Chapter 3 My Husband’s Beta… Loves Me?

I curled up in the steaming hot spring, letting the warmth cocoon my bare body.

This was the only place I felt safe. The only place I could hide.

Everything had crumbled too fast.

Two days.

That was all it took for Rebecca to step out of my nightmares and rip my world apart.

I had lost my wolf.

I had lost my unborn child.

I had lost the man I had loved since I was young.

Maxwell doesn't even look at me anymore unless it's about pack decisions or budget meetings. The same man who used to chase me through these waters now shares his bed with an omega who appeared out of nowhere, destroying two years of marriage in the blink of an eye. I wipe away my tears, forcing myself to focus. The doctor agreed to keep my miscarriage secret - my private shame. No one can ever know about losing my baby, or worse, about Luna's absence. An Alpha without her wolf? They'd strip me of everything I've worked for.

A twig snapped nearby. I froze, suddenly aware of how vulnerable I was. Without my wolf, Luna, I couldn't shift, couldn't defend myself.

That's when I saw him.

A massive wolf emerged from the trees, larger than any I'd ever seen. His black fur gleamed in the moonlight, massive muscles rippling with each step. This was no ordinary Alpha's wolf – this had to be a Lycan King's wolf.

My parents' warnings rushed back to me.

"There's only one Lycan King, " Father had told me during another lesson. "Orion. He's more powerful than any wolf alive. Don’t cross him, Zenobia. He can be lethal when he needs to be.’’

The wolf's golden eyes locked onto mine. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe.

"Alpha Zenobia?" Louis's voice cut through the spring. "Are you out here?"

The wolf's head snapped toward the sound. In one fluid motion, he melted back into the shadows behind the trees.

"There you are," Louis emerged from the trees, looking relieved. "Maxwell's been looking for you. Are you okay? You look pale."

"I'm fine," I said. "Just needed some time alone."

Louis was my husband’s beta. As I followed him back to the pack house, I wondered what a Lycan King would be doing in my pack, and why he didn’t attack me.

"Strength runs in your blood," Mother's voice whispered in my head.

I straightened my spine. Wolf or no wolf, I was still an Alpha. And I would protect my pack, no matter what it cost me.

“Alpha,’’ Luis calls me, seeming nervous. I stop, turning to look at him.

“What’s wrong?’’

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to tell you.’’ He smiles, running his hands at the back of his neck nervously.

“What’s wrong, Luis, is Maxwell okay?’’

“No. Yes.’’ He answers in a heartbeat. “Alpha Maxwell is perfectly fine. It’s about me. Me and you actually?’’

I look at him, trying to understand what he means but failing miserably.

"I love you," Luis's words surprise me. "I've always been in love with you, Alpha Zenobia."

Of all the moments he could have chosen to confess, he picks now - when I've lost my wolf, my baby, and my husband to an omega who might be trying to kill me.

First a Lycan King in our territory, and now my husband's Beta confessing his love - the Moon Goddess must be laughing at me.

…

HOURS LATER

"I can't explain it, Amber. It's like Luna just... vanished." I sat cross-legged on my office couch, confiding in my future beta and closest friend. "One moment she was there, the next – nothing."

Amber's green eyes widened. "And you're sure someone pushed you off that cliff?"

"I felt hands on my back. Then I was falling." I shuddered at the memory. "If that stranger hadn't found me..."

"What about the wolf you saw at the springs? You really think it was the Lycan King?"

"It had to be. No normal wolf is that size. And the color of his eyes, plus his aura. I felt the power radiating from that wolf, Amber, it had to be a powerful Lycan" I rubbed my temples. "And then Luis confessing his love to me? Everything's falling apart, Amber."

She reached for my hand. "You're the strongest person I know, Zenobia. We'll figure this out together."

A knock interrupted us. Maxwell stood in the doorway, smiling. "Zeno, can we talk?"

Amber squeezed my hand before leaving. Maxwell waited until her footsteps faded before leading me to our bedroom. The same room he hadn't slept in for days.

"What's going on?" I started to ask, but his lips caught mine in a kiss.

It was achingly familiar – the way his mouth moved against mine, the taste of him. I’d missed his kisses, his touch, the warmth of his body. My treacherous heart beat for him, even after everything. He cupped my face, thumbs stroking my cheeks. I melted into him, remembering countless kisses just like this one.

Maxwell deepened the kiss, walking me backward until my legs hit the bed. His fingers found the zipper of my dress, slowly pulling it down while his lips traced a path down my neck. The dress pooled at my feet as his hands roamed over my skin, remembering every curve.

"Oh Goddess, I've missed being with you, Zeno," he murmured against my lips, his hands cupping my breasts through my bra.

Reality crashed back like ice water. I pushed him away, suddenly nauseated.

"Is this what it's come to?" My voice shook with anger. "You think I'm a charity case? That sleeping with me will help me forget everything you've done?"

Maxwell reached for me. "Zeno, please—"

"Forget sharing your bed with her? Announcing her as queen? Making me watch while you destroy everything we built?"

"It's not like that. I still care about you, I just—"

"Don't." I yanked my dress back on. "Don't you dare pretend this is anything but pity."

I remembered the Moon Goddess's warning, the dream of Rebecca standing over burning bodies. I'd been a fool to sit back and watch while my life crumbled.

Suddenly, I realize my feelings for Maxwell have changed. I don’t look at him the same anymore.

"Zeno, wait," Maxwell called after me. "You don't understand—"

I slammed the door on his excuses. Someone had tried to kill me, my wolf was gone, and my husband thought he could fix it all with a kiss. No more. It was time to take control of my own destiny.

Without hesitation, I rushed back to where I'd fallen. One more try at connecting with my wolf. One more chance to shift.

It was only a matter of time before everyone discovered it. I had to try.

Once at the cliff, I positioned myself in clear view so no one could sneak up on me again. Being back here unleashed bitter memories of my fall, of my precious lost baby. Wolf's Cliff had become a harbor of nightmares.

"Please Luna, talk to me. I miss you. I'm nothing without you," I begged my wolf, searching deep inside to find her. But she was gone. I was nothing but a wolfless wolf.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I clutched my chest.

Something shiny caught my eye. Right at the edge where I'd fallen lay a glinting object. I stood, drawn by curiosity. The moment I picked it up, my heart stopped.

Oh, Goddess…

I think I knew the truth now.

And the truth would only make things worse.