," the photographer said, and I complied.

"Did I do something wrong?" Calanthe asked, her smile slowly faltering, and I felt bad that I was the cause.

"No, you've never done anything wrong," I said. And that was the truth. She had been an unquenchable light and force in our marriage.

"Then why have you been avoiding me lately?" She asked.

A question I couldn't answer.

Or maybe I could.

Maybe I knew the answer but was trying to run away from it. Maybe it was because of her... her twin, whose face bore an uncanny resemblance to my wife. Maybe it was because I couldn't stop thinking about another woman.

But none of this was a suitable reply to give a woman who had showered me with love.

"It wasn't intentional." I drew her close, her body pressed against mine.

She jolted at first, then her face turned red when my words reached her ears. "Make sure you don't complain of being sore after tonight."

"Perfect!" The photographer yelled, as if his life depended on the picture.

When they were done taking pictures, I hurried down from the stage, leaving the family to catch up. I wasn't in the mood for their discussion or the many questions that would follow.

I headed straight for the minibar, where Cedric had glued himself for the night.

"If you finish my wine, that's coming out of your paycheck," I muttered.

"Just tell me you want me to be fully jobless so I can live under your roof," Cedric snickered, offering me a drink.

I took it, gulping it down in one go.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"No.. Yes," I muttered, adjusting my tie.

Cedric gave me a look that said he knew I was lying but didn't press. Instead, we watched the party in silence.

The music and laughter had no effect on me as they usually did. Now, everything felt suffocating and irritating.

After a few minutes, Cedric broke the silence. "What's going on with you and Calanthe?"

I wanted to lie, but Cedric was my brother, though we are not related by blood, but we were closer than most.

"I don't know if something's wrong with me, but I feel like something is missing."

"Missing how?" Cedric asked, his brow raised, likely knowing where the conversation was going.

I leaned against the bar. "My wolf...he's restless, gnawing at me. And most of all, he has refused to speak to me."

"Maybe you're just exhausted. You've been overworking," Cedric said, patting my shoulder.

But I knew this wasn't exhaustion.

When he noticed the questions forming in my eyes, he added, "Don't go searching for something that will bring nothing but destruction, Orion."

The silence returned.

The party slowly came to an end as the children dozed off, even Tari, who was always hyper.

The guest dispersed, and Cedric disappeared as well. I walked out of the hall and onto the pavement, moving far enough that the noise faded before I released the breath I had been holding.

"How much longer will you refuse to open your eyes?" A raspy voice echoed behind me.

I turned to see a man, his hair falling loosely down his back dressed in a simple bluish robe.

"Do you have any idea who you're talking to?"

"Alpha Orion, leader of the Moonfire Pack and its territories," the man said calmly. "I'm Eli, a shaman."

I studied him more closely. His robes were not ordinary, they had symbols embedded into the fabric, and a thin bead necklace hung around his neck.

"And what are you doing on my property?"

"I only came because I was asked to."

Since when did Calanthe start inviting shamans to a two-year-old birthday party?

Before I could ask, he said, "Your wolf has refused to connect with you, hasn't he?"

I hated strangers who poked into my business without consent.

"The next time you use your shaman nonsense on me, you'll join your spirits in the afterlife." I hissed, turning away.

"Naidira." The man said.

The name rang in my head, a name that had become nothing more than a whisper since she was cast out. And now, was the only time my wolf stirred for years.

I turned back to face the shaman.

"You need to find her to find the peace you seek."

A low scoff escaped my lips,"Peace? When did I say I lacked that?"

"You can't even convince yourself that what you just said is true," he said, stepping closer.

"There's so much happening around you, yet you're blinded by the good you think you see in people."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

He was about to speak when his eyes shifted past me.

I knew who it was before her voice sounded.

"Honey?" Calanthe's voice echoed behind me. And I could only hope she had not overheard our conversation.