Chapter 1

Seraphina's POV

“Rowan!“

I called, my voice echoed through the empty hallway as I walked towards his study. But there was no response. I guess the music playing from the grand hall downstairs must have drowned out my voice.

Rowan Dumaris is my husband. The Alpha of the BlueMoon. Today was our second year wedding anniversary and… yeah, we were celebrating our togetherness and cheering to forevermore.

It was time to cut the cake and I suddenly couldn't found him anywhere in the hall or in our bedroom. So, I decided to come look for him in his study.

“Rowan!“

I twisted the doorknob open and stepped into the room that smelled of leather and old books. I snapped my head towards his desk and the air ripped off my throat at the sight unfolding before me. My mouth hung open in disbelief and the way my heart pounded frantically made my body trembled violently.

Rowan was naked…. but he wasn't alone. He was bent over his desk and his Beta, Kieran was pounding into him from behind. I couldn't hear the bass anymore—only their moans echoed loudly in my ears. The scent of lust and arousal was thick in the air.

My chest heaved. I blinked severally to be sure I was seeing correctly, and when I opened my eyes, the scene couldn't be more clearer.

My husband of two years is a forbidden relationship with his Beta—my brother and the same man I had trusted more than anyone else.

The world tilted beneath me… my knees buckled and I fell to the floor with a loud thud.

Only then did they notice me. They snapped their heads at me and they broke free from one another. Rowen grabbed his shirt that was sprawled across the table and quickly threw it on and then, his briefs.

“It's not what—you think—” he stammered, walked towards me.

Hot tears streamed down my cheeks as my heart cracked opened with pain. Now… it's all made sense. Those late night meetings they claimed to have together, business trips and pack duties… the fact that Kieran had always been by his side for years—even longer than me. I had thought it was just bromance and nothing… but they've been lovers all along.

I forced myself to stand, my body was still trembling. “It's— not—what I think?“ I repeated, my voice broken. “What other explanation is there to give?“

Rowan parted his lips but no words came through.

Kieran strolled towards us, not bothering to cover up and stroked his cock lazily. His expression was calm as if I had just walked in on them reading a book. He eyed me down, a deadly smirk played on his lips before he turned to Rowan.

“Sweetheart… don't you think it's high time we tell her the truth?” he asked flatly.

Sweetheart?

And just like that, the shame or quilt in Rowan's eyes disappeared quickly. “Yeah.. it's been difficult to keep pretending.“

The glint in is eyes was bright—too bright. He has never even looked at me like that. Fine, I have always known that Rowan didn't love me as much as I do.. but I had thought that with time, he would come to realize how much I loved him. I have loved him since I was sixteen and that was why when he chose me as his mate, I thought I found favor in the sight of the Moon Goddess.

Rowan continued. “Now, you know why I could never touch you. I wasn't sick, I am not just into women.“

Since we've been married, Rowan had never made love to me; I was still a virgin. He claimed that he had Silver Blood Syndrome that makes intimacy painful. I have been to all the physician in the world, tried to get a cure for my husband but he was not even sick!

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Then… why? I have no problem with whosoever you're attracted to, but why did you marry me? Why did you deceive me, lead me on.. only to betray me like this?“

Rowan wrapped his hands around Kieran waist. The affectionate sight made my stomach churned. “You were a convenient Luna, Seraphina. A façade to cover up my little secret so that no one would be able to suspect my relationship with Kieran. But if I had remained unmarried, the council won't let me be.“

I shook my head at the sheer absurdity of it all. Can someone explain all these madness to me?

“You're a bastard, Rowan!“ I spat, my pain morphed into rage. “I cursed the day I married you. Get prepared for the rejection ceremony and as for you, Kieran.. I will let our parents know how much of a disgrace you are.“

The both of them exchanged glances and let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

“Our parents?“ Kieran repeated trying so hard to muffled his laughter. “You think they don't know? Cut the crap, Seraphina. They know everything. They were even the one who suggested your marriage to Rowan. Oh.. you think if Rowan was into women, he would have married a weak, wolfless woman like you… no darling.“

The room spined all around me… then became dark. “No—no.. you're lying. Mother and father would never do that.“

“You're free to ask them, Seraphina,” he sneered, his tone dripping with confidence.

Kieran was saying the truth. A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat. Why.. why?

Despite the pain in my chest, i raised my shoulders. I can’t let them see me crumble.“No problem then. Rowen, I'm putting a end to this sham marriage. I'm rejecting you right away.“

Rowen smirked. “You can't reject me, my darling wife,” he said cooly, his voice disgustingly sweet. “We need to keep up with this arrangement between us. You remain as my Luna, while I keep Kieran as my lover.“

“Never!“ I snapped back. “I will never be a part of this shenanigans. I will tell the entire pack what you really are.“

Rowan smirk disappeared, replaced by a cold and terrifying expression. His eyes darkened. His fangs protruded forward and now pressing down on his lower lips. His claws dug into his palm.

My body trembled with immense fear. I turned, hoping to get away but he seized me and with his Alpha power, he wrapped his hand around my neck and pressed me against the wall. His claws dug into my neck and a thin line of blood trailed down my neck.

“If you tell anyone, I’ll end you before dawn. Do you understand? My image, my reign, our marriage — they stay untouched.”

I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think; just immense pain coursing through me. My hands reached out, tapped him weakly. “You're… hurting… me,” I choked out.

Then he smirked — cruel, almost taunting.

“You want a man so badly? Fine. Find one. Fuck whoever you want. We’ll call it an open marriage.”His tone drops, dark and threatening. “But if you speak a word about what you saw… I’ll bury you myself. Alive. Understood?“

I nodded slowly, tears rolling down my cheeks.

“Good.“ He left me.

I stumbled to the floor, let out a guttural cough and clutched my neck.

“Now, get out,” he spat. “Go and smile to the guest like the pathetic Luna that you are. Tell them your Alpha is busy… or you're free to watch us if you want.“ He turned towards Kieran.

Through my blurry eyes, I casted one last glance at them, forced myself up and staggered out of the room.