Chapter 3

I didn't sleep that night after getting home. Instead, I sat on the couch for a long time.

I ended up contracting a high fever after staying out in the cold for so long and personally witnessing Arthur's betrayal. I curled up on the couch, feeling dizzy and teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.

Discovering Arthur's betrayal had been an accident.

It had been storming that night, and I had been jolted awake by the sound of thunder. Arthur's phone had lit up right at that moment.

Arthur had been sleeping soundly when I turned to look at him. Worried that something urgent might have happened to the pack, I had picked up his phone to check his messages.

"Does the black lace look good on me, honey? I'll wear this for you the next time you drop by."

"Why don't we try out this position next time?"

"Are you satisfied with the way I take care of you?"

"I'm much more interesting than the one you keep at home, right?"

I had felt as if I was struck by lightning with every message that I read. My heart throbbed painfully.

I kept scrolling up until I reached the beginning of their conversation.

It turned out Arthur had started his affair three years ago.

I had felt like an utter fool at that moment.

…

I was pulled out of my memories by the sounds of movement. I opened my eyes, feeling dazed.

It was Arthur. He was back.

He saw me curled up on the couch the moment he pushed open the door, looking incredibly weak as if I was battling a terrible illness.

A worried expression appeared on his face. He hurried over to me and gently pressed his hand against my burning forehead.

"Are you still a pup?" he berated. "Don't you know how to take care of yourself? Why are you lying on the couch instead of resting in bed?"

He gently picked me up and carefully carried me to the bedroom, placing me down on the bed. He tucked the blanket securely around me before leaving to grab some antipyretics. He then gave me the medicine.

It was the first time Arthur showed me such meticulous care.

However, when he tried getting closer to me, my temper exploded.

The cloying scent of an unfamiliar she-wolf clung to him, stinging my nose and making me feel nauseous.

I was the one who was sick, and I was also the one who had been betrayed by my mate. Why did I have to be the one to endure? Thus, I decided to lay all my cards on the table.

"I saw you talking to her, Arthur. I know that you're cheating on me. I know everything."

The first time Arthur betrayed me was on our fourth year anniversary.

We had agreed to have dinner at home that night. I was going to cook a meal with the prey that I had personally hunted.

I had started preparations six months ago. I rarely hunted, so I wasn't skilled at it. To celebrate our anniversary, I had spent six months training with the pack's warriors. I honed my clumsy, unrefined hunting skills until I became a steady, efficient hunter.

I also applied for leave from my patrols just so I could prepare a wonderful candlelit dinner for Arthur.

I did everything myself from dawn till dusk. I hunted, prepped, and roasted the prey. I also decorated the house. I bustled about for the entire day, preparing a grand feast that we could enjoy together.

However, Arthur didn't show up when it was time for dinner. He only appeared four hours later. He apologized profusely when he arrived home, explaining that something had happened at the border.

I was upset, but I had suppressed my emotions. I didn't blame him, telling myself that he had just been too busy.

I comforted him, feeling sorry for him.

Arthur had looked exhausted, so I even filled the bathtub with warm water and told him to turn in early for the night.

I only found out later that he had spent several hours with the she-wolf after sending her home that night.

Arthur must have been floating on cloud nine while he was with her. He was so happy that he forgot I was waiting for him at home, forgetting about all the promises he had made to me.

He forgot that it was our fourth-year anniversary, choosing to enjoy himself with another she-wolf instead.