Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Thalia

I drag my nightgown lower, allowing my cleavage to show while staring at my reflection. I force a smile, my husband will be home soon.

He is the brother to the Alpha of the great GoldenMoon Pack and we've been banished for the past seven years.

He blames me for it. He never truly forgave me and frankly speaking, I never forgave myself either.

I've been trying to make it up to him, to be a good wife and hoping that one day he might love me. Yet, he hasn't shared a kiss with me since the Alpha forced us to marry.

All he ever cares for is his never-dying love, Luna Lucinda, his brother’s wife.

Despite having a son together, he barely comes home. He leaves too early and comes back late at night, most times drunk.

One might think that keeping him away from her, would make him glance at me, at least. But I should have known better. His love for her has no barrier, not even distance can quench what he feels for his brother's wife.

What about my love for him?

I have been secretly in love with him, sneaking into banquets just to steal a few conversations with him. And even then, he never knew I existed.

I hear the entrance door open, it should be him. I quickly gather my hair up, tightening it into a ponytail style. I spray perfume all over my body, force a smile again and rush out.

“Cassian,” I call out, widening my eyes in shock.

He is staring at Lucinda’s portrait again.

I've tried my best to convince him to remove Lucinda’s picture from our sitting room, but every time I bring it up, the coldness in his eyes frightens me into silence.

He sways slightly, his fingers tracing her face in the portrait. “My Lucinda.” He calls out, his breath reeking of alcohol.

“My Lucinda,” his words echo in my head as I stare at him.

After all these years, he never stopped loving her. Whilst I remain here, unnoticed by him.

He stutters, then wobbles, almost about to fall. I rush to him, holding him up to steady him. He pushes me off instantly.

I take a deep breath. “We’ve not consummated our marriage and it's been seven years.” I say calmly.

He looks up at me.

“You.. you promised you would tonight.” I say, gesturing out myself in a way that would make him notice me more despite his drunken state.

“That's right,” he nods. “But you know.. you know..” he mumbles. “It's easier to get an annulment that way and I've sent words to the Lycan King requesting for one.” he smiles and my heart drops.

“The Lycan king?” I repeat, furrowing my brows.

Of course, the only person powerful enough to annul a marriage forced by an alpha is the Lycan King. All Alphas bow to him.

“My brother,” he drawls. “My brother forced me to marry you… banished me still..just so he could have her without any obstacle from me.” He clenches his fists by his side, releasing it immediately.

I feel a tear dropping off my eyes. It is still all about her, never willing to give us a chance.

I met him seven years ago and I fell in love with him instantly. I was seventeen, in search of my mate and I believed it to be him. There was no other explanation as to why I felt so connected to him. Gosh! I still do.

But for him, that night meant nothing. He was lonely, heartbroken, and drunk when we bumped into each other and made love.

It was supposed to be the usual one night stand for him, until I returned pregnant and his brother forced him to take responsibility.

Seven years of living together and he still can't bring himself to love me. Now, he wants to divorce me.

“And what will become of our son?” the words tremble out of me.

He scoffs and moves aside.

“Cassian… what will become of our son?” I ask again.

“Don't you dare!!” He glares, shoving out a glass from a table.

“He is asleep, you know… and this might wake him.” I say, pointing at the shattering glass.

He turns to me. “Thalia… aren't you tired?” He asks, staring at me like I disgust him. “Using a drunken mistake I made eight years ago to hold me down still..”

Drunken state for him but that was the best moment of my life. He didn't seem drunk when he promised to take it slowly and not hurt me. When he took my virginity and fucked me none stop that night.

I guess it was all about forgetting his brother's wife after all. Eversince, I pray to the moon goddess that he will one day care for me and perhaps see the chance of a good life we've been given. Well, I've been waiting.

“You’ve ruined my life enough…” he says and begins to stagger to the bedroom.

“Your brother would never let her go!!” I yell. “He is never going to let you back in the pack!” I say, following him.

He bangs the door at me. I push it open immediately.

“You think annulling our marriage will give you a chance to be with your brother's wife… but you're wrong!”

“Shut up!!!” He growls and hurriedly grabs my neck, glaring into my eyes.

“We can still be happy, Cassian..” I say, slowly holding onto his wrists. “We can still start anew.”

He lets go and inhales. “I will never love you!”

I feel my heart crack but I steady myself, refusing to give up on us.

I draw down a hand of my nightgown, stepping forward with some sort of weird bravery.

He takes a step back, avoiding any form of bodily contact. It all makes sense now, why he never agrees to sleep on the same bed with me. He knows consummating our marriage will reduce the chance of annulment and he clearly wants to be single for her.

“What are you doing?” He asks, narrowing his eyes.

“I refuse to believe that after seven years of living together… that you feel nothing, absolutely nothing… for me.” I say, slipping down the other sleeveless hand.

“Aren’t you a shameless whore..” He scoffs.

“I'm your wife..Cassian..Your wife.” I say, dragging down my nightgown and letting it fall to the floor, making me stand bare before my husband.

He freezes, his eyes wide in shock.

This has never happened before. We've never even taken a bath together. I've always respected his wish, believing that one day, he will come willingly and embrace the life we've been given.

I walk out of the gown. “I don't believe you that you don't feel this spark between us,” I swallow. “I want us to live the normal life of a husband and wife… to finally start anew.”

“You mean you want me to fuck you.” He blurts out.

I nod. “Just like you did when we first met.”

He walks to me and lifts up my chin, staring into my eyes. “One condition..”

“Which is?” I ask, suddenly shaking.

“You let me call you… Lucinda.”

My breath catches in my throat.