Chapter 5

Hayley

I was busy going about my Luna duties, preparing for the upcoming pack party.

As the Luna of our werewolf pack, it was my responsibility to ensure everything was in order, and that everyone would have a great time celebrating together. I loved my role, and it gave me a sense of purpose, especially during these challenging times.

I did love to plan a party so I was glad for this opportunity to take my mind off of things, especially with the fact that Annie was going to be living with us now.

After the conversation that I had with her, I made sure to avoid her as much as possible which seemed to work because she was never in my way either, but it was harder to do with Damon since we shared the same bedroom. He was not sleeping in it right now, living in one of the guest rooms as per my requests even though every night when I woke up to him it was an emotional drama, and whenever I remembered why, I cried hard and wished that things had never happened the way they had.

As I set up the decorations, I overheard hushed whispers from some of the pack members nearby. My heart sank when I realized they were gossiping about my husband Damon's infidelity. My cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger, but I decided not to confront them. I needed some space to process what I'd just heard.

“Are you okay, Luna?” One of the women who had been gossiping asked as she walked up to help me with the ribbons and I decided that perhaps I could confront them after all.

“Yes. Help me with these and that when you’re done gossiping.” I said, pointing to the ribbons.

“And I don’t need to remind you that spreading rumors and gossiping is bad for the pack, right?”

Her face paled but she nodded immediately and I gave her a fake smile before heading out of the hall, my eyes stinging with tears.

I hated this so much.

Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to run down and seek solace in the company of my best friend Candice. I found her sitting under a tree, looking at peace amid the bustling preparations as she ate a cookie.

Typical of her to be eating amid all the chaos, I thought with fondness as I approached her.

"Hey, Candice," I said, forcing a smile as I sat down next to her.

She immediately noticed the distress in my eyes. "Hayley, what's wrong? You look upset."

"I overheard some pack members gossiping about Damon cheating on me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't believe they're discussing our matters like this."

Candice wrapped her arm around me, offering comfort. "I'm so sorry, Hayley. People can be cruel, especially when they don't know the whole story."

Tears threatened to spill over, but I blinked them back, not wanting to show vulnerability in front of the pack. "I just don't understand how they can do this. I thought we were a close-knit family."

Candice squeezed my shoulder gently. "Some people can be thoughtless and insensitive, but don't let their words define you or your worth. You're an amazing Luna, and you don't deserve to be treated this way."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. "I know. I just feel so hurt and betrayed by Damon. I thought we had a strong bond, but now I don't know what to believe."

Candice looked at me with empathy in her eyes. "I can't imagine how difficult this is for you, Hayley. But remember, you have the power to decide how you want to move forward. Whether you choose to forgive and work through this or go your separate ways, know that I'll support you no matter what."

Tears finally spilled from my eyes, and I leaned into Candice's comforting embrace. "Thank you for being here for me, Candice. Your friendship means the world to me."

She held me close, her presence a balm to my wounded heart. "You don't have to face this alone, Hayley. I'll be by your side every step of the way."

As I cried in her arms, I knew I had a true friend in Candice, someone who would stand by me through the darkest of times. With her support and strength, I felt a glimmer of hope that I could navigate through this storm and be strong enough to attend the party tonight.

That strength faltered however when I entered the bedroom that I shared with my husband later that evening and walked by our wedding photo on my way to the bathroom.

Crying hard again in the shower, I walked out dressed in a robe and froze as Damon walked into the room, and my breath caught in my throat. He looked stunning in his black tuxedo, exuding an air of confidence and charm that never failed to captivate me. The tuxedo hugged his tall, strong frame perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders and trim waist.

His dark hair was neatly styled, adding to his polished and sophisticated appearance. His mesmerizing blue eyes that used to sparkle with a mix of warmth and mischief, the kind of eyes that could light up a room and draw you in like a magnet were dull and sad but I would never forget that they were the same eyes that had first caught my attention and made my heart skip a beat.

In his black tuxedo and with his mesmerizing blue eyes, Damon was the epitome of elegance and sophistication. But beyond his dashing appearance, it was the love, support, and unwavering devotion that he had towards me that had made me fall in love with him. Now, I could no longer even believe that he had any of those feelings for me anymore. Not when the evidence of his infidelity rained the same halls that I roamed and would be giving him a child soon.

“Hayley.” He breathed, his voice sending an involuntary chill down my spine and when he tried to close the distance between us, I shook my head and I saw the pain in his eyes as he forced himself to remain where he stood.

“What do you want?” I asked.

“I wanted to see how you were doing. And of course, escort you to the party.”

“You don’t have to escort me to the party,” I answered, immediately feeling hurt because there was a time when just the thought of being apart from him used to make me feel like I was going insane.

He tried to smile but it didn’t reach his eyes.

“I know but as Luna and Alpha, it would be best if we appeared together, don’t you think?”

He did have a point and I nodded, heading to the bed and picking up the dress that I had asked Eve to dry clean for me.

Feeling very self-conscious, I went back into the bathroom to change and when I came out, I saw him inhale.

“You look beautiful.”

My hair was still damp and I was waiting for Eve to come do my makeup in the next five minutes but I could see the sincerity in his eyes as he spoke and I fought the urge to walk over to him and pull him in for a deep kiss.

“Thank you” I answered instead and he nodded.

Just then there was a knock on the door and Eve entered, bowing low as she saw Damon first before turning to me.

“Can you come back in like thirty minutes? She wants to help me with my hair and makeup?” I said to Damon and he nodded, rising to his feet and leaving the room but not before giving me a stare filled with longing that made my breath catch.

Forty-five minutes later, I was set and my arm in Damon’s as he led me down the hallway to the hall where the party would be taking place.

“You look breathtaking, Hay. I love you. Please never doubt that.” He whispered, his words tugging at my heartstrings but the doors to the hall opened before I could say anything and he led us into the party that was already in full swing.

“You outdid yourself, love,” Candice said walking up to kiss me on the cheek and I smiled for the first time.

The hall was a breathtaking sight to behold, transformed into a mesmerizing wonderland for the party. As I stepped inside, I was immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of excitement and celebration. The vibrant energy filled the air, setting the perfect tone for the festivities that lay ahead.

The hall was spacious, with high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a soft, warm glow over the room.

Long, ornate tables were arranged along one side of the hall, adorned with exquisite floral centerpieces that burst with a kaleidoscope of colors.

The dance floor, in the center of the hall, was an expanse of polished wood, waiting to be filled with the laughter and joy of the party-goers.

Throughout the hall, beautifully dressed guests mingled, their laughter and chatter filling the room with an air of merriment. Waiters gracefully moved through the crowd, offering trays of delectable hors d'oeuvres and refreshing drinks, ensuring everyone's enjoyment.

The hall was a feast for the senses, a sensory delight that appealed to both the eye and the soul and I was glad that I could even organize this.

Following Damon around as he socialized with the others, with a permanently forced smile on my face, I froze as the doors opened and Annie walked into the party, wearing a beautiful green dress and heading towards us.