Chapter 5

"I'm heading home."

After several rounds of drinks, I stood up and smoothed my skirt gracefully. "You all keep talking. I'm a bit tired."

Derek immediately rose. "Let me take you back."

"No need." I pressed his shoulder down. "You hardly ever get together with everyone. Stay and chat. I can get home on my own."

"Then let me have David take you."

"I'll call a cab." I kissed his forehead. "Take care of yourself. Don't drink too much."

Derek watched me leave with reluctance written all over his face.

The Betas teased him. "Alpha Derek, you two are inseparable."

I walked out of the private room and waited for my ride at the restaurant entrance. It was raining today, so the traffic was heavy.

About 30 minutes later, I spotted a familiar figure. It was Sheila.

She wore a tight red dress with a plunging neckline and stiletto heels, walking toward the restaurant with deliberate allure. Her blonde hair whipped in the night wind. Every step dripped with calculated seduction.

I followed her instinctively. Instead of walking to the front desk, she walked straight toward the private room where Derek was. Clearly, she knew exactly where to go.

The moment a server pushed open the door for her, a thick wave of pheromones hit me. Derek's cedarwood scent and Sheila's rose sweetness twisted together into a nauseating combination.

I hid in the shadows around the corner and watched Sheila throw herself straight into Derek's arms. He didn't push her away.

"Babe!" Sheila called out in that sickeningly sweet voice. "I missed you! I've been waiting forever!"

The door to the private room closed, but the soundproofing in this restaurant wasn't perfect. I heard laughter and the clinking of glasses inside.

"Come on, since Sheila's here, let's play a game!" The Betas hollered. Their voices carried through the gap under the door.

"How about Truth or Dare?"

"Great idea! That'll make things interesting!"

Then came the crisp sound of glasses clinking, mixed with Sheila's bell-like laughter. Ten minutes later, Derek's voice drifted out, slightly slurred with alcohol.

"Alright, alright. I pick truth. You guys are all such gossips."

"Alpha Derek, tell us about your most thrilling experience!" The Betas laughed mischievously.

Derek laughed. "That time in the cockpit. In the pilot's seat, high above the clouds. I felt like I was conquering the sky. I can't even describe it."

"Wow, Alpha Derek is on another level! Even having fun in the sky!"

"We can only be jealous!"

I heard Sheila's flirtatious giggle. "Then, should we go somewhere even higher next time? How about a spaceship?"

"Ha, we could consider it." Derek's voice carried an indulgent laugh. "Whatever you want."

Then came another Beta's curious voice. "Alpha Derek, what do you think is the difference between a Luna and a lover? We're all really curious."

There was a brief silence.

Derek spoke slowly, his voice turning contemplative. "A mate is your safe harbor. A lover is the thrill of the storm. The harbor gives you peace, belonging. The storm gives you excitement, the thrill of conquest."

"Exactly right!"

"Men need a little spice in life! Otherwise, it's so boring!"

"Absolutely! What you have at home gets too familiar. A lover feels fresh!"

"But Alpha Derek, you need to be careful. Don't let Luna Katherine find out," someone reminded him.

Derek's voice turned serious. "Of course. Katherine absolutely can't know. If she ever finds out..."

He paused, his tone worried. "All of you remember this. Don't slip up in any way in front of Katherine. She's my Luna. No matter what, this can't reach her."

"Don't worry, Alpha Derek. We're not idiots. How could we let Luna Katherine find out?"

"Exactly. We're all adults. We know what matters."

I stood outside the door, my body trembling. It wasn't from anger or heartbreak, but from a sense of disgust. Pure, overwhelming disgust.

So the entire pack leadership knew. Everyone knew about Derek's affair and was helping him cover it up. Only I was kept in the dark, like a fool.

Everyone was laughing at me. I turned and stumbled toward the elevator. When my finger pressed the button, I noticed my hand shaking.

It was pouring outside. I walked through the rain, letting the water hit my face. I couldn't tell if it was rain or tears.

A memory surfaced from years ago. That winter, when I was 17 years old, I got caught in a bear trap. My leg bled heavily, but Derek found me and carried me on his back through the blizzard all night long.

"Katherine, don't be scared. I'll get you home." Back then, his eyes were so clear and sincere. "I'll never let you get hurt."

How ironic.

I didn't know how long I walked. It was such a long journey, much longer than the journey Derek carried me home when I was 17 years old.