1. An open marriage

Elara's POV 

“I want an open marriage.” 

It felt like time had slowed as his words echoed in my head. I had just woken up, my brain was still trying to process why I had married him in the first place and now I was hit with… this.

“What?” I questioned groggily, wondering if I heard him wrong. “It's 6 am in the morning, Rowan. Today isn't April 1st, is it??” I asked, pushing the blanket off me.

“You heard me, Elara. I have thought about it a lot and I've decided that I now want an open marriage.” He said like he was making an announcement and I stared at him in confusion.

“We've been married for just six months, Rowan. I… I've given you everything I've ever had. I've done nothing but love you and be a good wife to you. Why would you suddenly want an open marriage? Does it even make sense? We're mates. What kind of mate wants a fucking open marriage? You know what cheating does to your partner’s wolf.” I asked in despair, and he simply leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Would you rather I cheat on you?” He questioned and I almost scoffed at his audacity. “I'm suggesting this because this is what is best for me. For us.”

“For us?” I scoffed as I stood up. “Having to share my husband with others is best for us? Is that what you're saying?”

“You're making it such a big deal, Elara. This is the problem I have with you. You always make everything such a big deal and you bug me out so much.” He muttered in annoyance, leaving me taken aback by his words.

“I bug you out? I'm simply trying to explain that I don't want an open marriage because you never told me this from the start when we got married. And it's a problem?”

“Listen, Elara. I love you, alright?” He said and I stared at him in disappointment. “I always have and I always will. But I need my freedom. I need to find my truth. And it's just not with you. I need you to understand that.” He added and I shook my head in denial, wanting to believe that he was just trying to mess with me this morning.

“Rowan, if this is some kind of joke, it'll be pretty nice if you stop it right now. You can't do this to me all of a sudden.” I muttered but his stoic expression didn't change. “Please, Rowan… how about this? I'll prove myself to you. I'll be your truth, I'll be your freedom. Just don't do this.”

“I've made my mind already, Elara. And there's nothing that can change my mind about it. Alright? Just… don't be surprised when you see me with others. We're in an open marriage now.” He said and turned to leave but I reached out, grabbing his hand before he could go.

“You already made up your mind… does this mean you already have someone else?” I asked softly, afraid to hear his answer but he simply pulled his hand out of my grip.

“It's an open marriage, I don't have someone else.” He started and I heaved out a sigh of relief. “I have a few of them already. I don't want to stick to one woman after all.”

It felt like I had been doused with cold water when I heard his words and I stumbled backward. This wasn't a dream.

“But I'm your mate…” I finally muttered and he rolled his eyes in annoyance. “You can't just leave your mate for others. It's forbidden.” 

“The forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest, Elara. You haven't heard of that? Mate or not, it doesn't matter.”

“You can't do this!” I shouted but he simply glanced at me with a nonchalant expression.

“I can, darling.” He muttered, adjusting his collar. “Now it's up to you. You have to make a choice.” He added and I stiffened.

I didn't want to make a choice.

“Rowan, I don't want to—”

“You either let me do as I want, give me the freedom I've always needed, or sign divorce papers. The ball is in your court, honey. Play it well.” He said, crossing his arms with a smug look on his face and my shoulders finally slumped in defeat.

He knew. He knew I would never divorce him. Everything I had was now his, and leaving him would mean leaving everything behind. I was literally nothing without him.

“Fine. An open marriage it is. You're free to go out with whoever you wanna go out with. I've given you your freedom. Fuck who you want. But I should be able to do the same.” I stated with my arms folded and he suddenly turned to me with a frown on his face as he shook his head.

“Oh, no. No, no, no.” He started and my brows creased in confusion as he walked up to me. “You, my sweet wife, do not have any right to do the same.” He announced and I froze.

“Excuse me? You get to share yourself out there and I'm not? It's an open marriage for crying out loud. Whatever you wanna do, I can do it too.” I spat but he suddenly grabbed my chin, tilting my face to look at him.

“It seems like you didn't hear what I just said. No, Elara. You do not have the right to do the same. You will sit at home like the good, fucking housewife that you are and wait for me to return home every day. You will be an understanding wife. Got it?” He growled and I stared at him in despair, wondering if this was the man I fell in love with two years ago.

My father had told me not to marry him. Father always knew everything. But I was too blinded by love. I wanted Rowan. And this was what I got for choosing him?

“This is unacceptable, Rowan. You can't just—”

“Oh, I can. I'm your husband. You can't take it? Let's get divorced!” He said harshly before letting go and I almost sobbed. “I'm the man of this house so I get to fuck whoever I want. You, however, do not. Accept every fucking thing I give you with a beautiful smile. Got it, wife?” He spat and I immediately nodded, scared of what he might do next.

My heart was shattered into pieces as I watched him let out a breath of relief before he approached me again.

“Be a good girl and wait for me. Okay?” He whispered and planted a kiss on my lips before walking out of the room. I wanted to go after him. To beg him to choose me. Just once, since we got married. I wanted to be someone he cherished, not just another random girl in his house.

It also didn't help that I was without a wolf.

But I knew it was pointless. I was tired of begging to be chosen. Because he would never choose me. After all, with a threat of divorce, I immediately became an obedient wife to him. He had me wrapped around his finger.

I moved to the window, watching as he made his way to his car and my blood ran cold when I saw a girl step out of it. He had already made his decision before even informing me. I was so stupid.

He glanced up at the window, knowing that I was watching, and kissed the lady deeply, his hands grabbing her ass. I choked out a sob but I couldn't look away. I wanted that to be me.

Why couldn't he choose me?