Chapter 36 Caught Cheating
Calhoun's POV
One month later.
The annual Greyhound Ceremony came quicker than expected. My entire mansion has the perfect decorations that for a moment I have to pause and wonder if it's actually my place. My pack members always look forward to this day because it's celebrated yearly. All the Alphas under me and as well as their members are here to celebrate with us.
Nana Joyce who has that perpetual giant scowl on her face seems different tonight. She's smiling momentarily as she converses with people, even stopping to compliment women. It's surprising to see her this way when she's always grumpy and seems to frighten people with it. Nevertheless, she's aging perfectly.
I haven't seen my wife, Natalie. I'll take it that she's being dressed up by her maidservants. Ever since her near-drowning four weeks ago, she's been distant. Even though I apologized countless times and came up with stories as to why I was absent for two nights, she didn't buy any of it. Accused me of cheating with another woman.
Thankfully she didn't assume it was her daughter but she's barely ever around me. Even her bedroom is now separate from mine. She ignores me when I try to give her attention as much as I can. Her behavior is understandable but it's starting to get on my last nerves.
Indeed I did wrong by letting my mate come in between us, but I chose her at last. And it's just upsetting that she's completely out of my reach, making herself unavailable by giving me a taste of my own medicine.
Sighing, I turn away from the stairs and return my attention to Alpha Ronan calling my name.
A tray has been going around with glasses of wine and I grab one, dawning it with one gulp. It's just hard to not think about Kristen when it's all I've ever wanted.
To think that everything which transpired between us was just a month ago.
I fake laughter to what Alpha Ronan is saying, while my mind is drifting over to my former mate, for the umpteenth time tonight.
I don't even have the right to worry about her when it was me who rejected her at the council hall and sent her off afterward. Upon overhearing Bruce's harsh words to her before the rejection, I wanted to pin him up against a wall and give him a chokehold for daring to do that, but I couldn't. Even though hearing her sobs was like a punch in my gut.
If I hadn't rescued her from that bastard rogue, I wonder what would've become of her.
She would've been trapped and held captive like the ones he abducted. It sickens me to even think about this.
My men are still trying to find Jack and his basement but it's to no avail. He's smart and over the past one month, six more females from my pack have gone missing.
Every day, families come to me to plead that I find their daughters and wives. Jack doesn't only kidnap young girls, he kidnaps people's wives and mates too. As long as they're deemed skinny enough to his taste.
More Alphas are heading my way to pay their respect to me. Being the Alpha of all Alphas in the East gained more enemies than I can count. A lot are envious of my wealth and status and as I look through the faces of these men, I can't tell which of them is plotting an attack, but I'm fully aware that my enemies are present.
People are discussing, dancing, drinking, and enjoying the merriment. Bright smiles are on their faces, no doubt they're elated about today. But I can't seem to find the slightest bit of happiness or excitement.
My actions last month returned to hit me in the face with the help of Karma.
My wife has spent over two hours in her bedroom, refusing to show up and be by my side as Luna of this pack. She just left me out here alone to socialize with everyone.
As a child, I looked forward to the Greyhound Ceremony but now as an adult and a man of thirty-three and the Alpha of this pack, I just want things to end so everything can adjust back to normal.
There are times when it feels like I'm not even handling things right, I did what I felt was right by rejecting my mate to stay married to my wife. And I hate to admit it but I feel so fucking empty.
"Calhoun?" The voice of my beta, Bruce, rings out. Pulling me away from my unsettling thoughts.
And then it dawns on me what I've been doing the whole time I was lost in my misery.
I'm holding a glass of wine and the glass is starting to get cracked from my firm grip. Even the wine is dripping, messing up the cuff of my long coat jacket.
"What have you been thinking?" Bruce is already at my side. He removes the broken glass from my hand and wipes it clean with a hankie. But the cuff is already stained with the wine.
"Where is my wife?" I ask Bruce, my voice lowly in exasperation because I am fed up with this treatment from Natalie.
How dare she act this way? When tonight is our annual ceremony and she's not here. People will start to think something is wrong with our marriage.
"Let me go get her, Alpha Calhoun," Bruce squeezes my shoulder lightly, puts another glass of wine in my hand before he leaves.
I puff out explosive breaths and my chest rises and falls from it. Taking a quick glance at the wine, I drink it up in one gulp and slam it on a tray.
Nana Joyce's eyes are lowered in a squint and fixated in my direction. I fake her a smile before leaving to get some fresh air outside.
I feel hot all over because it's crowded with people. I'm having a hard time breathing properly while my mind is clogged with so many disturbing thoughts. I can't even remember the last time I was this upset with myself.
Pushing my hands through the pockets of my long coat, I take my leave, walking right past several groups of people that divulge upon seeing me. They murmur their greetings and I nod as I walk right past them.
People are still trooping in with gifts, and the guards outside are checking to see if they're actually gifts. Security is more tight
now.
"Calhoun?" The audible voice of an elderly woman makes me snap my head back. It's Nana Joyce.
My sour mood subsides when she steps forward.
"What are you doing out here?" She examines my face when she nears my side.
"Nothing, Grandmother," I stare at my feet when I reply. She's the only person whom I feel comfortable with aside from my beta, because she brought me up.
"Oh, my dear boy. You don't seem happy at all," Nana Joyce puts her hand on my cheek, her eyes laced with worry.
"Is it that obvious?" I ask.
And she nods.
"I understand you better than everyone, Calhoun. Why are you troubled?" She questions after withdrawing her hand.
"I just have a lot going on in my mind," I say, which isn't a lie.
"Do you miss her?" Nana Joyce searches my eyes.
"Who?" I blink.
"You know who I mean," a small smile rests on her face.
Realizing I don't know how to respond, I just push out an explosive breath.
"I can tell you regret letting her go," Nana Joyce sighs and slips my hand in hers.
"I'm with Natalie," I force this out.
"But you aren't happy with her. You want Kristen whom you rejected. You haven't been yourself since you sent her off." Nana Joyce drops this with that smile still on her face.
"It's not too late, you know?" She adds.
"Let's just stop talking about Kristen, grandmother," disengaging my hands from hers, I walk ahead of her. Talking about my former mate is eating me up, the evening isn't going well for me either.
"Fine," Nana Joyce catches up with me once more, "so tell me, grandson. Is Natalie Pregnant yet?"
"What?" I flinch upon hearing her question.
"I told you I want great-grandchildren, Calhoun. Don't tell me you and Natalie haven't tried to make one," Nana Joyce casts me a suspicious glance.
"I don't want to talk about this right now," I turn around and head back into the hall because I can't disclose to my
grandmother that Natalie and I have in fact not shared the same room since Kristen's departure.
My feet carry me up the stairs and they don't stop until I'm standing right in front of Natalie's bedroom.
I don't care if she will spend tonight ignoring me, but she needs to come out of that damn room and make her presence known
to everyone.
"Our Luna requests ten minutes, Alpha Calhoun. She's still dressing up," one of the maidservants informs me.
"Move," I order because she's guarding the doors, obstructing me from going in. Something doesn't seem right.
"I'm sorry, Alpha Calhoun but she doesn't want anyone in," the girl avoids my eyes as she fumbles with her hands.
"Don't let me repeat myself," my growl makes her oblige.
Completely enraged, I push the doors open with force.
Someone immediately gasps, and the sight which graces my view nearly sends me to my feet.
Natalie, half-naked, in bed with our head butler, Tony.