One

RAELYNN

         "Congratulations on your wedding anniversary, Lynn," Judy, my childhood best friend, said, beaming at me. 

I forced out a smile, scanning the venue of the party. I was supposed to be having the time of my life tonight. However, all of this was just a pathetic cover-up. 

"By the way, where is your husband? He's nowhere in sight," Judy said, and I shrugged.

"He's an Alpha, you know? He's probably going around meeting the guests," I said, and she snickered.

"There you are. I've been looking for you," a familiar voice said from behind us, and I stiffened. Plastering a false smile on my face, I turned around to face him. 

Rai Vidal. 

He was the Alpha of Black Claw Pack, the strongest werewolf pack in both southern and northern America. He was my fated mate. 

And he was also the man to whom I was bound in a contractual marriage.

Flashing me a grin that was definitely not genuine, he held out a hand towards me. Without a word, I placed my hand in his and let him steer me to his side. He glanced at Judy, who was staring at him with wide eyes. It wasn't surprising. My husband was a stunner. 

"Hello there, Judy. You look lovely in that dress," he stated, and turned away from her, taking me with him. 

"You haven't broken any of the rules already, have you?" Rai asked when we'd moved far enough from Judy. To others, we would appear like a loving couple holding onto each other, whispering sweet nothings. 

"Not that I know of," I responded through gritted teeth. 

"My parents want to see you. Don't break out of character, do you understand that?" He said and I nodded. 

"Let's go." 

Rai led me across the hall, and soon, I caught sight of his parents. Rai's father beamed at me and waved.

"Here comes my favourite daughter-in-law," he said and I lowered my head in greeting. He held out his arms to embrace me and pulled away after a few seconds. 

"How have you been?" he asked.

"I've been doing perfectly well," I responded, and he nodded. 

"It's been a year already, Raelynn. Why haven't you given us a grandson yet?" My mother-in-law teased.

It took me a lot of effort to avoid scoffing. There was no way I could get pregnant if my husband just wouldn't touch me. 

"Rai!" 

We all turned at the sound of a pitchy feminine voice. I clenched my fists at the sight of the owner of the voice. 

Nadia Thorne. 

My husband's first love.

Watching her beam at us made my stomach churn. 

"Nadia! Look at you! You look beautiful! How was your trip to Berlin?" Rai's mother said, and Nadia embraced her. 

"It was amazing. I came because I didn't want to miss the event. It's Rai's first wedding anniversary after all," she stated, tucking strands of her black hair behind an ear. 

She turned to look at Rai, her gaze turning seductive. I felt sick to my stomach.

"Did you miss me, Rai? Gosh, it feels like it's been ages since I last saw you," she continued, moving towards my husband. 

"It's been a while. Berlin seems to have treated you nicely," Rai said, giving her a smile. 

A smile he wasn't faking. 

Was it wrong for me to feel pained? 

"Look at your hair. It looks longer than before. It suits you better," Nadia continued, reaching up to touch the strands of his hair curled around the collar of his shirt. 

The urge to slap her hand away grew until I couldn't take it anymore. 

"Excuse me, I need to go to the restroom," I said, turning to plant a kiss on Rai's cheek. I didn't wait to see what expressions they all had on their faces, but I hoped Nadia got my message. 

With fast strides, I headed far away from them. I was tempted to glance at them one more time. However, a server stepped right into my line of vision. 

"A glass of champagne?" She said and I nodded, accepting the drink she held out to me. 

Stressed, I chugged down the champagne while I made my way out of the hall and headed straight to my hotel room. There, I sat down on the bed and tried not to get worked up.

A few minutes later, I heard the door open, and I looked up at the sound of heavy footsteps. My brows creased up when my gaze rested on Rai's amber gaze. He slammed the door shut.

I rose to my feet, rushing to his side to steady him when he swayed.

He brought a hand to the side of my face, leaning closer to me. 

"R-Rai... what are you doing?" I stuttered, and he cupped my face, his unfocused gaze resting on my lips. 

"Y...you..." He growled, wrapping an arm around my waist. His eyes flashed a bright silver, an indicator that he was barely in control. 

My heart thundered against my rib cage like a war drum, his pleasant scent saturating my senses. 

"Rai, please snap out of--"

I'd barely completed my statement when he kissed me deeply, his hands gliding up my thigh. 

With me in his arms, he moved forward until the back of my knees hit the edge of the bed. 

Rai did not relent, he moved closer until I was lying on the bed, gazing up at him as he hovered above me. 

When he kissed me again, a tear slid down the side of my face. He would never touch me like this if he was sober. I knew I would regret this if I didn't stop him. 

"Rai, please..." 

He silenced me with another kiss, and I closed my eyes, my chaotic feelings growing more turbulent. 

In a few minutes, he had taken off my clothes, leaving me in a vulnerable state. 

He kissed his way down to my belly button, and I brought a hand to his locks, burying my fingers into them. 

And then, the pleasure came in waves. 

When he buried himself into me, I came undone beneath him over and over again. Then he collapsed atop my body, almost crushing me with his weight. 

A lump lodged itself in my throat as I brought a trembling hand to the back of his head and stroked the silky strands of his hair.

...

       I awoke the next morning, feeling sore. There was a note on the bed that said, "Come to the house once you wake up."

I recognized the handwriting to be Rai's. The memory of the previous night's events smacked me, and panic set in. 

So I hurried home. 

When I arrived at the house, I found my belongings packed outside the house. Terrified, I ran into Rai's study and found him with Nadia. 

"There you are," Rai spat, his tone dripping with venom. 

"I can explain. Last night --"

He cut me off.

"You planned the whole thing, didn't you? You made sure my drink was spiked. You were desperate. I didn't know you were that shameless," he stated, and I shook my head, tears filling my eyes. 

"Don't say that, Rai. She's still your wife," Nadia said. 

I'd never felt so humiliated. 

"It's a misunderstanding. I swear, I didn't plan anything. I wouldn't do such a thing," I said, and Rai slammed a hand on my desk. 

"There is evidence of your misconduct. You disgust me. Get out of my house. You broke the contract rules. All of this is over," he spat, and I went weak in the knees.

"Rai, please don't do this," I pleaded, and he stormed past me with Nadia by his side. I followed after him, desperate. He didn't know this, but I'd always loved him. I still do. 

"You don't have to go that far, Rai. You can just give her a mild punishment," Nadia said, and Rai halted in his tracks. He turned to look at me, his eyes still blazing with fury.

"I, Rai Vidal..." He began, and I shook my head, terror paralyzing me.

He wouldn't....

He wouldn't break me like that...

"I, Rai Vidal, reject you, Raelynn Hills, as my mate," he continued, and I sank to my knees, letting out a cry of pain. My heart felt like it was about to crumble. I could feel the bond between us stretching thin until it snapped. 

Rai turned away from me, and I reached out for him, black spots swarming my vision. 

"Rai, please," I breathed, and he ignored me as he walked away with Nadia, who glanced at me and flashed me a mocking smile.

I stared at my belongings, which Rai had thrown aside, and silently picked myself up from the ground. My whole body ached viciously. It was a side effect of the rejection.  

Knowing that I had nowhere else to go but my father's house, I carried my belongings and flagged down a taxi that took me to my childhood home.

I got there a few hours later. Dragging in a shaky breath, I knocked on the door, and it opened. My eyes widened when I saw my dad standing there.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded, and I stiffened.

"Dad..."

"You are no daughter of mine, you are no longer welcome here," he spat, his eyes clouded with fury.

"Dad!" I cried out, tears filling my eyes.