Chapter 2: Exposing the Betrayal

Dahlia's P.O.V

For a moment, as our gazes meet, I feel an unexpected jolt all over my body, a primal pull that seemed almost out of place.

His eyes sparkle with warmth, and I was caught off guard by their intensity. It felt as if his eyes were boring right through to my soul, making me vulnerable in a way I had never felt before.

The world melts away as our gazes lingers, caught in an intense, intimate dance that had me rooted to the spot. I had heard a lot about the Alpha King, about how he was scary and intimidating. But right then, intimidating wasn’t the only word that came to my mind. He was intriguing…an enigma, and my wolf howled in my mind, wanting to unravel the mysteries surrounding him.

But then, he turns away, addressing the crowd surging toward him and whatever connection had held me in a thrall was broken. I breathe again, releasing the air trapped in my lungs.

"Happy birthday, Alpha King!" someone exclaims, and my mind is brought back to the present once again.

I remember now - this party is in celebration of his 38th birthday. All the Alpha’s from all around the country were invited, and that was why I was here, as the Alpha pair of the Forest Sentinel’s pack.

As I watch, a faint smile plays on his lips, and his eyes crinkle at the corners. My heart skips a beat at how gorgeous he looks. The guests swarm around him, offering congratulations and well-wishes, but amid the crowd, he stands out like a diamond in the rogue.

I didn't expect to be this affected by his mere gaze. Cade's infidelity still burns within me, but for an instant, the Alpha King's presence makes me forget everything.

His broad shoulders and powerful build command attention, and the room seems to revolve around him.

I feel a pang of envy. How does it feel to be that loved and respected?

The Alpha King's laughter echoes through the hall, warm and genuine. And I find myself smiling, drawn to his infectious joy.

The Alpha King's celebration continues and as I observe the Alpha King, I notice a flock of women vying for his attention. They're dressed to perfection, their outfits designed to captivate. Tight-fitting gowns cling to their curves, showcasing toned physiques. I recognize some of these women – daughters of high-ranking pack members, Alphas, and influential females seeking power.

After all, the Alpha King was the most eligible bachelor in the country. Unmated at thirty eight and showing no signs of wanting a mate, it makes everyone want to be the person who finally captures his attention.

But then my gaze drifts to Cade and Amara, their smug faces a harsh reminder of my reality. My smile falters, and I force myself to look away on a sigh.

The air thickens with desperation, the scent of ambition hanging heavy.

Suddenly, an idea forms in my mind. Without hesitation, I push through the crowd, my heart pounding in my chest, my eyes locked on the Alpha King's imposing figure.

I try to think of ways to approach the subject, how to present my case when I finally face him, but for my plan to come to fruition, I must reach him first. My feet move swiftly, propelled by a newfound sense of purpose.

I burst through the inner circle, and the Alpha King's piercing green eyes snap toward me. The startled guests scatter, clearing a path. The guards instinctively move to shield their king, hands resting on the hilts of their swords. But I don't hesitate. I drop to my knees before Alpha Killian, my head bowed in submission.

The sudden movement freezes the room. The air thickens with tension. I feel the weight of every gaze upon me - Cade's disbelieving stare, Amara's outraged gasp, and the Alpha King's curious expression.

"Alpha," I whisper, my head still bowed.

The guards' hands tighten around their swords, prepared to strike. But Killian's low, commanding voice stops them.

"Wait." His tone is even, but I can sense a hint of intrigue in it.

"Please, Alpha! Hear me out. Help me." I whisper desperately, taking my chances. "I'm trapped in a loveless bond, suffering for far too long. Only you have the power to help me, Alpha."

The Alpha King's deep voice cuts through my pleas. "Rise, woman. Tell me, what drives you to such desperation?"

I hesitate, then lift my gaze to meet his. His piercing green eyes seem to see right through me. "I'm bonded to Cade Williams by wedlock," I begin. "For three years, I've endured a marriage without joy, without children." I force myself to calm down, to speak slower. This is my only chance, and I can’t blow it!

The Alpha King's expression remains neutral, but I could tell his interest is piqued. "Continue," he encourages.

I take a deep breath before continuing. "Cade's inability to produce an heir has left me a laughingstock in my pack. His impotency is tolerated, while I'm blamed for our childlessness." I sniffle, pretending to hold back tears.

The Alpha King's gaze narrows. "You seek my intervention in your marital affairs?" His tone is measured.

I nod. "I beg of you, Alpha. Help me escape this misery. Grant me an annulment or... or something. Anything." My voice breaks as I join my hands in prayer.

The Alpha King's eyes hold mine, his expression unreadable. But the people around us are already looking at me with pitying eyes, whispers echoing through the grand hall as to what a cruel fate I suffer.

I hold the Alpha King's gaze, my plea hanging in the air. But before he can respond, a commotion erupts from the crowd. Cade pushes forward, Amara clinging to his side.

"How dare you!" Cade exclaims, his face reddening in anger. "Everything she's saying is a lie!" He addresses the crowd. "I am not impotent. Dahlia’s inability to conceive is her own fault, not mine."

Amara's eyes flash with malice as she supports Cade's claim. "Yes, it's true. Cade is not impotent. Dahlia is just a bloody liar."

The crowd murmurs, some faces filled with shock, others with curiosity. I feel my face burn with humiliation.

The Alpha King's gaze never wavers from mine, his expression unreadable. But I sense a flicker of interest, a hint that he's not buying Cade's story.

Cade continues, fueled by desperation. "Dahlia’s just trying to manipulate you, Alpha King. She's desperate for attention, for anyone to notice her."

I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to retaliate. But I won't give Cade the satisfaction.

“Then prove it," I say, my voice steady and deliberate, knowing the trap I've set. “Prove that you’re not impotent!”

Cade's smile widens, oblivious to the impending doom, as he gestures dramatically to Amara. "I don't need to prove it," he says, his voice dripping with triumph and arrogance. "The proof is right here."

He places his hand on Amara's stomach, and she smiles, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction, basking in the attention.

"The child she carries is mine," Cade announces, his voice booming across the hall, echoing off the walls.

The crowd erupts into shocked murmurs and disapproving gasps, their faces filled with horror.

Whispers spread like wildfire: "Infidelity... Scandal... Betrayal." The words hang in the air, poisonous and damaging.

I smirk, my heart racing with triumph, my plan unfolding perfectly. The Alpha King's eyes narrow, his gaze piercing Cade with displeasure. But then, I turn towards my cheating husband, my eyes watering as I forced the words past my trembling lips, "Did you truly betray me, Cade?" she asks with teary eyes. "Did you really get another woman pregnant while being bonded to me? Did you really betray me in such a cruel way?"

Amara's smile falters as she realizes her mistake, her eyes darting nervously around the room as the whispers get louder and all sympathetic gazes turn towards me. Cade's face turns bright red as he grasps the magnitude of his error, his eyes wide with panic.

"Answer her, Alpha Cade," the Alpha King demands. “Did you really betray the sacred vows of marriage?”

The crowd's murmurs get louder, sensing the unfolding drama. Cade's eyes dart between the me and the Alpha King, searching for an escape, while his mistress clings to him, frightened by this unexpected twist of circumstances.

The pack's murmurs grow louder, their judgment palpable. Cade's reputation was crumbling right in front of his eyes, his credibility destroyed.

My plan worked.

Cade's own words have condemned him, leaving him vulnerable to the Alpha King's judgment.

Now, I wait, eager to see the outcome of my perfectly laid trap.