No Second Chance, Dear X

Morning light streamed through the bedroom window, wrapping Annatoria in its gentle warmth as she rolled from the other side of the bed. Her alarm had rang twice but she was too sleepy to get up.

A faint voice drifted into her consciousness, pulling her from sleep.

"Morning, darling," Radolf murmured. His tone was soft, coaxing her awake.

She stirred, eyes slowly opened, and grumbled a lazy, "Morning." The irritation in her voice dissipated the moment his lips brushed hers. He kissed her with a tenderness that made her heart stutter, even as her mind screamed at her to stay guarded.

But the spell broke just as quickly. "Where the hell were you?" she asked, swatting him lightly on the back. Her forced smile faded. Radolf hadn't come home last night, and she couldn't ignore the weight of that truth. She'd cried all night, dealing and clenching her chest from pain of the matebond.

He chuckled dryly, feigning innocence. "My baby's mad at me, isn't she?" His lips tugged into a pout as he leaned closer.

"Whatever," she rolled her eyes, slipping out of his reach. She headed for the bathroom, but his arms snaked around her waist, pulling her back. His chin rested in the crook of her neck, and she felt his warmth seep into her skin.

"Don't be mad, babe," he murmured, his voice rich and low. His scent-a heady mix of cedarwood and something uniquely him-clouded her senses.

The sexy voice crept into her head. She knew it wasn't right but there she was, succumbing to the "devil".

Annatoria closed her eyes, her wolf stirring beneath the surface. "Stop it. Don't let him do this to you again". But her resolve faltered as his lips grazed her shoulder.

"How was your meeting?" she asked, finally pulling away to face him. Her smile was forced, but she hoped he wouldn't notice.

"It was fine," he said quickly, his tone too nonchalant. He kissed her again, and for a moment, she allowed herself to believe him. Allowed herself to fall into the illusion that everything was fine. She allowed herself to look at him again, like always did.

But the moment shattered when Candace walked in.

It was morning and of course, Candace would serve the Alpha and Luna their morning tea before they walked to the dining room for breakfast.

Candace's presence always irritated Annatoria, but this time it was unbearable. The woman's hips swayed with exaggerated purpose as she crossed the room, her eyes lingering too long on Radolf.

Annatoria clenched her fists. "She's doing it on purpose" Her wolf growled.

"Go after her," Annatoria teased through the mind link, though her voice carried a bitter edge. She waited for Radolf's laugh, and when it came, it felt hollow.

His gaze had followed Candace, and Annatoria's stomach twisted. She hated the way other women looked at him, hated even more how often he seemed to invite it. Radolf's gaze spelt it all even without him moving a muscle.

At the office, Annatoria buried herself in work, hoping the distraction would dull the ache in her chest....the ache that was caused by her cheating husband who she tries so hard to stop loving but, her wolf remained restless, and the bond she shared with Radolf pulsed faintly, as if warning her of something.

Hours passed before she checked her phone. Five missed calls.

Her stomach dropped. She fumbled to answer the next ring.

"Hey, babe," Radolf's deep voice rumbled through the phone, soothing yet maddening.

"Hi, love," she replied, forcing calm into her tone. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. I was just checking on you," he said, but then a muffled voice in the background made her freeze.

"Kiss me," the voice said. It was a female's, he couldn't even lie about it.

Annatoria's heart stopped. Her grip on the phone tightened. "What did she just say?"

Radolf stammered, tripping over his words. "Wait, babe, it's not what you think-"

She ended the call but as soon as she did, Radolf threw a big laugh after which he passionately kissed the woman in his bed. The curvy woman trailed her fingers on his hairy, broad chest leaving him to moan while she unbuckled his belt.

Pain exploded in Annatoria's chest, the mate bond flaring with a fury that left her gasping. Tears burned her eyes as she pressed a hand to her heart, trying to hold herself together.

"He promised," she whispered. "He swore he'd stop." But the promise had been as empty as the look in his eyes when he lied to her. She hated herself more for ever imagining he was being truthful.

By the time she returned home, Annatoria was drained, her wolf eerily silent. Jessica, her personal maid, brought dinner to her room, but she barely touched it.

"Where's Ernoulf?" she asked, referring to her son.

"He's already asleep, ma'am," Jessica replied.

Her brows furrowed. Asleep at 5 PM? It didn't sit right with her. Something gnawed at the edge of her mind, urging her to check on him.

When she reached his room, she paused at the door. Laughter drifted from inside-two voices, neither of them belonging to her son.

A smile briefly crossed her face. Perhaps his nannies were playing with him. But her wolf bristled, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.

She turned the handle and stepped inside.

Her world stopped.

Candace was sprawled naked on her son's bed, her lips curled into a triumphant smirk. Beside her, Radolf sat half-dressed, his hair disheveled and his crimson eyes betraying nothing but guilt.

The air left Annatoria's lungs. Pain-sharp and unrelenting-ripped through her chest, stronger than before.

Her voice caught in her throat, the betrayal too enormous to comprehend. She stared at the scene, her heart breaking into pieces she wasn't sure she could ever put back together.

"R.. Radolf" She tried to call his name but her breath was short and she needed air.

Candace-the wench!

There she was, in Ernoulf's bed-half-naked and shivering. Annatoria knew it was an act, though it seemed so real.

"What's going on here?" she asked, her eyes squinting, her head tilting as she slowly walked into the room, leaving the door wide open. Her husband, Radolf, showed no remorse, while Candace, the naked woman, shrank back upon seeing her.

"Get out!" Annatoria ordered, her voice laced with bitterness and anger. Fear flashed in Candace's eyes, but Radolf countered.

"She's not going anywhere," he said coldly, his tone emotionless.

Annatoria's mind screamed. "What!" The words echoed in her mind, too loud for comfort.

"You heard me. I want her, and I'll have her," Radolf replied, his words as cold as ice. To his wife? Probably to the pussy he kept in his home..

They hit her like a slap, and Annatoria clenched her fists, aching to strike him. "In our kid's bedroom?" she asked, her fists tightening at her sides. She wouldn't dare strike the Alpha, but the urge to do so burned in her chest. She wished she could attack him and beat the living hell out of him .

Radolf's gaze was cold, as if he believed he had every right to do this. Annatoria wouldn't tolerate it, not in their home. "Radolf, is this really what you want?" she asked, her voice trembling as tears threatened to spill.

Anger bubbled up as tears streaked down her cheeks. Candace's smirk was infuriating, and without thinking, Annatoria slapped her across the face. Radolf snarled, slapping Annatoria back.

"What the fuck!" she muttered, stunned by the force of the slap. "Radolf?" she stammered, her hand pressed to her burning cheek. He slapped her-for Candace?

The sting was unbearable. Annatoria turned and walked out of the room.

She quickly mind-linked her personal maid, Jessica. "Come to my room," she ordered. Jessica arrived shortly, looking concerned.

"Here, ma'am," Jessica said softly, knocking on the door before entering. Annatoria instructed her to move Ernoulf's things to the room next to hers, wiping away fresh tears. She tried to mask the pain, but it was impossible.

Jessica responded gently, "Alpha already ordered me to do that. I thought you knew." Annatoria looked up at her, her sorrow evident in her eyes. Jessica understood. Jessica knew what the Luna was going through.

"Ma, is everything okay?" Jessica asked, offering Annatoria a handkerchief. Annatoria's mascara had already streaked down her face. "Thank you," she replied, trying to smile, but the expression didn't reach her eyes. She bit her lower lip, wondering if opening up to Jessica would help.

Her wolf, Liana, spoke in her mind. "She doesn't deserve to know," it urged. Annatoria nodded, dismissing Jessica. She was overwhelmed, but she couldn't bring herself to share the burden.

"I'm here, you can talk to me. I'm the only one who won't judge you," Liana reassured Annatoria, her voice soft but steady.

Tears ran down Annatoria's face again, and as she was about to speak, she heard a small voice in her mind.

"Mama, what's the matter?" Ernoulf's voice.

"Nothing, honey. Sleep well. I'll be there in a minute," Annatoria whispered, the sound of his voice soothing the ache in her chest.

Her heart lifted as she made her way to Ernoulf's room. She wrapped her arms around her precious son and softly sang him a lullaby. He wasn't asleep yet, so Annatoria told him a story. His little eyes fluttered shut, and he insisted she spend the night with him. Annatoria couldn't bear to say no. Even if she wanted to, a part of her wouldn't let her refuse.

Lying beside Ernoulf, she listened to his soft breathing as he drifted into a peaceful sleep, his little hands wrapped around hers. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to feel the comfort of his presence. But just as her heart began to calm, a sharp sound pierced the quiet-footsteps. The heavy footsteps that didn't sound like that of the workers but those of someone familiar. The person she hated most, at that moment.

Annatoria held her breath. The door creaked open slowly, and a shadow loomed in the doorway. It wasn't Jessica. It wasn't anyone she expected. The lights turned on, and she froze. Radolf.

"Should I just pretend to be asleep?" she wondered, her eyes scanning the corners of the room.

"Radolf," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Radolf stepped into the room, his expression unreadable. His eyes lingered on her, then, as suddenly as he had entered, he stepped back toward the door.

Annatoria realized she shouldn't be the one freezing. She hadn't done anything wrong. "Why're you here? Obviously not to apologize," she scoffed, just as he was backing out.

"Don't think I'm done with you," Radolf muttered before disappearing out of the room.

"Is that a threat?" Annatoria yelled after him, but she didn't move from the bed. Was this really happening? What did he mean by that? She expected an explanation, even though she wasn't supposed to.

Frozen with fear, Annatoria glanced at Ernoulf. Something inside her hardened. She wouldn't let Radolf take her son. Not now. Not ever. Her eyes dimmed, the weight of the situation sinking into her heart, making her sigh heavily as she stroked her son's hair.

All she ever wanted when she confronted her Father the Alpha King, was to be with Radolf-the man who promised to always make her happy. Radolf was the best man she never imagined losing but since her Father died, she began to encounter the worst side of him.

And then, she heard it-the faintest of whispers in her mind.

"You can't escape me."

It was Radolf's voice. What had she done to deserve his threats? Why couldn't he just unmark her then?

Chapter 3: Accusation

Two god-damned weeks. That was how long it had been since Annatoria last saw Radolf. Two weeks of sleepless nights, battling the crushing pain in her chest every time their mate bond pulled-reminding her of the women he took to his bed. Two weeks of biting down on her emotions, pretending she wasn't shattered, pretending she didn't care. Pretending to be the strongest woman who cared less about the man who hurt her most, was the hardest to do. Memories of him didn't leave her head, even though she wanted them to.

Radolf had left without a word after she caught him with Candace, one of the pack's maids. The remorse she expected from him, was no where to be found. After all, she hadn't seen him since then.

Annatoria hadn't confronted him except for the night he walked into the room she was, with her son Ernoulf.

What was the point? Every attempt to address his infidelity ended the same-with his icy indifference and her own tears. She had stopped crying a long time ago, but the emotional scars he left behind cut deeper than ever. Deeper than any wound she's ever had.

Gone was the man she once loved, the Alpha she had been proud to stand beside. Since her parents' deaths, Radolf had changed. His sweet words and gentle touch had turned cold and cruel. Perhaps it was because he knew she had no one left. Perhaps it was because he enjoyed the power of breaking her down.

Annatoria paced her office, her fingers clenching into fists. The walls of the pack house, once a symbol of her family's legacy, now felt like a prison. Her wolf stirred uneasily, sensing her turmoil.

A knock broke through her thoughts.

"Luna, may I come in?" a soft voice called from the other side.

Annatoria hesitated. It sounded like Candace. The audacity of the woman to face her after sharing Radolf's bed made her stomach churn.

"Wait," she said, her voice hoarse. Hastily, she wiped away the tears that threatened to spill.

Before she could gather herself, a furious roar echoed through the hallway.

"Where is she?!"

Heavy footsteps approached, each one reverberating like thunder. The door burst open, and Radolf stormed in, his crimson eyes blazing with anger. His imposing frame filled the room, the tension suffocating. The air thickened as he stared at her in disgust and annoyance.

"What is it now?" Annatoria asked, forcing herself to remain calm, trying not to remember that he owed her an explanation for disappearing for 2 weeks.

Radolf's lips curled into a sneer. "You dare ask me that, you orphan?"

Her heart clenched at the word. Orphan!. The reminder of her parents' deaths still stung, but hearing it from him-her mate-was unbearable. She closed her eyes as though, she was squeezing the pain out of it.

"Don't you dare-" she started, but her words were cut off by the sharp sting of his hand connecting with her cheek.

The slap echoed in the room, silencing everything. Her wolf surged forward, rage coursing through her veins.

"You cheating bastard," she growled, her voice a low, guttural snarl. Her wolf instincts took over, and her eyes glowed with an unnatural light.

Radolf took a step back, momentarily stunned by the transformation. For the first time, she saw fear flicker in his gaze, but it was quickly replaced by anger. Never did he imagine she could go wild at him. He deserved it and the most annoying part being that he came ranting.

"You think you can intimidate me?" he spat. "You're nothing but a disgrace to this pack."

Annatoria's wolf howled, demanding to pounce on the terrible womanizer who had no remorse, but Annatoria resisted. With a Herculean effort, she forced herself to shift back to her human form. She stood before him, naked and vulnerable, yet her gaze burned with defiance.

"You have no right to treat me like this," she said, her voice trembling with controlled fury.

There was that part of her again ....that part that thinks Radolf would change.

Radolf's hand shot out again, but this time she caught his wrist, her strength surprising even herself.

"Radolf don't you dare" She yelled at him.

"Guards!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the halls, his hand hung in the air.

Within moments, six Lycans stormed into the room. Annatoria didn't struggle as one of them handed her a robe, which she wrapped around herself.

"Take her to the council room," Radolf commanded, his tone icy and final. The council room is the room where all the elders of the pack gather, to debate affairs.

Annatoria's heart sank. "Radolf," she tried to mind-link him, but he blocked her out. She stared at him, silently pleading for an explanation, but he didn't meet her gaze.

As the guards dragged her out of the room, her eyes caught Loreen's figure entering the hallway, luggage in hand.

"Loreen," Annatoria gasped, her voice cracking.

Her best friend hesitated, her gaze flickering between Annatoria and Radolf. She didn't say a word, didn't ask what was happening.

Annatoria's wolf growled lowly. "To be saved until I get back," it whispered.

The guards pulled her through the pack house, past curious stares and whispers. Annatoria's mind raced as dread settled in her chest. Something was wrong-terribly wrong.

She never did anything to warrant going to the council room. It was only a heated argument without a discussed reason that happened between she and her husband.

"Is it an apology prank?" She wondered, as she walked to the council room. She walked slowly, but her mind was far away from where she was.

She tried so hard to think of all the reasons he had to send her to the "council room", why he had the guards walk in on her being naked. Well, since it's a normal thing among wolves, she didn't bother being naked.