Chapter Three

POV Azalea

      Ever since that night our already estranged marriage has gotten even worse. Today I caught him and Vanessa sharing a steamy glance at the pack meeting and then when he shook her hand his fingers lingered longer than usual on her wrist. It was sickening.

He moved out of our room and into the guest quarters, spending hours on his phone when I wasn't around. After catching her leaving his office one too many times, I decided to confront him.

As I stood there, trying to compose myself, I knew I had to confront him. I had to know the truth. I walked into his office and slammed the door shut. Thorne looked up at me, startled, and quickly composed himself.

"Leah, what are you doing here?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

"I’m the Luna. Going to the pack meetings is part of my job.” I snapped, “ What were you doing meeting with her in your office alone, Thorne?” I asked him.

Thorne sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Leah, it's not what you think.”  He grabbed my hand and I turned my back away from him. The wounds were fresh and I wasn’t sure I could hold my composure.

"Leah, please let me explain." He pleaded, but I yanked my hand away from him.

"Explain what? That you're cheating on me with her? That you don't love me?" I spat out the words, my voice cracking with emotion.

My anger boiled inside of me but I tried to remain calm. “How could you do this to me, Thorne?” I asked, tears streaming down my face. “I’ve tried to be the perfect Luna for you, to support you in everything, and this is how you repay me? By cheating on me with your ex?”

“ Leah, it's not what you think. We’re not…”

"I'm not playing this game with you anymore, Thorne. I deserve better than this, and I'm going to find it," I said before walking out. As I was leaving I bumped into Vanessa who looked mildly surprised to see me. 

“ Well, well, well.” She quipped, “ Look everyone, It’s the pack’s worst Luna.” she stated as she knelt closer and whispered in my ear, “ You can’t even satisfy your husband. That’s why he’s coming to me.” She laughed viciously. 

“ Did you get my texts, Luna? How does it make you feel to know that while you wait up all night your husband is with me?” She snickered. 

Her words cut like a sword piercing me through the heart. I blinked back the tears that wanted to escape, I refused to let her have the satisfaction. Just as I was heading towards the door, Thorne appeared.

“This is not finished yet, Leah!” His voice held an icy warning and I held his stare, my fear barely concealed. He could make me cower with a single glance; thunderclouds seemed to follow him.

But I refused to show any weakness in front of him. I stood tall and looked him straight in the eye.

"It's Azalea, Thorne. And we'll settle this matter when I'm ready to settle it. Not when you want to," I said, my voice firm.

The air was heavy like a thunderstorm. I had to bite my tongue as Axel Rivers, my ex, entered the room. We hadn't seen each other since he left me. His business with Thorne puzzled me, despite their tumultuous past.

“ What the fuck are you doing here, Rivers?” Thorne said, his voice laced with venom.

Thorne and Axel stood with me, but Thorne's disgust was evident. I grabbed Axel's arm and we headed towards the door. As it closed, Thorne pulled me back.

"What are you thinking, Azalea? You're my wife," he said angrily.

"I don't care what people think," I replied, pulling away from him. "Axel and I are just catching up."

Thorne glared at me, determined to keep a hold on me as his wife. "The fuck you are, Azalea. "

I rolled my eyes at him. Who's acting childish now? 

"Your making a scene, Thorne." I said then turned my attention back to Axel.

 "Shall we?" I asked, gesturing towards the door.

He nodded and we stepped outside, leaving Thorne behind. I could sense the tension and anger radiating off of Thorne. But I didn't care. I was done with him and his lies.

Axel and I walked in silence for a few blocks before he finally broke the silence.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused today, Azalea," he said, his voice laced with regret. "I never meant to get you in trouble.

We walked in silence for a few minutes more before Axel spoke up.

"Listen, Azalea. I know I messed up in the past, but I've changed. I want to make things right between us," he said, stopping to look at me.

As we were out of the building, I could feel Thorne's eyes boring into my back. But for the first time in a long time, I felt free. Free from his lies and manipulation.

"You okay?" Axel asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I nodded, looking up at him. "Yeah, I'm okay," I said, offering him a small smile. "I just need some time to process everything."

Axel and I strolled through the empty streets. The cool night air was a welcome respite from the office. I wondered what Thorne was thinking back at our workplace.

"Is everything okay with Thorne?" Axel asked, breaking the silence.

I sighed, glancing back towards the office building. "No, everything's not okay," I said, my voice low. "He's been lying to me and he’s having an affair with Vanessa."

Axel's eyes widened in shock. "I'm so sorry, Azalea," he said, placing a hand on my arm. "You don't deserve that kind of treatment."

“ You’re right, I don’t.” I said. 

"So, where do you want to go?" He asked me.

"I could really use a latte."