Chapter 3 3

Chapter 3:

My phone had been buzzing relentlessly since dawn broke.

The top trending hashtag across all social media platforms read #Happy3rdClaimingAnniversaryAlphaLucian. When I clicked on it, real photos flooded my screen - massive LED billboards he'd rented in every major city throughout the Northern Territories, all displaying our pictures.

My feed was completely overwhelmed. Every mutual friend we had was resharing the nine-photo carousel he'd posted at sunrise.

Each image came with lengthy captions that chronicled our entire history. From our first meeting as five-year-olds all the way to the moonlight herb tea he'd prepared for me before his supposed business trip last week. The final photo captured this morning's sunrise from our doorstep, with the caption "Waiting for my little princess to wake up."

The fingerprint scanner beeped several times before hurried footsteps approached.

"Isabella?"

His voice cut off abruptly. I felt his thumb gently brush the corner of my eye.

"Why are you crying?"

Only then did I realize my pillow was completely soaked through.

His pupils dilated with alarm. Without warning, he pulled me against his chest.

"I'm sorry. I came back too late, didn't I? The flight got delayed last night. I couldn't make it home in time for our anniversary..."

Still lying. Even now.

I remained silent.

He had covered his tracks meticulously. But the very perfection of his deception was what gave him away.

"Have you eaten anything?" He released me suddenly, forcing an overly bright smile. "I brought your favorite from that bakery downtown..."

"I'm not hungry."

Those three words shattered his composure completely.

His smile cracked and fell away. He shot to his feet in visible panic.

"Then... I'll make you some venison stew. You mentioned wanting venison and herb stew the other day, right?"

He didn't wait for my response before rushing toward the kitchen.

Within minutes, the violent clatter of pots and pans echoed from the other room, punctuated by what sounded like muffled sobs.

His Alpha Council members had apparently arrived while I was sleeping. They exchanged uncomfortable glances in our living room before approaching me with pleading expressions.

"Luna Isabella, just tell us what Alpha Lucian did wrong. He nearly had a heart attack when you didn't answer a single phone call yesterday."

"You should have seen how terrified he was when he got home and found the house in disarray. He was convinced something terrible had happened to you."

"Enough." Lucian's voice cut through their appeals like a blade. His eyes burned with warning as he glared at each of them. "If my mate is upset, it means I failed her somehow. As long as it helps her feel better, I don't care if she destroys every photograph we own - I'd buy priceless antiques just for her to tear apart if it brought her joy."

He turned to me, his expression melting into tenderness.

"Sweetheart, I made your favorite venison and herb stew. Please, just try a little bite?"

I stared at him without any emotion showing on my face.

From my peripheral vision, I noticed Rosalie Hayes sitting across from us. She rested her chin delicately on her hand with a wistful sigh.

"Alpha Lucian treats Luna Isabella so wonderfully. It really makes a girl envious."

Lucian's voice carried absolute conviction. "It's my duty and my privilege."

I was about to refuse the food when something made me look down.

Rosalie had somehow slipped off her shoes under the table. Her bare toes were trailing suggestively along his suit pants.

Meanwhile, Lucian's free hand was sliding intimately up her thigh.

Nausea hit me like a physical blow. I violently shoved his hand away from me. The scalding stew splashed across his skin, leaving angry red welts.

His immediate concern was entirely for me.

"Did it burn you? Are you hurt?"

Rosalie's voice carried a note of reproach.

"Luna Isabella, how could you hurt Alpha Lucian like that?"

Lucian's glare could have frozen fire. "I'm speaking with my mate. Mind your own business."

But beneath the table, his hand pressed higher up her leg. Rosalie barely contained a moan.

My entire body began to shake with rage.

"Disgusting."

Pain flashed across his features.

"What did I do wrong?"

"Everything." I jerked away from his attempted touch, my voice sharp as winter wind. "Get out of my sight. Right now."

He stood frozen for several heartbeats, then slowly rose to his feet.

"Alright. Get some rest."

Rosalie immediately stood as well, her voice sickeningly sweet.

"Alpha Lucian, let me walk you out."

They left one after the other. I sat there alone, my knuckles white from clenching my fists.

A few moments later, I found myself following them despite every instinct screaming at me to stay away.

Around the corner of the hallway, Lucian had Rosalie pressed against the wall in a heated embrace.

Rosalie wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled breathlessly.

"Alpha Lucian, aren't you worried Luna Isabella might see us?"

His voice was rough with desire. "Little she-wolf, isn't this exactly what you've been craving? Seducing me right under my mate's nose? Tell me how it feels to go into heat in front of her."

Rosalie's eyes were glazed with lust. "Alpha Lucian, the pup is three months along now. The doctor said we can finally..."

I couldn't stomach hearing the rest.

Pressing my hand over my mouth to muffle any sound, I turned and walked away without looking back.