3

Diana's pov

I couldn't sleep.

I'd been in bed for hours, staring at the ceiling while the moonlight dragged itself slowly across the room. My wolf paced inside me, restless, unsettled. Something was wrong. I could feel it in the hollow ache beneath my ribs, like my heart was sinking.

Then it hit.

A sharp, stabbing pain tore through my heart, so sudden and vicious I sat up sharply, gasping out loud like I had been yanked awake from a nightmare. I clutched my chest, like I could hold myself from falling apart. My wolf whimpered- and I mirrored her pain, an agonized broken sob leaving my lips.

No. No- it can't be.

Tears burned my eyes instantly, hurt and humiliation washing over me like a cold bucket of water.

"He wouldn't," I whispered to the empty room. But the ache only worsened. My wolf howled, a low, wounded cry that made my vision blur. "He wouldn't do this to me!"

But my body knew before my mind could deny it. I staggered from the bed, feeling like a dagger had gone through my chest, still shaking when the door pushed open.

And he stepped inside. My breath caught in my throat, and I couldn't stop the tears that rolled down my cheeks. His hair was mussed- his clothes disheveled. And his scent- tainted with the scent of another woman.

"Diana," he breathed, his voice raw and broken.

I flinched, shaking my head as my cries heightened now.

"How could you do this to me!" I screamed even as he came towards me anyway, pulling me into his embrace while my eyes overflowed.

"Diana I'm sorry- " he whispered, his broken voice shattering what was left of my strength. "I wasn't thinking."

I shoved him hard, trying to push him off. "Don't touch me! Don't fucking touch me! You reek of her!"

But he held me still, gently, as if he needed me to stay- to keep us from falling apart, but it was too late. I could feel him trembling- he was trembling, holding back tears- yet all I could do was sob against him, helpless, the pain in my chest unbearable now.

His arms wrapped around me anyway, warm and intoxicating- his scent, and my traitorous wolf melted instantly in her mate's arms, clinging to him despite every morsel of my being resenting him.

I cried harder. It felt like my heart was being ripped to pieces.

Yet I managed to tear myself out of his arms. My legs nearly gave out when they hit the floor but I forced myself upright. I had to get away. I couldn't breathe in the room with him.

"Don't you dare follow me!" The hurt on his face as I snapped at him caused my chest to tighten, but I didn't dwell further on it, turning to leave.

As I ran down the hallways, the background music and chatter continued downstairs, I almost collided with Louisiana.

Her eyes widened when they met mine, relief and worry on her face as she pulled me into her arms without a word.

"I was coming to find you, but it seems you're aware, oh I'm so sorry Diana," her voice was grave. "Someone saw him and your sister share a passionate kiss before they slipped into her room. Everyone downstairs is talking about it."

Her words sliced through me like a blade. My tears heightened as I buried my face in her shoulders, feeling her hands run down my hair as she comforted me. Shame washed over me like a cold wave, just at the thought of having to face anyone.

I can't imagine the satisfaction they'd reel in, knowing once again, Andrea had returned to take what they termed, rightfully hers.

"I need to leave. I need to go home," I whispered, shaking in her arms. "Please, Louisiana. Just take me home."

She didn't argue. With a nod, she guided me outside, through the back doors where no one would spot us. A scarf wrapped around my face, I followed her into her carriage.

As she ordered the men to move, horses neighing outside as the carriage shook slightly, I stared out the window, numb and shaking, the mansion blurring past.

Louisiana placed a hand to my back, saying what I assumed were comforting words but I couldn't hear them. I was barely thinking- not rational at least.

But memories flooded my mind. My sacrifices- years of waiting, banking on the promises he made me. Everything I'd done to be worthy of him to show him I was much the woman Andrea could ever be to him.

I was the role model wife, Luna. Accompanied him to meetings, went on hunts, trained hard to be one of the strongest people amongst his pack warriors. I cooked for him despite the numerous Omegas we had at our beck and call. No one ever questioned my presence in his life after Andrea. I gave them reasons not to. I was his sex slave in the room, letting him do my body as he pleased, satisfied his fantasies.

All of it. Thrown away in a single night. For her.

She abandoned him, and didn't care about his state after. How stupid I'd been to think time could erase the imprint she left on him.

A tight swirl twisted in my stomach, tears streaming down my cheeks silently. At first I assumed it was the pain, the heartbreak, but the pain grew sharper, unbearable.

"Stop the carriage immediately!" Louisiana yelled as I abruptly dropped down, twisting my ankle as I rushed into the nearby bushes.

The nausea surged as I threw up over the edge, my body convulsing. She was behind me immediately, catching my hair and shoulders as she held me.

"Diana! Oh goddess, call in the pack doctor immediately! Have her head down to the pack house!" She barked orders.

I tried to speak, but the world tilted and dimmed around me.

And then everything went black