REJECTED BY MY HUSBAND, CLAIMED BY HIS BROTHER

Before she could utter another word I forced out a cough. Sue me. “Oh no,” she groaned. “Don’t you dare cough at me through the phone. That’s evil. You’re spreading it digitally now?” I laughed. “Tell the girls I love them, alright? I’m gonna stay home and feel sorry for myself.” They all shouted half-drunken ‘Get well soons!’ and I hung up, heart sinking just a bit. We’d planned that girls’ night for weeks… but still. Something had felt off all day. I turned about to head for the kitchen when my eyes caught soemtying—Taryn's shoes. I scanned the room in confusion he wasn't supposed to be at home this early. Hope bloomed in my chest, ridiculous and fast. My hand instinctively went to my stomach. Maybe the nausea wasn’t nothing. Maybe it meant something.I smiled. “Babe?” I called out. “Honey?” As if answering my calls the shower turned on and a flirty little grin tugged at my lips. Alright. I could work with this. Maybe I’d tell him the news while we were wrapped in steam and soap. I padded upstairs, already picturing his reaction when I heard an odd but intimate sound. One too loud to be mistaken. "You didn't hear anything right?" My wolf asked like she was trying to gaslight herself and I swear the hallway tilted a little. Grabbing onto the railing with all my might I walked slowly until I finally reached out bedroom door. I didn't even need to push it open to see. Her clothes—corset top and leather pants were all over the place in pieces. My heart didn't just break, it felt smashed and I just stared at the room not moving. Slowly I stepped in and it didn't take long for me to see them. She was bent over her hand on the wall while he railed into her from behind. Without another thought, I turned back. My fingers were numb as I walked back down the stairs, grabbed my keys, and left. Let him keep the shower. The house. The lies. Goddess, how long has this been going on? I had a lawyer to call—and a whole lot of dignity to collect. The car engine roared to life and I pulled out of the house with speed not caring whether they heard. Obviously they had been too tied up to even notice me in the room so I doubt they would hear that. My eyes stung and I let the tears fall freely as I drove towards the woods. After a short run I had been able to convince myself that none of it was real. But when I saw her car leaving our driveway, I knew it was real. So with a deep breath I drove back in placing my car the exact spot her's was. "Oh my Goddess, babe. You're not supposed to be home," Taryn said, staring at me, his tanned face frozen in shock. Guilt spread over him like bad makeup. “How long have you been here?” Well I had to pull out of the girls trip. I had a stomach ache. You? Why are you here?" I asked, scamming his face and he looked like a deer in headlights. “Came home to rest. And you know... make sure things are ready for the ball tonight.” Right. The ball. He was throwing some grand thing for the Alpha's return. Because God forbid Taryn not show off. I just nodded and walked away to prepare. Upstairs, I curled my hair like my hands weren’t shaking then slipped on the floor length silver gown that Taryn had gotten me three weeks ago. With a heavy chest I called Justin, an old friend of mine from college and told him to get the divorce papers ready. I’d sign them tonight. Drop them on Taryn’s desk tomorrow. I didn’t want a scene. I just wanted out. My voice cracked halfway through the call, but I kept going. “Are you sure, Lil?” Justin asked. “You sound... wrecked.” “Good,” I muttered. “I am wrecked. He wrecked me. Just send the damn papers.” I hung up right as Taryn’s voice carried up the stairs. “Ana! We’re late!” I stepped out and I watched his lips stretch into a smile. He stood in a black custom suit with a silver tie exactly the same shade as my dress. Normally I'd have been all over how good he looked but. God. I wanted to punch him. Instead, I smiled. Bit down hard on the inside of my cheek. And walked past him like he hadn’t just ripped me into two and he told me about how sexy I was. Great. The car ride to the ball was awkward and I couldn't tell whether or not he could feel it. By the time we had walked in, Taryn's hands were all over me and I tried my best to pretend like I was imagining stabbing him with my heels as we greeted every important person present. The Alpha was surprisingly present, still looking as stoic as ever but at least he took time to commend me about the event. "Common baby. Let's dance," he yelled over my ear and I jolted up a bit startled. I stared at his proud face feeling nothing but disgust. The last thing I wanted to do was be in his arms. My skin itched for some reason, “My head’s spinning,” I muttered, not waiting for a response as I walked away, heels clicking faster than they should’ve. The moment I slipped into the quiet of the study, I exhaled like I hadn’t breathed in hours. “Justin?” I whispered into the phone. “Tell me they’re ready.”“They’re ready,” he said. “We can have them filed in the morning.” I nodded, though he couldn’t see it. “I’ll sign them tonight. I’m leaving first.” He started to say something else, something about logistics or email, but then— “Who are you talking to?” Taryn's voice came from behind me and my wolf whimpered in fear while I turned, trying to look as calm as possible. "It was Mabel checking on me. You know how she is," I said with the biggest grin stepping closer to him. I could tell he had not bought anything I said and his expression took a darker tone. “Give me the phone.” “No,” I said quickly, backing up. “It’s private.” “Liliana!" He yelled lunging at me. He grabbed my wrist, holding it tightly and even though I tried to fight I watched him pry the phone out of my hands. “Taryn, stop—just give it back!” He didn’t. He shoved me, not enough to hurt but enough to send me stumbling against the desk. My hand caught the edge. My heart was pounding now, breath shallow as I watched him tap the screen and bring the phone to his ear. The recording concerning everything Justin and I had just discussed last filled my ears—my heart pounded as I watched, hoping the ground would swallow me. He didn't say a word and I watched his jaw tightened, his face slowly going white as he understood what