Chapter 2

Ashley's pov 

I needed a moment–no two to fully process what my cousin sent to him, subconsciously taking in a shaky breath.

She texted

 “Oops, my fingers slipped! These pictures were for someone else but I guess the cats are out of the bag now!” A cold chill ran down my spine as I scrolled through raunchy pictures of my Alpha husband and my sister.

  My phone slipped out of my hand, falling to the floor so suddenly that a cracked screen was left as a souvenir from the impact of the fall. 

 It was like a physical representation of how my heart was slowly cracking in my chest breaking into tiny little pieces as I battled to gain a hold of my emotions trying and failing.

  The stab of betrayal went deeper than I could ever imagine, the blade twisting mercilessly and my eyes pooled up with tears that rolled down my cheeks like waterfalls.

   Five years! All of that right down the drain like it was nothing. My legs gave way and I collapsed to the floor a crying, sobbing mess…if Bryce saw me right now he’d probably say I'm overreacting. A sudden thought sharp me in my mind like a sharp stick–Why? Why do you still care what that man thinks?

  My tears slowly began to subside when I realized how pathetic I was, even while mourning the relationship that he had stained. Instead of being upset at him I was still worried about what he would think of me…

   I needed to make things even, yes! I would show that stupid mate of mine that it took two to tango.

  With a slight sniffle, I maneuvered through my cracked screen and unblocked a specific number, dialing it in that very moment before I chickened out and it was picked on the first ring, “One night–that’s all you get, after that we go back to being strangers,” I say, and a soft,dominant voice comes out from the other end. “My chauffeur will be there to pick you by right, wear the gown,”

 This man, he wasn't even going to ask any questions?

 “That gown? Not in your wildest drea–” I was cut off by a new influx of pictures and I choked on my words, “Fine, but I'll need to drink–”

“No,” he replied calmly, “I want you to remember everything I'll do to you tonight,”

  How could two brothers be so shameless? I thought as I walked over to my wardrobe to find the dress that I had stacked in the corner for years and pulled it out.

  I never heard the heart to throw it away, but I never planned to wear it myself.

   This was my brother in law’s wedding gift for me–a simple, heart-bust gown with an exaggerated yet lovely bow in the back, the fabric was smooth to touch and of the highest quality not to mention that there were only three of it in the world and Archer had gotten one of them for me.

   My memory failed to forget how my husband had looked when Archer personally handed me the gift on our wedding day, the rage he felt when I opened it up, freeing it from its pretty packaging. 

   “Burn the dress!” he had demanded but I'd refused telling him how much I absolutely adored the designer that made this dress and I would rather give it to somebody than waste it. 

   Back then I thought it was a little cute how he'd gotten jealous over it, casually bringing it up from time to time with this pouty expression and every time with loving reassurance I would touch his cheek or embrace him and tell him that he was the only man in my heart–and I meant it.

  Thinking about it now knowing what I knew it became clear why he was so pent up about it, not because he was really scared of losing me but he was scared of losing to his brother. To date, all of the gifts he had ever bought for me couldn't collectively hold a single candle to this gown. 

  I took a shower and slipped it on, having gained a few pounds after 5 years of marriage. The dress was tighter than it would have been in the past but the fabric still stretched comfortably even though it looked like a second layer of skin.

  “A little makeup wouldn't hurt,” I said not like I was putting it on for Archer, it's been a while since I put on a cute dress like this so…whatever! No need to overthink it.

  About 15 minutes later I was escorted into his home bar. Archer noticed my presence from the moment I walked in, he dropped his glass and spun around the bar stool to look at me.

 “You came,” his deep breathy voice penetrated my ears as he flashed that signature smirk that probably had all the girls all over him. 

 “After telling me you didn't want me to have a drink you still invited me to this place, I'm guessing to be petty,”

 I casually walked over, hoping the hesitation wouldn't seep into my footsteps as well. Thankfully, I didn't have to take too many steps before I was close enough to claim the bar stool next to him.

 “Finish up your drink so we can get to it,” I said to him snappily.

 “How cold, and here I was thinking that you would be happy to see me even if it was just a little bit,” 

I scoffed, “Such confidence coming from a man that has no qualms sleeping with his brother's mate,” 

His smile disappeared at the drop of a hat hearing those words.

 “Don't tell me…you're going back to him after this?” 

 I sighed, shame embracing me but my pride pulling me forward.

 “What happens in my marriage is none of your business, Archer.” I said coldly, trying to hide how what he said made my heart cave, I reached for his glass, gulped the rest of its contents and slammed it back into place.

“Let's just focus on tonight,” and with that I kissed him.