I never thought losing a baby could feel like losing a piece of myself. The attack by the rival pack was brutal. I still replay the sounds in my mind—the howls, the chaos, and then, nothing. I held my baby in my arms, so small and innocent, and then I was left with emptiness. My heart felt like it shattered into a million pieces.
In the days following the attack, I expected Derek to be my rock. I needed him to hold me tight, to tell me everything would be okay. But instead, he seemed to disappear into thin air. He spent more time away from home, buried in pack business that I didn’t understand. He’d come home late, often smelling of sweat and other she-wolves. I tried to talk to him, to express my pain, but he brushed me off like it was nothing.
“Lila, I’m busy. I’ll be back later,” he’d say, and I’d feel like I was talking to a wall. It was as if he’d completely forgotten what we’d just been through. I was drowning in my grief, and he was just... gone. I was alone, and it hurt like hell.
One afternoon, I decided to clean our master bedroom. I thought maybe if I made the space feel fresh, it would lift my spirits. I dusted off the shelves, straightened up the bed, and then my hand brushed against something soft and silky. Confused, I pulled it out from under the bed. It was a thong.
My heart dropped. I could smell the distinct scent of Cassie, the ambitious young she-wolf in our pack. I felt sick to my stomach. Why was this here? I threw the thong across the room, my hands shaking. It was undeniable proof that Derek was cheating on me.
Anger washed over me. I wanted to scream, to break something. I couldn’t believe he’d do this to me, especially now, when I needed him the most. I felt betrayed, angry, and more alone than ever. How could he betray me like this? In our home?
That night, Derek came home later than usual. I was sitting on the couch, staring at the wall, trying to calm the storm inside me. I heard the door click open, and I didn’t even look up. He walked in, all swagger and charm, and I could smell the scent of her on him—Cassie. My stomach twisted at the thought.
“Hey, babe,” he said casually, as if everything was fine. “You okay?”
I turned to him, my voice low and steady. “You need to explain something to me.”
He raised an eyebrow, looking surprised. “What’s up?”
I took a deep breath, my heart racing. “I found something in our bedroom today.”
Derek’s expression shifted slightly, a flicker of worry passing over his face. “What do you mean?”
“The thong,” I spat out, the words tasting bitter in my mouth. “Cassie’s thong.”
He froze, and for a moment, I thought I saw guilt flash in his eyes. But just as quickly, it disappeared. “Lila, it doesn’t mean anything. You know how pack dynamics are. It’s just a fling. It’s not like that.”
My blood boiled. “Not like that? You think finding your girlfriend's thong in our bedroom is nothing? You’ve been lying to me, Derek. I needed you after the attack, and you were too busy chasing her!”
He rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. “You’re overreacting. I’m still here. I love you. Cassie was just a distraction.”
A part of me broke. “A distraction? That’s all I am to you now? I lost our baby, Derek! And instead of being here for me, you were out with her!”
He stepped closer, trying to close the distance between us. “Look, I’m sorry. But it wasn’t supposed to happen like this. You know the pack needs me.”
“Do you even hear yourself?” I shouted. “I’m your mate! I’m the one who needs you! But you’re more concerned about being a pack leader than being a husband!”
Derek looked taken aback, but instead of remorse, I saw anger in his eyes. “You’re being dramatic. It’s not all about you, Lila.”
I felt a surge of rage. “Dramatic? You think I’m being dramatic? I’m heartbroken, Derek. I can’t do this anymore. You’ve betrayed me in the worst way possible. I can’t live in a home filled with your lies.”
He stepped back, surprise etched on his face. “What do you mean? Are you saying you want to leave?”
“I’m saying I’m done. I deserve better than this. Better than you,” I said, my voice steady even though I felt like I was falling apart inside.
But instead of reacting the way I expected, Derek just laughed at my words, a dismissive chuckle that made my blood boil even hotter. “You think you can just walk away? It’s not that easy, Lila.”
I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. But before I could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, his eyes lighting up. “I’ve got to take this,” he said, stepping away from me and answering the call.
Chapter 2“Hey, Cassie,” he said, his tone suddenly playful, the kind of voice he reserved for people he enjoyed being around. My heart sank as I realized just who he was talking to.
I couldn’t stand it. I turned my back to him, trying to block out the sound of his laughter as he chatted with her, his carefree tone grating against my raw nerves. The betrayal felt like a dagger twisting in my chest.
“Yeah, I’ll be there in a bit,” he said, glancing back at me. “Just gotta wrap things up here. See you soon.”
I felt sick. He was leaving me for her, and I could do nothing but stand there, paralyzed by pain and fury. Derek hung up and walked back toward me, his expression indifferent.
“Sorry, babe. Duty calls. I’ll be home later,” he said, as if that made everything okay.
“Home? Is that what you call this place now?” I snapped, feeling my throat tighten. “You’re just going to walk out on me again? After everything?”
He shrugged, not even bothering to mask his annoyance. “I can’t just sit around here moping, Lila. The pack needs me. You’ll be fine on your own for a while.”
“Fine on my own?” I repeated incredulously. “You think I’m fine? You think I’m just going to sit here and pretend everything’s okay while you run off with her?”
Derek’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not like that. I’m not running off with anyone. Cassie is just... a distraction, like I said. It doesn’t mean anything.”
The hurt was suffocating, and I took a step back, feeling my resolve start to crumble. “You know what? I don’t even want to hear your excuses anymore. You’ve made your choice clear. You don’t care about me, about what I’m going through.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “You need to go. Just leave. I don’t want to see you right now.”
Derek looked taken aback, a mix of surprise and frustration on his face. “You’re being unreasonable. I’m still your mate, Lila.”
“Not anymore,” I said, the weight of my words hitting me hard. I was tired of fighting for a relationship that felt one-sided. “If you can’t be here for me, then what’s the point?”
Derek just shrugged his shoulders, as if my pain was a joke. “You’re overreacting, Lila. I’ll be back later. I’m still your mate, remember?” He didn’t take me seriously at all.
“Not anymore!” I shot back, but he didn’t seem to care.
He just turned and walked out, leaving me standing there, alone and fuming. I felt like I was living in a nightmare. I sank onto the couch, feeling the weight of everything crash down on me.
The silence of the house was deafening, and I tried to push away the thoughts of Derek and Cassie. I couldn’t let myself think about it. I forced my eyes shut and tried to sleep, but it was restless. I tossed and turned, my mind racing with anger and hurt. Eventually, I drifted off, hoping that when I woke up, everything would somehow be better.
I jolted awake in the middle of the night, startled by a sound that pulled me from sleep. It took me a moment to register what it was—a soft moaning, unmistakably familiar. My stomach twisted as I realized who it was.
I knew I shouldn’t get up. I should just roll over and ignore it, but my body moved on autopilot. I found myself walking down the hallway, my heart pounding in my chest. The sounds grew louder, and I felt a mix of anger and dread as I approached our bedroom.
I paused outside the door, taking a deep breath. This was it. I had to see for myself. Slowly, I pushed the door open, and the sight before me knocked the wind out of my lungs.
There they were—Derek and Cassie, completely naked, tangled in each other’s arms. I stood frozen in the doorway, my mind racing. I had expected to feel crushed, to break down into tears, but instead, I felt a strange sense of clarity wash over me.
Derek looked over, his eyes wide, a smirk on his face as he caught sight of me. The image burned into my mind—the two of them lost in their own world, laughing and wrapped up in each other, completely oblivious to the pain they were causing me.
“Hey, Lila! You wanna join?” he called out, that cocky grin plastered across his face. Cassie giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she looked at me, and my heart dropped even further.
I felt my chest tighten, anger and hurt crashing over me like waves. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The betrayal was overwhelming, and in that moment, my tears began to flow unbidden. I turned on my heel, fighting the urge to scream, to break something, but I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me hurt.
As I walked away, I could hear Cassie's laughter trailing behind me. “Poor Lila,” she cooed, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “Maybe she just needs some time to understand.”
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I had had enough. I rushed into the living room and grabbed my phone, my hands shaking as I dialed my friend Mia’s number. I needed to get out of there—fast!
Chapter 3“Hey, what’s up?” Mia answered, her voice bright and cheerful.
“Mia, I need you,” I said, my voice shaking as I tried to keep my emotions in check. “Can you come pick me up?”
“What’s wrong?” she asked, instantly sensing the urgency in my tone.
“Just... just come. I’ll explain when you get here,” I replied, my throat tightening as I fought back another wave of tears.
“On my way,” she said, and I hung up, my heart racing. I couldn't stay there a minute longer.
I paced around the living room, my mind racing. I felt like I was on the edge of a cliff, teetering between anger and despair. I couldn't believe Derek had the audacity to cheat on me, especially after everything we’d been through. I thought he loved me, that we were in this together. But clearly, I was just a convenience for him, something to be tossed aside when things got tough.
Finally, I heard the familiar sound of Mia’s car pulling up outside. Relief flooded through me as I grabbed my bag and bolted for the door, ready to leave that nightmare behind.
Mia was waiting on the porch, her brow furrowed with concern. “What happened? Are you okay?”
I shook my head, unable to form the words as the reality of the situation crashed down on me again. “Just drive,” I said, climbing into the passenger seat and shutting the door behind me as if it could block out everything I had just witnessed.
As we drove away, I glanced back at the house, my heart heavy. I didn’t know where to go from here or how I would ever heal from this. But I knew one thing: I wouldn’t let Derek’s betrayal define me. I was done playing the role of the abandoned wife. I was ready to reclaim my life, no matter how painful the journey ahead might be.
“Where to?” Mia asked, breaking the heavy silence.
“Anywhere but here,” I replied, my voice firm. I needed to put distance between myself and the heartbreak waiting for me at home.
“Got it,” she said, turning down a side street. “We’ll find a place where you can clear your head.”
***
Mia drove through the quiet streets, letting me sit in silence while my thoughts swirled around the mess that had become my life.
After what felt like an eternity, we pulled up to her house. It was cozy, warm lights glowing from the windows, and I could already feel some of the weight lifting off my chest just by being away from the nightmare I had left behind.
“You can crash here for as long as you need,” Mia said, giving me a soft smile as she parked the car. “We’ll figure this out, okay?”
“Thanks,” I muttered, still trying to piece together everything that had happened.
We headed inside, and Mia led me to the guest room where I could drop my things. I barely paid attention to my surroundings, exhaustion starting to creep in, but Mia’s place was a far cry from the empty, cold house I had just left.
“Get some rest,” Mia said, giving me a hug before heading to her own room. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
I nodded, grateful but still numb. I collapsed onto the bed and fell into a restless sleep.
***
The next morning, I woke to the smell of something delicious wafting through the house. For a moment, I had forgotten everything that had happened, the scent luring me out of bed and toward the kitchen. As I rounded the corner, I saw a tall, muscular guy standing at the stove, casually flipping pancakes.
“Oh, hey,” he said, turning to look at me with a warm smile. His dark hair was messy in that effortless way, and his eyes sparkled with mischief. “You must be Lila. I’m Ethan, Mia’s cousin.”
He was... well, undeniably handsome. Like, *alpha wolf* level handsome. My mind was still half-asleep, and I couldn’t help but stare for a second before I snapped myself back to reality.
“Uh, yeah,” I mumbled, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “Lila.”
“Nice to meet you,” Ethan said, his smile never fading. “Pancakes? I made a ton, and Mia’s still dead to the world.”
“Sure, thanks,” I replied, sliding into a chair at the kitchen table. I felt awkward, sitting there in my crumpled clothes from the night before, but Ethan seemed completely unfazed, whistling softly as he plated the pancakes and set them in front of me.
“Hope you like them,” he said, pouring himself a cup of coffee. “I figured I’d cook while I’m spending the week here.”
“Oh, you’re staying here?” I asked, trying to make small talk despite the fog in my brain.
“Yeah, I needed a little break from pack duties. Figured Mia’s place would be the perfect hideout.”
Of course, he was part of a pack. That explained the alpha energy I was getting from him. As I took a bite of the pancakes, I couldn’t help but think about how different he was from Derek. Where Derek had become cold and distant, Ethan seemed warm and easygoing.
Chapter 4“You look like you could use a break too,” Ethan said, leaning against the counter and eyeing me with a curious smile.
I shrugged, not ready to dive into my sob story. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Well, whatever’s going on, you’re in good hands here,” he said, his voice full of calm assurance. “Mia’s got your back, and so do I.”
I managed a small smile. Mia finally stumbled into the kitchen, hair a mess and yawning like she hadn’t slept in days. “Morning,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes before flopping into the chair across from me.
“Morning, sunshine,” Ethan teased, sliding a plate of pancakes in front of her. “I made breakfast.”
Mia grinned, clearly not the least bit surprised. “Of course you did. You’re too good to be true.”
I stayed quiet, picking at my pancakes. Ethan was being so kind and gentle, and I didn’t know how to handle it. It was weird how uncomfortable it made me, especially after everything with Derek. I wasn’t used to this... warmth.
Mia, noticing the weird tension between us, quickly jumped into conversation. “So, Ethan’s been trying to find a secretary for his office,” she said, glancing between us with a sly smile. “But apparently, no one can handle the job.”
I raised an eyebrow, looking over at him. “Really?”
Ethan laughed softly, shaking his head. “It’s not that bad, honestly. They just get spooked, I guess. Maybe I don’t seem approachable or something.”
“*Something*?” Mia scoffed. “More like they’re scared of you. You do have that whole ‘serious alpha’ thing going on.”
He rolled his eyes, clearly used to Mia’s teasing. “Or maybe they’re just not up for the work.”
“I dunno, seems like they’re intimidated,” Mia said, biting into her pancake. “You should see them when they meet him—eyes all wide, like he’s about to snap at them or something.”
I couldn’t help but smile a little, picturing it. Ethan didn’t seem intimidating at all, not when he was standing there cooking breakfast with that easygoing smile. But then again, I didn’t know him outside of this kitchen.
Ethan caught my smile and gave me a curious look. “What about you, Lila? Looking for a job?”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, no, not really.” My cheeks warmed under his gaze, and I quickly focused on my plate again.
“I bet you’d be great,” Mia chimed in, clearly trying to lighten the mood. “And I mean, Ethan could really use someone who’s not afraid of him.”
I let out a soft laugh, trying to shake off the awkwardness. “I don’t think I’d be very good at handling someone like you.”
Ethan chuckled, but his expression softened. “I’m really not that scary. Promise.”
His voice was so gentle, and I felt my guard slipping just a little. But after what happened with Derek, I wasn’t sure how much kindness I could trust. Still, I nodded, giving him a small smile. “Maybe.”
Mia grinned between us, clearly loving whatever dynamic was brewing here. “You should give it a shot, Lila. It could be fun.”
I didn’t say anything, just kept my head down. I sat there, pushing my food around my plate, thinking about Mia’s suggestion. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I needed something—*anything*—to distract me from Derek, the betrayal, and... everything else I didn’t want to think about. The pain of losing the baby, Derek’s affair, it all felt like too much. Maybe working would give me something to focus on, and besides, I needed money. If I was going to divorce Derek, I had to at least be able to afford it.
“I... I guess I could try,” I said quietly, finally looking up at Ethan.
Mia’s face lit up. “See? I told you, Ethan! Lila’s perfect for the job.”
Ethan smiled, but there was something a little softer in his eyes. “Are you sure, Lila? I don’t want you to feel pressured.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. Honestly, it might be what I need right now. I... I need to move on. And I need the money to file for divorce.” The words came out more bluntly than I expected, but it felt good to say them out loud.
Ethan’s smile faded slightly, replaced with a look of understanding. “I see,” he said quietly. “If that’s what you need, then I’m happy to help.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, feeling a bit embarrassed for admitting how broke I was. “Honestly, I’m not in a great place right now, financially.”
Mia reached over and squeezed my hand. “You don’t have to explain, Lila. We’ve got your back.”
Ethan nodded in agreement. “We’ll figure it out together. You can start whenever you’re ready. No rush.”
I took a deep breath, feeling a little lighter. “I’ll start tomorrow.”
Mia clapped her hands together. “Perfect! You’ll love it. Ethan’s office is actually really nice. And you’ll get to boss him around a bit.”
Ethan rolled his eyes, but there was a teasing smile on his face. “Yeah, yeah. I’m sure Lila’s looking forward to that.”
I managed a small laugh. Maybe this job wouldn’t be so bad after all. It was a fresh start—something I desperately needed. And maybe, just maybe, it would help me forget about Derek and the mess he’d left behind.