Chapter 3

Hazel's POV

Liam had painted a world of forever in my eyes, but in a single day, he destroyed our world and tore it apart. I gazed at the reflection of myself and the broken, imperfect figure stared back at me with her tear rimmed eyes. Pale skin, raven dark hair and sunken eyes—I looked like a living dead. No, I am a living dead. A part of me died when Liam announced his wedding with Alessandra. It shattered my soul completely, leaving me battered, broken and hopeless. 

My gaze shifted, landing on the white Invitation card with a blue seal at the front. The tips were decorated with golden flowers, elegant and fascinating at the same time. It reminded me of my mating ceremony with Liam, and my heart clenched, a suffocating feeling in my chest. The celebration of the full moon was an annual ceremony, and as Luna, it was my duty to attend alongside Liam even though our union was dying. We both knew the truth, but Liam was hell-bent on keeping it as a secret from the elders. 

I reached for my purse and blinked back the tears that threatened to ruin my make-up. Tonight, I have to put on the mask of a strong Luna, not the weak omega who cries herself to sleep every night. 

My steps echoed as I strode through the hallway, eager to glimpse Liam before the banquet, but like always, he was with Alessandra, laughing and giggling like I never existed. In his black tuxedo, he looked like the prince of darkness, charming, dangerous and appealing. His long, strong legs were crossed, and his arms rested on the sides of the couch. His hair was neatly trimmed, and his eyes sparkled with warmth as he gazed at Alessandra. 

“Liam.” I tightened my grip on my purse and strode towards them, “I'm ready for the banquet.” Liam lifted his head and stared at me, “Good.” He said plainly. There was no admiration or desire in his eyes. I, his mate, became an ordinary woman. In just a few days, I had lost my husband to his ex. How pathetic? 

A night of flickering candle light; soft music and the murmur of many voices filled the air. Women updos and expensive jewelries sauntered across the room, their dress sweeping the floors as they giggled among themselves. There were thick velvet drapes over the large french windows, stewards walking around with a glass or two to serve. The annual celebration of the full moon was going perfectly, but my heart skips a beat whenever I see Liam dance with Alessandra. It was the third now, and I was starting to get mocking gazes thrown at me.

They seemed to be more than gazes, they were glares: some of them were genuinely surprised as to why the Alpha had left his wife and was now dancing with another woman. Others were judgemental gazes, which told me louder than words that they were trying to work out, in their heads, what unspeakable crime I must have committed to deserve this.

 I hated the fact that they were always going to blame me anyway without properly investigating. But that was the only way it was going to ever play out anyway. 

Liam was so hellbent on keeping up a facade that everything was alright when deep down our marriage was suffering bruises that were unhealable and cuts that were open too deep and too wide to be covered. I stood from my position watching as Liam seductively ran his hand over the bodice of the new girl. Even mentioning her name, Alessandra was difficult for me to do. They stuffed their noses at each other laughing.

The subtle stares I was receiving from the crowd now became so loud, the glares transitioned from mere ocular to a state where it invaded my head with thoughts or were they voices? Liam did not care. Not even in the least. He kept on dancing with Alessandra like I had never existed.

“Why are you not there?” I heard a voice from behind me. It turned to the sight of a woman. She smiled a crooked smile, not one of kindness, but one of mock and derision. “I wonder what your parents would think if they found out that you were unable to keep that charming man.”

I nearly lost it there and then but I was held back by the fact that it was not worth fighting for a man who had just left me in my pregnancy for another woman who had not been in his life for years now. It was true that many girls fancied Liam. He was not only handsome, tall, and fit, but he was also intelligent, strong, and powerful. He was the full package as far as a man could go.

I sucked up air into my lungs and turned the other way away from the woman who had come to confront me.

“How does it feel? Being an irresponsible wife? Seeing your husband dancing with someone more deserving.”

“Do you want to know what it feels like seeing my husband dance with another woman?” my voice had switched to an ominous tone so quickly; I could see the woman’s brief flash of fear. “I’ll show you just how it feels.” I stepped closer, closing the gap between us. “And I promise you, it is not a feeling that you will forget any time soon.”

The lady missed a step and fell to the ground, landing on her rump.

“What is going on?” Liam’s voice came with his sudden appearance.

“She was threatening me!” The woman was quick to point a finger.

Without further questioning, Liam turned to me. “You’d do well to behave yourself in public.” He spat, “Behave like you deserve the position of a Luna!” he added before walking away. My mouth hung open. Who was this man? There was no way in hell that this man was the man I had gotten married to for two 

years.

“Listen up, everybody!” Liam called out and in an instance there was dead silence. Even, I knew very well that whatever he was going to say would most likely break me, I stayed to listen to what he had to say and it was short and simple. He wrapped his arms around Alessandra as his lips stretched into a smile, 

“Tonight, during the celebration of the full moon, I declare Alessandra here, as my new Luna.”