Riana

Everywhere was brightly lit, my eyes darted back and forth to the clock as Rene ruched away.

I had a smile bright enough to light up the world on my face as I checked the food over and over, trying to make sure it was still warm.

My phone rang and I grabbed it, smiling softly when I saw Kate, my sister in law calling.

"I sent you a message, check it out now." Her voice was sharp and urgent and I nodded.

I was about heading to the kitchen with a porcelain dish when she stopped midway, the dish shattering on the floor as numerous pieces flew by, some jabbing my skin while the rest scattered on the floor.

My lips trembled as I stared at the picture. It was Alexander and he was with Kristen and her son again...

"Spending the day with the people dearest to me." The caption read, he held both of them by his side, his hand casually resting on Kristen's waist like it was a completely natural thing and my heart tightened.

I could understand other days but today... Our three year anniversary left me devastated.

Kate called immediately and I answered, my lips trembling as I tried to speak.

"I'm coming over now and we're..."

"No... There's no need, everything is fine, this is my battle." I whispered before hanging up, a tear rolling down my cheeks.

I grabbed my phone, logging into my social media account to check his page, to see if anything concerning our anniversary had been posted but it was even more depressing to find that I had been blocked from viewing his posts.

I could see only posts from months ago before when Kristen was yet to be a part of his life.

My heart tightened, air began to choke me for a moment as I panted, trying not to get suffocated to death.

Streams of tears rolled down my cheeks as I glanced at the image, it had always been Kristen, she was his mate who had rejected him, humiliated him in public but I was there to help him yet he never loved me. Her disappearance 5 years ago felt like a relief as it felt like he could finally be mine but who knew she'd be back almost immediately to torment my marriage.

After weeping for some time, I grabbed my phone, deciding I wasn't going to lose all hope. Maybe he still remembered our anniversary, maybe all he needed was a little reminder.

I dialed his number, placing a call across to him and the first call ended without an answer. I called again, my heart drumming loudly while I hoped for him to answer the call, tell me he was on his way and walk in here with just a rose as a form of apology for being late.

"Hello... Daddy is busy now, you can call back later." I heard the tiny voice of Kristen's son and her heart plummeted into abysmal sadness.

Daddy? Alexander who had always kicked against having kids was fathering Kristen's son and he looked pleased.

Staring at the picture again, I could see his face glowing, he had never been this happy around me in all our three years of marriage, he had never taken pictures with me willingly yet he was tweeting about Kirsten on his personal page, after he had spoke about not liking my posts because his page was meant for important pack posts. 

I was filled with bitterness as I stared at the box I had wrapped for him, he hadn't returned home from work since yesterday and although I had called to ask why, he replied coldly, stating that he was busy with pack duties.

I exhaled deeply, slumping on the chair while my wolf howled at how hurtful the betrayal felt. 

The mate bond clawed through my chest, my wolf slamming against my ribs in agony, howling in rage as he touched another female.

A message popped up on my phone from Dad, asking about how the anniversary was going and bile rose in my throat as I sobbed more.

Knowing mom was undergoing a major cancer surgery today yet I wasn't there to help it more devastating.

Dad had ordered me to leave, saying I needed to celebrate my anniversary and seeing his message now, I couldn't bring myself to say the alpha was with another lady tonight.

"Going great, how is mom?" I lied, clenching my chest sorrowfully.

"Great, the surgery is almost over." He replied and I reacted love to the message. Goddess knew I wanted to stab myself for missing such an important occasion because of Alexander.

"Give everything out." I ordered the maid and her eyes widened.

"L... Luna... All?" She asked and I nodded.

"Yes and clear the table." I replied and she nodded, with great pain in my heart, I lowered myself to the bed, biting back tears.

I was almost asleep when he stepped into the room, groaning softly as he laid on the bed, reeking of Kristen.

My wolf almost puked in disgust and my stomach churned as I gritted my teeth.

He placed a hand around my waist, trying to turn me over but thinking about how he wrapped his hand around her waist too, I ignored him.

"Riana, I'm horny." It was a cold, plain word, like I was some slut who had been bought to pleasure him.

"Not tonight." I replied and I heard a snarl, I didn't bulge, I only folded myself the more.

"What the heck is wrong with you?" He growled and I said nothing.

His phone rang and he grabbed it with the speed of lightning, making my heart burn. He dashed outside to pick the call and the sound of his car alerted me of his departure.

Riana

Waking up, I was hit with the pain of last night, I shoved it down my throat, deciding not to let it get to me.

After all our marriage had been out of contract, even though I had loved him all 26 years of my life.

I could remember the night before my wedding where I overheard him talking about how this marriage would help him gain the trust of the pack, seeing that he had a little problem at that time and my family needed financial help for the pack.

That night I had been torn, ignoring my wolf who reminded me that I was yet to find my mate and I still had all the chance in the world to be with someone I loved.

I ignored her, vowing that I could never love any man as much as I loved Alexander. Even though we were married for three years, he never marked me or openly acknowledged me as his Luna and chosen mate in front of anyone.

After our marriage, we merged packs together, making it easy for us to grow and since I was an only child, it was the best option. 

I dedicated my life to him, deciding I was going to make him love me at all cost but everything faded away when he received a call from Kristen one day, saying she had a child for him, he never argued, only believed her words as from that day, he became even more distant. 

I stepped into the hospital, wearing dark sunshades as I went to the counter to pick up mom's meal.

I wasn't shocked to see him standing beside me, he flashed me a smile as he wrapped his hand around my waist, trying to act all romantic.

Instinctively, I pushed him away slightly while trying to block out Kristen's scent from choking me. It was there, dominant, mocking and irritatingly sweet.

"What's..." He was still speaking when his phone rang. His expression softened as he placed the phone on his ear.

"How are you doing?" His tone was so soft, I almost wept as I watched him. A smile dangled on his lips and his eyes were halflidded and filled with love.

I had never seen him this way, not even when we made love at night, he was always cold and dismissive with me, except in public where he pathetically tried to show affection.

"I'll be there very soon, just give me a few minutes... I'll get you anything you want, just tell me about it." He whispered as he hung up.

I grabbed the food and headed towards the room, ignoring him entirely.

"I'm so glad you could make it mom." I whispered, taking off my glasses and she smiled at me.

Mom had been battling with cancer for almost 10 years now and it had sucked all the pack's money, the only peck of this marriage was that mom got to be treated for free and they had the best treatments, unlike our pack which was still struggling.

"Have you been crying? Did you cry at your anniversary dinner?" She asked and at that moment, Alexander walked in.

"Good morning mom." He greeted as he bowed his head and she nodded, stretching her hand out to him.

"You could've sent your greetings, I know how busy you have been, running both packs." She whispered frailly and I sat at the side, burning with rage as I watched him pretend to be the perfect husband in front of mom.

"It's nothing compared to seeing you, I'm glad you made it." He replied and she smiled.

"Thank you so much... I'm grateful to the goddess for blessing your union and I hope he blesses you with a child soon." She prayed and I almost choked while Alexander nodded with a smile that stopped on his lips.

"I'd like to leave now, would you escort me..." He asked politely and although I wanted to refuse, mom stared at me intently and I nodded.

"I couldn't make it for the anniversary because I was busy at work, it's been a lot controlling two packs, I'll make it up to you tonight, dinner at Rosemary, 8 pm." He announced coldly without any excuse and to make matters worse, he chose the worst place ever.

I was allergic to Rosemary's steaks, this was one thing I had said for years but who was I kidding? He'd forget my existence entirely but remember the tiniest detail about his mate.

"Hmm..." I replied without a word and he stared at me, frowning.

"I do not want this attitude tonight, if you're on your period then stay at home." He muttered harshly and I said nothing as he entered his car, watching him drive away towards the house he had purchased for Kristen.

"Are you going to keep on enduring this? I warned you about this... We've not found mate yet... You still have the chance to leave." She whispered and I exhaled deeply.

"What about mom? Dad has grown weak and he's unable to take over pack duties, the pack would crumble if I leave." I whispered, tears burning my eyes.

"There'll always be another option." She whispered and I nodded, shutting my eyes, I opened them slowly and I found my legs moving.

"Leave him." my wolf snarled. "He is not ours."

"Not yet" I whispered back. "Not while the pack needs me."

It wasn't until I arrived at the court before I realized where I was. Walking inside to the council of elders, I bowed my head softly.

"I'd like to divorce my husband, the alpha." I announced as gasps rang out.

Raina

“You wish to divorce your husband?” The elder asked and clenching my fists, I nodded.

“Yes, I wish to divorce him.” I muttered, trying to still my racing heart.

“Do you know the consequences of your actions? Your pack is only surviving because you’re under his wings, do you know the number of times your pack has escaped attacks just because of him?” The elder demanded, staring at me like I was an ingrate but I nodded.

“I’m grateful for everything he has done but it’s high time we separated.” I muttered and the elder took one long condescending look at me.

“How do you intend to sustain the pack? Who is going to be the new alpha, your father is weak and unable to attend to the pack duties, are you sure you know what you want? Have you forgotten that you’re a mere lady whose job is in the kitchen and on her husband’s bed?” He demanded and I sank my teeth into my lips, goddess knew my wolf was furious and she wanted to growl but I stopped her.

“I know what I want, I know what I want.” I replied and he nodded, staring at me intently for a moment.

“Your case will be discussed and you’ll be called in with the alpha for a fair hearing and if you have good reasons, it’ll be granted.” He announced and I nodded.

It took a long while before the divorce papers were printed but I was more than ready to wait however long it was going to take.

The secretary stared at me repeatedly, shaking her head sadly. “So tell me, why are you leaving the alpha? You must think you’re some big shot, you have no child, just a dead pack and you think it’s best to leave the alpha without anything?” She asked and I frowned.

“Oh, I saw your file, they will be damned if they process the divorce for you that easily. Do you want the alpha to have their head?” She continued, chewing gum loudly while I swallowed, trying to endure for a few more minutes.

“I don’t know what is wrong with you ladies these days, feeling like you can own a man alone, especially alpha. Look in the mirror, he’s desired by more than half of the world for his wealth, there’s no way he’d stay loyal to you.” I bit my tongue, trying not to snap at this blonde Barbie.

She had huge breasts, a face that has been worked on countless times and the red lipstick on her lips made things even more disgusting.

I was cringing internally with the way she chewed and goddess knew I was just one step away from running out of this place.

After almost thirty minutes, she handed over the divorce papers, making me exhale deeply.

“You’re making one big mistake, honey. Men are polygamous in nature, I can’t believe you’d leave your home for another lady.” She shook her head and I exhaled.

“I refuse to settle for a dog.” I replied with a soft smile as I accepted the file and her eyes widened.

I was walking back to the clinic when a lady bumped into me as she walked past me. I frowned.

“Excuse me?”

“What?” She snapped rudely, taking me aback.

“You bumped into me, isn’t that evident?” I retorted and her eyes twinkled with mischief.

“No, but what’s evident is you staying at the pack house for years without giving us an heir, try to work on that rather than pick up fights randomly on the road. If you had given the alpha an heir, maybe he’d have gotten you a car.” She fired and I bit my lips, swallowing my words as I walked away, trying hard not to create a scene.

“She’s barren…”

“Only the goddess knows how she’d cope when the alpha’s new wife gives him a son.”

I forced their words out of my head as I continued walking to the clinic.

“Where have you been?” Dad asked as I walked in and I exhaled.

“I went outside to get some fresh air. Is mom okay?” I asked and he nodded.

“I know this has been too much for you and I’d like to apologize for not doing a good job at the pack, if only I had used my time well, maybe you wouldn’t be in this situation.” He whispered, his eyes tearing up and I hugged him tightly.

“It’s fine dad, I’m glad mom is okay…”

“I’m so grateful to the goddess for giving you Alpha Alexander as your mate, only the goddess knows how trouble things would’ve been without him… I’m so glad you’re married to him and I pray the goddess blesses your union with children…” He muttered and I grunted a reply.

I was filled with deep remorse immediately as guilt began to gnaw at me. Am I doing the right thing? Didn’t Alexander help my family? Isn't he the reason why my pack is still standing? Would it be right to leave the marriage after all these? How would mom and dad feel when I break this news to them?

“Goddess please…” I muttered under my breath as I tried to think about all the good aspects of this marriage but somehow, the only thing that came to my head was Kristen’s presence, her scent on him and how he was willing to do anything and everything for her while I got the bare minimum.

I was still in deep thoughts when a message interrupted me. “Come home, now. 10 minutes.” It was a message from Alexander and my stomach churned with slight fear and anxiety.

What if he’s found out I want divorce? Is that why he’s furious?