Chapter 4: The Familiar Bracelet

Ariana

After Damian left, I ditched the car he’d left behind and flagged a taxi down. I initially thought of following him, but I knew doing that would be stupid.

Moreover, I didn’t want to be known as the “foolish jealous Luna, who was shadowing her faithless Alpha” so I changed my mind.

“Take me to the pack’s infirmary,” I said to the driver and turned to face the window.

I stayed silent throughout the ride just thinking of everything and the pitiable condition I was in.

Would it have been easier to leave if my pack hadn’t fallen? I thought to myself.

“We’re here.” The driver announced and I nodded, stepping down to pay him.

I stood there watching as he drove off contemplating if I was in the best state to go see my mother like this.

After taking a moment to compose myself I brought out a mirror, dabbed some powder on my face and when I was sure that I had successfully concealed every trace of tears, I headed towards my mother's ward.

“Ariana,” my mother screamed happily. Her face lit up immediately when she saw me.

“Come my child”, she said and I reached to hug her.

“Are you okay? You look a bit pale, tell me honestly is everything okay between you and your mate?” She asked with a concerned look.

Hmmmphh, so despite all my efforts she still managed to see beyond the facade.

I sat beside her wearing the best smile on my face. “Mom we’re fine, you don’t need to worry about us.” The lie made my mouth bitter but I couldn’t help it, it needed to be told.

“Ariana, you and Damian make such a lovely couple. These past 3 years he’s been so helpful to our family, honestly I have no idea what we would have done if he hadn’t helped us. Maybe we’d be rogues by now.” He paused to drink water.

“What you should be more concerned about now is stability and how you can produce an heir for him soon so you can secure your future.” My father said and I smiled faintly.

“I’ll try my best, Father,” I said and he nodded curtly.

The mere thought of having Damian’s pup made my skin crawl. Once it had been a lifelong dream of mine but ever since I found out about his infidelity and his pup with Lily I was only disgusted by the thought of it.

“Or have you not been performing your duties as his mate and Luna?” My father asked with questioning eyes.

“I have, I have father,” I quickly replied so he wouldn’t suspect anything.

I had been performing my marital duties religiously up until our 3rd anniversary night.

It wasn’t me who didn’t want to have a child, it was Damian.

I closed my eyes thinking about the time he’d force me to drink a herb some months back because he’d forgotten to pull out and he didn’t want to have a child anytime soon.

I had taken the herb at the time thinking I was doing it for us but now it was clear to me, it was not that he didn’t want a child, he just didn’t want a child with me.

“Ariana, I just ran into Alpha Damian outside. Did you guys come together?” My brother Liam asked, jolting me out of my reverie.

“No, maybe he came to see a friend or he’s here on his own.” I scratched my nape, avoiding their piercing gaze.

I needed to go find Damian to get him to at least come greet my parents. Why was he here? Did he follow me here or had he come to see the healer about my mom?

“Excuse me please, I need to go find Damian,” I said not waiting to hear their response.

This was the VIP floor so if Liam said he saw him outside he should still be around here.

I began strolling around the walkway trying to find him through his scent, then I got a whiff of it and I trailed it.

It led me to the front of another ward. Why was Damian here? Was Riley sick or did something bad happen?

I was about to knock on the door when I heard his voice. “How are you feeling now?” He asked softly.

Who was he talking to in such a soft manner? I knew this wasn’t right but I still peeped inside the room since the door was partially open and then I saw him with a she wolf I was guessing was his precious Lily.

She was clinging to his waist and she rested her head on his stomach, dangerously close to his V line.

“Damian, will you stay with me tonight?” She asked, her soft voice quivering.

“Sshhhhh ... .you don’t have to be like this, of course I’ll stay with you.” He cooed, stroking her hair softly.

The scene in front of me made me want to puke as bile rose to my chest. When was the last time he was this soft to me or looked at me with such tenderness?

“Confront him now,” Nara growled in my head and I wanted to, not until I saw the familiar bracelet.

It was the same one he’d just given me at the dinner and I still had it around my wrist, he’d worn it on me himself.

I smiled bitterly, my mind numb. So not only was he cheating, he was giving the same gifts to his Luna and his mistress. Was I really worth nothing to him?

So when he said it looked beautiful on me earlier it was a lie? It must have been. Maybe he was even thinking about Lily when he said that.

Rage washed over and in a burst of fury, I ripped the replica bracelet from my own wrist and flung it away.

I couldn’t stay here, I couldn’t let them notice me in such a pathetic state, so I ran.

I kept running till I was outside the infirmary, I didn't even bother to say goodbye to my family, I couldn’t let them see me like this.

I whimpered when the cool air touched my skin. I didn’t even want to order a ride home. So I shifted, I let the rage consume me and Nara began running all the way back home.

I could feel her breaking too, she was right when she said we should leave before he kills us because if I didn’t get a rejection from him or get to reject him soon, I’d be as good as dead.

“I do not want him anymore, one more day, and I’ll tell him about the rejection papers I sought from the high council.” I concluded racing into the night .