I came out of the restaurant and stood outside for a while. The road was very busy with vehicles. Few taxi drivers stopped by me asking if I wanted to go somewhere. I didn't hire any and chose to walk home. I thought walking in fresh air might refresh my mind. However, It seemed like luck was never on my side. As soon as I crossed the busiest road, it started raining. My clothes got soaked in water as if teasing me for my bad choices.

Just when I reached our pack, the rain became heavy, making it difficult for me to walk. I decided to take shelter near any house and wait for the rain to slow down. I stopped by a house that had a verandah outside. But, as I said I was never good with luck. The house I took shelter at turned out to be Christine’s home. Erick never told me where Christine’s home was, nor did I bother myself in looking for it. Now I was wishing that if I knew it earlier, I wouldn't have stopped by it. I would rather be soaked to death in cold water than taking shelter at Christine's house.

I was about to leave. However, my legs paused after hearing a familiar voice.

“ You go to sleep, Christine. I’ll stay outside to protect you.” It was Erick's voice. I couldn't help staying a little longer.

“Thanks, Erick. You are really my true mate. Had my father not separated us and forced me to marry someone else, I wouldn't be facing all these troubles in my life.” Christine was saying in such pitiful eyes, even I couldn't help feeling pity for her.

“ If Jimmy wasn't traumatized by the incident and continued crying in his sleep, I wouldn't have asked you to stay.” She added.

“You don't need to feel this way, Christine. Jimmy is like my own child. If he feels scared again, just call me. I’ll come to console him or I'll just stay in the room tonight.”

My knuckles were clenched. I didn't want to hear anything anymore. My husband was asking another she-wolf to stay the whole night in her room on her wedding anniversary. How pathetic my life could be?

I took long steps and came home. After being soaked in water for too long, I caught a cold and a fever. I couldn't sleep the whole night in pain and felt too lazy to prepare herbs or potions.

When I woke up the next day, my whole body was burning with high fever. Erick hadn't come home the whole night which I already knew. I prepared the potion for fever and took it with breakfast. I was about to leave for my office and Erick barged in. He looked tired and messy. Our eyes met each other's and his eyes instantly filled with guilt. He walked up to me with heavy steps and started explaining, “Lizzy, things just went too hectic. There were many knights who were causing trouble for Christine. They wanted to take Jimmy with them. The child was so traumatized that he couldn't sleep the whole night. I just couldn't leave him in that condition.”

“Is everything okay now? Why did you return so early? Shouldn't you stay a little longer with him? Christine wouldn't be able to take care of her traumatized child.” I said in an indifferent voice.

Erick, who was going to take a glass of water, paused in mid way. He raised his eyebrows, asking, “Lizzy, are you being sarcastic again?”

“I’m just worried for your Christine’s child.”

Addressing Christine as his annoyed him as he sighed, saying in a tired voice, “Look, I haven't slept the whole night. I’m really tired. Don't make things difficult for me.”

“Then you take a rest. I’m getting late for work. So, I'm leaving. Take care.”

After throwing out these words, I turned to leave. However, he held my hands and pulled me in an embrace. He called me in a hoarse voice, “Lizzy…”

“What is it?” I asked in a low voice.

“I know you are mad about yesterday. I’ll make up for our anniversary celebration next time, okay?”

I broke our hug as I said in a stern voice, “I’m not mad.”

He showed a guilty expression before holding my hands gently, a gesture as empty as his words. He then said in a soft voice, “ Our Pack’s Candle Festival is coming next weekend.”

He then gently stroked my hair before adding, “ Let's go there together and have fun.”

Even though I have lived in Alpha House since childhood, I wasn't welcomed by the pack members. They didn't think much of me. I was always bullied by other wolves. Most of them were Erick's friends. He never took initiative in stopping them. After I got married to Erick, they had to show some respect to me. But, I knew it was all fake. I didn't involve myself in Pack’s event as I didn't like to meet these people. However, I always wanted to celebrate the Candle Festival. It was my childhood dream.

Our pack celebrates the Candle Festival every year. Couples from all over the pack would be invited. There would be several couple activities and competitions to bring the couples together and enjoy the night. The only drawback of this festival was that you could only visit in pairs. I always wanted to celebrate the festival with Erick. However, he was always busy. I could never celebrate the festival like other couples in our pack.

I shook his hands away as I said, “ No, I might have to work overtime next weekend. I’m not free, Erick. I can't go with you.”

My flat refusal infuriated him. He knitted his brows before saying in a loud voice, “Fine, Just do as you wish.”

After throwing out these words, he went inside his room and shut the door. I sighed. He left me alone in the restaurant on our wedding anniversary and the person who got angry the next day is him, not me. I shook my head. Dismissing all the thoughts that make me unhappy, I walked out of my office.

The next few days were followed in silence. We talked almost nothing. I was busy with my office work and he was never free for me. Even our dinners were going in silence. We would finish our meal and go back to our bed with no talking to each other. He was expecting me to apologize for my rude behavior towards him. He was sulking because according to him he was putting efforts in our marriage while I was not appreciating it. He had no idea how much of my efforts were gone in vain without him noticing it, let alone appreciating.

In the past, I used to be the one who would coax him if he stopped talking to me even for a single day. But now, I don't have the heart for it.

One day, I came back from the office and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner for us. To my surprise, Erick was already there. His back was facing towards me. For the past five years of our marriage and the ten years of living together in his parents’ home, I had never seen him stepping foot in the kitchen. He would call someone even if he needed a glass of water rather than going to the kitchen himself. I was surprised to see him standing there.

“Are you hungry? I just got back from the office, haven't cooked anything yet. How come you came earlier today?” I asked. My voice startled him and he turned to face me. He was wearing an apron yet his face was covered with flour and spices. I was stunned.

“What are you doing here?” I blurted out. He smiled awkwardly before saying excitedly, “Go fresh yourself, Lizzy. I have prepared dinner for us. You don't need to cook today.”

I shot a glance at my kitchen. It looked messy. He seemed to understand my worry and immediately added, “I'll clean everything after the dinner.”

He didn't let me help him in cooking and prepared everything himself. I was sitting on the dining chair while he was serving Chicken Noodle soup to my bowl. He looked excited while asking, “ Come on, hurry up and tell me how it tastes.”

He might forget that I disliked everything containing noodles in it. Besides, it tasted awful. Considering it was his first time cooking and seeing his efforts in trying to make up with me for the first time, I forced a smile on my face and said, “ It tastes delicious.”

He smiled gently and said, “ Then take some more. You are getting thinner day by day.”

I don't know if he said this casually or he was really noticing me. I smiled and forcefully took a few more sips from my bowl. Just then his phone rang. He put the spoon back and excused himself to pick up the call.

Not long after my phone started flickering with notifications. I checked my phone and found another post from Christine. This time she had posted a picture of a man's back. I couldn't ignore the apron tied on his back. It was the same color Erick was wearing a few minutes ago. She had added a caption to her post. [ I was feeling too tired to cook. He made me my favorite Chicken Noodle Soup. To be honest, it was awful. But, he promised to practice it everyday until he would be best at cooking it. My mother told me to find a man who can cook for you. I guess I have already found one.]

There were several love emojis with the caption.

My hands were clenched into fists. I was thinking that he made efforts in making up with me, even if it was preparing an awful dinner for me. Turned out I was just a laboratory rat for him on which he was testing his cooking skills to impress his mistress. I couldn't feel more embarrassed in my eyes than I already was. It was just ridiculous.

I stared at the bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup with burning eyes and pushed it aside. I stood up from the chair without doing dinner. I was about to leave and Erick appeared before my eyes, adding fuel to the fire. He glanced at my unfinished soup and asked me in innocence, “ You didn't finish your dinner?”

“I lost my appetite.” I replied angrily.

“Why are you being angry all of sudden?” He asked with gloomy eyes.

“I’m not angry. I just don't feel hungry anymore.” I replied, the volume of my voice increasing by a few decibels which infuriated Erick as he pursed his lips before yelling, “ Lizzy, Can you stop being dramatic everyday? Can’t you just be happy for sometime?”

After reading Christine’s post, my mind was not at ease. My whole body was shaking in anger. I accepted my husband’s betrayal to me but I could never let him toy me around. However, I didn't want to argue with him over Christine’s matter. I already had enough flights with him over her. I only added, “You know what, Erick, your soup tastes awful. Besides, I don't like noodles. So, if you want to let anyone test it before the final show, at least feed it to someone who actually likes it. Not me, okay?”

“You don't like Noodles? Lizzy, I’m sorry I…” He couldn't finish his words as I ignored him and walked out.

That night I slept without dinner while the sound of dishes continued echoing in my ears. Erick spent the whole night cleaning the mess he had created in the kitchen. For what? Just to impress his childhood sweetheart.

He was doing everything for Christine that I used to do for him. The only difference it had, Christine acknowledged his efforts but he never acknowledged mine.

The days passed by and we had little to no conversation with each other. Soon the weekend arrived and so was the Candle Festival. After our last argument, Erick didn't mention the festival again. I thought he too let the idea go. However, I didn't expect him to actually bring Christine with him.

Bringing his childhood sweetheart to a festival that meant for couples only, wasn't he going all out in making his affair public?

I was working overtime in my office when my phone flickered with several notifications. Someone added me to the group chat of our pack. They were sharing the pictures of every couple who were celebrating the Candle Festival. Erick and Christine’s picture was also included. Christine’s hands were wrapped around Erick's arms while he was looking at her with a smile. The picture was so lovey dovey that they looked like a romantic couple. The group members even started voting for the best couple. Erick and Christine were leading in the voting trend. I smiled sarcastically looking at their pictures and then busied myself in my work. However, the she-wolves of our pack began texting me privately.

[Luna, Your Alpha has brought a mistress to the Candle Festival, what is your take on it?]

[Luna, Alpha Erick is cheating on you with the she-wolf of our enemy pack. Aren't you going to do anything about it?]

[Luna, please fight back with this evil she-wolf. We support you.]

They continued sharing pictures and videos of Erick and Christine with me. In one of the videos, they were participating in a competition. Their hands were tied with a rope and Christine was feeding chocolate to Erick with her lips. Many times, her lips touched with Erick’s and turned the activity into a perfect kiss. Other wolves cheered loudly on each incident, trying their best to flater the Alpha of the pack. Even the she-wolves who were privately texting me and showing their sympathy with me were seen flattering Alpha and his mistress. They all wanted to be in the good books of their Alpha.

I didn't want to bother myself in watching Erick's betrayal. However, the she-wolves of our pack got no chill. They continued spamming my messenger, asking when I’m giving it back to Christine. They were all waiting for my revenge. These were the same she-wolves who were jealous of me for marrying their handsome Alpha and didn't lose a chance of causing troubles for me. Now that Christine had returned, their jealousy shifted to her. They all were looking for a drama between me and her.

Since, I received so many messages from them, being silent was not an option for me. I typed a message and forwarded to all the she-wolves that read [Thanks for thinking about me. I appreciate your well wishes towards me. However, I’m busy with my work. I have no time for chit chat. Have fun in the celebration with your partner and let Alpha enjoy with his as well.]

I then opened the group chat where everyone was discussing who the best couple is. Most of the votes were casted on the picture of Erick and Christine with beautiful comments. I also typed a message. [ Alpha is indeed looking good with his partner. They are really a match made in heaven. My vote too goes for him and his partner.] I even added a hashtag while mixing their names. My message was caused a storm in the group chat. It was then followed by several messages.

[Who added Luna in the chat?]

[Omg! She has seen everything. What will Alpha do now?]

[Does she not care at all? How can she complement Alpha with other she-wolf?]

[Was she being sarcastic? Why do I feel like she was serious?]

One of the she-wolves shared the screenshot of my text that I sent to them. She mentioned [ She is calling Alpha’s friend his partner. Isn’t that mean she has already given up on Alpha?]

I was not longer interested in reading their text and shut the phone close. However, my phone kept beeping with notifications. I picked the phone up and put it on silent mode. Later, I had meeting with my seniors. I attended the meeting that went for an hour.

“The meeting was so tiring. You should take rest now. Why don't you go out with your husband and chill? After all, there are only a few days left to spend together with him?” My senior said, he was more like a elder brother to me. I just smiled in response before saying in a tired voice, “I’m fine.”

“Ah… You are so boring. I never saw you hanging out or chatting with your husband like other female employees of the company do. If your husband hadn't come to pick you up that day, I would still think you are single.” he added.

I bit my lips. It's not like I didn't want to do all these stuff like other girls. It's just I wasn't lucky as them to have husband whose world would revolve around me. I wonder had he married Christine, would he treat her the same way he had treated me all these years?

I then shook my head, dismissing all the thoughts about him or Christine and said to my senior, “If I was like other employees, you wouldn't be this hard working. Would you like that?”

He laughed on my words before replying, “No one can win the argument with a woman. Anyways, I'm leaving for my home. See you tomorrow.”

After my senior left, I checked the phone. There were ten missed calls from Erick, followed by his messages.

[Lizzy, pick up the phone.]

[Lizzy, let me explain. It's not what it looks like. Don't misunderstand me.]

[Lizzy, don't do anything stupid, okay? I’m coming to find you.]