Chapter 2

MELISSA

I stood on the eastern border, the scent of moist earth and pine in the crisp evening air. The patrol warriors were at attention, their eyes locked on me, anticipating my order. I scanned their faces, my chest swelling with pride at their self-control.

"Double the night shifts," I commanded, ny voice sharp. "I want scouts in front of every blind spot on the ridge. If you sense even a whiff of trouble, report directly to me or Alpha Rico."

The head warrior, Grant, saluted. "Will do, Luna. We'll double our shifts immediately."

"Good." I softened the voice. "Keep your wits about you, but don't overdo it. If something doesn't seem right, trust your instincts."

Grant and the others nodded, making assenting noises before moving off into the dense forest.

With orders in hand, I made my way back towards the pack house, my mate bond urging me to go towards Rico. I smiled a small smile as I quickened my step. It was a long day and I was ready cuddle with him, maybe catch a few quiet moments before the evening was over.

When I entered the pack mess hall, my gaze swept the busy room, but I didn't see him—or Lorinda. A tiny crease appeared on my forehead.

"Did you happen to see where the Alpha and Lorinda headed?" I asked one of the servers, a young omega named Cleo.

Cleo nodded toward the west wing. "I believe they headed to his office, Luna."

My brows furrowed. Rico only brought Lorinda to his office when pack business was involved. And he hadn't indicated he had any urgent work left for tonight.

A shivery feeling of unease washed over me, prickling on the edge of my senses. My wolf, always sensitive to my intuition, shifted within me, her hackles rising in alarm.

Something's feels off.

I headed in the direction Cleo had pointed, striding down the corridors with determined strides. The closer I got, the heavier the pressure in my chest grew. The mate bond tugged at me with urgency, but instead of the comfort it usually brought, there was something.off.

As I stood outside Rico's office, I faltered. The door was ajar, soft sounds creeping through the opening. Low mutterings. A breathy gasp. A muffled grunt.

My heart contracted as fear swirled in my belly.

No.

My palms went sweaty as I pushed the door open.

I froze.

My breath caught.

The world outside me disintegrated into a million shards.

Rico pinned Lorinda against his desk, her dress clutched about her waist, his frame grinding into hers with bestial ferocity. His hand held fast on her hip, the other clenched on her ass.

My stomach heaved, sickness flooding as bile seared its way up my throat. My world swirled, my frame trembling as a wave of emotion flooded over me—shock, betrayal, revulsion.

I gasped out. "What the fuck…?"

They both froze. Rico's head turned my way, silver eyes black and unreadable. Lorinda, muffled inside his arms, half-hidden behind him, stared at me with something fleeting—triumph?

And then it was gone. Lorinda let out a theatrical gasp and pushed Rico aside, adjusting her dress as though she had been caught in an innocent hug. "Melissa—"

"Don't," snarled I, taking a step forward. My wolf trembled beneath my skin, yearning to tear, to destroy. "What the hell is going on here?"

Lorinda twisted a lock of hair around her finger, a knot curling the edges of her mouth before she coaxed it into something sweeter. "Melissa, we couldn't keep it hidden anymore. We love each other."

The words cut me like a blade to the heart.

I looked over at Rico, searching his expression, wanting this to be some kind of twisted joke. "Rico?" I breathed. "Please tell me that this isn't happening. Please tell me that this is some kind of mistake."

But he just stood there. Silent. Unmoving.

I gulped, forcing myself to stay firm in the face of pain that wanted to engulf me. "Years, Rico. Years.And this is what it comes to?"

Still, no response. Just a cold, unemotional stare.

My rage boiled. "Say something, damn it!"

At last, he lost his temper, his voice icy and devoid of emotion. "Lorinda is the only one for me."

My heart broke.

I took a step back, shock washing over me like a tidal wave. "No," I whispered. "*No.*"

My fists were clenched. "You're lying," I snarled, my head shaking, my voice rising. "You know I am your mate.You love me, Rico. You—"

Lorinda sighed, eye-rolling. "Oh, Melissa, come on with this whole surprise bit. Maybe unconsciously, you had a feeling this was coming."

A harsh growl tore from my throat. "You deceitful, lying—"

I lunged.

Lorinda yelped and stumbled backward, but I was about to strike before Rico's hand wrapped around my wrist. He pulled me back roughly.

"Enough," he growled, annoyance in his tone.

I gasped a harsh rasp, my heart pounding in my ears. I shook free of his grasp, my eyes flashing as I glared up at him.

"How could you?" I exclaimed, my voice trembling. "How could you throw everything away?"

Rico breathed deeply, running his hand through his mussed hair. "I don't have time for this."

And then, without another word, he turned and left me.

I stood there, immobilized by shock.

But then something inside me cracked, and I spun on my heel, chasing after him. "Rico!" I called, my voice breaking.

He kept walking.

I grabbed his arm, desperation clawing at me. "Tell me this is a mistake. Please. Just tell me I’m dreaming—"

He ripped his arm away as if my touch repulsed him.

"Stop," he said coldly.

I shook my head, my face streaming with tears. "I thought you loved me," I fought to get out.

But Rico did not stop.

He did not turn around.

He just kept walking.

I stood alone in the hallway, the walls closing in on me, the weight of my world crushing down on itself.

I sank to the ground, anguish tearing through me as I shook with sobs.

Pain.

Hurt.

Betrayal.

Everything I had built, everything I had known with him—gone.

My mate had shattered me.