Chapter 1

I woke up from the sound of my stomach growling, without a word; I stood up from lying on my bed; my face was a little hurt from the incident earlier when I saw my reflection, a big purple bruise. I sighed and held my cheek, and started to heal myself. My mom and dad were fascinated with my gift for healing, but it wasn't extravagant; like the doctors from our tribe, I could heal simple wounds or, like mine—Bruises. 

I took a glance at the wall clock near my door, ten o'clock. I overslept; I must have been tired. I looked outside to check Duke's car; there were no traces of him, which made me feel disappointed, this wasn't the first time that this had happened, but the feeling and thought of him receiving pleasure from a different woman apart from me made me feel useless. 

My eyes started to get blurry again just thinking of it, and tears began to flow again. Honestly, I don't know what I should do for him to hear me; I've done nothing far from the stone he keeps throwing at me. All I want from him is understanding; I want him to hear me out. I want to voice out myself. 

Yes, we may be married, together, and living under the same roof; however, his treatment was far from anyone's imagination. He treated me like I was garbage, a disposal wife he could set aside when he wanted other women. Let me clear it up; he wants every woman—except me, nothing more. That—that brings so much damage for me. 

"You'll regret marrying me" those words vividly stay in my mind; that curse he muttered the day we got married was planted in me. I should have been angry, I should have been cursing him, but living with Duke for an entire year—I feel no regret. I never regret every second that I woke up and saw him walking around the house; well, sometimes, although he never reciprocated the feeling that he always let me feel that I was nothing to him. I am still—his Luna. 

I just went to the kitchen and prepared something to eat. I'm sure Duke won't come home, so I'll be eating alone again. I took some rice from the stove and put the dish I had cooked earlier in the microwave to preheat it. I finish my food quickly as I can; it's been a while since I ate fresh meat. As I was cleaning the plate I used, I heard the sound of a car approaching the main door. I immediately wipe my wet hands and walk towards the door to open it for him.

As soon as I opened it, a voluptuous woman was with Duke, assisting my drunk husband. I felt a sudden pain in my chest as I watched them together. It hurts seeing the one you love being held by someone, being hugged by someone, and being together, and you have to witness it with your own eyes. 

"Babe, come inside; you will have to stay here just for tonight," Duke said.

"My god, babe! Weren't you tired? We've done it the whole day, and now you still want it here in your house? As much as I want to stay, I can't; I have to go home," his woman responded as she clung to my husband.

While me? Standing here like a statue and watching my husband with someone else.

"I still fucking want to taste every corner of your body, you sweet little angel," Duke whispered to his woman, but I could still hear it.

I can't take it anymore, "Lady, maybe I should take care of him?" I called out for the woman's attention.

As her eyes gazed upon me, she raised her eyebrow right away. "Yes? You're saying what? Babe, do you know her?" he asked Duke, not minding my presence.

"Yes, babe, she's my steward," Duke responded dryly.

If I am not mistaken, she is Marie, the second daughter of the Menejez tribe; they lived near the Criose territory, the most hard-headed tribe; they were called the black sheep tribe. They don't follow the rules; they are killed once every hundred years via poisoning or hunting. They were the main reason why we wolves were almost exposed, and now, humans do believe we exist and continually hunt us. Either to kill or to attract people for money. 

"Oh, I see, she's lucky to be your steward, and I hope nothing more beyond that because I know you too well, babe; you fuck every woman you meet," she replied.

I wanted to tell this woman that I was Duke's wife, but I tried not to because I knew it would make Duke mad.

"Don't worry about it, babe. Be careful on your way home; I love you," Dukes sweetly responded and put his arm around her.

"Okay, I'll see you again next time, babe. Thank you for this day; I enjoyed it. I love you too." she replied and kissed my husband.

I saw how Duke responded to the kiss before his woman bid goodbye. My chest tightened at what I saw; I felt like a thousand needles stabbing my heart. Why do they have to do it in front of me? It's way more painful than being introduced as his steward.

I approach him and help him to get inside the house, but he shoves my hands away. "Let me help you, Duke." I tried to hold him again, but he pushed me, "Why did you come home this late? And you're drunk." I calmly said.

"Why do you care? I enjoyed spending my time with her. Can't you stop minding someone's business, and don't you dare touch me!" he replied coldly and walked past me.

I followed him. "I care for you, Duke because I'm your wife! Is this how a married man is supposed to be coming home?" I don't know where I got the courage to speak to him like this.

He stopped and stared at me coldly. "Don't act like a good-fine wife; it doesn't suit you." Then he went up the stairs.

I have left again with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart. It hurts knowing my husband is happy with someone else, and I can't be that person. Never be.

I did everything for him to love me, but I think it's still not enough. I dried my tears and went up to my room. As I was about to enter my room, I looked at the half-open door of Duke's room. Since then, we have never slept together. I walked towards his room and found him sleeping peacefully. I came near him and sat beside him and carefully stroked those hairs trying to cover his handsome face. "Maybe everyone thinks I am stupid and martyr enough for staying even if all you did was hurt me emotionally and physically, but I don't mind it at all; it's fine with me. I can take it; I can endure all the pain because I love you, and I'm still hoping that one day you'll love me back the way I love you, and you'll change as a loving husband. I'm willing to wait for that day to come, but for now, I'll accept all the pain Duke, but please don't leave me 'cause that's the only thing I can't bear to take." My tears flowed like a waterfall as I spoke those words to him, even if he couldn't hear me.

I wipe my tears and give him a soft kiss on his cheeks before leaving his room. I love you, Duke, and I am always well, even though it's tearing me apart.

"Are you doing this, Aisha? Will you let that man do this to you?!" I heard my wolf inside me demanding an explanation.

"Kai, I love him, and you will never understand it,"

"Aisha, the moment that we became one, you do not solely own your body; I'm responsible for your safety and security! How will I do my job properly if you stay with the worthless bastard? Do you think healing yourself every fucking night will make his feeling change? Don't assume that he will love you!" 

"I can change him, Kai. I can change him, and eventually, he will learn to love me and accept me!"

"We both know you're not his mate!" Kai shouted, which made me almost lose my breath.

I shook my head, "No, Kai! I am his mate! And I will make sure that he will accept my love for him! Mark my words!"