Once His Mate, Now His Misery

LUNA CLARA

As Odette raised her hand to slap me, I caught her wrist mid-air. My grip was firm, but what truly made me pause was the bracelet on her arm.

It was unmistakable—that bracelet was mine. A custom piece Landon had given me during our first mating anniversary. Seeing it now on Odette's wrist sent a sharp pang through my chest.

Odette's lips curled into a smug smile as she noticed where my gaze had fallen. "Oh, this?" she said, twisting her wrist to flaunt it. "Alpha Landon gave it to me as a welcome gift. Jealous?"

Her words stung, but I refused to let her see it. Instead, I forced a smirk. "I could never be jealous of you, Odette." My voice was calm as I released her wrist and turned away. Without another glance, I walked off, leaving her standing there.

That night, Landon didn't come home as usual, but sleep eluded me regardless. My mind was restless, turning over the events of the past few days. Seeking clarity, or perhaps just peace, I decided to step outside. A walk under the cool night air might help ease the storm in my mind.

As I wandered through the quiet alleyways of our pack's town square, something caught my eye—Landon's car, parked conspicuously near the Moon Hostel. My breath hitched and my heart sank.

What could Landon possibly be doing here? The question gnawed at me, and before I could second-guess myself, I followed my instincts and stepped inside the Moon Hostel.

"Good evening," I said hastily to the clerk at the front desk. "Has Alpha Landon checked in here?"

The clerk shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. "Luna Clara, I apologize, but I cannot disclose that information to you."

I forced a smile, though the tension in my chest made it feel brittle. "You know what? Never mind. I'll check in myself. Please give me a room." I slid my card across the counter, my tone leaving no room for argument.

"But Luna—"

"I said I need a room," I interrupted, my glare cutting through her hesitation.

Reluctantly, she took my card, processed the payment, and handed me a key. "Room 101," she murmured, barely meeting my eyes.

I smiled faintly, then quickly walked away. I didn't actually need the room. My only goal was to get inside and figure out what Landon was up to. His car outside had already confirmed his presence, and now, so did the faint trace of his scent lingering in the air.

Clutching the key, I moved deeper into the hostel, my heart pounding as I prepared myself for whatever truth I was about to uncover.

When I reached the second floor, I spotted him immediately. My breath hitched as my worst fears came to life. There he was, Landon, holding hands with someone. They stood in the dimly lit hallway, completely at ease, as if the world around them didn't exist.

Then, as if to twist the knife in my chest, he leaned in and began making out with her, his hands roaming to her waist. I felt a lump in my throat. The sight of his betrayal is too much to bear.

Desperate to remain unseen, I ducked behind a large decorative pot. Tears streamed silently down my face as I bit down on my lip, trying to stifle the sobs threatening to escape.

"I've waited two whole years just to hold you in my arms," Landon's deep, tempting voice carried over to where I hid. "Now, finally, I can do it freely, whenever I want. I just can't get enough of you."

He pulled her into another kiss before guiding her into one of the rooms, the door shutting firmly behind them.

My heart shattered.

Suddenly, everything clicked—the coldness, the distant behavior, the cruel words he'd started throwing at me two years ago.

He'd been having an affair.

And the worst part of it all? The woman in his arms was my own sister.

Him welcoming her back wasn't because her sins were lifted—it was because he needed her for his personal benefit.

Pleasure, perhaps.