Chapter One

POV Azalea 

     The past month had brought a river of tears and anguish- my husband, the man I thought I'd spend eternity by, had been unfaithful. We got married in a white ceremony instead of exchanging rings, as he did not want any physical symbols of binding nor to have children with me. 

He had always been gentle and loving prior to her return, but now I felt his heart pull towards someone else. 

That someone I fear has my husband’s heart.

 Would I ever get my happy ending living in such a loveless and shallow marriage?

As I sat on the edge of our bed, my hands clasped tightly together, I stared at the empty space beside me. It had been a long time since Thorne came home on time, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

I watched the clock and continued to wait for his arrival. It’s been over five hours and usually he is home before dinner at five o’clock sharp; however he has not been on time since she arrived back in the Crescent Moon pack; Vanessa Ivanov, the Beta’s daughter.

The first love of Thorne. The love he never got over.

Ever since she had come back, my husband had been behaving oddly. He was gone every morning before I awoke and returned each night after I had gone to bed. His explanation for his strange behavior was that he had been coming in so late and didn't want to disturb me. Instead of sleeping in our master bedroom, he had slept in the guest quarters.

 My husband Thorne married me only to appease his father, so I know he doesn't love me. Our marriage isn't about love, it's only for show in the pack's eyes. Lately, the isolation and avoidance has become too much to bear. 

It is one thing for him to be spending so much time away from me; his Luna, but it is an entirely different thing for him to be replacing me with her. The constant lies, the betrayal, the cheating. It's all too much for me to bear. I've tried to be the perfect Luna, to love and support my husband and his duties as the Alpha, but it's all for nothing. My heart aches as I think of him with her, laughing and holding hands, while I'm left alone in our bed.

I heard a car door open and close, but I was too deep in my thoughts to pay attention. When it registered, I scrambled to my feet. He had come in. My heart pounding, I slowly peered out the door and saw him disappear around the corner.

I slid down the door, my legs numb and heavy. I had breathed her in as soon as he entered--the sickly sweet perfume that she always wore mixed with his cologne. My heart burned and tears welled up in my eyes. With shaking hands, I pulled at my wedding ring, but it wouldn't budge - a reminder that I was stuck  and what I could never have. I felt utterly defeated.

Crying myself to sleep, I wondered how it got to this? The saddest part was that over the years of marriage we have been together I grew to have feelings for him even though I knew it would never be reciprocated.

*****

Thorne was up and at the kitchen table when I arrived down stairs. We stared at each other for a long time and I thought I detected a look of regret but then as quick as it was there it disappeared. 

“ Will you be home on time tonight?” I asked him as he had the paper up, checking his stocks. He looked up for a brief moment and nodded.

“ Yes. I will be home on time. You know, Leah, I have a lot of responsibilities as Alpha. There is a lot going on and…”

"Thorne, we need to talk," I said quietly when he finally came through the door, his tie undone and his hair tousled.

"Of course, love," he replied, not meeting my eyes. "I'll get cleaned up, and we can have dinner."

"Actually," I said hesitantly, "I wanted to talk now."

"Alright." He sighed, sitting next to me. His shoulders were tense, and I could feel the distance between us like never before. "What's on your mind?"

"Vanessa Ivanov is back in town," I said, watching for his reaction. But his face remained inscrutable.

"Is that so?" Thorne responded nonchalantly. "Well, I'm sure she has her reasons."

"Thorne, you've been acting strangely since she returned. Please, tell me what's going on." My voice trembled, but I tried to sound strong.

"Nothing's going on, Azalea. I've just been busy with work, that's all." He stood up abruptly, walking towards the door. "I promise we'll talk more at dinner."

"Wait!" I called out, desperate for answers. But he was already gone, leaving me alone with my suspicions.

As the night approached, I finished getting ready and waited for Thorne's arrival. He said he would be home on time, so I had dinner ready and was waiting for him. 

But as the clock struck seven, he still hadn't shown up. I tried calling him, but it went straight to voicemail. I paced back and forth, trying to keep my anxiety at bay.

Hours later, Thorne still hadn't returned from his "sudden business meeting" that had left  me waiting impatiently. I picked up my phone, dialing Vanessa's number – a bold move, but one I felt necessary. The call went unanswered, but moments later, a picture message appeared on my screen: Thorne, standing in Vanessa's living room, his smile strained.

I threw the phone, my heart shattering as I faced his infidelity. The evidence was still-framed on the screen. I tried to suppress thoughts of them, but knew I was in for a sleepless night--his betrayal seared into my mind.

I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. Why Thorne?