It was already past eleven the next day and I sat on our bed, staring at my phone screen for the hundredth time that night. But it was all blank.
No call or message from Ethan since he had left this house yesterday morning.
Today was our fifth wedding anniversary and I had hoped... stupidly, that it wouldn't end up like all the others. But the quiet, empty house said it all.
I'd spent the entire day preparing and attending to his mother's guests. Despite my tiredness, I still cooked his favourite roast, laid out candles, and spread rose petals across the floor like some romantic fool.
Even put on that crimson silk lingerie he once couldn't keep his hands off.
When he didn't show up by ten, I called his Beta. She said he'd left the pack office at five. Five! That was six hours ago.
So where was he?
I tried his number again, but as usual, it went straight to voicemail. It always did whenever he didn't want to be found.
"Where are you, Ethan?" I mumbled.
The pack house was big, too big, and full of bitter souls towards me, even as the Luna. Downstairs, I could hear faint movements... probably Mrs. Hartley.
I didn't dare go near her because she'd just remind me I was a "barren Luna," unfit to lead the pack, and unworthy of her son.
So I stayed up here alone, trying to keep my wolf calm. But even she was restless tonight, pacing inside me, growling low.
Then I heard the sound of tires on gravel.
My heart jumped as I ran to the window and peeked through the curtain. Finally, Ethan's black ute had just pulled into the driveway. I sat back on the bed, straightened the lingerie, and took a deep breath, trying to look like the woman he used to love.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway below but there were two sets... one heavy, the other light and quick.
My stomach sank. No… no, not tonight.
The front door opened and a woman's laugh drifted up the stairs. The sound made every hair on my body stand. The steps grew louder, closer, until... bang!—the bedroom door swung open so fast it nearly hit me.
Ethan walked in, his arm around a tall woman with glossy black hair and a dress that clung to her like a second skin. I recognized her instantly, Lara Doyle, one of the unmated wolves from the neighboring pack.
He didn't even flinch when he saw me. His hand stayed on her hip whilst hers rested on his chest like she owned him.
The rose petals, the candles, the dinner... all of it suddenly looked pathetic.
"What the hell is this?!" he demanded with a sharp tone, his alpha authority buckling my feets but I held myself.
"Where have you been?" I asked quietly, ignoring the woman completely.
"That's not an answer." He stepped further inside. "What's all this nonsense? Who told you to do this in my room?"
"You forgot what today is, didn't you?" My heart thudded and he gave a cold laugh.
"So?"
"So, we should be celebrating, not..." my voice broke, "...not you bringing her into our home!" I gestured towards the woman beside him.
"Careful in pointing fingers, sweetheart." Lara smirked. I clenched my fists, forcing myself not to shift, not to let my wolf take over.
"I've been trying to reach you all night, Ethan but your phone's been off. Do you even care how worried I was?"
"Who asked you to?" He snapped. "You're not my keeper, Riley."
"But I'm your wife!" I said through gritted teeth.
"Soon to be ex." His voice was calm, but his eyes glowed faintly red... the sign of an alpha losing control. "I told you to sign the termination of the mating bond contract and get out of my life."
I froze, not knowing what to do or say at that point. Every hope and excitement for pushing towards today, had been shattered by him.
Ethan brushed past me, pulling Lara close, and kissed her... right there, in front of me.
I stood there like a fool, watching the man I used to love press his lips against another woman... the same lips that once swore eternal love under a full moon.
My chest tightened, making it hard to breathe.
"Ethan," I finally whispered. "Don't you have any shame left? On our matrimonial bed, of all places?"
He turned, his face twisted in fury. With a growl, he grabbed the wine bottle from the table and threw it against the wall beside me.
It shattered, red splashing everywhere like blood.
I jumped back, heart pounding, hands shaking. That was the first time he'd ever raised a hand or anything against me.
'Run, Riley!' My wolf whimpered inside, but I remained glued to the spot, glaring at him. Ethan didn't even look at me again, just turned back to Lara.
Something snapped inside me but I didn't cry. I wouldn't give him and his mistress that leverage. Never!
I picked up my robe, slipped it on, and walked out. My bare feet brushed over the petals I had scattered earlier, each one now a reminder of my own stupidity.
Neither of them stopped. The sound of their laughter followed me out into the hall, echoing in my ears long after I shut the door behind me.
★★★
The next morning, I stood under the shower, letting hot water pour over my skin. I could still hear their moans from last night, echoing through the walls of the house that no longer felt like mine.
Ethan didn't even care that I was next door.
I pressed my palms against the tiles, closing my eyes as memories came rushing back... our wedding night, his warmth, the way his hands once trembled when he touched me.
He used to look at me like I was his moon. Now, he couldn't even look at me at all. Why? Because he claimed I'm too weak to lead as Luna in his pack.
I turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and stared at myself in the mirror. My reflection looked tired and empty. But behind my eyes, a new ME has emerged, like a rebirth from the foolish Riley they all knew before.
I dressed quietly and stepped out of the guest room.
My heart pounded as I walked back toward our bedroom. I didn't know what I was going to say or do, but the wolf in me had already decided.
One way or another, I was done being silent and stupid to be accepted!