Chapter Two

      

POV Azalea

        I dropped the topic for days, no longer having the courage to open that can of worms after remembering what happened last time.

Throne and I fell back into our old routine. I kept my complaints to myself and pretended we were a perfect couple. "Thanks for dinner," I said, with a cool tone in the dimly lit restaurant. But memories of Thorne at Vanessa's house lingered, and I couldn't keep pretending everything was okay.

"Of course, my love," Thorne replied, trying to sound light-hearted. "I owed it to you after the other night."

"Speaking of which," I began, my voice shaking slightly, "Can we talk about that night now?"

"Can we not do this here?" Thorne said defensively. "We're supposed to be enjoying ourselves."

"Thorne, when are we going to talk about it? You keep avoiding the subject!" My frustration bubbled over. "I know you were with her! Thorne! Can’t you just own up to it?"

"Are you really just jealous, Azalea?" he snapped, his eyes narrowing. "Because that's what it seems like to me."

"Jealous? Are you kidding me?" My heart pounded in my chest, and I struggled to keep my voice steady. "This is about trust, Thorne. How can I trust you when you're lying to me?"

Before Thorne could respond, the door to the restaurant swung open, and Vanessa Ivanov walked in – her gaze locked on our table.

My heart raced as Vanessa approached our table, her heels clicking confidently on the tiles. Her red dress hugged her curves, she clutched a designer hand bag as her blonde hair cascaded down her back. I clenched my fists under the table, nails digging into my palms.

"Thorne, darling," Vanessa purred, stopping next to our table. "I'm so sorry to interrupt your dinner, but I need to speak with you."

Thorne glanced at me, his face a mixture of guilt and hesitation. "Vanessa, this isn't the time or place."

"Of course not." Vanessa's gaze was cold as she apologized for intruding. "My intentions are pure," she assured me, then turned back to Thorne. "I won't steal him from you. I'll pay the price for my actions, but I just want to make a living for myself instead of relying on my husband."

Vanessa's words were daggers to my heart. I had supported Thorne and upheld my duties as Luna, but he had betrayed my trust. Her reminder of my sacrifices hurt even more considering she wanted to tear us apart.

"Please leave," I snapped, my voice trembling with anger. "You've done enough damage already."

"Very well." Vanessa gave a mockingly apologetic smile before walking away, leaving myself and Thorne in silence.

Thorne watched her go as I seethed. He reached for me, but I pulled away and shook my head at Vanessa. Usually she insulted me in private, but now she felt superior enough to do it in public.

"Tell me it's not true," I whispered, my voice choking with emotion. "Look me in the eye and tell me you weren’t with her that night."

Thorne’s face paled, and I could see the guilt in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted him.

“Don’t bother with the excuses, Thorne. I have seen the way you looked at her, so don’t try to lie your way out of this,” I said, my voice rising in anger.

Thorne looked like a deer in headlights, unsure of what to say or do. I couldn't believe he had the audacity to take me out as if everything was okay while he was cheating on me with another woman.

“ This is not the place nor the time for this discussion.” He whispered- yelled and motioned to the restaurant patrons who were watching us. I took a sip of my wine then looked at him.

“ What, Thorne? You don’t want them to know that their Alpha is nothing more than a lying cheat? Gotta put on a show?” I said angrily.

“ I am still your Alpha, Azalea, and you will show me respect!” 

Thorne's tone was stern, but I refused to back down. I stood up from my seat and faced him, my anger boiling over.

"I will show respect to those who deserve it, Thorne. And right now, you don't deserve any of it," I said, my voice loud and clear.

“Stop it, Azalea,” he gritted out. “I don't have time for this childish jealousy over Vanessa. There's nothing going on between us.”

I couldn't believe his audacity. He was trying to turn this around on me? He was the one who had been unfaithful, and now he was trying to make me feel guilty for being upset about it.

“ Azalea, this jealousy of your’s is out of control, really.” He said mockingly.

My eyes welled up with tears as I looked into his conflicted gaze. "If we can't trust each other, then what do we have left?"

He stood up and looked at me, his eyes widened as if he was constricted on what he could possibly say. What could he say when he broke our trust? Angrily I decided to take a stand.

" You know what, you're right, Thorne. You won't stand for my jealousy any longer because there won't be anything left for you to stand for. I'm done with you, Thorne Lamont." I said, my voice cold and resolute.

Thorne's face fell, and he looked genuinely shocked. As if he hadn't expected me to have the backbone to stand up to him and end things.

"What? Azalea, you can't be serious..." he protested, but I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to hear any more lies or excuses. I grabbed my purse and headed towards the door.

I left as my words lingered. Thorne knew his past with Vanessa had made him ignore the truth, jeopardizing our future. He could only pray that the wounds of betrayal can heal and trust be restored.