Revenge with my Alpha husband's brother.

chapter three

"Lianna, what are you doing here?" He was surprised to see me as well.

We have been best friends since school when he was still the Alpha future head. I used to have a huge crush on him although he was four classes my senior and that was only because I had been doubly promoted several times. But we drifted apart when Ethan and I met.

A day after we got married he left the pack and country and I hadn't heard from him since then.

"Oh my God." I smiled. "You look great." He had always been handsome but the past year had been good for him.

His features were now more defined. His brown eyes looked almost dark now and his pink lips were fuller. His killer jaw was covered with a light stubble. I felt butterflies in my starved stomach start to flutter.

His smile faded as he gave me a quick inspection with his eyes. I looked dirty and tired and my eyes were likely swollen since I spent most of the day in tears.

"What happened?" He asked concerned after pulling me to the sidewalk.

"Umm . . . ." I couldn't tell him what his brother had done to me so I just forced a smile. "It's nothing, I just had a bad day. That's it."

He looked like he wanted to argue but decided against it.

"Where did you park your car?" He asked assuming I didn't come this far on foot since he knew I was the only person in this pack that couldn't shift. He had no idea what I had been through.

"Umm.. it broke down, that's why I was walking."

"I'm not with my car either, I was coming back from a run when I saw you fall. Let me take you home." He started to stop a cab.

"No no, you didn't have to, I'm sure you have something better to do." I didn't want to be anywhere near Ethan's brother.

"If you don't want me to drive you home, I'll just ask Ethan to come to pick you up."

"No!" I cut him short and he looked at me confused. "It's just that it's late and I'm sure he is sleeping. I don't want to wake him up." I lied.

"It's barely 9 pm." He said suspiciously. "I never knew my brother to be an early sleeper."

"People change." I swallowed as I said the words. I had changed also, pain had changed me. I was no longer the wide-eyed girl he knew.

"Well, do you mind coming back with me to my hotel?" As I pondered the question he added; "it's a suite, there are extra rooms."

Of course, their family had always been rich and since my only other option was to sleep under a bridge, I agreed to go back with him.

The drive was a short and silent one, I know he knew I wasn't telling him the truth. But how could I tell him that his brother abused and humiliated me? Would he even believe me?

I murmured a thank you when he opened the cab door for me at the entrance of the luxury hotel. The last time someone opened a door for me was before I married Ethan.

When we got in he showed me my room which was ensuite and gave me some privacy. I immediately pulled off my dirty clothes and took a long hot shower.

As I bathed some parts of my body ached and thinking of everything that happened a few tears escaped my eyes. And my wolf tried to calm me, reminding me that we were safe now.

When I came out of the bathroom I saw clean clothes laid out on the bed, a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt, both of which were undoubtedly too big for me.

I smiled, Edward has always been the most thoughtful person I know.

My stomach growled as I put on the clothes, a reminder of how long it had been since I last ate.

I folded the loose ends and went to the mirror on the vanity and just as I guessed my eyes were puffy and red. I looked 5 years older than the 21 I was and I had lost weight over the past year.

I pulled my hair into a ponytail and went to look for Edward.

I nearly bumped into him when I opened the door.

"Sorry." We both said at the same time.

"I was going to-"

"I was coming to-" We started talking at the same time again.

"You go first." I laughed.

"I was coming to tell you dinner was here." He grinned.

"Great, I'm starving." I followed him to the parlor and my mouth watered at the sight of the cuisine spread out on the table. And my wolf almost did a backflip out of joy.

At first, I tried to eat in smaller lady-like bites but after the first few I gave up and started to eat heartily.

"When was the last time you ate?" He asked gently as he watched me.

"Breakfast," I answered without thinking.

"Are you trying to give yourself an ulcer or does it have to do with why you've been crying?"

I paused with a spoon halfway to my mouth and remembered how Ethan used me as his trash.

"Allergies," I muttered and put down the spoon, suddenly losing my appetite.

"Stop lying to me, Lianna." The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine. My wolf started to whisper dirty thoughts regarding my brother-in-law into my mind and I couldn't help my blush. My feelings for him never went away.

"When did you come back? To the pack?" I asked.

"Today." He answered quietly. That explains why he hadn't heard the rumors about me, the w***e gold digger.

"It doesn't matter, you're never here. I'll just pour my heart out to you and you'll have disappeared the next morning." I said referring to how he left a day after my wedding without a word to me.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd even notice. You were so in love with my brother." I was convinced I was imagining things because he sounded almost angry when he said it.

My eyes started to water at the reminder of what I had just escaped and I quickly blinked it away.

"You didn't even say goodbye." I smiled sadly.

"I'm here now." He reassured me

"We were friends for 5 years and you didn't even say goodbye. And now you think you can just walk back into my life." I yelled at him out of anger and pain.

He stood up from where he was and pulled me into a hug and I completely broke down. Crying and screaming against his chest. After a while when my tears had subsided, he repeated his question.

"What happened to you?" He asked as he wiped my tears and stroked my hair, I felt so warm and safe with him.

"Today or the past year?" I sniffled.

"Let's start with today."

"I went out to see my friend and when I came home Ethan was there, he was angry even though he smelt like a woman's perfume. But at least he was drunk."

"What do you mean at least he was drunk?"

"He doesn't beat me when he is drunk," I replied and felt Edward's whole body tense up.

"He brought his pregnant mistress, and told me I was going to be her maid, so I left. I asked for a separation. So I signed it and I left. I had nowhere to go but anywhere was better than there." I continued recalling the humiliation and hurt I felt.

"I'm so sorry Lianna. I can't believe he broke our deal. I'll take care of him. I'll make him pay for what he did to you." His eyes darkened as he said the words.

What deal was he talking about? Was it why Ethan never rejected me?