Chapter 4 : Forgiveness

*Valeria*

The sound of my scream was still echoing through the cold house when Declan ripped out and turned to look at me in horror.

"Val, this isn't what it looks like," he said automatically, trying to pull up the pants that had fallen around his ankles, missing a button in his haste.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I asked, my body turning to anger to try self-preservation. The anger was the only thing holding me together.

"It's true, Luna," Melissa said, breathlessly as she sat up and fixed her dress. "It was an accident. Alpha Declan was drunk and thought I was you. He was impossible to resist in his desires for you. You have to understand. We didn't mean to! We would never!"

"Shut up!" I snapped at her. "This is what you call gratitude? Sleeping with my husband? And then lying about it when I catch you?! Ungrateful girl!"

"I'm so sorry, Valeria. It's the last time, I swear!" Declan said, stepping towards me.

I stepped away.

"Don't," I said, hearing the crack in my voice.

"Valeria," he said softly.

"No, Declan! I can't forgive you for this!" I screamed out. "How many times have you betrayed me?"

"Only a few!" Melissa cried out as if this was supposed to make me feel better.

"Shut up," Declan growled at her, his eyes flashing before he turned back to me. "It's her fault, she seduced me and she's lying about everything."

"I don't want to hear it anymore," I said.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes, taking a few deep breaths to get my emotions in check before I could look at them again. Once I was composed, I straightened my back and stood up, lifting my chin.

"Melissa," her name was like poison on my tongue. "You will leave this pack."

"What? No, no, NO! You can't make me go. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she was sobbing, dropping to her knees, but my face stayed as composed as before.

She would not find sympathy here.

Once she realized this, she turned to Declan, pleading with him. "Please, Declan, you can't let her send me away, you can't! I won't survive. You might as well kill me now."

Her sobs had gotten stronger, and unlike with me, they seemed to affect my husband.

"Babe-"

"Don't call me that," I snapped.

"Val, come on, don't you think you are being a little cruel?" Declan continued. "This was all just a mistake, an accident. There is no reason to punish her for one error. Melissa has a good life in Sapphire Moon Pack, and an Omega like her wouldn't be able to survive if she became a rogue."

I was already shaking my head. "I have made my decision, Declan. Melissa is free to join another pack, but she cannot remain here. Now get out of my sight."

Melissa scurried past me and out the door. The silence that followed her exit was full of the most uncomfortable tension I had ever experienced in my short human life.

"Val…"

"I want a divorce."

Declan sputtered dumbly for a few seconds. He tried to step closer, but I stepped away again. However, now I was trapped against the wall.

"Val, don't be crazy, it was a mistake, and I apologized, let's just get past this and move on," Declan said softly, making his way closer despite my movements. "I am so sorry. I love you. You are my Luna, I don't want a divorce. Think about all we've been through…hell, we've been together for six years. There isn't anything we can't overcome."

"Yes there is, this," I stated, unable to stop the tears that were now streaming down my face. "You cheated, Declan…How could you betray me like this? After everything I did? Everything we have been through?"

He reached out for me, but I smacked his hand away, taking a breath to steady myself.

"I thought you were a great man, but now I don't know if I even know who you are anymore…" I said, still trying to gain control of the tears. "All I know for sure is that you are not the man I married anymore…It's over. I want a divorce."

"You're upset," he said in a tight voice. "You don't know what you are saying. You don't know what you want."

I opened my mouth, but Declan continued before I could argue.

"I will give you some space though, so you can think and consider if throwing all of this away, throwing your whole life away is worth it for one mistake." He paused as he made his way out of the office. "Please, Val, please reconsider…I love you."

As soon as he walked out of the room I collapsed into sobs on the floor, unable to keep standing another moment longer. Everything that just happened swirled in my brain, not letting me forget a single second of it…not letting me pretend that it wasn't real.

I was stupid. So stupid.

Rosie had suspected. Even that damn Lycan King had known.

At that thought, my sobs stopped and I was finally able to start putting myself back together. Those Lycans were still here and I could not allow myself to be weak in front of them. In front of him. Because even if he had been right about Declan, I had spoken the truth: I could not be his mate.

I was wiping my eyes and straightening out my dress when the door to the office swung back open. Nerves fluttered inside me, but they were quickly replaced by rage.

It was Melissa.

Deep down, I knew that I should be mad at Declan, he was the one who owed me loyalty and hadn't shown it, but at the same time I knew that what Melissa had done was sneaky…she knew he was a married man.

"Oh Luna, I am so glad you are still here," Melissa asked, wringing her hands together and stopping in the doorway. "I just wanted to come and ask for your forgiveness again…Please, could you find it in your heart to forgive me?"

For the first time, I realized how fake and rehearsed her actions and words seemed to be. Had she been planning this all along? How long had she and Declan been…involved?

"I don't want to leave Sapphire Moon," she continued, and gentle tears began to trickle down her cheeks. "I can't leave my sister, or you, my lady."

"Melissa, drop the act," I said, and my voice sounded more exhausted than anything else. "I don't believe you care about me at all, or your sister for that matter, considering that you and Rosie have never gotten along. Just be honest. I know the reason you don't want to leave is Declan. Let's not pretend any longer."

Melissa stared at her for a moment before she began to chew her lip and lowered her gaze.

"You are right, Luna," Melissa practically whispered. "I admire Declan and have always been drawn to him and his power. But I never meant for it to interrupt your relationship…I wouldn't want to be Luna, but I couldn't help being his lover. I mean, he's amazing."

I could believe the adoration in her voice, but I couldn't believe anything else. In fact, from the way she had said it, I wondered if Melissa intended to become Luna the entire time.

"What's going on here?" Another voice interrupted, stepping into the room.

Rosie. My body imperceptibly relaxed in my best friend's presence. Her body did the opposite though as she analyzed mine and Melissa's faces and the postures.

"What is it?" Rosie asked, turning to me. "What has happened?"

"It's nothing, Rosie," Melissa said coolly. "I can handle my own business."

"And my husband's too apparently," I said slowly.

Rosie looked at Melissa in horror, putting two and two together. Our words, our appearances. At an unnatural speed that still surprised me, Rosie crossed the few steps and slapped her sister across the face.

Something deep down warmed in pleasure at Rosie taking my side. Melissa wasn't too happy about it though.

"How could you do that to me?" she asked, the tears that still seemed fake renewing in her eyes. "How could you take her side? You haven't even heard-"

"And I don't have to hear, Melissa," Rosie said, in an icy tone that matched her sister's earlier one. "You forget: I know you."

"You don't understand," Melissa spoke quicker. "You have to help me. It was just a little mistake, and she is trying to make me leave. You can't let her! You know what will happen to me if I leave."

"Then leave," Rosie said carefully, her voice shaking. "I have tried to be there for you, tried to have your back, but you are intent on ruining your own life as well as mine. Well, I won't let you drag me down this time Melissa. I might be your sister by blood, but you have never treated me as such. And to be honest, I don't want a sister like you. Now get out!"

Either from surprise at her words or the demand in Rosie's tone, Melissa instantly took off again out of the room, this time for good hopefully.

"Oh, Valeria," Rosie said softly, stepping closer and bringing me in for a hug. For the first time since entering the room, I allowed the contact.

"You were right," I choked out, my emotions getting the most of me again. "I should have known…I should have listened to you."

"Shhhh," Rosie comforted me, rubbing her hand down my back. "You love him, it is understandable that you would wish to see the best in him. There is nothing wrong with being loyal…I just wish it didn't hurt you."

"Me too," I sniffled, then continued in a whisper. "I asked him for a divorce."

Rosie pulled back in surprise.

"Is that the wrong move?" I asked. "Should I not divorce him?"

"No! Of course, you should!" Rosie said. "He's a cheating asshole and he deserves whatever karma comes his way. Your decisiveness just surprised me, is all."

"It's because I know, I can feel it in my heart," I had to take a deep breath before continuing. "I will never forgive him for this. I won't be able to get past it."

Silence again, but instead of uncomfortable tension, this time it was filled with calming energy and an open ear.

"No matter what you decide, Valeria," Rosie said softly. "I will always support you."

I hugged her again, not wanting to think about what came next. Either way, I had a feeling in that same pit of my stomach that before it was all done, I would need that support.