Axel and I sat and talked for hours as we sipped on our coffee and talked about the old times. We had once been so in love and then one day out of the blue he just left the pack with not so much as a goodbye. I was hurt and confused and shortly after because of our split, was forced to marry Thorne, as we were true mates and in order for him to assume duties as Alpha he had to marry his mate, which was me.
Axel and I never discussed his reasons for leaving nor did we discuss Thorne and it was refreshing to be in the company of someone who I could talk to without it being an act. Hours went by and soon I reluctantly returned home.
As I entered through the door he was there waiting for me. His eyes were fixed on me and they were glowing. I knew he was upset.
“ Where were you?” He demanded that I answer.
I just kept walking around. I remembered that he never gave me a direct answer when I asked him the same question. Now he has the audacity to demand I answer? Incredulous.
“ I ASKED YOU A QUESTION, AZALEA LEANDRA!” He growled in his Alpha authoritative voice. I stopped in my tracks and looked straight at him.
“ I see now. I must answer to you but you can keep secrets.”
“ What?” Thorne said, looking surprised.
“ Don’t you dare play innocent with me. You know damn well what I’m talking about! If you have nothing to hide, then you have nothing to fear.” I spat at him.
I knew he was trying to make me jealous. He was trying to make me feel insecure about myself, and for what? To make me doubt myself? Him?
“ I have nothing to hide.” He replied, crossing his arms and looking at me in a way that he knew would piss me off.
I rolled my eyes, “Did you or did you not have a sleepover with Vanessa?” I asked him.
“ Yes, I did. But that’s it.” He said,
" Bullshit!" I screamed.
" “You are my wife. You leave me to go running around with your ex. It’s inexcusable.” He said, cutting me off.
" Oh but it's perfectly all right for you to go out with your ex but when I decide to, you have the audacity to tell me it’s wrong to.”
" I don't want you to see him again. I mean it, Leah." He got in my face, his eyes narrowed and he peered down at me. " You will never see Axel Rivers again." He commanded and I just stood there in awe of how he could tell me one thing while he was doing worse than having coffee.
“I won't be a puppet on your strings,” I spat. He forced his lips upon mine, but fury replaced my weakened state when I remembered Vanessa. I bit down hard and he cursed before letting me go. He touched his lip in shock as I smiled mockingly and walked out of the room.
Lying in bed, I touched my lips. My wolf was wild over the kiss from Thorne, a man who'd never expressed any affection towards me--until now. It made me feel like there was hope for our marriage, though I'd soon be proven wrong.
****
I awoke and hurriedly dressed before going downstairs to get my coffee. When I got downstairs I was shocked to see Thorne at the table waiting for me, a look of regret on his face. When I entered the room he looked up from his paper, his eyes following my every move.
“ Leah, I’m sorry about last night…I just don’t want people to start rumors about seeing their Luna with another man.”
“ Well, Thorne, what about them seeing their Alpha with another woman…”
Thorne insisted nothing was happening with Vanessa, but a text from her on his phone proved otherwise. Crushed, I ran to the car, tears streaming down my face as I realized he had lied. Inside the coffee shop, Axel looked handsome in his suit getting his morning coffee when he saw me he smiled, walking towards me.
As I walked closer his smile faded and he reached out and grabbed my hand.
“ What’s going on? You look like you’ve been crying.” He said.
“ I know it’s true now, Axel. Thorne has been having an affair and I have evidence. He got a text message this morning and they’re planning on going out of town to a bed and breakfast.” I sobbed and he pulled me into a hug.
“ Oh, Azalea, I’m so sorry.” He said sympathetically.
Axel's face expressed sympathy and anger, his blue eyes filled with compassion as I spoke about Thorne's affair. His gaze was supportive as we discussed the final nail in my marriage’s coffin; the text message from that morning.
"Thank you for being here, Axel," I said, my voice hoarse from crying.
"Always," he replied, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of my hand.
“I just can't do it anymore, Axel,” I said. "I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”
“ You don’t have to do it alone. I’ll be here if you need me, Azalea.” He said reassuringly.
“ Thank you but I need some time alone to think.” I told him and I got up from the stool and walked towards the door. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do yet but I needed time. Time to think things over.
When I got home and saw that Thorne wasn’t there my heart sank. Even though his letter said, ‘Out of town business meeting’ I knew he was with her.
Just then my phone pinged and it was a text from Vanessa of them together at a ball. His arm was around her. “ Miss him yet, bitch? ‘V’ “
POV Thorne The next morning, I woke up to find Azalea curled up in my arms, her head on my chest. She stirred, stretching lazily as she opened her eyes, and smiled up at me. It was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen. I ran my fingers through her hair, marveling at how good it felt to have her here with me. "Good morning, Luna," I whispered, kissing her forehead. She ran her hand over my chest, "Good morning, Alpha," she murmured back. "What do you want to do today? You have two options. Option one, stay in bed all day making love or option two, make love in every area of the house?" I asked her with a grin. She giggled, "Well, since we have the whole day...""My plan is to get you pregnant with my pups, baby." I growled, kissing her deeply. "I want our pack to be strong, and I want them to have you as their mother." She looked up at me with tears in her eyes, and I knew what she was thinking. "I love you, Thorne. I will always love you. And I will always be your Luna, no
POV Azalea I nestled deeper into the warm embrace of my mate's strong arms, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my back. His skin was so smooth, and his muscles so defined. It was as if he were sculpted from marble, and I was his masterpiece. The warm water lapped gently at my skin, easing away the tension that had built up over the past few days. I closed my eyes, savoring the feeling of being so close to him, wanting to stay like this forever."Make love to me, Thorne." I whispered, feeling the need for him to take me, claim me, mark me as his. I arched my back, pressing my body further into his. His hands skimmed down my sides, cupping my hips before sliding lower, and I let out a moan as he found my core. His fingers traced circles around my entrance, teasing and taunting me. I felt the familiar ache begin to build deep within, a longing so intense it threatened to consume me."Is that what my Luna wants from her Alpha?" Thorne whispered, his voice rough with d
POV ThorneI went to the door and took a deep breath as I opened the door to see her. When I saw her dressed in her favorite sweater and jeans, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. She looked as beautiful as ever. "Hey," I said softly, not knowing what else to say. As she walked in I checked out her ass in the jeans she was wearing. I felt my wolf stirring inside me, wanting to claim her right there. "Stop it." I told him as she took a seat on the sofa, her sweater hanging low enough to give me a glimpse of her perfect valleys beneath. My wolf whined in response. I understood his response. Azalea's body was amazing"So what did you want to talk about?" She asked, glancing around the room before meeting my eyes again. Her gaze was guarded, as if she was waiting for me to spring some sort of trap. I had her he
POV Thorne The ceremony for the Alpha and Luna of The Gray Ridge Pack had finally arrived and I waited for Azalea to join me. When she arrived wearing a beautiful sapphire blue gown that hugged her curves perfectly, my breath caught in my throat. She looked so stunning it was hard to believe it was her. She approached me and I offered her my arm, leading her to the front of the hall where the rest of the pack was gathering.It was just the two of us and I was happy that Axel didn't accompany her this time and Vanessa wasn't able to attend either. We met the Alpha and Luna from the Gray Ridge Pack and made our rounds, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. I could see the way the other pack members looked at Azalea, their eyes full of admiration and respect. She was truly beautiful, not just on the outside, but inside as well. She was kind, caring, and selfless, always putting others before herself. A true Luna if I ever saw one."Shall we?" I asked and led her to the dance fl
POV AxelAfter I left Azalea's home I headed to see the only person who I could confide in, the only person who would understand; Vanessa. As I walked into her room she was in the middle of fucking Thorne's brother Victor. She was twisted, I'll give her that. Sleeping with Thorne's brother while stringing along Thorne on a string. After a while I grew tired of their constant moaning and pulled the blankets off, grabbing their attention. "Get the fuck out, Pretty Boy! " I told him, shoving him roughly away from Vanessa. "And you, you little slut, you're lucky I don't kill you right now. " I growled at her, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You know you're mine, you know you're meant for me!" Vanessa looked at me and smiled, licking her lips seductively. "Oh, Axel, you're so dramatic. You know you can't live without me. And I need you just as much. We're perfect together." She crawled across the bed towards me, her fingers trailing
POV Azalea As I listened to Glenda, I sighed heavily, leaning against the doorframe. Glenda put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I know it's hard, but take all the time you need," she said softly. "You don't have to rush into anything." I nodded, feeling a bit of relief wash over me. I wasn't sure if I could ever forgive Thorne for what he'd done, but I also didn't want to lose him completely. I needed time to sort out my feelings, to figure out if there was any way for us to move forward. It didn't help matters that Vanessa seemed to be lurking around every corner either, it really felt as if all the cards were stacked against us and no matter what we did they could fall at any given moment. I didn't want to be constantly looking over my shoulder, constantly worrying about what she might say or do next. I needed to focus on myself, on finding my own happiness and peace. I started up my classes again for business and kept my distance from any duties as Luna of the pack.