One

Raven's POV

“I can't do this anymore.” Marcus said, while I stared at him.

Despite being separated only by his office table, I felt a huge gap from the man I called my husband.

He pushed a stack of paper over to me, the bold italics catching my eyes.

“What is this?” I asked, trying as best as I could to stop the tremor in my voice.

“You aren't blind Raven. Those are divorce papers.”

“W–why?”

My voice shook, words barely forming in my head, but deep down… a part of me knew this was only a matter of time.

I just refused to believe it till now.

“I want my freedom Raven.” He simply said.

“Freedom?” I repeated, feeling the word burn practically in my throat. “What about our daughter Lily? What's going to happen to her?”

Marcus rolled his eyes. “Don't be dramatic Raven. I am not going to abandon my child. Since you are her mother, I won't take away her position as a legitimate child. I just want our marriage to be more flexible and for you to accept Sienna.”

The papers in my hand crunched as I balled up my fists.

“This is about your mistress.”

It wasn't a question, it was a factual statement that hit home.

“Do not call Sienna that!” Marcus instantly shot to his feet, his voice dripping with dominance that almost had me baring my neck. “She is my lover and partner and you will respect her as such!”

“I am your mate!” I stood up as well, tears slipping past my eyes. “I am your Luna, your wife!”

My wolf howled painfully in my heart. Broken by the fact that our mate could claim another as his lover.

“And I have never denied you of that fact. Even now, I still won't take away your position since you fit that role and more importantly Sienna doesn't want that kind of load.”

Marcus' words were smooth, almost indifferent if it weren't for the shine in his eyes when he mentioned that witch's name.

How did it come to this?

Why had it come to this?

I stared at Marcus, my wolf's heart wrenching howls stabbing deep into mine, amplifying the pain.

I had often heard stories about partners cheating on their significant other, read stories of them, but never truly experienced it.

I thought it wouldn't happen to me because we were wolves and fated to each other, but now…

I was truly naive.

“Look Raven. I am not actually divorcing you, it's just an adjustment to our marriage. You'll still keep the title as Luna, but I want everyone to know that Sienna is my lover.”

The words sent a stab in my heart. Again and again.

For seven years, I had been abused emotionally. One that I had endured.

I had endured the neglect. The pain just because of him.

Because I believed that Marcus would never cheat on me.

Because I believed that the moon goddess’s bond would never allow one to cheat on their fated partner.

Again. A joke.

Everything I had thought had shattered.

Now my so called husband and mate of seven years asked permission to parade his fucking mistress.

I curled my lips in disgust, glaring at him.

The pain in my heart ached terribly, but who was I kidding.

What could I do?

I had no reliable family to cry to.

“If that's what you want then go ahead.” I gritted, forcing my tears from slipping past. “You can do whatever you like, but Lily still gets to be treated right.”

Marcus smiled instantly. His grin so wide, one could think he had won the lottery.

“Of course.” He beamed. “Sienna absolutely adores Lily, and I am sure you'll come to see that as well. You made the right choice Raven.”

Like I had any in the first place.

I sneered, but didn't let my thoughts out.

Marcus placed a hand on my shoulder, letting it linger for a second.

My body went rigid.

My wolf howled pitifully as zaps of electricity coursed through my veins. The euphoria I felt through the bond was so intense it shook me.

It shook me so much I felt disgusted at myself and my wolf.

“Don't worry Raven. Once Sienna officially becomes part of our family, you'll see that this family will come together stronger. I'll let you think, so you can prepare to welcome her tomorrow.”

He squeezed my shoulder softly, like the action was supposed to convince me or maybe take away the hurt I felt for his betrayal.

I won't deny that his action caused me to waver slightly.

I refused to believe it even as he left and the soft click of the door echoed.

Tears slipped past my eyes, as I crashed to the floor.

I covered my mouth, hoping to suppress the sound, but instead it sounded pitiful.

Choked sobs escaped my lips.

I don't want this.

Why was this happening to me?

I had done everything in the book. Followed every instruction religiously for years.

For seven good years, I had dedicated my life to this man.

What had I done wrong?

I pulled my legs up to my chin, rocking myself slowly.

I had to be strong. I can't let this get to me. Lily still needed her mother to be strong, but… why?

In my haze, I had no idea when the door opened.

“Mommy?”

I froze, slowly looking to the door, only to see my daughter Lily.

Her head was tilted to the side, big round teary eyes looking at me in sadness as she clutched her doll.

“Mommy, why are you crying? Did daddy hurt you again?”

I quickly wiped my tears, sniffling. “No. It's not your father. What are you doing here?”

“Liar!” She pouted, stomping her little feet. “Daddy’s the one who hurt you! It's because he wants to bring a new mommy, right? I don't want a second mommy too! I only want you and daddy!”

“W–who told you that?” I asked, my face paling.

“It's dad and that other lady that mommy doesn't like.” Lily's eyes blurred with tears, his bottom lips wobbling. “I don't like her. She has a son, he hits me.”

My face instantly darkened, anger rising in my chest.

“What do you mean Lily?” I gently held her arms, looking into those misty dark brown eyes similar to mine. “Please tell mommy, when did this happen?”

“Everytime you go to those meetings, she comes over, and everyone knows about it.” Lily cried. “They told me not to tell you, and called me names. Daddy let Ethan bully me.”

My heart wretched.

Everyone knew about it?

I had been trying my best to keep the pack together, yet everyone knew about my mate's infidelity.

Was this why I was always laughed at?

And the nerve for them to bully my daughter.

How could they?

How could Marcus do this to me? To his own daughter?

A tear slipped past my right eye, as I held my crying daughter trying to soothe her.

Her body shook in my arms, my wolf howling greatly at the betrayal.

One from my pack, and one from the one that was supposed to protect me.

Marcus had crossed the line!