I stood, drawing myself to my full height. “With all due respect, Alpha,” I said. Injecting steel into my tone. “As Luna of this pack, I have the right to be present for all discussions concerning our member's welfare".
Rowan’s eyes snapped to mine, surprise and irritation filled them. For a moment, I thought he might argue. But then, to my shock, he nodded curtly.
“Very well. Marcus, you’re dismissed. Freya, Amara, stay".
As Marcus left, closing the door behind him, I caught a flash of something in Amara’s eyes. Frustration or was it… fear?
“Oh, Alpha!” Amara said quietly “I just remembered now, I promised to teach the younger children how to weave and it’s almost time for the lesson. May I be excused?”
“Oh!” Rowan’s eyes flashed with disappointment. “Certainly, I’ll see you later".
She nodded, gave me a curt bow and then walked out of the office, swaying her hips. When we were alone, Rowan rose to his feet and murmured something about him changing his mind. But I was no longer the naive, trusting Luna I’d once been. I knew there was something more going on with them, although I wasn’t sure it had happened yet.
Not saying another word, I followed him outside. We met Marcus waiting anxiously in the hallway. He was surprised that the meeting had ended quickly.
“I’ll have further instructions for you soon,” Rowan said briskly “For now, double the patrols along our southern border".
Marcus hurried off to comply with the order.
That night, as Rowan slept beside me, I lay awake, piecing together the puzzle. In my past life, I’d been too blind, too trusting to see the affair between him and Amara growing right under my nose. It wasn’t until that fateful day that I was delivering soup to Rowan’s office… only to find him pumping into Amara who was wedged on his desk like his life depended on it – that the scales had finally fallen from my eyes.
This time would be different. This time, I’d be three steps ahead.
Over the next few weeks, I threw myself into every business in the pack with a fervour that surprised even me. I attended every meeting and inserted myself into every decision. If Rowan and Amara wanted to plot behind my back, they’d have to work a lot harder at it.
But it wasn’t enough. I could feel me and Rowan’s mate bond weakening day by day, Rowan’s gaze lingering on Amara…