Chapter 3

Galen's car didn't turn into the street leading to the pack office, instead he kept driving back to our home, and then further—to a small house near ours.

It was a place where junk was stored and close to our home, but I had never been there, even though I could see it from my bedroom balcony.

I had to stifle my flaring emotions once more—so Galen kept his lover this close, but I never noticed.

It wasn't the first time they had slept together on my bed either, a thought which made me vomit.

Galen got off after parking his car somewhere it wouldn't be seen.

The door opened, with Beth running out and throwing herself in his arms—still wearing the babydoll outfit in the photo earlier.

Pouting, she asked, "What took you so long?"

Galen grinned as he pinched her. "I came as soon as I got your message.

"Really? I thought you wouldn't come since you're so busy with your Luna."

Galen raised a brow. "Are you jealous? What have I given her that I haven't given you? Just be good, and I'll give you more."

As he finished, Beth pressed her lips on his, and they were moaning even as they shared that sloppy, dank kiss.

"In that case, you will spend the whole night with me and only think of me," Beth then said, tugging on Galen's necktie.

With that, they kept kissing as they went indoors.

My heart was pounding as my tears flowed uncontrollably, my hand shaking even as I kept recording.

Even if I had seen it—even if I was numb to it, my wolf still hurt seeing it again.

During past anniversaries, Galen would stay with me all day, putting off even important pack business.

He had told me then that I mattered to him most.

But now, he had forgotten about all that after Beth sent him a photo.

Fighting back my swelling emotions, I returned home, curling into a ball on the living room couch.

My tears had dried up, and I forgot when I fell asleep.

All I knew was that it was very late, and the room was suddenly bright and glaring.

Galen was standing nervously at the door, sweating all over his brow while his knuckles clenched at his sides. "What are you doing here?"

I rubbed my eyes as I replied softly, "Waiting for you."

He smiled wryly as he came into the house, gauging my reaction as he spoke, "Sorry. Shouldn't have let you wait for me… And you look awful. What's wrong?"

I had to force a smile, knowing that every move I made now would make him really nervous. "Probably because I didn't sleep well."

I had learned to lie to him casually, just as he did with me.

Galen sighed. "It's just that I saw your car parked a little far from our place…"

My heart skipped a beat.

I had walked home and left the car at Beth's, which must have worried him.

If anything, he must have thought of an excuse before he came in.

Hence, I stayed impassive and told him, "Just felt like taking a stroll, so I left the car there and walked home."

Seeing that I wasn't acting strange, Galen's facial muscles relaxed too, and he held me tightly as he sighed. "Get some proper sleep if you're tired. And don't wait up for me—I'll feel bad."

I didn't push him away.

I could smell the scent of lingering hormones from his body, but my heart was already numb to it.

-

The next day, while Galen left on pack business, I packed up everything that belonged to me, not taking a single one of his gifts.

I had my assistant leave with everything, and no sooner had she left when Galen returned home with a tailored dress.

"Here," he said. "An apology to my Luna for yesterday. Sorry for worrying you—it won't happen again."

I smiled faintly just staring at the dress—it was just a gift to ease his guilt after cheating on me.

Still, I took it. "Wait here. I have a gift for you too."

Returning to the bedroom, I put the mate bond dissolution papers into a box, along with my wedding ring.

Then, I handed the box to Galen and told him, "This is yours. Don't open it now—do it tomorrow."

Seeing the box, Galen smiled happily. "Okay—your wish is my command."

Just as he finished, the doorbell rang.

"Galen…" A miserable voice called out.

We turned to see a tearful Beth standing outside the door, completely soaked from the rain.

Galen cringed in panic, and promptly turned to look at me.