1.Facade.

Morning light streamed through the bedroom window, wrapping Annatoria in its gentle warmth as she rolled from the other side of the bed. Her alarm had rang twice but she was too sleepy to get up.

A faint voice drifted into her consciousness, pulling her from sleep.

“Morning, darling,” Radolf murmured. His tone was soft, coaxing her awake.

She stirred, eyes slowly opened, and grumbled a lazy, “Morning.” The irritation in her voice dissipated the moment his lips brushed hers. He kissed her with a tenderness that made her heart stutter, even as her mind screamed at her to stay guarded.

But the spell broke just as quickly. “Where the hell were you?” she asked, swatting him lightly on the back. Her forced smile faded. Radolf hadn’t come home last night, and she couldn’t ignore the weight of that truth. She'd cried all night, dealing and clenching her chest from pain of the matebond.

He chuckled dryly, feigning innocence. “My baby’s mad at me, isn’t she?” His lips tugged into a pout as he leaned closer.

“Whatever,” she rolled her eyes, slipping out of his reach. She headed for the bathroom, but his arms snaked around her waist, pulling her back. His chin rested in the crook of her neck, and she felt his warmth seep into her skin.

“Don’t be mad, babe,” he murmured, his voice rich and low. His scent—a heady mix of cedarwood and something uniquely him—clouded her senses.

The sexy voice crept into her head. She knew it wasn't right but there she was, succumbing to the "devil".

Annatoria closed her eyes, her wolf stirring beneath the surface. "Stop it. Don’t let him do this to you again". But her resolve faltered as his lips grazed her shoulder.

“How was your meeting?” she asked, finally pulling away to face him. Her smile was forced, but she hoped he wouldn’t notice.

“It was fine,” he said quickly, his tone too nonchalant. He kissed her again, and for a moment, she allowed herself to believe him. Allowed herself to fall into the illusion that everything was fine. She allowed herself to look at him again, like always did.

But the moment shattered when Candace walked in.

It was morning and of course, Candace would serve the Alpha and Luna their morning tea before they walked to the dining room for breakfast.

Candace’s presence always irritated Annatoria, but this time it was unbearable. The woman’s hips swayed with exaggerated purpose as she crossed the room, her eyes lingering too long on Radolf.

Annatoria clenched her fists. "She’s doing it on purpose" Her wolf growled.

“Go after her,” Annatoria teased through the mind link, though her voice carried a bitter edge. She waited for Radolf’s laugh, and when it came, it felt hollow.

His gaze had followed Candace, and Annatoria’s stomach twisted. She hated the way other women looked at him, hated even more how often he seemed to invite it. Radolf's gaze spelt it all even without him moving a muscle.

At the office, Annatoria buried herself in work, hoping the distraction would dull the ache in her chest....the ache that was caused by her cheating husband who she tries so hard to stop loving but, her wolf remained restless, and the bond she shared with Radolf pulsed faintly, as if warning her of something.

Hours passed before she checked her phone. Five missed calls.

Her stomach dropped. She fumbled to answer the next ring.

“Hey, babe,” Radolf’s deep voice rumbled through the phone, soothing yet maddening.

“Hi, love,” she replied, forcing calm into her tone. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. I was just checking on you,” he said, but then a muffled voice in the background made her freeze.

“Kiss me,” the voice said. It was a female's, he couldn't even lie about it.

Annatoria’s heart stopped. Her grip on the phone tightened. “What did she just say?”

Radolf stammered, tripping over his words. “Wait, babe, it’s not what you think—”

She ended the call but as soon as she did, Radolf threw a big laugh after which he passionately kissed the woman in his bed. The curvy woman trailed her fingers on his hairy, broad chest leaving him to moan while she unbuckled his belt.

Pain exploded in Annatoria's chest, the mate bond flaring with a fury that left her gasping. Tears burned her eyes as she pressed a hand to her heart, trying to hold herself together.

“He promised,” she whispered. “He swore he’d stop.” But the promise had been as empty as the look in his eyes when he lied to her. She hated herself more for ever imagining he was being truthful.

By the time she returned home, Annatoria was drained, her wolf eerily silent. Jessica, her personal maid, brought dinner to her room, but she barely touched it.

“Where’s Ernoulf?” she asked, referring to her son.

“He’s already asleep, ma’am,” Jessica replied.

Her brows furrowed. Asleep at 5 PM? It didn’t sit right with her. Something gnawed at the edge of her mind, urging her to check on him.

When she reached his room, she paused at the door. Laughter drifted from inside—two voices, neither of them belonging to her son.

A smile briefly crossed her face. Perhaps his nannies were playing with him. But her wolf bristled, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.

She turned the handle and stepped inside.

Her world stopped.

Candace was sprawled naked on her son’s bed, her lips curled into a triumphant smirk. Beside her, Radolf sat half-dressed, his hair disheveled and his crimson eyes betraying nothing but guilt.

The air left Annatoria’s lungs. Pain—sharp and unrelenting—ripped through her chest, stronger than before.

Her voice caught in her throat, the betrayal too enormous to comprehend. She stared at the scene, her heart breaking into pieces she wasn’t sure she could ever put back together.

"R.. Radolf" She tried to call his name but her breath was short and she needed air.