Once a Cheater, Always a Cheater

<<Zoe’s POV>>

Aunt Julie came sniffling in my room with a knock. I looked at her and felt my own emotions getting the better of me.

We cried together as she kept worrying, “John is so heartless, he's so cruel! Your father supported him to become the next Beta, and now he is going to send your father to the dungeons. Your honest father getting locked up for years, maybe a lifetime!”

It made me feel even worse. I sat up and wiped my tears angrily but more took their place immediately, “You know what, everyone in the pack knew that John was going to get engaged to another woman and not me. But they knew she belonged to a powerful background and let everything happen. They know my Dad is innocent. They have always respected him for his values and honor. But nobody said a word as John got Dad locked up for a fraud he didn’t commit.”

“There has to be a way to save your father.” Aunt Julie said as she placed a comforting hand on mine, “Maybe there is something that John wants so he would spare your father this humiliation.” 

I thought for a moment. There was nothing to lose in making a call.

I fetched my phone and dialed his number. The number that was once my favorite to call as I used to wait for its calls often.

He picked up after a couple of rings.

I could hear the party still going on behind him. 

He spoke like he was drunk, not on alcohol, but on power and triumph. Like he had gotten everything he wanted from life.

“I didn’t see you leave. You didn’t even congratulate my fiance, not cool of you, Zoe.” He mocked.

I looked at Aunt Julie and put the phone on speaker, I did not have the power to bear him alone.

“How will you spare my Dad? You know he doesn’t deserve this! There has to be a way.” I tried in desperation.

“Of course, there is a way.” I heard him step away from the party as the music and noise faded from the background. My heart leaped in my chest. Maybe all was not lost.

“Well?” I asked impatiently, exchanging hopeful glances with my old housekeeper.

“So impatient.” He was enjoying playing with my desperation. I nearly cussed at him but kept my tongue in control until I had heard what he was planning, “You know a man can get bored after marriage. Once I marry Alyssa for power, you can become my sex partner. No woman holds a candle to your body. Remember how badly you wanted me to have you just a week ago? You looked ravishing in that red lingerie.”

Aunt Julie’s jaw dropped as her eyes widened at the awful proposal.

I was at a loss for words.

How dare he?!

“What do you say, gorgeous? You and I could still be together, just like you always wanted.” I could hear the smirk in his voice.

“I knew you were a bastard. I never could’ve imagined you to be so shameless. How dare you even propose such a filthy thing? It’s impossible to happen and you know it.” I was so upset, I could barely form sentences.

“Zoe, Zoe, Naive little Zoe. Don’t blame me for reminding you that you called me to tell you a way to spare your father, who is expected to have at least a ten-year dungeon sentence. And ten years is a very long time for an old werewolf in the pack dungeons. Not jail, the dungeon. Think about your father. No need for rash decisions.” He spoke with such confidence, like he knew he had cornered me. I hated how evil he was.

“I will go to the werewolf council! I will ask them to launch a real investigation. They will prove my father’s innocence. They will restore his honor. They will-”

“Can’t do anything, love. Don’t forget the Alpha brother of my chosen mate is also on the werewolf council. Don’t even think about bashing me there. You will end up joining your father. And we wouldn’t want that, would we? Isn’t becoming my mistress better than dying in the pack dungeons with your poor father?” He was barbaric for this and he knew it. He loved the power he had over me.

But he didn’t know, I had a black card with silver writing of someone from the werewolf council who had been kind to me, given me his coat, dropped me home, and made sure I could contact him personally again. The spark that ignited when we kissed was just as real as his position shown off by the shiny pin on his coat. John didn’t need to know that.

He must’ve thought of my silence as defeat, because he laughed maliciously, “I will wait for you beg me.” With that, he cut off the call.

I sat in silence beside my housekeeper, staring at the phone contemplating.

Aunt Julie burst out crying again, “Please don’t be his mistress. You deserve better than this fate. Would your father allow you to do this for him?”

“Don’t worry, Aunt Julie. I won’t be taking this douchebag’s filthy offer.” I thought I’d cry, but my heart felt like there was no more emotion. 

John’s heartless act had taken my feelings, even that of pain and betrayal, and crushed them too, just like he had crushed my love. Now I had no more tears to waste on him.

I needed help. Immediately.

I ruffled the expensive coat and found the shiny pin on it, as well as the card with Xavier Shaw’s address on it.

I told Aunt Julie and immediately called myself a cab since I had left my car at the packhouse parking due to being drunk. Strange, now that I had talked to John, I was so angry and determined, that I didn’t feel the alcohol. Or maybe my werewolf metabolism was working overtime to detoxify my body.

The cab stopped in front of the tallest hotel on the pack territory.

I walked indoors as the Valet opened the doors for me and I headed for the elevator. Once I pressed the floor number written on the card and started moving upwards, I realized I should’ve gone to the reception and informed him that I was coming. But it was too late now.

As the elevator door dinged open I noticed how high up I was. It was definitely a penthouse. How rich was this Alpha to afford a penthouse for a short trip to attend an engagement at a fellow pack?

I walked, still wearing my party dress and his coat. I reached his suite number and knocked on the door before my mind could overthink and make me get cold feet.

After a few moments, the door opened to reveal a shirtless Xavier with a fuzzy white towel hanging loosely around his hips, revealing his perfectly chiseled abs leading to his V-line. There were fresh drops of water dusting his naked torso as well as dripping from his wet hair, some locks sticking to his forehead.

He looked at me surprised before a smirk formed on his lips as he leaned on his door casually, “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”

‘Oh boy, what have I gotten myself into?’