Chapter 1 The Ache of Betrayal
INDIE
He was here again. I could smell him. Dark amber and that sweet vanilla smell I've always loved. His warm weight pressed against my body from behind, and I bit my lower lip at the feel of his thick erection poking at my thigh. I whimpered as his large hand slid up my thighs, sending heat coursing up my body.
"Please..." I whispered, and he clamped a hand over my mouth to silence me, his lips pressed to the bare skin of my neck. A muffled moan slipped out of me as his fingers slid into my slit, finding me wet and throbbing with desire.
"You want me, bunny," he whispered, his deep voice unleashing a rush of wild heat through my veins.
Still, I shook my head, only to let out a muffled cry of pleasure as he pumped into my wetness. His canines grazed my skin, and I panicked.
"No, you can't mark me—"
"You belong to me."
I gasped, my body shuddering in his arms as his thumb massaged my clit, his teeth piercing into my flesh. "Zade—!"
I jolted awake, panting. The cold stabbed through me mercilessly. I curled into myself on the freezing storage-room floor, trying to trap what little body heat I had left. My breath fogged in the tiny space, my thighs still trembling with leftover want and shame.
Right. It was just another stupid dream. How messed up did I have to be to dream like that about my own stepbrother and best friend? Someone I hadn't seen in six years. Someone I shouldn't think about at all.
Especially not as a married woman.
But ever since that night I walked in on my husband balls deep in between the legs of an omega, my mind kept slipping back to Zade.
Back to the only person who ever made me feel seen.
The pounding on the door of the storage room snapped me out of my thoughts. I scrambled upright, pain shooting through my body.
"It's time for you to get to work, Indigo," West said, shoving the door open.
His blue eyes darkened at the sight of me, an expression of disgust twisting his features. If I'd been told six years ago that my husband would one day look at me with such a vile expression, I would have laughed in their face.
"Go and clean yourself up, you stink," he spat, and I swallowed hard, tears welling up in my eyes.
He had beaten me up and locked me in the storage room for two days, ignoring my pleas when I'd told him I was on my period. Just how much more humiliation do I have to go through?
My suffering began the day my mother-in-law told my husband that I was cursed. Apparently the serpent-shaped birthmark on my back was a sign that I was doomed for bad luck. From that point, my life changed drastically.
West claimed I was growing more and more useless every day since I couldn't bear him a son. All I had was my healing ability. And even that had put me in trouble. According to West, I had become a whore who seduced men with my hands.
Wincing from the bruises marking my ribs, I struggled to my feet, clamping my thighs together in a desperate attempt to keep the last shred of my dignity.
My husband stormed off without sparing me a glance, and I shuffled forward, trying not to cry.
I limped out of the storage room, every step sending sharp stabs through my bruised ribs. My clothes were damp and cold, carrying the stink of neglect.
The hallway stretched before me, dim and silent, until I spotted my daughter ahead, walking with Stella, my friend. I'd always thought of her like a little sister, despite her being three years younger than me.
"Lila?" I called softly, trying to steady my voice. "Are you going somewhere with Aunt Stella?"
My daughter's tiny face twisted in disgust. "You..." She wrinkled her nose. "... you stink. Daddy said you are disgusting, and he will get me another mummy."
My chest seized, heat flooding my face. She was only six...
How could she say this to me?
Stella looked up at me, her hands lightly clutching Lila's. Her eyes were full of pity. "Indie... she's just a child," Stella whispered gently, her voice tender. "She doesn't mean it like that."
I swallowed hard, nodding, but the lump in my throat refused to move. Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked rapidly, trying to hold them back. I couldn't let them see me crumble.
So, I turned away, heartbroken. Once I was in the confines of the bathroom wall, I broke down completely.
Did Lila not miss me at all the entire time I was locked away?
Hot water poured over me, and I stood there, letting the warmth seep into my chilled bones.
I scrubbed at my skin, desperate to wash away the filth and stench.
I could barely recognize my own reflection in the fogged mirror.
My amber eyes were red-rimmed, dark circles hollowing them out. I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a cry when a clump of black hair came off. I had almost forgotten that I was running on borrowed time.
And that my sickness was growing worse. A sickness only my mate could cure.
'Won't you tell him? Our mate can't help us if he doesn't know.' Rain, my wolf said weakly.
She was fading a little more each day because of the same sickness.
I pressed my forehead against the tiled wall, letting the water pour over me. Maybe, if I tried hard enough, I could still fix what was broken. Maybe my husband would love me again.
...
The Healing Hall was quiet, the scent of herbs wrapping around me like a cocoon. My body was heavy with exhaustion, but still I forced myself upright.
I had no excuse for how my husband had looked at me the other night. He thought I had been whoring around. That I had betrayed him. In reality... I had gone to the house of a sick male in the pack, healing him through a very long, grueling hour. But who would believe that? Who would care?
A shiver ran down my spine as I pictured West's eyes narrowing, his lips twisting with contempt, and Lila's small face crumpling in disappointment. I couldn't let that stand. Not if there was any hope left.
I sighed, dragging my weary limbs towards the exit. I'll cook. I'll apologize. I'll make them see that I am still a wife and a mother.
I'll make them love me again.
Finally, the familiar shape of the house came into view. It used to be so lively and full of laughter. My chest tightened. I would do anything to hear my husband and daughter laugh with me again, to see them run into my arms without fear or shame.
I wiped at my wet eyes with the back of my hand, pressing my lips together, willing the tears to stop. I can fix this. I have to fix this.
Tonight, I would beg for forgiveness.
With every ounce of courage I could gather, I headed to my husband's study only to freeze when I heard the loud moans coming from there.
My heart pounded harder, the familiar ache of betrayal attacking the bond. West was cheating again.
Why...why was he doing this to me?
I coughed hard as the pain in my chest tightened, and when I withdrew my hand, there was blood. I bit back the whimper that threatened to escape, freezing when a familiar voice drifted from the study.
"You like that, Alpha?"
My head spun, bile threatening to push up my throat.
No way. It can't be.
"Do you like this sweet pussy?" The voice came again, and my blood iced over in my veins.
Heart pounding, I shoved the door open, and there they were. A pair of big blue eyes turned to look at me, widening.
"S-Stella?" I gasped, feeling faint.