Chapter 2

MEGAN’S POV

The next morning, I was seated at the dining table, having omelette and cheese sandwiches for breakfast while my mind wandered. I was restless—my husband didn’t come back last night. Not only did the anniversary cuisine I made specially for him go bad and get trashed, he didn’t even remember that yesterday was our third-year anniversary. 

Even if we’re married, I still felt lonely and sad, but I always hoped that he would notice me or even smile at me. 

My phone beeped, and I reluctantly picked it up. It was a message; I quickly opened it and read it. “Ma’am, the money you requested has been transferred to Crescent Moon Pack’s company, and we already offered them a 2 billion dollar contract. Everything was done anonymously without revealing your identity.” My lips curled into a smile.

“Thank you.” I typed it and sent it back. Then, I rubbed my tummy softly and mouthed. “Baby, your daddy and the pack will no longer go bankrupt.”

Just then, I heard the blaring sound of Austin’s car, and I quickly sprang up and hurried to the window. With excitement and anticipation, I pushed the glass window open. Instantly, my once smiling face disappeared and got replaced with narrowed eyes. 

I stood frozen and in disbelief. It was truly her… Kayla Johnson. What in the goddess’s name is she doing in my house? 

What I saw next made my heart ache like it was pierced by a sword. I saw Austin hugging Kayla passionately with a wide smile. He never once smiled at me in our three years of marriage. 

I couldn’t move. 

I couldn’t speak.

All I did was stand, staring blankly at them with tears brimming my eyes. I was still holding onto the pregnancy kit—my grip tightened. 

My lips trembled, but words didn’t come out of it. I shut my eyes, and tears rolled gently down my face. 

There he stood, my dear husband, with his arms wrapped around another woman’s neck. Holding her firm like she was so precious to him and smiling heartily like she was his light. 

A smile I spent three years… trying so hard to earn. A smile I thought belonged to me. 

Kayla Johnson. 

The one his heart has always been with. Despite living and sleeping in the same bed with him for the past three years, he never for once forgot her. 

When I met him three years ago, he was shattered and heartbroken because Kayla broke off her engagement with him. In fact, he was a shadow of himself. However, that wasn’t the first time we met—but of course, he doesn’t remember me, but I did recall everything. We met in a fire incident 2 years before, and I saved him, but I passed out right after, and when I woke up, I didn’t see him because I woke up in a hospital. Ever since then, I fell for him—it was love at first sight. 

I swore to marry him, and when I found him, he was miserable even as an Alpha. He looked me straight in the eye and said, “Marry me.”

Shocked but excited, I didn’t even think twice despite knowing that he could just be using me as a stand-in or marrying me to spite his ex-fiancée. “Yes…. I will.” I shook my head happily, and then I asked, “Where is the ring?”

“What ring?” He nonchalantly answered. I swallowed hard. That was the first red flag I ignored, or maybe it wasn’t the first. “I mean, the engagement ring?”

He only shrugged his shoulder. “I have none; would you still marry me?”

“Yes, I will.” I snapped without even thinking. That was how foolish I was. On the day of the wedding, the ring he slipped onto my finger wasn’t even my size; it was too big… Probably, the ring was the same one he used to engage Kayla. However, it didn’t bother me. In fact, instead of wearing my wedding band on my finger, I had to wear it around my neck like a pendant. 

The first and only time that my husband got intimate with me was the day he came home drunk, and while he was f****** me, he was calling out her name. 

The door creaked open, and Austin walked in with Kayla, laughing and cracking jokes. She stood in front of me, looking innocent. She was dressed in a black laced dress, and her curly hair was all over her back. Likewise, she looked like a fairy that dropped from heaven with her light red lipstick. 

However, all I saw was a threat. 

Why was she back? And most importantly, why is she in my house? The door was pushed open again, and Alice walked in, dragging two pieces of luggage along. My eyes narrowed in a mixture of surprise and curiosity. 

“What are you standing there for, Megan? Come on, take this luggage to the guest room, and make sure the room is well cleaned up.” Alice ordered, and I scoffed in disbelief. 

Kayla smiled softly and gently nudged Alice. “Alice, don’t be rude to the Luna. She’s your sister-in-law after all.”

“Sister-in-law? Luna? This leeching orphan? Please… let’s be real, Kayla, my brother here has been obsessed with you for years.” Alice shrieked in excitement while I watched them. 

Austin finally glanced at my face and then ordered. “That’s enough, Alice. That happened a long time ago. I owe her one, so I promised her family to always be there for her.”

I didn’t utter a word. Likewise, I just stood there, staring back and forth at them, frantically and in total disappointment. 

“We don’t have all the time in the world. Kayla, my best friend, is exhausted from the long journey; she has jet lag and should rest. She’ll be staying with us, so Megan, take this luggage to the guest room.” Alice sneered at me.

Instantly, I turned my gaze to Alpha Austin with a demanding explanation look. Then, he started. “Her place is being renovated. Hotels are inconvenient. She’ll stay a few days.” 

Gosh! I have never felt more disappointed. I shook my head. Then, Kayla turned her sorry face to Austin, holding his hand. “Maybe I should go; Megan looks upset. I wouldn’t want to cause any trouble.”

“Who cares if Megan is upset? In this pack, everyone knows she’s just a placeholder.” Alice laughed mockingly. 

“Shut it, Alice. Don’t worry, Kayla. I promised your family that I’d always take care of you like my sister. Just stay. Now, Megan’s reasonable. She won’t mind.” He stared at me, trying to convince me. 

Alice clapped her hands. “Then, it’s settled. Megan, take the bags inside.”

“You’re all unbelievable.” I muttered in annoyance as I stormed upstairs. 

“Megan! Megan, wait.” Austin wanted to rush after me, but Kayla groaned, holding her head in pretense. “Austin… Oh, my head aches.”

Then, he ran to her and held her hands. “You must be tired. Let’s go to the room and let you settle in.”

From the stairs, I watched them as my heart ached.