Weight of Hatred

Orion strode into the room, his confident stride faltering for a moment as he met the intense gazes of his family. He flashed a charming smile, but it seemed to falter on his lips. "Good evening, everyone. How was your day?" The air was heavy with tension as Dahlia's eyes narrowed, her voice low and incredulous. "Orion Lycaon," she uttered his full name, the words dripping with disappointment and shock. "Tell me it's not true. Did you reject Davina and take another woman to bed after finding your mate?" Dahlia's tone was laced with a mix of anger, hurt, and disbelief, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. Orion's smile vanished. Orion's words dripped with callousness. "Yes, it's true. She means nothing to me." His tone was detached, devoid of remorse, as if he'd merely stated a fact about something not important. The room seemed to hold its breath, and then, without warning, Dahlia's palm connected with Orion's cheek, the sound of the slap echoing through the silence like