A Scorned Luna

KARA.  They say marrying an Alpha was the greatest honor that could ever be given to a wolf.  It symbolizes your purity and worth, ranking you higher amongst your equals.  They say you must serve him for as long as you live, and he will serve you in return so that you both may become weapons that defend your pack together.  They say…that it is the most precious title to ever hold.  “Luna?”  My breath hitches as I pull myself back from the land of thoughts, and my eyes find the servant who called out to me. She is petite, with long flowing hair and big brown eyes that are filled with innocence.  Innocence that hadn’t met the eyes of predators yet. I was once like her, I thought. But fate is never considerate to the pure things of the world.  “Yes?” I reply, swinging my robe across the marbled tiles.  She hesitates for a bit, her eyes darting to the dining table. I follow her gaze and my chest caves in at the sight.  Today was supposed to be my fifth year anniversary with my Alpha, Ryder. Alpha Ryder of the Red Shadow pack, a pack with one of the greatest legacies known to wolves. Silver streamers lined the halls, the sweet scent of lavender filled the air, and everywhere was peaceful, as expected on a special day like this. The position of being his Luna was as enticing as it sounded, and I was blinded by his charm as a young girl. A marriage of bliss, I had hoped back then.  But here I am, standing alone in the middle of the hallway, overwhelmed with sadness and despair that I get lost in thoughts in front of my servants. Five years of bleeding in silence. Five years of swallowing shame while the pack lost their respect for me and whispered behind my back.  Yes, that is what he reduced me to.   I nod at the servant dismissively and walk over to the set table filled with food. Food I had single handedly made all by myself.  My eyes stray to the grandfather clock at the corner of the room. It is already 9pm. Ryder said he would be down to celebrate by 7. I adjust the neckline of my silver dress and exhale, ignoring the tight knot in my chest.  My wolf is restless, eager and sad all at once, and I know she feels the dragging emptiness that I do.  At the center of the table is a large cake, something I learnt how to do all on my own, decorated with silver and gold fondants. A bitter smile forms on my face as I read the letters I had printed happily.  “Happy Anniversary Alpha Ryder and Luna Kara.” I almost scoff. It looks like pure mockery now, a bitter reminder of a future that never happened.  I look up at the grandfather clock again and sigh, shifting slightly. Where could he be now?  It is our anniversary and he knows that. Wouldn’t he at least pay me this respect out of everything? I got up from the chair abruptly and held my chest in pain. I had never felt pain so intense before. It felt like my heart was being ripped out and squeezed hard. It felt very difficult to breathe and I had to hold unto the chair to stop myself from crumbling down.  “What…what is happening?” I asked my wolf, trying to hold onto the sanity I had left.  I could feel my wolf retreating back into my mind. “Mate…mate….mate is with another woman.” And with that, she retreated finally and it looked like she’d gone into shock.  The pain lessened a little and I stood up with great difficulty, my back drenched with sweat.  I walked out, trying to act composed and while hoping unto the delusion that my mate wouldn’t do that to me. I walked past two junior guards whispering near the stairs that lead to their wing. Their words reach my ears before their eyes do, and they fall silent immediately. I had already heard it all.  One of them bows his head in guilt, but I do not indulge in their bad habits much longer. I needed to confirm if my wolf’s and the guards words were true. My heart picks up speed as my pace quickens, and I feel a painful squeeze around my heart when I realize our bedroom door is open.  My spine stiffens as trepidation fuels my blood with adrenaline. My wolf is a howling mess in my head, and I inhale the faint scent of cheap perfume before reaching the door knob.  At this point, my stomach churns, my blood is roaring in my ears, and my palms are clammy with sweat.  I’d recognize that perfume anywhere.  ‘No…he wouldn’t do that to me, right? Not on the night of our anniversary. Right?’ I continue to ask myself in that hallway with my hand still frozen on the door knob.  I can hear faint voices inside, but I cannot focus on anything other than the painful tug in my chest, begging me to end the suspense.  I inhale sharply and open the door.  The sight in front of me is like needles to my chest, shattering the remaining hope I may have had for our marriage.  Ryder is in bed with Sasha.  Not just laying in the sheets like some trivial aftermath, no, he is furiously thrusting into her, moaning out her name like she is the only thing anchoring him to his lifetime of pleasure. The Alpha of Red Shadow pack, stripped naked and fucking another woman in our matrimonial bed. The same bed where he once kissed me goodnight, whispered sweet nothings and promised me a future filled with bliss.  I can hear my own heart shattering, crack by miserable crack.  Sasha looks up at the door, her eyes blazing with lust and scorn. “Oh, precious Luna,” she says breathily, then moans as Ryder slams into her again.  Ryder finally looks at me, not even bothering to stop or slow his pace, and smiles. “Why are you all dressed up?” he laughs in mockery. “What, did you really think I was going to leave this,” he gestures to Sasha’s bent over body on the best, her tits bouncing as he continues to thrust into her. “for you and your pathetic little show?”  My vision turns blurry, and my throat constricts. “Ryder…” my voice croaks, and I swallow to relieve the tightness.  His eyes darken, and he slows down, just for a moment. Sasha whines at him . “Kara, if you’re not here to join us, then get out.” I blink as the first tears fall onto my cheeks. “Ryder, it's our anniversary,” I find my voice again. He sighs like I was nothing but an inconvenience he had tolerated for far too long. I know that sigh too well — the one he used every time he dismissed me, every time he made me feel small, every time he wanted to remind me that love had never lived here. “So?” he snaps. “I’ve survived five years of your nagging and your useless advice. What do you want now? If you’re not joining us, then get the fuck out of this room.” For a moment, I can’t move. My throat burns. My lungs feel tight. The man I waited for… cooked for… prayed for… is looking at me like I’m filth on his floor. Sasha’s moans more loudly, each sound tightening the knife already buried in me, twisting it until I can barely breathe