001: searching, welcome husband.

Diane.

The water in the tub was cold, but my skin felt like it was boiling, as if it were on fire.

I leaned my head back against the cold surface of the tub and closed my eyes.

I was in heat. Every few weeks, this heavy, pulsing hunger took over my body. It was a reminder that I was a wolf—and that I was a woman.

I tried to help myself. My fingers moved under the water, searching for some kind of relief.

But no matter what I did, it wasn't working. It was like trying to put out a forest fire with a cup of water.

I needed a man. I needed my husband.

I got out of the bath and dried off quickly. I knew it was time. My heart raced in anticipation. I went to my closet and picked out a piece of black lace that cost more than most people made in a year. I put it on and stood in front of the mirror.

Taking one last glance at myself, I looked beautiful, but I felt empty. At least, for now.

I sat on the edge of the bed, listening. Finally, I heard his footsteps in the hallway.

My nose flared, catching the soul-satisfying male scent before I even saw him. The door finally opened, and he walked in.

Julian Demora.

Alpha of the Delta Pack. He had been Alpha since my father passed away two years ago.

Handsome as always, but his tie was loose and his face looked tired. It was expected. He had just returned home after four days away.

"Julian," I called, my voice sounding small in the big room.

He looked at me and paused. A small, kind smile appeared on his face as he walked over and sat beside me on the bed.

"You look beautiful, Diane," he whispered.

I didn't waste a second. I moved into his arms, pressing my hot face against his cool neck. I could smell his scent—pine and expensive cologne.

“Welcome, my Alpha,” I whispered into his ear.

I started kissing his jaw, my hands shaking as I tried to unbutton his shirt.

"I missed you so much, my king," I murmured against his skin. "I’ve been waiting for you."

Julian didn't pull away. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me and held me close. He stroked my hair gently, and for a moment, I thought he was finally going to stay.

He leaned in and kissed me—a soft, sweet kiss on the lips. My eyes closed, anticipating more, but then he pulled away.

“I missed you too, baby,” he whispered, looking down, probably admiring my sexy outfit.

Then his gaze shifted back to my face.

"I'm sorry, honey," he said, pulling back just an inch. He cupped my face in his hands and looked into my eyes with pity. "I know it’s your time. But…" he exhaled. “This is not the right time for this, Diane.”

My blood ran cold. Just for a second, but I wasn't about to give up. Not yet.

My hand went around his neck, wrapping around it. I moved forward, almost pushing my cleavage into him. I leaned in for another kiss. My lips met his again, my hand traveled down his back, and… he pulled away.

“Diane,” he called low, his soft eyes on mine. “We can't… look, baby, I just came to pick some stuff up.”

My hand dropped from his neck. The heat burning inside of me was enough to make me go insane, and he was saying we can't? After I had waited for him for four days?

“Do you remember that I am in heat, Julian?” I asked, my eyes almost glassy now.

“Yes, baby, I do,” he replied, eyes soft and calm. I knew he did. I had sent him messages again and again about how much I needed him. And he wasn't so daft not to know why.

"Then stay," I begged, clutching his shirt. "Please, Julian. Just tonight."

He sighed and kissed my forehead. It was the kind of kiss a father gives a daughter, not a husband giving his wife.

"There’s a crisis at the company," he said softly. "The border patrols found something, and the board members are waiting for me. I only came home to grab some files."

“Julian, this company—it's ours. It can wait. The board members can wait. Everything can wait.”

“You too, baby, you can—”

He didn't finish his statement when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

His hand dug in, retrieving the device. He looked at the screen and stood up, smoothing out his suit. I stepped backward.

"Go back to sleep," he said, giving me one last gentle smile. "I'll have Freda bring you some tea to help you relax. I’ll see you in the morning."

He turned and walked out, talking into his phone before he even cleared the doorway.

The door clicked shut.

I slumped onto the bed, sitting there in my lace underwear, feeling foolish and cold. My eyes welled up.

It's been months. Months since Julian even touched me the way he used to. The way a husband should touch his wife.

Now, let's not even talk about the “loving” way he had just rejected me. Even if I wanted to convince myself, I knew that this… this wasn't my Julian. This Julian wasn't the same Julian who would go crazy over me.

Who couldn't stand the sight of my exposed thigh.

This Julian—he didn't want me. This Julian prioritized his title over his status as a husband.

My vision blurred, and I felt it trickle down—tears. Not of agony, but of frustration.

The heat in my blood hadn't gone away. It was worse now. I felt like I was going to explode if I stayed in this quiet, empty room.

My hand flew to my face, wiping my tears away.

I stood up, walking to my closet. I grabbed a long coat to hide my lingerie. I didn't care that it was late. I didn't care that I was the Alpha's wife—the Luna of this pack.

I needed to go somewhere where the air was fresh and the music was loud enough to drown out the sound of my own heart.

I was going to a bar deep inside the town. A place where no one knew I was a “Queen” who was being treated like a ghost.

“Get the car ready,” I snapped at the guard in the hall as I walked out. “And don't follow me. I'm going alone.”