Chapter 1: The Illusion of Home
{Serena's P.O.V}
I wasn't supposed to be home at this hour. As Luna of our werewolf pack, my days were filled with responsibilities—meetings with elders, mediating disputes, and overseeing preparations for the upcoming full moon gathering. My schedule was meticulously planned, down to the last detail. Today had been no different, with backtoback meetings and errands that should have kept me away until late evening.
But fate had other plans. Midway through a particularly tense discussion about territorial boundaries with a neighboring pack, a sudden migraine struck. The pain was sharp and blinding, causing me to clutch the edge of the table for support. The Beta, my husband's loyal secondincommand, Liam, noticed my distress immediately. His brow furrowed with concern, his piercing blue eyes softening.
"Luna, are you alright?" Liam asked, his voice low and gentle, yet edged with worry. He moved closer, his tall frame towering over me protectively. "You look pale. Perhaps you should rest for a bit. Let me handle the rest."
I glanced up at him, forcing a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine, really. Just a little tired," I lied, waving off his concern. His eyes searched mine, not entirely convinced. He hesitated, then seemed to make up his mind, his expression hardening slightly.
"Luna," he began, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face.
"You truly are remarkable. Handling everything so smoothly, especially when..." He trailed off, glancing away as if struggling with what he wanted to say.
After a moment, he sighed and looked back at me, his gaze full of sympathy and frustration. "Alpha Gabriel, he... he isn't fulfilling his duties. Instead, he's..." Liam clenched his jaw, then spoke with more conviction, "He's constantly distracted, chasing after... others, and neglecting his responsibilities. If it weren't for you," he continued, his voice full of admiration, "I'm not sure where the pack would be. You're the one holding everything together."
I raised a hand to stop him, shaking my head. "It's alright, Liam," I said, a wry smile touching my lips. "Thank you, but let's not dwell on it."
Gabriel's indiscretions were wellknown, and while I had long accepted them, Liam's words still stung, highlighting the imbalance in our partnership.
Liam's face softened further, his eyes filled with concern. "Do you truly love him?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I smiled, a bitter edge to the expression. "Love," I repeated, the word tasting foreign and hollow. I said nothing more, my silence hanging heavy in the air between us. Liam nodded, understanding more from my silence than any words could convey.
Liam, sensing my discomfort, stepped closer, his concern evident. "Luna, you're in no condition to drive," he said, his voice firm yet caring. "Let me take you home. You need to rest."
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded, realizing he was right. "Thank you, Liam. I appreciate it," I said, allowing him to guide me to his car. His presence was reassuring, a steady anchor amidst the storm of my thoughts.
{Liam's P.O.V}
As we stepped out of the car, I felt an uneasy chill run down my spine, a sense of foreboding that I couldn't shake. I watched Serena approach the front door, her movements slow and deliberate. Something was wrong—I could sense it. As she paused at the entrance, her expression changed, a subtle shift that only someone who knew her well would notice.
She took a deep breath, and I followed her inside, my senses alert. The scent the home should theoretically have—a blend of pinewood and earthy tones—was marred by something foreign. My nose twitched at the faint traces of a sweet, unfamiliar perfume. Immediately, I knew something was amiss.
Just inside the entrance, a bright red lace bra lay discarded on the floor, its provocative presence starkly contrasting with the usually neat and organized state of the house.Serena picked it up, her face impassive, but I I knew her well enough to see the turmoil brewing behind her eyes. The air thick with unfamiliar scents, the betrayal was like a physical blow. Her wolf, Astrid, must have been just as uneasy as mine, every sense on high alert.
As we moved through the house, the signs of disruption grew more evident. The living room, which I had seen just the other day when everything was in its place, now looked like a storm had blown through. Pillows were strewn across the floor, the coffee table was askew, and a half-empty bottle of wine sat on the table next to two used glasses, one with a distinct lipstick stain. The air was thick with the scent of heated bodies, the oppressive tension nearly suffocating.
The kitchen was no better—cluttered countertops, overflowing trash bin, and a general sense of chaos that was so unlike Serena's meticulous nature. My wolf growled softly, sharing my displeasure and anger at the blatant disrespect for Serena's space.
As we approached the bedroom, Serena's headache must have intensified, the pain evident in her furrowed brow.And the closer we got, the stronger the scent of sweat and sex became, overwhelming my heightened senses. The door was ajar, and through the gap, I could see the bed in disarray, sheets tangled and pillows scattered.
Inside was our Alpha, Gabriel, with Mia—a young woman Serena had always treated like a little sister and, on the surface, my girlfriend. The one I never expected to see here.
Mia had threatened to reveal my feelings for Serena if I didn't agree to be her boyfriend.She recommended using our relationship as a cover. It was a precarious arrangement, but it allowed me to stay close to Serena without arousing suspicion.
I knew I could never voice my inappropriate feelings for Serena; she was our Luna, and I couldn't risk tarnishing her reputation.
So I agreed.
To my relief, Serena genuinely liked Mia, treating her as a little sister. From the moment Mia joined our pack, Serena took her under her wing. She would spend hours teaching Mia about our traditions, helping her with her training, and guiding her through the complexities of pack life. Serena's nurturing nature was evident in every gesture, every word of encouragement she offered to Mia.
Mia, in return, appeared to idolize Serena. She often sought Serena's advice on everything from pack politics to personal dilemmas. Mia's bright, eager eyes would light up whenever Serena spoke, absorbing every bit of wisdom Serena shared. She frequently called Serena "sister," a term that highlighted their seemingly close bond. Mia would bring Serena small gifts—wildflowers she picked during runs in the forest, or handmade crafts that she knew Serena would appreciate. Serena always accepted these tokens with a warm smile, displaying them proudly around the house.
Their interactions were filled with laughter and light-hearted moments. I remember one evening in particular, when Serena and Mia were in the kitchen baking cookies. Mia had managed to get flour everywhere, and Serena, laughing, had playfully scolded her before joining in the mess. They ended up in a flour fight, giggling like children, and for a moment, the house was filled with a sense of carefree joy.
I still remember the feeling of watching them, a pang of jealousy hiting me. Mia could express her admiration and love for Serena so openly, without fear of judgment or reprisal. I often found myself wondering if being her family might be more enduring than any romantic entanglement could ever be. If I couldn't be Serena's husband, was being her family the next best thing? The thought tormented me, knowing that my love for Serena had to remain hidden, overshadowed by the duties and complexities of our roles within the pack.Yet, at the same time, I was happy for Serena. She had someone to talk to, someone to share the burden of her role as Luna, especially with an Alpha who only cared about playing around with women.
The warmth of that moment contrasted sharply with the cold reality that strikes us now.