Chapter 2

FANE’S POV.

Azriel’s loud voice made my head ring. He kept yapping about a cheating man he witnessed at the party last night, and this only triggered my reality.

“I can’t believe this mate bond thing is a scam. Everything they ever taught us about it is a lie.” He rolled his eyes, raising his hand in the air dismissively. I could feel every irritation and disgust that came with that reality.

“Unfortunately, I can relate too well.” I sighed, rolling my eyes and falling back into my bed, using the pillow to cover my face.

“What did you just say?” It took him some time to realize what I had said. I groaned at myself for letting that out. I didn’t want to. Not now.

Seeing that I did not respond, he moved over and yanked the pillow off my face. Now hovering over me, his brown eyes sent dagger stares at me when I opened my own eyes.

“Azriel!” I groaned, sitting up while he pulled back, staring at me sternly.

“What did you mean by those words?” he asked firmly, demanding that I spill the beans.

I didn’t want to.

Not now, at least. For the life of me, Casteel was the only thing I seemed to do well in this pack. How could I lose him too? A part of me was beginning to believe every word that was said behind my back, that I was bad luck and nothing good could come out of me.

I folded my hands on my chest, looking at everything else except my best friend. Azriel became my best friend the moment he defended me in school. I had been called motherless. My mom died during my birth and the older folks disliked me for taking their loving Luna away from them.

The beginning of my misery.

But when Casteel turned out to be my mate, people began to believe in me again. Casteel was of great help to the pack, protecting us alongside the other warriors and leading innovative plans. They so very much loved the young man and they somewhat extended that to me.

“Spill!” Azriel was impatient now.

“Fine. Casteel… he…”

“He what?”

“Will you let me finish?” I raised my head and he pulled back in surrender, giving me the space I needed to let the words out.

“He cheated on me.” I let out, refusing to say he did it with my stepmother. That was the Luna. I couldn’t just speak against her. She could deny it and many might believe her.

“He what?” Azriel’s eyes went wide.

“No way!” he added incredulously.

“Well, if I hadn’t witnessed it, I would have thought the same.” I fell on my side on the pillow, refusing to let it consume me.

However, the only time I had been able to distract myself was when Alpha Rhyan showed up. Stepmom was so shameless, letting him fuck her in her dressing room.

“I will not let this slide. He has been treating you like trash, all because he is somewhat the pack’s favorite. Today, he is getting it!” Azriel got to his feet and no matter what I said, he wouldn’t stop.

He always defended me in high school, and he never let words get to me. Casteel had stood me up many times, called me names sometimes, and even refused to love me right. Azriel hated it all but he couldn’t stop our relationship. I guess the opportunity to do so had presented itself.

He burst out of my room and headed for the living room. His steps were hasty and too fast, which alerted the pack members and visitors who stayed in the pack house. The feast runs for six more days, hence the house was full.

“Azriel, stop!” I begged but he moved quicker than ever. Casteel was outside, playing snooker with some boys from the pack. I did not expect Azriel to lurch at him from behind. His move was too fast that I couldn’t stop him in time.

He landed a sharp punch on Casteel’s jaw, sending him back so that the boys behind him were the ones who steadied him. I gasped.

“What the hell, man!” Casteel’s blue eyes turned silver, his normal blue orbs shifting to those of his wolf.

However, Azriel wasn’t scared.

“You fucking hurt her. I told you not to hurt her.” He moved once more and unexpectedly launched another punch at Casteel’s face.

I ran over so fast, pulling Azriel back.

“Stop. No!” I warned, holding his arms and pushing him back with my chest.

“Oh fuck you, man. You fucking gay!” Casteel yelled at him but Azriel merely laughed.

“At least I am no bloody cheat, defying the moon goddess’ mandate!”

Colt stepped out from the living room, and his scent brushed my nostrils.

“Fane, what is your best friend talking about?” he asked. Colt was my brother, another man who hated me for taking my mother out of his life before he even got to know her fully.

I panicked.

Colt would kill me if I lost Casteel.

“Nothing. It’s a game.” I grabbed Azriel, shaking my head for him to stop. To really stop. I looked around and everyone was watching and shaking their heads with disapproval.

“She is causing trouble again. Poor Casteel, he has to deal with her every single day.” The words flew in the air. I could hear them and it broke me. It reminded me of how they used to bully me. I did not yearn to be there again.

Finally, I was able to pull Azriel to the other side of the house. He was so mad.

“Why did you do that!” I demanded once we were away from Casteel.

Azriel chuckled.

“You are still going to defend that motherfucker after he cheated on you? Can you not see how badly he is treating you?”

I knew.

But because of him, these people are accepting me softly. I couldn’t deny the benefit of being his mate. And to be honest, I liked those benefits.

“Look at you. Don’t live your life like this. Why can’t you just be happy for once? Choose yourself and be happy!” Azriel spat. His dreads blocked his eyes but he moved them out of the way.

He turned and I watched him walk over to his car and drive off. I folded my hands on my chest, watching him while trying not to cry, because he was right.

I looked back at the house.

Yet, I could not bring myself to go back to the way I used to live. Everyone would shut me out, even my own father. That was how bad it was.

Casteel brought a difference, so I was ready to stick with him. Perhaps it was time to choose myself, as Azriel said. To break the bond with Casteel even when I knew how much was at stake. I pondered on this throughout the day. It was hard but I couldn’t live like this anymore.

It was getting dark by the time I stepped out of my room. The people who had come out to watch the scene earlier were back in their rooms. The house was quite big and each room had soundproofing so there was no noise.

I knew Casteel would be in the library now. He loved to read when the sun was down. Today, I was going to end it all and the thought of it shook me. It didn’t feel like freedom. It felt like I was sending myself back into the cage I used to be in.

However, I was about to step into the library when I heard stepmom’s voice.

“Aw, she pissed you off again, right? Let me take that stress off you. You know no one can do it better than me.” Her voice was slow and sultry.

I didn’t have to peer to see what she was doing. The image was already stuck in my head and I didn’t need more. I shut the door as gently as I could. My heart tightened in my chest. The life I had chosen for myself hurt so much.

My mate was cheating over and over, yet I had chosen to accept it. I was going to live this way for the rest of my life just because I sought validation.

Yet, the thought of going back to the bullied girl sent my heart into panic.

I needed a drink.

I was suddenly parched.

My breath hitched but I refused to give in to the despair. It would send me into depression, rotting in my bed while everyone lived their life. I did not want that for myself.

Stepping into the kitchen, the air changed.

I looked up and I saw a tall man with broad shoulders standing on the other side of the island table. He held a bottle of water and he was watching me.

Alpha Rhyan. The warm yellow light in the middle of the kitchen shone on his face and…

Damn, he looked so fine.

His hair fell in his face and he pulled it back. His fingers were clean and glittery, the kind that showed how neat he was.

He wore a black tank top and grey sweatpants.

Lowering my gaze further, I saw the bulge and instantly remembered how huge. I was instantly taken back to him and Rhea’s performance in the dressing room.

No, not that image.