He Cheated, Now I’m Taking My Revenge on Our Wedding Day

"Don’t overthink it, Talia," Dad said gently, adjusting the strap of his bag as he stood by the door. "Lucian’s an Alpha. He’s got responsibilities, and those don’t leave much room for… distractions. You’ll understand once you’re mated."

I clenched my jaw, biting back the urge to argue. This was probably the fifth time he’d said something like that this month, as if Lucian’s distance was something I just had to excuse.

He pulled his coat tighter, his movements slower than usual. I hated how tired he looked—like life had been chipping away at him bit by bit.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" he said, his voice cracking just a little. "And don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re too much."

"I’ll try," I murmured, my throat thick.

Two months ago, things had been so different. Dad was my rock, always steady, always strong. But since Mom died, it felt like that strength was slipping away.

He gave me one last look, his eyes full of things he wasn’t saying, before heading out. I stood by the door, watching his car disappear down the forest road, his aftershave lingering faintly in the air. My chest ached, caught between wanting to run after him and the weight of staying here.

By the time I walked back into the Silverclaw Packhouse, the sky outside was a deep orange. Inside, the living room was dim, the only light coming from Lucian’s tablet. He was sprawled out on the couch, one hand holding it while the other lazily scrolled through his phone.

"Hey!" I said, setting my keys on the counter.

"Hey," he replied without looking up.

I hovered in the doorway, waiting for him to ask about Dad or even notice the date. But the silence dragged on, broken only by the quiet hum of his device.

"How was the patrol?" I asked finally.

"Same as usual," he said, not even glancing up.

I nodded, holding back a sigh. "Did you check on the western border thing?"

That got him to look up, though only for a second. "Not yet. Selene handled it."

My stomach twisted. Selene. The new pack member, his childhood crush who seemed to get all his attention these days.

Lucian didn’t notice—or didn’t care. He chuckled at something on his screen, the sound making my chest tighten.

I walked past him into the kitchen, catching a glimpse of his phone as I passed. My heart sank. Selene’s name was right at the top of a text thread.

Her latest message was glowing on the screen: "Hope you liked the cookies. I can bring more tomorrow if you want."

"Are you serious?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Lucian glanced up, frowning. "What?"

"You’re texting her again?"

He rolled his eyes. "Talia, she’s a packmate. It’s not a big deal."

"Not a big deal?" I snapped. "She’s been here two weeks, and you’re already spending more time with her than me!"

His face hardened. "You’re overreacting. She’s new. I’m just being friendly."

"Right. She's new and she's your damn childhood crush!" I said bitterly. "Because being Alpha means making everyone feel welcome except your mate."

Lucian sighed and stood, walking toward me. "You’re being unfair. You know how much pressure I’m under."

"And what about me?" I shot back. "I’m your mate, Lucian! Or does that not matter anymore?"

"Of course it does," he said, his tone sharper now. "But you knew what you were signing up for when you agreed to this. I can’t drop everything every time you need reassurance."

His words hit like a punch to the gut. "You didn’t even ask about my Dad," I said, my voice shaking.

Lucian’s jaw tightened. "I figured you’d tell me if there was something I needed to know."

"He’s struggling," I said, my voice breaking. "And I’m trying to hold everything together, but you’re not even here anymore."

"I’m here," he argued, gesturing around.

"No," I said, my voice firm. "You’re wherever ‘she’ is."

His phone buzzed on the counter, and we both glanced at it.

Selene’s name flashed again.