CHAPTER 2

Sebastian stood behind me, in all his ‘six foot two’ glory with an angry look on his face. I could feel his anger from where I stood. I could smell it. But still, I forgot how to breathe for a second– the same way I always did whenever I saw him.

My husband was gorgeous. That was the only way to say it. He looked like he was specially carved by the moon goddess, with his high sharp cheekbones and jaw. But my awe of him was quickly replaced by a sour taste in my mouth as my eyes moved to the figure beside him.

My sister, Lilith, stood beside Sebastian with one dainty hand on his shoulder, and her body lightly pressed to his side. She was dressed in a dark blue figure hugging knee-length dress– the same colour as Sebastian’s shirt. Her outfit made me self conscious, and I instinctively looked down at the faded jeans and white T shirt I had on.

My face was bare, whereas Lilith had a full face of makeup. They looked like a couple, I was sure even strangers could see it.

“Oh my God, Alora. Who’s the hot guy?” My sister asked in an annoying voice. I ignored her.

Sebastian took a step forward, the disgust evident on his face as he looked at the kind stranger. “What are you doing here?” The question was directed at me, but he still had his stoic eyes on Lucian. I had to give it to the guy. Most people cowered under Sebastian’s gaze, but not him… he held his end and stared back at Sebastian with the same level of confidence. And despite the situation, I found it a bit refreshing.

After what seemed like a lifetime of the both of them glaring at each other, Lucian finally broke contact and looked at me. “I’m glad you’re okay, and once again, I’m really sorry.” he was gone before I could say anything in response.

I turned to my husband in anger. “You promised you would be there for my checkup. Why didn’t you show up?”

He growled in frustration and looked at Lilith behind him before turning to me with a look on his face– one that said that I was somehow supposed to know the answer to my own question. When I didn’t say anything, he sighed and answered. “Lilith has been in the hospital for three weeks. If only you cared, you would know that she got discharged today. Maverick asked me to pick her up.”

His tone was sharp and curt, and it only ignited the hurt I was feeling. Of course my father asked him to pick Lilith up, even though he knew that I had a very important check up today. My father always favoured Lilith. It was no secret, but that didn’t mean that it still didn’t hurt. “Of course he did,” I replied. “It’s always about Lilith, isn’t it?”

Everything that happened after my question was so fast. I heard my slave maid’s gasp before I even realized that Sebastian had slapped me. My hand reached for my cheek as it started to burn with pain. I looked up at him in shock. Regret flashed across his eyes, but it only lasted for a second before it was gone. “Did- did you just hit me?” I asked in a shaky voice, still in shock.

“This is the thing about you, Alora. It always has to be about you, doesn’t it? You’re selfish and you don’t care about anybody else but yourself!”

My eyes widened even more as he yelled in my face. “I’m selfish for wanting you to care a little more about me? For wanting you to care about our babies?”

“Oh for fuck’s sakes, Alora! They’re in your stomach. They’re barely even full babies yet. What difference does it make if I don't show up for your checkups?”

“Sebastian…” I whispered in disbelief, only to be cut off by Lilith fake coughing behind us. Even a blind person would be able to tell that she was faking it, but as expected, Sebastian fell for it. He hurried over to her, looking at me in accusation.

“This isn’t the time for your pettiness, Alora. Your sister’s ill. Maybe you should try to care about that.” he wrapped his arm around Lilith to help her walk. “Come on, Lilith.”

I watched as he led her into the parking lot, barely able to move.

************

I must have stabbed the cabbage in my hand with a knife a hundred times before I realized what I was doing and placed the poor vegetable down– it wasn’t the cause of my frustration.

I rested my hands on the kitchen counter and bowed my head, trying to forget what had happened between Sebastian and I earlier. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get the image of him constantly picking Lilith over me.

It had always been that way. Sebastian had always had eyes for Lilith, and it was stupid of me to think that our marriage would change that. It was obvious that he had only married me to fulfil his duty.

We were fated mates and I was the older daughter of my father, Alpha of Crescent pack. Our marriage wasn’t built on love… not in Sebastian’s case. He was just performing his duty.

And now that Lilith was back, I was starting to wonder if I would ever even have a chance at his love. My phone rang and I hurriedly answered it. It was my doctor.

“Mrs Wolfe?”

“Yes, hello Doctor.”

“We were just taking a second look at all your tests and scans, and I wanted to make sure you understand that it’s important for you to avoid any and all stressful situations. Your overall health and state of mind could affect your babies in a positive or negative manner, and we want to do everything to make sure they’re as safe and healthy as possible.”

I swallowed. “Yes, Doctor. I understand. Thank you.”

My doctor’s words echoed in my head even after the call ended. I understood what he was saying, and I wanted to do everything to make sure my twins were safe. And as I recalled Sebastian’s actions from earlier, and the look of pure love and admiration in his eyes as he looked at Lilith, I knew what I had to do.

************

I jumped awake. Something had fallen downstairs. I wiped my eyes as I looked at the bedside clock. It was 11pm. My legs found the heated floors as I tightened my robe around my body.

“Blue!”

My suspicions were confirmed. Sebastian was the only one who would call me by my middle name. Very well then, I needed to talk to him anyway.

I made my way down the stairs, and one look at him told me that he was drunk. He was barely able to stand on his own feet. His eyes lit up as he finally noticed I was in front of him. “There you are!”

“Where have you been? Are you drunk??” I asked, a little annoyed as I moved forward and held him up from falling on his face.

He smiled sheepishly and brought his fingers to my face. “My wife is so beautiful.”

“Come on, let’s get you out of these clothes. They stink.”

He didn’t budge, his eyes ran across my face. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered again as he leaned in to kiss me.

I pulled away, while still making sure I was close enough in case he staggered again. “Sebastian, I don’t think this is a good idea. You’re drunk.”

“But you’re my wife, and I want to kiss you.”

“Sebas-”

His mouth landed on mine before I could blink, and he kissed me fiercely, cupping the back of my head with his hand. I tried to push him back, but again, he didn’t budge. His lips stayed on mine as he moved us both backwards, and stopped when I fell back onto the couch in our living room.

“Sebastian!” I called sternly as he finally stopped kissing me.

“Please,” he begged. His eyes had darkened, and all I could see in them was desire. I felt a tingling between my thighs, and all I could think was how much I liked the way he was looking at me right now.

I shook my head, making the thoughts go away. “You need to have some water and go to bed.” My voice was shaky, and I hated it.

Sebastian hovered over my body, my chest heaved between us and he lowered his lips to my neck. My breath hitched as I suddenly felt his erection between my legs. I tried again to move, but he had his body lodged between my legs, keeping them separated. “God, you’re so beautiful,” he murmured against my skin.

I hated the way he kissed me roughly, I hated the way his hands hungrily ran across my whole body. He was pressing too much of his weight on me and it felt like I could barely breathe.

He pushed into me, and I let out a yelp at the pain. He was oblivious to it and kept going at it, as one of his hands grabbed my hair. I hated the way he moaned and groaned above me. I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t feel any pleasure, I just wanted him to be done.

But even then, the thing that hurt the most was the fact that I’d been unable to tell him what decision I had made.

I wanted a divorce.