Chapter 1 At a nightclub

ELENA PETERS

-Now, do you believe me?-

The message written under those scandalous photos set my heart ablaze.

I took another sip of my whiskey, and the burning sensation in my throat strung up more tears to my eyes.

Was it the whiskey or was it my bleeding heart?

"Fill up my glass," I slurred, pushing my empty glass forward.

"Yes, Ma'am." The bartender bowed.

Again, I was staring at the photos. Photos of my mate in briefs with my half-sister in panties, having fun in one of the five-star hotels here in our Pack.

A few months ago, I got an anonymous message that my mate was cheating on me. It was the most ridiculous shit I've ever heard. And I immediately dismissed it as some unrealistic scam.

Why not? Trent loves me to bits. He's been my mate for three years now, and he's been the most romantic and the perfect gentleman to me.

So why would he cheat? And even if he was cheating, I'd feel it, right? Because of the mate bond. But I wasn't feeling anything.

I got so upset that I lashed out at the anonymous sender, warning whoever it was never to contact me again.

And then today, today...today was our third anniversary. It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. We've just finished having dinner with my family and his family.

We were supposed to commemorate the night with passionate sex. But then he said he had somewhere urgent to be. And goddess, I trust him so much that I didn't doubt that place must be fucking important for him to sweetly ditch me on our anniversary night.

But then I got another text from Mr. Anonymous. And the text came with photos. A raw, heart-wrenching evidence of my mate's cruel infidelity. And with my half-sister!!!

Out of all the girls in the Pack, why did it have to be with Tracy, the only sister I've got? The one person I loved the most, right after Trent.

Why her, and why him? Why did I have to be betrayed so badly by the people I loved the most? What did I do to deserve this?

Again, I reread the text. With my vision pathetically balled with tears. Each word made my heart cave in.

-Now, do you believe me?-

I hated how smug that message sounded. But yeah, of course, I do. I don't have any other choice but to believe him. Thank you so much for crushing my heart so badly!

"Elena," A deep, gruffy voice startled me from behind. Veiny hands snatched the whiskey glass right out of my grip. A sweetly intoxicating scent mesmerizingly swept into my nostrils, driving my heartbeat wild.

I dared to glance at him, and I was completely smitten all over again. How could I not be when he looked extra sexy tonight? And he was 40, goddess! Was it normal to look this fucking sexy at 40?

Hate to admit it, but I stared at him a lot at dinner earlier. A black tuxedo has never given anyone as much sex appeal as it gave him. His wavy black hair, sleekly swept to the back, enchanted his ruggedly handsome face and sharp jawline. His full brows were such a highlight, and his lips had never been so appealing.

And then that edgy confidence around him. He was laid-back, but there was a contrasting, intimidating aura that he carried that flutters a million female hearts and makes him steal the fucking attention when he walks into any room.

It's shameless to admit that I've had eyes on him for a while. I always find myself staring at him. Even when he's with Trent and his mother. And each time, I hated myself for checking out my married father-in-law.

But that's not cheating, is it? I've never made any advances on him. So no, I didn't cheat. If there's anyone who did, that would be Trent. That cold-blooded bastard!

"What the fuck are you doing at a nightclub alone, Elena? You couldn't drink at home?"

"Give me that," I slurred, reaching for my glass, but he pushed it off the counter, and it smashed on the floor.

I gasped at the mess. But he didn't even flinch. There was a heated chill in his eyes. Like I said, very laid back. He was rarely perturbed by anything.

"Trent called. Said he's been trying to reach you, but you wouldn't take any of his calls." He continued, fixing his forest green eyes on me, making it harder for me to breathe.

I looked away sharply, trying to catch my breath. "Yeah, of course. My perfect mate. He must be worried, right? That's why he sent his overbearing father to come find me."

His jaw twitched. Something about my rude remark didn't sit well with him. And I didn't mean to be so rude. But right now, my mind is messed up with whiskey. My heart is shattered and lonely.

He was the last person that I needed around me in my vulnerable state. I might do something crazy...

"Get up. You're going home."

"No, I'm not..." but he already pulled me up by my arm. "Let me go."

"I'm not letting you go, Elena. You're drunk. What are you playing at? Are you trying to get in trouble? Look around. There are rakes in here. Any one of them could do something shitty to you."

"The only rake I'm scared of is the one holding me," I winced at how tight his grip was around my arm.

His jaw twitched again. Was this the first time, or did I just never notice this low-key, menacing side of him?

But then again, he's always been extra protective of me. Always scolding me when I do something wrong. Always concerned about my safety. Always...always giving me a level of attention that makes me entertain crazy thoughts!

He always tells me to do this or do that, while Trent just lets me do whatever I want. And while some girls would rather have their freedom, I've always loved my man dominating me in a very positive way. And I hate that it's not my man doing it, but his stud of a father!

I hate!...hate!!...hate!!! It!!!!. More tonight than ever. Because while he's caring and treating me like any good father-in-law would, my mind was bursting with erotic thoughts about him, and it's fucking one-sided and not fair!

"Well, this rake is taking you home. C'mon, " he tried pulling me along, but I struggled to stay back.

He hissed, bringing his face dangerously close. "We're in public, Luna. Try not to make a scene."

Yeah, he had to remind me of my title. Luna. A broken-hearted Luna.

But yeah, it worked. Because I immediately composed myself.

"I hate it when you get so bratty like this. Makes me wanna spank your ass." The words ended in a low husky wave. And then he was walking away, pulling me along.

My cheeks burned at the feral hormones that let loose at his words and how he said them. Imagining his hands on my ass caused a twitch in my pussy.

Dear goddess. Heal my dirty mind. Help me get through tonight without doing something Ily gonna regret.