Chapter 0002

SARAH

Ryder growled loudly, butting heads with the stranger. The heat in the room increased as their wolves threatened to break free. The growling intensified.

“Stop!” I yelled, placing my hands against my ears.

“Stay out of this, Sarah,” Ryder spat in my direction. “This doesn't include you.”

“It does, Ryder…damn you! It does.” I let my tears fall freely. “You're tearing our home apart and breaking my heart. Don't you see it?”

I took a tentative step towards him, hoping he would meet me halfway. He didn't bulge.

The pain I felt was overwhelming my senses. I couldn't breathe properly so I took short breaths.

“We have nothing binding us together, Sarah! Our union was never blessed by the goddess. You are wolfless, Sarah.”

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. “You can say all you want but I'm not leaving. This is my house too.” I spoke, my body trembling from exhaustion. “I gave you five years of my life, subjected myself to various healers and doctors just so I can conceive yet you disregard everything for her? You’re willing to drag me out of here because of her!”

“I treated you right, Sarah. You lacked nothing but I've a duty to my pack.”

“Say what you will but I'll not leave!”

“Then I'll be forced to call the guards back in here. There is nothing left for you here.”

“It won’t have to come to that,” the stranger spoke up again. “I'll claim her.”

I've never met this man before. He stood a few feet from me, arms crossed across his chest. I stole a glance at him

He was tall and muscularly built. He caught my eyes, held my gaze for a second and smiled. I felt a chill run down my spine as his glassy blue eyes settled back on Ryder.

Where did this stranger come from and why is he here? Why is he willing to claim me?

Ryder stood stiff as he turned his icy gaze on the man. “You'll do no such thing.”

In all the years I had known Ryder, he has never lost control of his composure but here he was, turning red with rage. The thing between them wasn't about me and I wasn't ready to get caught in the middle.

“I'll go with him,” I spoke loudly, breaking the tension in the room.

Ryder stared at me and for the first time since tonight, I knew deep down I had lost my mate. His eyes were blank, leaving nothing to my imagination.

“If you leave with him, don't ever step foot on my land…again.”

I stood silently, not swayed by his threats and watched him walk away, leaving the door ajar.

“And that goes for you too, Lucas. See yourselves out.”

My resolve broke immediately he was out of sight. I stumbled slightly, falling straight into the hands of the stranger.

“Are you okay?” he asked, gently pulling me up straight.

I nodded my head, afraid to speak. I didn't trust that I could hold back my tears and I have had enough of it. It couldn't save my marriage.

“C’mon, let's get you out of here.”

****

I felt empty as I took in the room Lucas had assigned to me. It was painted in pastel colours and decorated in gold. The king-size bed sat in the centre of the room and a tub was situated at the far end, close to the window.

A long silk nightgown lay on the bed. I felt its texture and tears gathered at the brim of my eyes. I had walked out of the Stormclaw pack empty. I had nothing to my name.

I refused to acknowledge the reality of things.

I knew I just needed to get through tonight and everything would be back to normal, like it never happened.

“Do you find everything to your comfort?” Lucas' voice interrupted my musing. His words came out raspy every time he spoke. “I could get them to set up the empty rooms for you to make a choice.”

“No,” I replied hastily. I didn't want to give him the impression I'd be staying here longer than tonight. “This…this is beautiful. Thank you for assisting me and opening your home to me.”

“That was all you kept saying throughout the ride down here. It is my pleasure, Sarah.”

Good. Just what I needed; we’re now on a first-name basis. He had insisted on it during the ride to his place. He wouldn't stop talking. I realized he was the CEO of Dubling Shipping and Co. - the architect of Ryder's frequent late nights at the office.

Were they really or was it the perfect lie he concocted on my behalf while he screwed his mistress behind my back? Have I really been that naive?

I bumped into Lucas as I turned, heading towards the tub. I had forgotten I wasn't alone and he must have covered the distance between us during my self-loathing.

He smiled at me as he steadied me with his hands. “I'll let you be but I've to let you know I don't offer free rides.”

He wasted no time coming asking for his due.

“What's the price for your generosity?”

“In return for your stay here, in Nightshade, you'll have to cut ties with the Stormclaw pack forever and be my mistress.”

My mouth dropped open in shock while his smile expanded. He took two steps back and let his hand fall off me.

“You're a beautiful woman and I can't act like I'm not aroused by you,” he continued, his eyes resting on my lips. “You've nowhere to run. You would have to roam with the wild wolves and you tell me, what do you think would happen to a pretty woman like you, alone, in the wild?”

“I can't be your mistress.”

“You can't or you won't?”

“I'm pregnant,” I blurted out. “I'm carrying Ryder’s child.”

The sound of his laughter caught me off guard. Goosebumps sprouted all over my body.

“Ryder has it coming,” he recited in a sing-song manner.

I rolled my eyes at his rhyme. I didn't want to be burdened with their problems, I just wanted to get back to my husband.

If only I could have a moment with Ryder, we would be able to talk through it. I was willing to forgive, damn, I was willing to share him if that's what it takes.

“Lucas,” I called out timidly, afraid that he would say no to my request. “I need to speak to my husband. I need to tell him…he doesn't know I'm pregnant, maybe if he knows…he will reconsider. Please, I just need him to know.”

“That won't be easy,” he answered with his annoying pitch.

“I'll give anything you ask for.”

“Anything?”

The thought of being his mistress flashed through my head but I dismissed it. It won't come to that.

“Yes, anything,” I replied calmly.

“You owe me one, Sarah.” he sang as he walked out of the room. I slumped on the bed, the bath forgotten.