Alpha's Mateo's Human MateChapter 1
I didn’t think twice about stopping by Nathan's place. Today was our second anniversary, and I had planned a surprise. A quiet dinner at his apartment, candles, a bottle of his favorite wine, and me, hoping to see that look in his eyes that always made me feel cherished.
The bouquet of red roses in my hand felt heavy as I fumbled with my keys. I imagined the look on his face when he saw me, dressed in the new outfit I’d bought just for tonight. My hand shook slightly as I turned the key, excitement bubbling inside me. I couldn’t wait to see him.
But when the door opened, everything I thought I knew shattered instantly.
Nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greeted me. The roses slipped from my fingers, scattering across the floor.
Nathan and Clarisse were tangled together in his bed. The sheets we had picked out were now wrapped around them. Their bodies entwined in a way that made me sick.
I stood there, frozen, watching the man I loved and the woman I trusted betray me. Their gasps and moans filled the room like a nightmarish soundtrack.
Finally, they noticed me.
Clarisse scrambled away from him, covering herself with the sheet while Nathan sat up. Shock and guilt were written all over his face.
“Laura, I—”
I cut him off. “Don’t,” I hissed, my voice trembling. “Just don’t.”
I wanted to scream, to throw something, to make them feel a fraction of the pain ripping through me. But I could only stand there with my heartbeat racing.
“How long?” I demanded. “How long have you been doing this behind my back?”
Neither answered. Clarisse looked down, pale, while Nathan just stared, his mouth opening and closing. There were no right words. Nothing they said would ever make this right.
“Laura, please, let me explain,” Nathan finally managed, but I couldn’t bear to hear more. I didn’t need his lies. The truth was right there, tangled in the sheets.
Without another word, I turned and walked out, slamming the door behind me. I needed to escape the stench of betrayal clinging to me like a second skin.
The cold night air hit me as I stumbled out, my vision blurring with tears. My hands shook so badly I could barely hold my car keys. Somehow, I managed to get into the driver’s seat.