Chapter 6

Xavier:

I could feel every eye on us.

Her hand on my chest, my arm around her waist.

To the room we were a picture: the Alpha and his Luna, the perfect couple hosting the night.

Inside, it was a different story.

“You look distracted.” She said, raising an eyebrow at me.

“I doubt that you should be caring. It is you who is playing this game, isn't it?” I asked, giving her a call tomorrow. She didn't even pull away. She did not bother.

She smiled about me like she belonged in my arms, and for the first time I realized what we were both doing and it was the same thing. The two of us were playing the part.

Loving husband.

Faithful Alpha.

Perfect Luna.

We once were the perfect couple, that I cannot deny, but then we grew distant. We grew indifferent. We had our own passions and different desires. The difference was she wanted to step back and as my Luna, as her alpha, I could never allow that.

We moved through the crowd together, greeting Alphas, nodding at Lunas, answering questions. I could almost forget the divorce papers for a heartbeat… until I caught sight of Annalise.

She was half in shadow at the edge of the hall, glass of wine in her hand, her smile brittle. I’d never seen her look like that, not jealous, but burning. She was hostile and I could tell that she was planning something. Something that she was going to regret. She was watching me hold Valerie where she thought she should be.

I bent my head to Valerie. “Stay here, I'll be right back.” I murmured. “Smile. And be sure not to embarrass me.”

Her lips curved in a perfect imitation of affection. “Now, now, when have I ever embarrassed you? You do a good job without yourself and the mistress that you're bringing.”

I glared at her, but she rolled her eyes before turning her attention to the others as she walked to a group of Lunas.

I excused myself from a circle of visiting Alphas and crossed the hall, weaving between guests until I reached Annalise. Before she could step into the light, I caught her arm and steered her through a side door, out into the cold garden.

“Xavier…” she started, but I didn’t let her finish.

“What are you doing?” I hissed. “Standing there like a viper while we host? Do you realize what it looks like in front of others? Do you not think that someone is going to notice you the way that you're looking at me, the way that you are looking at her? Do you want them to turn against you?”

Her eyes flashed. “It should not be her by your side. It should be me. You know it. You are parading her in front of me. You are standing by her side like she belongs to you. Have your arm wrapped around her and her hand on your chest. The two of you are the perfect Alpha and Luna, and I am standing in the shadows like I don’t belong. Do you think that I like this? Why did you choose to invite me if you are going to leave me to watch?”

I stared at her, the scent of roses and frost mixing in the night air.

“She is my mate,” I said finally, my voice low but sharp. “Whether you like it or not. You cannot simply expect me to choose something else.”

“She’s a child compared to you! She is nothing compared to me. For some reason she was chosen as your mate, but that does not mean that she is equal to you. And if it is her rank, it means nothing if she does not have the qualities for it.” Annalise snapped, stepping closer. “She doesn’t know your ways, your world. She’s just a pawn and you’re using her to spite me. I won’t let you do this. I do not want to stand in the shadows anymore. And if you're going to keep choosing her over me every time we grow angry… I do not want to keep doing this.”

I clenched my jaw. “Careful, Annalise. You are walking on a thin thread.”

Her breathing was hard now, her hands fisted at her sides. “Careful? I’ve been careful for years. Careful to stay hidden. Careful to stay in the shadows. And for what? All I'm doing is waste my time and my life waiting for you to make the choice to choose me, but you still keep choosing her. You never even came the other night and I waited for you.”

“I had work to take care of and you are not the only thing that matters to me. There are other things that I need to take care of and as Alpha they are my duties to do so.” I took a step closer, my voice dropping to a growl. “And if you stop being careful, I won’t protect you from what happens next…”