He Called Me Blind

CHAPTER FIVE — Caught In The Act Of Betrayal

CLAIRE'S POV

The clinking of silverware echoed through the long dining table. Laughter bounced from wall to wall, but none of it touched me.

I sat in my usual spot—beside Ethan—listening quietly as the rest of the Norths heaped praise upon Isabella like she was the second coming of the Moon Goddess.

“Bella, your dress is divine tonight,” gushed Aunt Maren—my father's sister. “Is that champagne silk? It brings out your glow!”

“It was a gift from my fiancé,” Isabella answered sweetly, playing coy. “He insisted I wear it tonight.”

Aunt Maren let out a delighted laugh. “He has taste, that one. Where is he anyway? Why didn’t you bring him along?”

I felt the sudden shift in Isabella’s tone.

“He's busy. Don’t worry, Aunt Maren. I’ll definitely bring him next time."

The dinner continued, and I just sat there in silence. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t try to initiate a conversation with them either.

I could feel Ethan glance at me once or twice, but he said nothing. He hadn’t said a word, just quietly assisting me with my food.

But I didn’t eat much. I had no appetite at all.

“You look too pale, Claire,” Luna Beatrice said suddenly, barely masking her disdain. “Are you not eating enough? Or is it your pregnancy that's giving you a hard time?”

I was surprised by her sudden comment as well. I thought she only ever had eyes for Isabella.

I gave a small smile, polite as always. “I’m fine.”

That was a lie. But no one at this table ever wanted the truth anyway.

They only ever asked out of habit, never out of care.

Isabella, of course, turned to me then. “Poor sister. Always so delicate. Maybe the stress of being Luna is too much for you, I presume? Especially in your current… state.”

She purposefully trailed off her last sentence. Her voice was light, but every word was dipped in poison.

Neil chuckled. “Please, don’t start with that again. If she didn’t have Grandma’s backing, she wouldn’t even be seated here.”

I forced myself to take a sip of water and didn’t respond.

Grandma Eleanor hadn’t come down for dinner tonight. Maybe she’d been feeling unwell again.

I missed her presence. She always reminded me of my father—Alpha Gideon North—the only person who ever stood up for me, even in front of the pack.

Strong, wise, and kind…

It’s a pity he died so soon. The warmth in this house died with him.

I clenched my dress beneath the table, fingers digging into the fabric to keep myself grounded.

The scent of roasted meat and fine wine wrapped around my senses, but none of it stirred my appetite.

I sat through a few more rounds of fake laughter and the forced clinking of glasses, then quietly excused myself to check on Grandma.

Ethan offered to go with me, but I shoved down his offer—telling him to stay, that I wouldn't be long.

He didn’t press and called for a servant to lead me upstairs.

When we arrived outside Grandma's bedroom, I waved the servant off.

I knocked gently. “Grandma. It’s me, Claire.”

Her voice, warm and soft, came from the other side. “Come in, darling.”

I stepped in carefully, guided by memory more than sight.

I followed her voice and scent—when I reached her bedside, a wrinkled hand held mine. My wolf purred at her gentle touch.

Though I hadn’t seen her face in almost two years, I was sure she had grown even older now.

But I could never forget her warm smile—one that always carried the strength I used to lean on as a child.

“I've missed you. How are you doing now, Grandma?" I asked her softly, trying not to choke on my silent sob.

“Oh dear, nothing better. Your Grandma is still as sick as before. Have you all finished dinner yet? Where’s Ethan?"

“He’s downstairs, keeping them company,” I said gently as I reached for her wrist. “You’re burning up again.”

She chuckled. “You always say that whenever I skip dinner. Did you bring that miracle medicine again?”

I smiled faintly and reached into my purse. “Mm. I had another batch made. It should last you at least two years.”

Her hand tightened around mine. “My dear grandchild.. You’re spoiling me too much.”

I sat down on the edge of the bed and shook my head. “Not at all. I just want you well.”

She sighed deeply. “You remind me so much of your father…always calm, always quietly enduring. Gideon had that same look in his eyes whenever he was worried—like he carried the whole pack on his back.”

The mention of his name still hit a raw nerve on me.

I let the silence stretch between us before I said softly, “He would’ve hated to see the way things turned out.”

Grandma didn’t speak for a moment.

Then, just as gently, she said, “Your father would’ve been proud of you. And furious at the way this family treats you.”

My throat tightened.

“But it’s not forever,” she added, giving my hand a light squeeze. “One day, everything will change. And you’ll know your worth.”

I blinked back the heat behind my eyes. “I don’t know if I’ll last long enough to see that day.”

She reached out and cupped my cheek. “You’re stronger than you know. But you must be wise. Let the world think what it wants. Protect yourself first.”

Her words stayed with me even after I left the room.

I didn’t know how much time she had left in this world. But tonight, I needed her words more than ever.

___

As I stepped slowly into the hallway again, I meant only to return to the car and wait for Ethan.

But I stopped abruptly at the bend in the corridor.

A soft sound drifted from the room across from me, carried through what felt like a partially open door.

A woman’s voice floated—breathy and low. “Ethan…”

My stomach dropped instantly.

I took a cautious step closer, my breath caught in my throat as my heartbeat quickened.

I was a hundred percent sure it was Isabella. Her voice was unmistakable.

I heard the faint rustle of clothes, followed by a whispered plea.

Then silence.

My wolf stirred violently inside me, baring her fangs. A growl rippled through my chest, invisible but suffocating, as if my soul itself had been clawed open.

‘He was ours,’ she howled—and yet here he was, giving pieces of himself to another, right in front of his Luna.

I had always known something was still there between them. But knowing and witnessing it were two different things.

I stepped back into the shadows and pulled my phone from my purse. My hands shook slightly, but I opened the camera—aimed it toward where the voices came from—and hit record.

I didn’t know what the outcome of the video would be, whether it was blurry or if I’d even hit the right angle—but their voices were proof enough.

Ethan groaned. “We can’t do this…”

Isabella’s flirty voice rang out again. “Don’t worry, darling. Claire won’t suspect a thing.”

That was enough.

I ended the recording, turned away, and walked silently down the hall—my footsteps light, but my resolve heavier than it had ever been.

Just as I reached the corner, a hand yanked me back.

“Dear sister,” she said in a low but smug voice, “how does it feel? Knowing your husband still moans my name when I ride him in your bed?”

I didn’t back away, nor break down.

I simply looked her way—eyes that couldn’t see, yet sharper than ever.

But I said nothing.

Because now, I don’t need words anymore.

I had the truth.

And it would be enough to burn everything down.