CHAPTER 2: THEY KNEW

CORA

“What do I do, Katiana?”

(You survive, you stay strong, you heal from how badly he's hurt you, and then we move on.)

I still couldn't believe that Daniel had chosen to hurt me this bad and this way.

Claire was my adopted sister. My parents had brought her home when I clocked the age of three because according to them her parents had died in a plane crash and there was no other person to take care of Claire.

Thinking back to how it was when we were growing up, anything she wanted I gave to her; if I didn't give it father would force it out of my hand and give it to her, but now my mate? Claire actually played my greatest support system to my face while screwing him for up to a year, and I didn't know.

Tobias knew and had subconsciously chosen her side even as a child, but I couldn't help but ponder how many people really knew but kept quiet the entire time.

I had met Daniel after one of my rebellious moments and had been so lost on what to do with my life, but would have taken another alternative if I had not met him, but here we were today.

“Oh Cora, I love your new phone. Can I take it?”

“Okay, Claire.”

“Cora, I got caught with Matthew on a beach, but I was able to escape. Please tell them you were the one with him.”

“No, Claire. I have a mate. If he hears this, it'd become a misunderstanding, so I can't help you, Claire.”

“Oh come on, Cora, it's not that much of a big deal. He wouldn't even care.”

“No. I can't help you, Claire.”

That was a year ago, the very first time I ever said no to her, and though it felt good to finally reject her, the consequences I faced were dire.

My parents didn't live so far away from the main pack house, so I kept walking slowly in thought until finally, I arrived at the front of our house. My father was the Beta of the pack, but we've always had a strained relationship between us.

I stood still, and I exhaled before finally knocking at the door.

A few moments later, my mother opened the door, and I burst into tears as she opened her arms and hugged me before pulling myself and my things into the house.

“What on earth happened to you, Cora?”

“He told me to leave the house, mother. He'd been cheating for a year now.”

“What? How could you say that, Cora? Are you sure?” She pulled me into the dining room and made me sit.

“I saw them myself, mother.”

Before she could respond, I watched as my father walked in and sat opposite us. “Why are you both yelling in my house?”

“Cora found out that Daniel cheated.”

“Hello, Father.”

“So what if he did? It's normal for a man to want another life if he gets tired of the old one.”

“How could you possibly say this, Father?”

“You should hurry up and go back to your mate because there's no place for you to come back to in this house, Cora.”

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“Did you both know that he was having sex with freaking Claire?”

“You watch your mouth, young lady; you will not disrespect me in my own house.”

“You didn't answer my question, Father. Mother, did you know about their affair?

“Cora, it wasn't my secret to share. I'm so sorry, sweetheart.”

“How could you say such words to me, Mother?”

“What is it that you expect her to say, Cora? You changed. You were chubby, but then you got fat. You did nothing about your diet or even weight gain, and you lost yourself completely. You lost the definition of what a Luna should even look like, but you expected him to remain faithful to you?”

“So, you believe they were both right with what they did and shouldn't even be accountable for this mess?”

“They both did nothing wrong. Alpha Daniel lost attraction to you a long time ago but only stayed with you because you gave him an heir. He had always preferred Claire but had chosen to stay married to you just to keep peace and keep his son in a home both parents lived.”

“I absolutely cannot believe that you chose to defend the wrongs they wrought again. Every time Claire did anything wrong, you defended and backed her. Anything she wanted that was even mine, you gave to her with no consideration for how I felt, but now she takes my mate, and you defend her.” I snapped at him in irritation.

“Mother, you are no better than him. You chose to be silent about something this big so as not to offend your dearest adopted daughter, but at this point, should I not question if I'm not the adopted one? I came back sad and totally clueless about what my next step should be, but it turned out you both knew all along.”

“Oh, stop acting like you are a victim, Cora; you are not. It's not that deep; he doesn't want you like that anymore, so just share him with your sister?”

“Really, mother? Do you think his thoughts are correct?”

“No, I don't Cora. Just calm down. We'd figure things out.”

“Tell me Daniel and Claire were wrong, dear mother. Use your own words if you believe they were wrong.”

“That's not the point, Cora.” She chuckled nervously.

I stood up and wiped my tears. “I made a mistake coming back here, mother. I shouldn't have ever returned to the house. I'd find my own way.”

“Well, good riddance, Cora. There was really no room in here for you anyway.” Father scoffed and shrugged.

I looked at them one last time and immediately walked outside the house. I had no idea where it was that I was going next, but I'd rather die than stay there watching my mate and son being snatched away from me by my sister.

I walked a bit further from the house when my phone rang: “Cora Bane?”

“Who is this, please?”

“I know what your mate did to you, but I can help you turn things around.”

“Who are you?”

“My name is Diamond Kex.”

The name meant nothing familiar to me in any way. “What do you want from me?”

“I'm about to change your entire life totally.”