Silence. It was the one that spoke as the earth had its last exhale. The one that ached after a storm. The quiet that was pursued was the one everyone held their breath to ensure the storm was over. That it wasn't a trap. That was the silence that engulfed me as I stared at the messages left unanswered on my phone, willing for it to speak to me.
It couldn't be. Lucas hadn't sent me a single text the entire day. He hadn't even thought of calling me to ensure that I was fine after getting home drunk yesterday. He knew I needed to be assured. I couldn't lose him too. So why hadn't he texted?
He hadn't texted. That was the only train of thought I allowed myself to have because if it wandered then it would land on the unknown message I received a few minutes ago that read:
"Your fianceè is not what he appears to be. Saint's Hotels."
I wouldn't believe the message even if my life depended on it. It wasn't because I trusted and loved Lucas but it was because we were going to be mates, soon. He hadn't found his mate and he was meant to be the next Alpha. If he didn't have a Luna, then his position would be contested hence my necessity to him.
We needed each other so he wouldn't. He couldn't. I shut my eyes, letting that sink in. Letting my Wolf, Cassie understand that before she went on a rampage. I winced at the thought.
Ping. I let out a breath as I checked the message. But it wasn't from Lucas. The messages were photos. Photos with each click turning my insides out. Punching my gut until the weight of the revelation settles in my chest.
I couldn't breathe. It wasn't possible. I had to.... I had....
"Goddess, breathe, Decker!" I reminded myself as I got to my feet. I had to make a coherent thought. See for myself. That was it, I had to see for myself.
"Are you sure you want to do that? If it's true, I'll rip both of them to pieces." Cassiopeia growled and I ignored her.
"Not now, Cassie," I ordered through the link. I didn't need this.
My steps wobbled as I made my way to my car. My fingers trembled as I gripped the steering wheel. It was a prank. A sick joke. That was the only explanation. The tears stung. I sniffed.
My tires came to a screeching halt as I parked in front of the Grand Hotel. The 75-storey hotel stood before me in all its golden glory. One of the many assets owned by the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack.
"Hello. I'm Decker-Chloe Silver and I'm looking for my fiancee, Lucas Dawson, Alpha of the Half-moon pack. He said I should ask for his room number." I said when I walked up to the kind-looking receptionist.
"Are you sure? He has already booked a room with his girlfriend, Nesta Ortis. Room 306." She said, looking up from the computer.
All air was thrown out of my lungs. My chest tightened, and both hands fisted at my sides. "Thank you." I managed, deciding my next course of action.
I could do this. I could confront the two traitors. That's all I would do. They didn't deserve any ounce of decency. I flung open the door of the room and I could hear them. The disgusting unfiltered moans and panting. The room smelled of dirty sex.
When I entered the bedroom, he was thrusting into Nesta using all his strength. Given that his gift was speed, it was a wonder Nesta could match his pace but how could she not, seeing they were both cut from the same cloth.
Cassie urged me to go to the bathroom, carrying a bucket of ice-cold water. I didn't protest her this time. It was of no use. They deserved it.
"How could you!? After everything, how could you!?" I yelled, splashing the entire bucket on them.
"Oh my god!" Nesta shrieked at the contact while Lucas dodged.
"Are you out of your mind, Decker!?" Lucas stood up, meeting my watery gaze.
"Am I out of mind!? Unfuckingbelievable! You are cheating on me with my fucking best friend! How could you!? Why!?" I shouted back, eyes darting at two of them hoping this was all an illusion.
"Decker, I can explain. It's not what it looks like..." Nesta used the duvet to cover her body, pleading eyes on me.
"Explain what? Explain that you backstabbed me!? I am meant to marry him in two weeks! Two weeks! You were my maid of honor!" I parted my lips in exasperation.
It was her betrayal that stung me the most because she was like my sister. She was everything to me after... after her.
Lucas and my wedding was basically for convenience born out of need. So I didn't care but the tears streaming down my cheeks were for the bond Nesta and I once shared.
"You are disgusting, Nesta. Fucking pathetic! Both of you are dirty dogs who deserve each other! You-" I gasped in shock when Lucas raised his hand at me. The action made me step back.
"Don't speak to Nesta like that. Remember that you need me more than I do you, so know your fucking place!"
It was true this arrangement, benefitted me more but he could go to hell. He didn't even look apologetic in the slightest. "Fuck you. Fuck this marriage and fuck you, Nesta!" I threw the engagement ring at Nesta who was still frozen in shock.
"Since you like taking my things, you can add this too!" I stormed off as Lucas kept calling my name to call back saying I had no right to treat him like that to which I yelled back a very deserved, "Screw you!"
My steps were hurried as I wiped the tears from my cheeks. I had always done what I was asked only to get this level of betrayal. How could they!?
I didn't watch where I was going and bumped into something hard almost falling. "Fuck! Watch where you're-" The words died in my throat when I raised my head to meet a pair of gray orbs, steadying me with his hands on my shoulders.
His eyes were like the moon, shining so bright that the sun would have to take cover. But the second eye was a light blue swirling with grey irises. They were simply divine. I could draw them. Draw his comforting scent of the ocean, the forest, and lavender.
His touch sent electric waves down my spine. His touch made the dam finally break. All the pressure hanging over my head finally cut loose and landed on me. My chest heaved, trying to breathe but it was painful. The most painful thing I had ever had to experience.
His brows furrowed, eyes peering down at me. "Ssshhhh. You need to breathe. I need you to breathe, darling." The voice came out hoarse like he rarely used it but it soothed me, filtered into my ears but I couldn't stop.
He took my hand and placed it on his chest, "Follow the sound of my heartbeat and copy it. Breathe through your nose, love. Can you do that for me, love?" He asked and I closed my eyes, following his beat before nodding.
"Good Girl." He praised and my heart fluttered.
After a few minutes of silence in the lobby, I realized what had happened. With him, it felt like I was lost in some kind of heaven. I jerked my hand away from his chiseled chest.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to breakdown in front of you like that but I couldn't help it. I just…." I could feel a fresh batch of tears ready to spill.
"You shouldn't waste your tears on him. He never deserved you."
"What do you mean?" It was impossible. He couldn't possibly know but when I looked into his stormy eyes something didn't seem right.
My eyes flew to his, mortified. "You sent the photos!?"
Anger welled up in my chest at this nonsense. How dare he!? "Do you have any idea what you've done!? You've destroyed my entire family! My life! My family's business is going to be crushed because of this! Who the fuck are you!?" I didn't even give a fuck as to how he knew but I just wanted to leave here this instant.
"I did what was right. If you're so worried about your family's business, you can always marry me instead of him." He stated calmly and I scoffed in utter disbelief, taking a step back.
"I don't know you and I don't need your pity! Marry you? You are insane!" I glared at his towering figure. He was about 6'2 in height and rippled with muscles but they weren't too bulky. The way he looked at me, made me shiver. He felt too familiar, too warm.
"Wait, let me-"
"Save it!" I held up my hand and walked away from him. Goddess, what the fuck was meant to happen now!? If I didn't mate soon, Cassie could die but marrying Shawn wasn't the answer. So I would die?