CHAPTER 4: My Husband's Lover

DAPHNE'S POV

"No." I shook my head.

Taking advantage of Theron’s surprise at my answer, I stepped back, putting distance between us. "I won't let you use this situation, Theron."

"Rejecting me once again?" His lips pressed into a thin line. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"I won't mind doing it several more times." I took a deep breath. The air around us felt increasingly heavy.

"Reason?"

"I've re-evaluated my goals. I want to care for and protect my small family. I can sue Lyssander for fraud or marital infidelity. We will divorce peacefully. I don't want to make a scene."

My cheeks burned. Doing that felt cowardly! But it suited my current situation. As the eldest child in my family, I had to act with reason, not instinct.

"You'll regret this, Daphne. The offer still stands; I'll be waiting for you to come and discuss it further." He tilted his chin at me before walking past me toward a different exit.

Unconsciously, I followed him, just to see which room he was going into. Or... who he was with? What did it matter to me who he was with?

I wouldn't let him use my momentary weakness to drag me into his fantasy of revenge. The fact that he had become an Alpha at such a young age was already intimidating enough.

It would be terrifying if he was right! I wasn't sure I could face Lyssander without tearing his throat out. Thanks to crying on Theron's shoulder, that urge had subsided a little.

Thinking about that, my hand automatically swung up to slap my own cheek. "Stupid! Why did you do that?"

Everything was clear now. I should leave this place before the atmosphere here tempted me into falling for the nearest man. The dance floor was less crowded now; a couple was making love on it, but it wasn't my husband.

Perhaps he and that bitch had found a room to play together. I tried to suppress the thought, but it still made my stomach knot in pain.

No matter what he had done, and even after running into my rejected mate, Lyssander was still my husband. How could one stop loving someone in such a short span of time?

As I reached for the doorknob, a pungent scent rushed into my nose. It made me sneeze.

"You're Lyssander Callistos's wife, aren't you?" a woman's voice rang out.

I turned to look at her. She was wearing nothing but sexy black lingerie, and on her belly was a viscous liquid that I did not want to identify.

"What is it?" I asked, crossing my arms and lifting my chin.

The girl swept her gaze from my sweatpants to my t-shirt, her lips curling in contempt. "Why is he so obsessed with you?"

"Because he's my husband, obviously."

The girl’s eyes widened slightly before she let out a laugh. "Right. Your husband has a very talented tongue."

I gritted my teeth, trying not to attack her. "Who are you? What do you want?"

"Melantha," the girl replied. "I want you to leave Lyssander. Stop clinging to him like a heavy burden."

"I believe that is a private matter between my husband and me, not worth a prostitute's interference."

Melantha growled. The growl echoing from her throat made me realize she was a werewolf. Right, that was why she was spraying such pungent perfume. She wanted to distract me.

"You're a werewolf?" I asked, taking a deep breath.

"Don't change the subject. I won't let Lyssander go; it took me a long time to hook him. You should retreat before you lose everything, Daphne," Melantha warned.

"I’m the one who should be saying that. I’m his wife, after all. I never blamed you until now, Melantha. I blame my husband for being a bastard, but I don't blame you if you're just doing your job. However, when you stand here and say those things... it really makes me reconsider."

I shook my head slowly, trying to stay relaxed as if I were in control of the situation.

I tilted my head to one side, a smile playing on my lips, and spoke with confidence.

"He played you, he played me, and now you’re fighting over a man who uses you like a toy? Melantha, wake up. He's just a client; that's it. Don't get too attached."

"Unless that client just bought me a house and promised that he would move in to build a family with me."

That information slapped me coldly in the face.

All the pretense I had maintained until now vanished. I was on the verge of fainting.

"It's a suburban house with an ocean view. A two-story house, very spacious, with furnishings designed perfectly for a family," Melantha smiled mockingly. "You're the toy, not me."

Contrary to Melantha's foolish confidence, another problem, far larger and more serious, took shape in my mind.

Where did he get the money to buy that? We weren't struggling, but we clearly didn't have enough money for him to buy a house for a mistress. Our current house was in a middle-class neighborhood with significant unpaid debt.

Where did he get the money for a house? Was it my money?

That was my money! If he used my money to buy a house and put it in his name... I would lose all of it. I needed to see my lawyer immediately.

When I turned to leave, Melantha pulled me back. "Wait, I'm not done."

"I am!" I shouted, shaking her off.

She suddenly pushed me hard, triggering my aggressive instincts. I bared my fangs and lunged at her. I sent her flying straight into the wall. I had created a mess, drawing the attention of others.

"Mel!" Lyssander called out, rushing to Melantha. She stood up weakly, leaning against him.

"Lyssan, she found out... she's going to kill me." Mel burst into tears in Lyssander's arms.

My husband froze, slowly turning his head toward me. His eyes were filled with rage.

"Oh, darling husband, I'm the one who should be angry." I smiled, intentionally baring my sharp fangs.