One

IRA’s POV

My fingers trembled as I tied the navy-blue silk ribbon around Ares’ gift box, a smile curved onto my lips. Soft and content. 

A soft, aching pain bloomed in my stomach. I grabbed the glass of water, brows furrowed, and downed it in one gulp. Unlike what I expected, the pain only intensified like someone was poking needles on my inner lining of muscles. Clenching my stomach with both hands, I sat down at the edge of the bed trying to suppress the sounds of misery and pain. 

Not today. Not on our third wedding anniversary. I couldn’t let a mere stomach ache ruin this special day for us. Ares might be coming anytime with my present as he did from the last two years. This is our third anniversary and I am planning to make it the best. I am certain I would succeed with the news I have. Staring down at the gift box, a smile crept on my face despite the pain in my abdomen. Ignoring the pain, I combed my hair, letting the wavy dark locks fall down my shoulders. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn’t help blushing at the thought of what Ares would think of me in this outfit. 

I was wearing a two piece red lace lingerie under the red silk robe which ended a little below my thighs. Red was his favorite color. Would that make me his favorite present tonight? The pain sharpened in my stomach, my mouth dried, rough as sandpaper. Sitting on the bed, I clenched my stomach when I felt my wolf whine, softly. “No..” I whispered in disbelief when the memories of the other Luna’s talking about it rushed to my head. 

I remembered how during a party, one of Luna had laughed, explaining that she felt extreme pain in her lower belly when her husband was practicing polygamy in secret. It was a joke for her, as if her husband hadn’t deceived her.  

But Alpha Ares wouldn’t do that to her. No, he can’t…. Right?

Despite wanting to believe him, my inner wolf screamed at me in pain. It was the sound of a bond– sacred and warm— now breaking, being tainted and turning cold. 

I didn’t want to believe it but every passing minute of the pain and the bile rising in my throat didn’t let me think otherwise. Rising to my feet, I forced myself to head over to the Alpha wing, the one he’d slowly made his own– where I no longer felt welcomed. But today, I didn’t care about any of that as I ignored the staff greeting me. My head was clouded with painfully disturbing thoughts. 

I paused in front of his door, hearing the voices float through the slightly ajar door. A very familiar scent hit my nostrils when I heard the owner of that scent speak, “Ah, fuck, Ares–” Her words turned into pleasurable moans, feeling like someone poured hot oil into my ears. 

My heart thudded against my chest and wolf rumbled in my chest, my knees wobbled as I pushed the door open and saw none other than my twin sister, Myra, sprawled on the bed I had shared with Alpha Ares, with her legs parted open. Naked. 

Myra met my eyes — half-lidded, lust-drunk — and smirked. Instead of her, shame engulfed me and bile rose in my throat at the sight of my husband, thrusting in and out of her. “Fucking hell, My–” He paused, following the line of Myra’s vision, he saw me. 

My heart leaped to my throat and my knees threatened to give up on me. I wanted all this to be some twisted nightmare but I know it was not. Color drained from his face as he quickly climbed down from the bed and hurriedly wore his boxers before rushing my way. 

“Fuck, Ira, this is not what you–” He paused, running a hand through his blonde hair, “I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He said and I wanted to scoff at the absurdness of his statement. 

Did he think that sleeping with my twin sister would make me happy?

My gaze travelled to my sister, my own blood and flesh, holding the blanket clutched to her chest, feigning innocence. 

“Look at me,” He urged, stepping forward, he tried to reach for my hand but instinctively, I recoiled from his touch. He let his hands fall to his sides,“Damn it, Ira, just listen,” Ares snapped.

“Listen to what?” I mumbled? The energy drained from my body at the horrible sight alone. I looked up at him, my eyes coated with a layer of moisture. 

His chest had fresh marks of nails scratching, he still smelled of her and the scent of betrayal and deceit made me nauseous.

“I am so sorry, Ira.” Myra apologised in a voice coated with honey but it only travelled like poison to my ears. “But Alpha Ares was feeling alone. He was so upset and I just wanted to help him—”

I let out a dry humorless laugh, “And, spreading your legs for your sister’s husband was the best help, no?” I snapped. 

“Ira!” Ares shouted, pinning me with a glare. 

“How could you, Ares?” I snapped at him, tears glistened at the corner of my eyes but I held them back. “For God’s sake, it was our third wedding anniversary today. How could you do this to me?” My voice cracked at the end. My body threatened to collapse but something held me together. 

“Now, you are only overreacting,” Ares rolled his eyes, “I admit that you shouldn’t have found out like this. But this is nothing new. You know that the Alphas are allowed to practice polygamy.” He said. 

My heart clenched at his words. The man who had taken oath with me under the moonlight, with the blessing of the Moon Goddess, started a new life with me talking about Polygamy. 

“With the permission of first Luna,” I reminded him, my face blank of any emotions, tears still fresh in the corner of my eyes. 

His jaw clenched at my words, “I am your Alpha, Ira. Not the other way.” He threatened, indirectly asking me to accept his betrayal as normalcy. 

“Hmm,” I exhaled, letting silence sharpen the knife. I took a deep breath, mumbling, “That’s right.”

Lifting my chin up, I met his gaze, “In that case, I want a divorce.” I announced, ignoring the way my wolf screamed in agony inside me, needles pierced through my heart and pain blooming in my head.