CHAPTER 3

Tonia's POV

I needed someone to squeeze at my arm because I couldn't actually assimilate what I had just seen. My legs faltered and I had to grip the door frame for support.

Logan noticed me then and an expression of guilt washed over him as he quickly stood up and started towards me.

He reached out to touch me but I stepped several inches backwards. With a shuddering breath, I turned sharply to run but his hands grabbed my shoulder and he swiftly pressed me to the wall outside the room and sit the door behind us.

"I was only consoling her!" He gave the understatement of the year. "Lisa is still traumatized about the rape and all. She started crying and I didn't know what to do."

I wasn't even sure anything he was saying was sinking in. My vision had turned blurry with tears but I pushed it back with all the strength left in my body. I couldn't break down now. Not yet!

"Kissing your fated mate doesn't mean anything to you, is that what you mean?" I yelled but it only came out as a broken whisper.

An expression of pity crossed his face and he opened his mouth to say something when the door opened and Lisa came out.

She walked up to Logan and clung to his arm. "Logan, I don't think I can stay longer for the rites. My baby seems to be moving as I have to get home. Could you drop me off?"

A bright smile instantly appeared on Logan's face. "Alright." He told her before turning to face me.

"I'll be back soon." He merely told me before leaving with Lisa.

I stopped him. I just wanted to be sure. I was giving room for the faint streak of hope in my heart. I wanted to know if I still had a place in his heart.

"Logan, I don't feel too well," I told him. "I think I need to see a doctor."

A thorned expression crossed his features as he glanced between me and Lisa, grinding his teeth against each other.

"I'm sorry, Lisa." He said, and I could already guess his answer. "I'll call the Royal physician to come over. I'm sure you're strong enough to wait, right?"

I couldn't even say anything. I could only nod as he gave me an awkward smile before leading Lisa towards the stairs.

As I watched their retreating figures, I couldn't even cry any longer. It felt as though my body had gone so numb I couldn't really feel anything anymore.

I couldn't continue with the rites either, but staying in our matrimonial room would be too much pain. Everything there would remind me of the way I had seen Logan kiss Lisa.

Left with no other option, I went to the guest room I'd stayed earlier. After several moment of trying to force myself to sleep, my phone rang.

I smiled when I saw the caller ID— Olivia.

"What's up, girl?" I tried to sound fine.

However, she knew me better than anyone and seemed to have detected the pain in my voice.

"Are you okay, Tonia?" She asked, concern evident in her voice.

I swallowed hard. "I will be," I said.

She sighed deeply. "I can understand. I was also surprised that Alpha Logan postponed the crowning ceremony till next tomorrow. Is everything okay? Did you guys fight?"

My whole world shattered. Did Logan postpone the crowning ceremony? He was hesitating? If there was anyone who detested hesitations more than anything in this world, it was Logan.

He'd never hesitated in his life, not when we'd met and definitely not when he had married me, but now he was hesitating when he wanted to crown me his Luna.

It only meant one thing— he was confused.

He was contemplating choosing between me and--- Lisa. And that was why he hid it from me.

Realizing I had been silent for a while, I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Everything's fine. He must have had his reasons." I told her.

I heard her swear something along the lines of 'fuck his reasons." Right! Did I mention that Olivia didn't approve of Logan? For some reason, I didn't know she'd never liked him right since I'd been dating him.

"So, did you hear about the Lycan king's banquet that's tomorrow?" She asked. "Only top persons were invited, and I'm sure you're going with Alpha Logan too."

I arched my brow. Sure, Logan hadn't told me about that. Anyway, I wanted to believe that he had postponed the crowning ceremony because of this banquet, but I already knew it wasn't.

Lisa was probably also the reason he didn't tell me about the Lycan king's banquet since he'd be taking her instead of me.

"No, I didn't hear about it. Logan didn't tell me." I confessed.

"Good thing, then!" She exclaimed. "I got an extra invite just for you. You'll be there right?"

"No!"  My answer was firm.

There was no way I would humiliate myself by going to a banquet that my husband would be going to with another woman. I would just die of heartache.

"Are you really sure?" Olivia was trying to convince me. "I heard the Lycan King is extremely hot!"

I rolled my eyes. "Like I care. I'm a married woman! You should really settle down too instead of spending one night standing with different men!" I chided her and she laughed.

We talked for a little while before finally disconnecting the call. A few hours later, I still couldn't sleep. Even as much as I hated to admit it, I was waiting with bated breath for Logan to return.

However, at midnight, he was still not back. I knew too well what that meant and it stoned a knife through my chest— he was spending the nights at Lisa's place.

I tried hard not to think about what he would be doing with her but I failed. Thoughts of them together, doing things should be doing with him continued to seep in till I couldn't take it any longer.

I need a drink, ten maybe. Just anything strong enough to clear my head. And I knew just the place for that.

I went into the room, changed into pajamas, and took the secret passage that led to the Royal bar. The bar was a private one specially designed for royal visitors and it had different rooms, each with its own winery.

Just as I expected, the bar was quiet and empty. I entered the first room by my right, making straight for the shelf. I grabbed a bottle of whiskey, and poured myself a glass.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I gulped the whole content at once. It bittered my throat and dampened my stomach. I could feel all the knots in my body begin to lose. Loving the feeling, I took another shot.

"What are you doing here?" A cold voice sounded so close to my ears.

Startled, I peeled my eyes open, almost choking on my drink as I turned. I sucked in a sharp breath as my gaze fell on the bluest eyes I'd ever seen.

My gaze raked over the man's finely sculpted face, his perfect jawlines, and his full lips. I let my gaze lower to his bare chest, outlined by bulging muscles. Shit! He didn't have clothes on, except a tiny towel wrapped around his waist.

I struggled to take my eyes off the bulge reflecting beneath his towel that I shouldn’t notice— oh, moon goddess, I really shouldn’t notice it— because I was still married!

Seen enough?" His voice jolted me out of my reverie and my cheeks boiled hot.

"Now, what are you doing alone in an unmated, naked man's room?" He asked again, this time, in a dangerously low voice, making a chill ripple down my spine.