2. Sorrow

Candace-the wench!

There she was, in Ernoulf’s bed—half-naked and shivering. Annatoria knew it was an act, though it seemed so real.

“What’s going on here?" she asked, her eyes squinting, her head tilting as she slowly walked into the room, leaving the door wide open. Her husband, Radolf, showed no remorse, while Candace, the naked woman, shrank back upon seeing her.

“Get out!” Annatoria ordered, her voice laced with bitterness and anger. Fear flashed in Candace’s eyes, but Radolf countered.

“She’s not going anywhere,” he said coldly, his tone emotionless.

Annatoria’s mind screamed. “What!” The words echoed in her mind, too loud for comfort.

“You heard me. I want her, and I’ll have her,” Radolf replied, his words as cold as ice. To his wife? Probably to the pussy he kept in his home..

They hit her like a slap, and Annatoria clenched her fists, aching to strike him. “In our kid’s bedroom?” she asked, her fists tightening at her sides. She wouldn’t dare strike the Alpha, but the urge to do so burned in her chest. She wished she could attack him and beat the living hell out of him .

Radolf’s gaze was cold, as if he believed he had every right to do this. Annatoria wouldn’t tolerate it, not in their home. “Radolf, is this really what you want?” she asked, her voice trembling as tears threatened to spill.

Anger bubbled up as tears streaked down her cheeks. Candace’s smirk was infuriating, and without thinking, Annatoria slapped her across the face. Radolf snarled, slapping Annatoria back.

“What the fuck!” she muttered, stunned by the force of the slap. “Radolf?” she stammered, her hand pressed to her burning cheek. He slapped her—for Candace?

The sting was unbearable. Annatoria turned and walked out of the room.

She quickly mind-linked her personal maid, Jessica. “Come to my room,” she ordered. Jessica arrived shortly, looking concerned.

“Here, ma’am,” Jessica said softly, knocking on the door before entering. Annatoria instructed her to move Ernoulf’s things to the room next to hers, wiping away fresh tears. She tried to mask the pain, but it was impossible.

Jessica responded gently, “Alpha already ordered me to do that. I thought you knew.” Annatoria looked up at her, her sorrow evident in her eyes. Jessica understood. Jessica knew what the Luna was going through.

“Ma, is everything okay?” Jessica asked, offering Annatoria a handkerchief. Annatoria’s mascara had already streaked down her face. “Thank you,” she replied, trying to smile, but the expression didn’t reach her eyes. She bit her lower lip, wondering if opening up to Jessica would help.

Her wolf, Liana, spoke in her mind. “She doesn’t deserve to know,” it urged. Annatoria nodded, dismissing Jessica. She was overwhelmed, but she couldn’t bring herself to share the burden.

“I’m here, you can talk to me. I’m the only one who won’t judge you,” Liana reassured Annatoria, her voice soft but steady.

Tears ran down Annatoria’s face again, and as she was about to speak, she heard a small voice in her mind.

“Mama, what’s the matter?” Ernoulf’s voice.

“Nothing, honey. Sleep well. I’ll be there in a minute,” Annatoria whispered, the sound of his voice soothing the ache in her chest.

Her heart lifted as she made her way to Ernoulf’s room. She wrapped her arms around her precious son and softly sang him a lullaby. He wasn’t asleep yet, so Annatoria told him a story. His little eyes fluttered shut, and he insisted she spend the night with him. Annatoria couldn’t bear to say no. Even if she wanted to, a part of her wouldn't let her refuse.

Lying beside Ernoulf, she listened to his soft breathing as he drifted into a peaceful sleep, his little hands wrapped around hers. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to feel the comfort of his presence. But just as her heart began to calm, a sharp sound pierced the quiet—footsteps. The heavy footsteps that didn't sound like that of the workers but those of someone familiar. The person she hated most, at that moment.

Annatoria held her breath. The door creaked open slowly, and a shadow loomed in the doorway. It wasn’t Jessica. It wasn’t anyone she expected. The lights turned on, and she froze. Radolf.

“Should I just pretend to be asleep?” she wondered, her eyes scanning the corners of the room.

“Radolf,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Radolf stepped into the room, his expression unreadable. His eyes lingered on her, then, as suddenly as he had entered, he stepped back toward the door.

Annatoria realized she shouldn’t be the one freezing. She hadn’t done anything wrong. “Why’re you here? Obviously not to apologize,” she scoffed, just as he was backing out.

“Don’t think I’m done with you,” Radolf muttered before disappearing out of the room.

“Is that a threat?” Annatoria yelled after him, but she didn’t move from the bed. Was this really happening? What did he mean by that? She expected an explanation, even though she wasn’t supposed to.

Frozen with fear, Annatoria glanced at Ernoulf. Something inside her hardened. She wouldn’t let Radolf take her son. Not now. Not ever. Her eyes dimmed, the weight of the situation sinking into her heart, making her sigh heavily as she stroked her son’s hair.

All she ever wanted when she confronted her Father the Alpha King, was to be with Radolf-the man who promised to always make her happy. Radolf was the best man she never imagined losing but since her Father died, she began to encounter the worst side of him.

And then, she heard it—the faintest of whispers in her mind.

“You can’t escape me.”

It was Radolf’s voice. What had she done to deserve his threats? Why couldn’t he just unmark her then?