Affair Through the Grapevine

I held my champagne flute, motionless—even my breaths were quiet.

Noticing that, Galen tousled my hair and asked, "Everything alright?"

My heart hurt even as I watched him—how could he pretend that everything was alright, like his whole world still revolved around me?

Still, I forced a smile and asked in a raspy voice, "What were you boys talking about?"

Galen smiled and turned to his friends. "Go on, tell my Luna."

They were smiling too. "Just bragging about how great you were, and how envious we are of him."

"Kiss!"

"Kiss!"

"Kiss!"

Egged on by the crowd, Galen leaned toward me, but I couldn't even smile.

Pursing my lips, I turned away.

He thought I was just being shy and restarted pinching my cheek instead.

I then remembered that I told him I had visited the Keri Pack while we were dating.

I guess he didn't even care.

Nonetheless, the lively vibe in the banquet hall was suffocating, and I felt myself getting really distracted.

Standing up, I headed for the door. "Sorry. I need the ladies' room…"

"I'll come with you," Galen said, hurrying after me.

It was a routine we had done for five years—even if it was a quick toilet break, he would wait outside so that I never left his sight.

But when I was done and washing my hands by the sink, I heard voices from the cubicles.

"So that's the Grim Pack's Luna? Nothing special, really."

The other voice laughed. "What would you know? The Alpha spent millions on their marking ceremony, and her gown took three years to make. It was the ceremony of the century."

"Exactly! And the Alpha went on to celebrate their anniversaries ever since. He's such a loving Alpha."

I felt my heart remaining dead calm despite hearing the she-wolves praise Galen.

He might have truly loved me once, just as I once relished in such pure affection.

It happened just two days ago—when I returned home from my trip without telling anyone to surprise Galen.

Instead, I was hiding behind the curtains, my knees feeling limp as I heard the moans of pleasure.

Tense, I tugged on my own cousin as I peeked through the curtains, and found Galen kissing Beth fiercely.

Then, he clawed through her dress, and then pinned her down under himself, on the bed we slept together for five years.

Bet sighed and giggled, "Not worried that Mia would notice?"

Galen kept kissing her, caressing her back at the same time. "I took a witch's potion. Her wolf will never notice."

But I did, and even as my tears seeped through my fingers as I wept, I could feel my wolf howling in pain.

-

I couldn't even remember how the night passed, only that I was listening to them make love repeatedly.

First, it was suffocating.

Then came the fear and loneliness.

But by the last time they moaned from climaxing, I became numb.

I didn't remember when they left, only that I collapsed on the floor as I emerged from behind the curtains, the scent of bodily fluids in the room making me sick.

I promptly called a lawyer to ensure a proper division of assets, especially since half his pack territory was the result of my hard work.

I would reclaim everything for my old pack, as part of a solemn vow.

When I brought my wealth and connections to his pack before we marked each other, I never went home because I believed this was my only home now.

I hence told him that if he ever cheated on me, everything I brought to his pack would be taken back.

And now, that vow had been violated.

As soon as my father Odin received my message, he reached out to me telepathically, noticing that something had gone wrong.

"What is it?" he asked.

I couldn't help choking in sobs. "He… cheated…"

He understood everything with just two words, and sighed. "Alright. Just come home."

As I wiped my tears, Galen suddenly asked behind me, "Who cheated?"

He was standing at the door, his brow creased and clearly nervous.