Chapter 1 + ARIA- The car halted right in front of the pack house , and a wave of comfort washed over me .
It felt wonderful to finally return home .
Evening was → ething in , casting a gentle glow over the surroundings , and a handful of servants bustled about their tasks around the park house .
The cab driver , with a swift moverdient , came around to my side , opened the door , and extended my cane towards me .
I accepted it , clasping the handle tightly as I prepared to exit the vehicle .
The driver offered his assistance , but with a gentle raise of my hand , I signalled that could manage on my town .
The thought of being seen as fragile , simply because my leg didnt function like it used to , bothered me deeply .
I was anything but ast thing I wanted was anyones pity .
Ever since the battle that nearly claimed my life , I couldnt help but notice a udale shift in my husbands demeanour towards me .
While Cole wasnt overtly distant , the warmth and affection that once lit up his eyes seemed to dim .
I couldnt shake the feeling that something had changed , though I desperately hoped it was just my imagination .
six months earlier , I had set out for a Luna gathering at a pack in the Eastern Region .
Since it was close by, I chose to run there instead of going by car a practice I often enjoyed when visiting my best friend , Clarissa , the Luna of the neighbouring pack .
However , that day took an unexpected turn when I stumbled upon a group of rogues attacking a young girl .
Driven by instinct and the duty of a warrior Luna , I didnt hesitate to dive into the fray , despite being heavily outnumbered .
The fierce battle that ensued nearly ended my life .
I fought fiercely , risking life and limb to protect the defenceless girl .
In the end , I emerged victorious , rescuing her from the clutches of those vile rogues , Exhausted and wounded , I carried the girl to the edge of our territory .
The last thing I remember before collapsing was attempting to send a distress signal to Cole through our mind link .
When I regained consciousness , I found myself confined to the packs clinic , my body throbbing with pain .
Though the encounter had left me with a crippled leg .
I found strength and a new purpose I welcomed Sierra, the girl I had saved , into my life as a member of our pack and a sister .
I began my climb up the stairs , filled with anticipation to surprise Cole , who I knew was home from spotting his car in the driveway .
My heart was set on a delightful reunion , hoping for moments of shared passion if luck favoured me .
However , as I approached our bedroom , a sinking feeling took hold as I heard sounds cries that were unmistakably moans .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

My good leg trembled , forcing me to rely heavily on my cane .
I desperately hoped my ears deceived me , praying it wasnt my husband in our room with another woman .
My first instinct was to was to turn away and leave , to shield myself from the painful truth and to live in denial But curiosity and a need for truth propelled me forward .
Mustering all the courage I had , I approached the bedroom door and gently pushed it open .
What I beheld stole the breath from my lungs .
It was like a physical punch to the gut .
There , on our matrimonial bed , lay Cole , my husband of seven years , locked in a very passionate intimacy with Sierra the same girl whose life I had saved .
She straddled him and was riding him .
They were so engrossed in their sinful passion that they didnt even notice me standing there .
I fought against the surge of tears threatening to spill , silently closing the door and walking away from the heart wrenching scene .
How could they betray me in such a cruel manner , after all I had been through for their sake ! The pain of their betrayal was overwhelming , leaving me questioning where I went wrong .
What did I lack ! Where had I failed : Without a second thought , I made my way to the garage , ignoring the doctors warning against driving in the meantime .
Igniting the engine , I sped off into the night , directionless and consumed by anguish .
My thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind , tears streaming down my cheeks uncontrolled as I drove in the darkness .
Though Cole and I had not initially been fated mates and had not even married under the best circumstances , we had fallen in love and had been in love for seven years , of so I thought .
Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine this betrayal , not from Cole , and certainly not from Sierra .
When my father had bartered my hand in marriage to settle his debts , neither he nor anyone else could have foreseen the depth of affection that blossomed between Cole and me , nor the role I would come to fulfil as Luna .
Not even my stepsister Alina could have imagined such a turn of events .
Alina possessed a rare gift of vision , a talent that led our father to make a crucial decision based on her visions .
She had foreseen chaos tied to my future , convincing our father that offering me in marriage would avert impending disaster .
Our father , unquestioning of her visions , readily offered his troubled daughter to Alpha Cole when he came seeking his repayment .
He hoped the Alpha could tame my rebellious spirit .
However , Cole did more than jou tame me ; he unlocked my true potential , nurturing me to become more than what 1 , or anyone else , had envisioned .
But now , everything had gone now , hadnt it ? Cole , my staunchest ally , had joined the ranks of those who betrayed me .
The man I loved , the man who held any bran , had shattered it into irreparable fragments .
What was left for me now ? As I drove aimlessly , seeking refuge from my storm of emotions , the night sky began to darken .
I sought solace in the anonymity of a downtown bar .
With my shades and scarf for disguise , I found a quiet corner to nurse my wounds .
Although not one to seek comfort in alcohol , the need to escape the ache in my heart led me to order a strong drink , hoping to hud temporary relief in its numbing embrace .
As I sat there , the weight of my situation pressed heavily on me .
The thought of confronting Cole and Sierra , of facing the reality of their affair , was overwhelming .
How could I ever face them again ? How could I bear to look upon Sierra and the man who had once been my everything ! How longt had their affair been going sin unnoticed ! Despite bearing Coles mark , why did I not feel the sting of betrayal each time he slept with hert I recalled troubled dreams that plagued for , where I would be in a lot of pain , but when I awake , I forget the feel of that pain .
It had started a month after my hospitalization .
I initially attributed it to the trauma of my near death experience , but I now questioned if there was more to it .
How could Cole deceive me without my senses alerting me to his midelity ? How had I renuined oblivious for six agonizing months ? The evening spiralled into a blur of tears and unanswered questions .
Tears flowed freely , mingling with the bitter taste of alcohol , until eventually .
the pain became a dull ache , and then nothing .
The night faded into oblivion , carrying with it the burden of my shattered heart .