2. Like an ordinary dog in heat

Elara's POV 

I never thought my life would turn into this. I was technically the talk of the town and not in a good way. After that discussion with Rowan, he flaunted his freedom to the world. He was rich, handsome and the world knew him. So of course, news about his open relationship spread far and wide.

The worst part? Girls flooded him like moths to a flame. I became the mocked wife, the invisible housewife who did nothing but sit at home and watch her husband live his life.

On Monday he was seen with Carolina. On Tuesday, he was with Sarah. Wednesday, Charlotte. He had a different girl for every day of the week, and he never tried to hide. He was public with his freedom. Cameras caught him kissing different celebrities, holding hands with them, and even being in intimate positions with them.

And I? I was the obedient wife. I was going insane but there was nothing I could do about it. Last night he had come home drunk and reeking of women's perfume. I had cried in the bathroom because of how stupid my life felt. It's been weeks. Since he looked at me like his wife. 

Months since he touched me. He never thought of me. He never thought that I needed him. I was invincible to him.

Slowly, my pain began to turn to hatred and anger. This morning, I had woken up a little earlier than usual and as usual, he was sprawled on the bed, fast asleep. All I could think of at that moment was suffocating him to death. Blame his death on his promiscuous activities.

But I couldn't. I couldn't try to poison his food either. I just couldn't bring myself to kill him even though I was beginning to despise him.

And his mistresses… I just prayed he didn't bring any of them to the house. I would end up committing murder, I was sure of it.

My phone buzzed on the table as I cleaned the room like I did every morning. The house was literally empty with just me in here, Rowan had left to be his stupid, promiscuous self.

Glancing at the caller ID, my face lit up when I saw it was a call from my best friend whom I loved more than anything in this world.

“Clara—”

“Elara, just come here. Something happened.” She muttered and before I could ask her what happened, she hung up. Panic took over me instantly as I abandoned everything I was doing and got dressed quickly.

I was out of the house in no time as I drove to Clara's place like I was being chased by the police. The moment I stopped at her house, I rushed out and knocked on the door endlessly until the door opened and Clara stepped out.

“What happened? Are you okay? Talk to me.” I muttered hurriedly but she simply let out a sigh as she pulled me into the house with her.

“I didn't call you here for me, Elara.” She started, gesturing for me to sit and I did. “Rowan is all over the news. How are you holding up?” She asked and only then did I let out a sigh of relief.

“God, I was worried about you—”

“I'm worried about you!” She interrupted me and I sighed. “The ladies are praising him. Everyone wants him now. You're being mocked by everyone and you're just there. In the shadows. You think I won't be worried?” She sounded like she was close to crying and I chuckled softly as I took her hand.

“I know what's going on, Clara. But what can I do?” I asked and she looked at me with determination.

“You can leave. You can choose yourself. Divorce that piece of garbage and be free.” She muttered but I shook my head, causing her to sigh in frustration.

“You know I can't,” I muttered and she threw her hands in annoyance. “He has everything I own, Clara. My company is now his. My assets, everything. If I leave now, he will get everything. And I would be left with nothing.”

“No. You won't be left with nothing. Return to your father. I'll be here with you. You'll build your life again and you'll move on.” She muttered but I shook my head in despair.

“It's not easy to restart. We both know that. Besides, my father must be disappointed in me. He warned me after all. How would I face him again?”

“You can't let that asshole keep walking all over you like this! You deserve way better than this. Than him.” She shook my shoulders as she spoke and I chuckled softly.

“I wish I could. But he's my mate.” I whispered and she stared at me in disbelief.

“He doesn't give a fuck if you're his mate but you care about that stupid mate bond? When the hell will you learn, Elara? Has he bewitched you with black magic, perhaps?” She asked with a gasp and I let out a sigh, knowing that she was right.

He never cared about the mate bond or that I was his mate. And now that I thought about it, I could feel the bond weakening. It was drifting apart, unlike before, and I would blame it on my dormant wolf, but I knew it wasn't because of that. 

“I'll think about everything you've said, Clara. I promise. I'll let you know once I make a decision.” I finally said and she hummed in response, that look of worry returning to her face.

“You look like you haven't been eating well. Come on, have lunch with me.” She muttered, dragging me to the kitchen with her and I gladly followed her.

Hours later, I was driving back to the house when I noticed that Rowan's car was already there. He wasn't supposed to return so early, why would he be back by this time?

I made my way upstairs to our room, and the unmistakable scent of a female hit me, almost knocking me out. Rowan was here. With a woman. As I neared the room, I could hear skin slapping sounds accompanied by loud moaning, and I froze, my heart pounding in my chest harshly.

Rowan brought his stupid flings to the house. He was fucking her in our matrimonial bed.

“I think your wife is back.” I heard the lady say, her voice smooth as silk, as she moaned in ecstasy, and all I wanted to do was barge in there to tear them apart.

“Do I look like I care about my wife, Lisa?” Rowan's voice echoed in my ears and I felt my heart shatter into pieces. “You're all I care about. My Monalisa.”

Monalisa. I have seen her with Ronan a lot of times, excluding his other girls. She seemed to stick with him a lot and the fact that he brought her here meant that she must be special to him.

“I feel bad for her. What if she tries to hurt me?” I heard the stupid Monalisa say and I clenched my fists in anger.

I would do more than hurt her. 

“She can't. She knows better than to mess with me. If she does anything stupid, I'll send her out and she knows that. So she can't live without me. She literally begs me every day to fuck her, but she can't even satisfy me like you can.” Rowan groaned and I took two steps away from the door, not wanting to hear anymore.

I had enough and I would prove to him that he made a mistake underestimating me.

I made my way downstairs when something moved in my chest and I had to pause, grabbing the railing for support. The movement continued, stirring just lightly until it stopped and I could finally breathe again.

What the hell just happened?