Chapter 1: Jane I didn't expect to spend my thirtieth birthday like this… at a party my Alpha mate had thrown ‘for me', watching him make a fool of himself with another woman on stage. I clutched a glass of champagne tightly in my hand and my wolf growled to rip that bitch apart. Xander's shirt was half unbuttoned now, his tie long gone, and his cheeks were flushed from drinking too much whiskey. While his Beta Mia shamelessly wrapped her arm around his waist, her slender fingers dancing across his back. They sang together even if their voice was terrible. She was younger than me, she wore a tight, low-cut dress. The red fabric clung to every curve of her body, the neckline plunging dangerously low. Her blonde hair flowed down her back, teasing my husband's skin every time they made physical contact. Since three years ago, Mia replace her dead father as Xander's current beta and personal assistant,I watched their professional relationship gradually evolve into something. Little touches escalated into literal groping, small laughs escalated into inside jokes, and late nights at the office discussing ‘pack business' for some reason now required expensive champagne and takeout. I looked around at the ‘Happy Birthday to My Luna' balloons decorating the room, how ironic. Mia leaned against Xander, whispering something in his ear that made he threw his head back in laughter. He looked at her as if she was the funniest person. I hadn't seen him this happy for a long time. The last time was seven years ago at our mating ceremony, at that time, the light in his eyes only shining for me. People around were all laughing but I knew they were actually mocking me. The pack Luna, sitting here while her Alpha pratically groped his Beta in front of everyone. "Five bucks says Alpha Xander and Beta Mia will kiss before midnight," I heard a female voice said. "Please," another one responded. "They'll do more than just kiss. Have you seen the way he's looking at her?" I turned around slowly to look at the people speaking, making sure to calm my features. It was two young members who had just joined our pack – a blonde and a brunette, both looking barely old enough to drink. I wasn't surprised, as only someone completely ignorant of the company hierarchy would say something like that in front of the Alpha's Luna. When they finally noticed me staring, instead of showing appropriate respect, she tilted her head and arrogantly asked, "Do you also work at Blackwood Group?" I didn't respond. I just stared at them coldly. Before I was about to retort words that would make them regret someone called out to me. "Luna Jane! There you are, birthday girl!" I knew who it was even before I turned. Gamma's daughter Giana. With a champagne flute in hand, her red lips stretched into what most would believe to be a friendly smile. But I knew better. We all worked for the Blackwood Group, the world leading luxury jewelry company. It was part of being in the pack. Xander was of course as CEO and Alpha, Mia was his devoted beta and ‘indispensable' executive assistance, and Giana was the sales director. Her post was right below me, so she was one of the few people who called me by my name like a friend, even though we weren't friends. "Giana," I nodded at her, as she stopped in front of me. She air-kissed both of my cheeks, her expensive perfume practically choking me. "Happy birthday! You have to tell me how it feels to be thirty." Don't worry, you'll find out soon, I wanted to say. But instead, I offered a fake smile. "You know," she continued, "Everyone has been asking about you all night. ‘Where's Luna?' ‘When do we get to speak with our Luna?'""Is that so?""Yes," she nodded, "But it's so difficult for you to get any time with them. No opportunity to chat." Her eyes drifted to the stage, and Xander and Mia swayed together, sharing microphones and laughing like they were on a private date rather than a work event. "By the way," Giana began. She dropped her head as if she were telling me a secret. "What did you think about their performance? The Alpha and Beta have such… chemistry on stage, don't they?" Damn bitch. She was mocking me. Still, I managed a forced smile at Giana. "That's great. I'm very happy with the surprise my husband prepared for me." Before she spit another vicious words, the guests erupted into applause around us for the performance of their Alpha and Beta. I guessed they were done with their nonsense. But Xander brought the damn microphone back to his lips. "Thank you, everyone. We're having such a great time that we're going to sing one more song. In honor of my Luna" He said the last part and points at me. More applause. More cheers. But I smiled stiffly. All I wanted to go home, and forget about this damn birthday. Giana looked at me with pity. "Well, "she said. "I'll catch up with you later." She hurried off. "Oh shit, she's Luna Jane? No way" The two blond girls whisper again from behind me. I turn again and glare at them the last time. They both awkwardly avert their gaze and quietly walk away. Good. I turned back to the stage, my heart pounding. The chords of Taylor Swift's ‘Love Story' began to play. Mia's eyes locked with Xander's, and her hand was touching his arm, making my stomach twist. She was completely shameless, and he was too drunk to notice—or worse, he didn't care. I watched Mia's fingers leave my husband's arm, trailing lower and lower, and lower. I finally snapped. I let the empty champagne flute crash to the floor as I walked toward the stage. I could sense all eyes on me, the whispers dying down as they realized what's happening. They were waiting to see if I would break down, if the nominal Luna would finally drop the mask and accept Mia's humiliation. But I didn't care. I was done playing the perfect Luna. Xander didn't even look up when I stopped in front of them. Mia locked gazes with me, but instead of moving away from my husband, she simply straightened up, one hand still resting possessively on his thigh. "Xander," I hissed. "It's getting late. We should leave." He finally looked up, blinking in confusion. "Leave?" he slurred the words and gestured with his free hand. "Come on, Jane. It's your birthday!" Fuck the birthday. "We. Are. Leaving," I said again. "Now." I repeated. He mumbled like a baby and tries to pull me down to the floor "Noo, Stay, Have fun with me, don't be such a wet blanket" The annoyance was obvious in his voice. He looked at me like I was ruining the party. I didn't say anything., walking backstage, my eyes landing on the event manager who'd been hovering near the sound booth. "End it," I commanded immediately. "Shut everything down. Now." He blinked at me. "Luna Jane, the party is scheduled until…""I don't care when it's scheduled for," I cut him off, making him flinch. "This is my birthday party, and I want it over. Cut the lights, stop the music. All of it." He nodded quickly and turned to the technicians, relaying my orders. Within seconds, the light dimmed, the music cut off mid-note and everywhere was silent. When I walked back to center stage, all that was left was the sound of my high heels. I grabbed my husband's arm and pulled him firmly toward the edge of the stage. "We're leaving," I said, loud enough for those nearby to hear. Mia started saying something, but one look from me had her sinking back to the bench and shutting her mouth. "Jane…" Xander stuttered as he stumbled behind me. He was shocked by my sudden assertiveness, but I wouldn't engage. He was too drunk for me to argue with him. As if he understood that I was in a sour mood, he became quiet. For once, I was the one in control. I walked with Xander till we get to our car parked outside. Mike, our driver sees us coming and quickly rushes to open the back seat door. Then he helped me set Xander inside. I entered the passenger seat before slaming the door shut. I sighed, "Take us home."

Chapter 2 The Aftermath. Jane I couldn't sleep. Xander was fast asleep beside me. He'd had no trouble nodding off, obviously not very concerned with the fact that he'd singlehandedly ruined my night. I traced the sharp line of his jaw with my eyes, trying to search for evidence of his betrayal. Just say a word, a name. That was all I want. But there was nothing. Not even a twitch. Of course not. Xander was extremely calculated, even in sleep. He always wanted to control everything, me included. My eyes drifted to the dresser, where his phone kept lighting up. I looked back at Xander. Before I could convince myself not to, I reached for his cell. It felt like I was committing a serious crime as I tapped my finger against the screen. It lit up, but Xander had taken the extra precaution by setting his notifications to private. The only thing I could see was the sender, and all twenty-something texts… and counting were coming from the same person. I peered down at the profile picture. It was a tiny, blurry picture even though it looked like Mia. I spent the entire night spiraling, replaying that horrible birthday party in my head, wondering what was really going on between Mia and Xander. I eventually gave up on sleep, and dragged myself to the kitchen. By 6 a.m., I'd consumed three cups of coffee. I looked up when the smell of mints came to my nose. Xander appeared in the kitchen doorway, dark hair disheveled, rubbing his temples. "Morning," he mumbled, shuffling toward the coffee pot. "Last night was great. You good?" Was it? I wanted to ask, but instead, I answered, "Just tired." I'd tried to keep my voice steady, but the bitterness still managed to slip out. Xander paused mid-sip, his gray eyes narrowing slightly over the rim of his mug. The kitchen suddenly felt too small, and the tiny peace I'd felt here has vanished completely. "What's wrong, Jane?" He dropped his voice, sounding more concerned than he really was. What's wrong? I almost laughed. I gripped my mug tighter. "I'm. Fine." He frowned again and set his coffee down. "You don't sound fine." He reached for the coffee pot, refilled his mug and slid into the chair beside me. "Talk to me Jane." I turned to look at him. My husband. He was devastatingly handsome. Xander was almost a whole foot taller than me, towering over most of the pack. His dark hair fell in tousled waves, still messy from sleep. A lifetime ago, I would have buried my fingers in the silky strands and planted a sweet kiss on his full lips. Now when I looked into his gray eyes, it felt like I was looking at a stranger. Even the strong line of his jaw, his usual early morning stubble that used to make my knees weak did nothing to me anymore. As he gazed at me innocently, I found myself transported back to how we'd met at the Werewolf Academy. Eighteen-year-old Xander had been leaning against the brick wall right outside the dining hall. I'd barely even noticed him as I walked past, but he'd spotted me immediately and declared, "You're mine." And like every typical sixteen year old would, I laughed in his face. I'd believed he was feeding me some elaborate line, toying with my feelings. I didn't even sense any sort of partner relationship between us. "You're lying," I'd told him flatly. "You don't even know me." But that didn't deter him. He spent months pursuing me relentlessly. He would slip notes into my textbooks, get me coffee, escort me to and from class. He was attentive, caring… just perfect. I finally cracked and agreed to be his girlfriend. But with a condition. "If I find my destined partner when I turn eighteen, I'm breaking up with you," I'd said to him. Xander grinned with so much confidence I almost took the words back. "Agreed. But you won't want to." He was right. On my eighteenth birthday, when my wolf finally roared to summon her mate, I'd felt that unique sensation directed at none other than Xander. It made me the happiest person in the world. Now, that memory tasted bitter in my mouth. It was tainted by his involvement with his Beta and how that had turned me into a laughing stock. "You embarrassed me last night," I finally blurted. I set my mug down hard enough that coffee spilled over the rim. "And what was that karaoke performance with Mia? Everyone was watching." His jaw tightened at the mention of her name. "God, jane. You always do this… make trouble out of nothing.""Nothing? You think it's nothing?""Do you know how many women would kill for your life?" He gestured around our large kitchen with its marble countertops and advanced appliances. "I've given you everything. Luna title. This house. The cars. The vacations." What was he even talking about? "And it's never enough." He ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "It's always Mia this, Mia that. She’s my Beta. I'm tired of it Jane. So damn tired." This was my fault now? After everything he'd put me through?. I glared at him for a moment. But I also knew that if I pushed further, he'd reach for his phone and call my mother. She never took my side, and thought it was my luck to marry Xander. After all, she couldn’t live without Xander’s money. “So how would you like me to show my gratitude, my lord?” He sighed. "I don't want to argue with you, Jane. Actually…" he paused, straightening his shoulders. "There's something I need to discuss with you. I've been thinking it's time." My stomach dropped. This was it. Xander was about to ask for a divorce. Mom was going to kill me. She already planned a vacation in Paris next month. But when Xander opened his mouth, he said, "I think we should consider an open marriage." I sat still, waiting for the punchline, because it had to be a joke. But his expression remained serious. It finally dawned on me. Xander was not joking. "Absolutely not," I yelled. "Are you out of your mind?""I'm not asking for your opinion, Jane. I'm telling you what's going to happen." I couldn't believe what was happening. A divorce would have been much better than this. But I just had to know… "Why?" He looked away before answering. "I want a pup. It's been seven years. Blackwood couldn't be without an heir." My mouth flew open. Did he wake up with the sole purpose of hurting me? I knew what that statement meant. My inability to conceive had made me a failure. Eight rounds of IVF, eight times I'd put my body through hell, and eight times we'd failed. "How dare you say that to me?" I hissed. "That's not my fault!""Jane… you need to calm down.""The doctor always says we're both healthy." My voice broke. "Just the embryos are… unusual."“It’s not my fault either. Maybe it’s just us together.” I couldn’t believe he said that. I reached for the buttons of my blouse, let it fall to the floor, stripping down until I was standing naked in front of him. "I can try again." I leaned into him, grabbed his hand and placed it over my chest. "Does this not move you anymore?" Xander's face hardened into something I didn't recognize. “Jane” He snatched his hand away from me and rose to his feet. "Put your clothes on, Jane. This isn't about sex." He turned away from me as if the sight was distasteful and grabbed his keys from the counter. I fumbled with my clothes. "Where are you going?" He didn't look back. "Out!" He walked away, toward the stairs. "Wait," I shouted, my voice shaking. Xander turned around, impatient. "What?""Let’s do it. The open marriage.""Good" He said before left. -- I spent the next couple of hours pacing in the kitchen, drowning myself in coffee while wild thoughts ran through my head. When the door finally opened again, I was sitting at the kitchen table, coffee mug in hand. Xander walked in first. "Hey," I began. "We should…" I turned my attention back to the door at the sound of heels. Mia walked in, wearing her signature low-cut dress, wheeling a large suitcase behind her. No. "Jane," Xander said casually as if this was completely normal. "Mia's moving in. She's my girlfriend now." I had always prided myself on my ability to remain calm regardless of what was going on. But for the first time in my life, I understood what it meant to want someone dead.

Chapter 3 Cast Aside. Jane When Mia stepped through the kitchen door, I was shocked and confused. The sight of her, grinning like this was her home. My wolf howled in outrage inside me. I couldn't believe he actually went through with this. I'd technically agreed to it, but I never truly thought he would bring her here. "You can't be serious. Xander.""I'm very serious," he replied, taking Mia's suitcase and setting it down with a thud as if to say she was here to stay. But she can't. I won't accept it. I moved to block the staircase. "I'm the Luna of this pack and I won't allow it." They exchanged glances and simply walked around me like I was nothing more than furniture. "I am your Alpha." His alpha tone made me winch. "It's my house. I provide you with a place to stay. If you don't like the arrangement, you're free to leave." I stood there, paralyzed to the spot. I replayed the entire morning in my head. How did things escalate so quickly? As if they hadn't hurt me enough already, Mia turned to face me, her smile reeking of triumph. "You'll need to move to the guest room, Jane. I'm not sharing a bed with you and Xander." I couldn't breathe. And what was even worse? Xander was right. I couldn't do anything about it. I could only stand there, frozen and hollow as they disappeared into our bedroom. The door closed with a soft click that somehow felt worse than if it had slammed. I could hear them whispering and laughing, and that finally pulled me out of whatever kept me rooted in place. I rushed through the hallway and out of the pack house, not bothering to close the door behind me. I stumbled into the garage, barely even standing on my feet. Vitto, Xander's bodyguard, stood by the cars. His head snapped up as I walked in, eyes widening as he took in my disheveled appearance. “Luna, you-” I extended my trembling hand. "The keys. I need the Rolls-Royce." His brows knitted together. "Alpha Xander didn't mention…""The keys, Vitto," I commanded, adding more force to my voice. "Now." He hesitated for a bit before retrieving them from the lockbox and handing it to me. I pulled it from his grasp and jumped into the car. Vitto's worried expression in my rearview mirror was the last thing I saw before reversing out of the garage. I drove without destination for over an hour, mind spinning. All I could see was Xander and that bitch. I'd planned to get a manicure today. I could firmly say that I was no longer in the mood. I couldn't help but wonder how long he'd been planning this. He'd mentioned open marriage just a couple of hours ago and now he'd actually brought his lover home. What disturbed me the most was how empty I felt inside. I couldn't cry. Couldn't scream. I was numb. My previous pack psychologist had called it a ‘defense mechanism.' "You're denying your true feelings," she'd insisted during our sessions. "Cry it out, Jane" She might have been right, but right now, I didn't want to pay attention to anyone's opinion. I just wanted a drink. Without overthinking it, I pulled the car into the hidden lot behind Moonfall. I'd discovered the bar three years ago after a particularly vicious fight with Xander. This place has become my favorite bar since then. It was located on the very outskirts of werewolf city, hidden down an unmarked road. Particularly, there were no paparazzi lurking around, meaning no headlines like, "Blackwood Pack's Luna Spotted Drinking Alone, Rumored Marriage Trouble with Alpha Xander." The moment I pushed the door open, the scent of shape-shifters from various clans hit me. Here, pack hierarchies and politics didn't matter, we were just ourselves. Unlike the pretentious establishments in the city where werewolves flaunted their status and treated other shapeshifters with disdain, Moonfall welcomed all. I slid onto the leather barstool and caught the bartender's eye. "Whiskey. Neat. And keep it coming." The bear shifter bartender, a huge man with a thick beard nodded and placed a heavy crystal tumbler in front of me. He poured my drink and leaned forward. "Rough day?" I took a long sip, sighing as the liquor burned the back of my throat. "Not interested in talking." He shrugged. "Fair enough. Name's Bob if you change your mind." I nodded at him and went back to my drink. I understood bartender's liked to listen to customer's, but now, I just wanted to lick my wounds alone. I'd just finished my second drink when strong arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind. I stiffened instantly. "Kate! There you are, sweetheart!" A foreign deep voice said almost too loudly, as if he wanted someone to hear him. The tall, handsome stranger slid onto the stool beside me. He smelled of pine forests after rain, a scent that made my wolf stir with unexpected interest. He was a werewolf too. I looked up at him, and almost did a double take. He was handsome, painfully so. He had raven black hair, dreamy blue eyes, full kissable lips, set into what looked like a permanent smile. He was looking at me in such a way that almost made me weak in the knees. Almost. The man suddenly leaned in close, grabbing my hands. "Play along. I'll explain later." Before I could respond, a furious looking woman stormed across the bar toward us. "Aaron!" she snapped. "So this is why you've been ignoring my calls?" The stranger, Aaron, tightened his grip on me. "You shouldn't be doing this in front of my wife." I didn't think her voice could get louder, but it did. "Your wife?!" He lifted my left hand where Xander's wedding ring was. "Yes, Hazel. My wife." Her face suddenly twisted in disgust as she turned to face me. "Seriously? You married this scumbag?""Hey!" Aaron yelled. "You can't talk to my wife like that." But her attention didn't shift from me. "You can't see what your jerk of a husband did?" I stared blankly at her, waiting for her to explain. "He disappeared after we slept together. Not even a text! Just vanished like it meant nothing!" Aaron looked deep into my eyes and brought my hands to his chest. He was trying real hard to sell this apologetic husband story. Xander needed to learn a thing or two from him. "Because it didn't mean anything," Aaron replied, his eyes still on mine. "It was a one-night stand. Just one night.""You absolute jerk! You made me believe…" He held up a hand. "I never promised you anything.""Go to hell," she spat at him. And then she turned to face me, eyes filled with pity and contempt. "Good luck with your marriage to this piece of trash." She stormed toward the exit, shouldering past a group of fox shifters. Everything happened so fast that I sat frozen, my whiskey completely forgotten. Aaron released my hand and exhaled dramatically. "Thank the moon goddess that's over." He ran his fingers through his dark hair. "Sorry about dragging you into that. She's been following me for weeks. Showed up at my workplace yesterday." I blinked at him, still trying to process what had just happened. The confrontation had pulled me out of my misery for a moment, but I could feel it returning slowly. He turned toward the bar, lifting his hand to signal Bruno. "Let me buy you a drink. You definitely earned it, playing along like that." I stared at him, then glanced toward the door where Hazel had disappeared. The whole encounter had lasted maybe two minutes, but I was still dumbfounded. My glass was empty. My marriage was in shambles. What could I possibly lose by having a drink with a handsome stranger? "Let's get two glasses." Aaron grinned at me then turned to Bob. "Two glasses it is."

Chapter 4 A Crazy Plan. Aaron I could sit here and say that recruiting the help of this woman in avoiding Hazel was all a crazy coincidence, but that would be a lie. I spotted her the moment I walked into the bar. She wasn’t just the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, she was unique. Her scent hit me suddenly, almost knocking off the fragile bar stool. My wolf howled inside me, clawing at my chest in a way I hadn’t felt in years. I shifted uncomfortably, surprised by my reaction. The platinum band had been a disappointing surprise. Whoever her husband was, he better thank the moon goddess. He’s a damn lucky bastard. The last time my wolf had been this restless was the night I met my mate Yve. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced. I’m Aaron.”“I gathered.” Right. Hazel had been yelling my name with so much rage. “Great. It’s only fair if you tell me yours… even the playing field a little.” She finally turned to face me, assessing me quietly. She said nothing, her eyes meeting mine for a second, maybe two. But it was enough. Her lips parted slightly and I caught myself staring, mesmerized by the subtle curve of her mouth. Shit. She probably thinks I was trying to flirt with her. I raised my hands in mock surrender, leaning away from her. “Just to be clear, I’m not trying to flirt. Women are…” I chuckled, shaking my head, “frankly, troublesome.” She arched an eyebrow, letting me know I’d said the wrong thing. “Right,” she said flatly. “You just happened to use a complete stranger as a shield against some innocent ex. Because all men are the same, aren’t they?” Before I could defend myself, she turned away, reached for her glass of whiskey sitting on the bar and downed it in one gulp. My eyes widened, but I decided it was smart not to comment on it. Instead, I extended my hand, determined to salvage something from this trainwreck. “And for what it’s worth, that woman wasn’t an ex.”“I don’t care.” Great. Another woman convinced me I was the villain. Not even five minutes of conversation and she’d already filed me under “problems to avoid.” And the worst part? I couldn’t even blame her. I definitely deserved that. We didn’t speak for the next couple of minutes, and I took that time to study her. At first glance, she didn’t look like just anybody. There was something in her posture, the designer clothes, her expensive perfume and the way others in the room kept glancing at her. Probably the wife of some CEO, someone with status among the pack. “So, are you going to tell me your name?” I asked, trying again. "You don't have to tell me your last name," I said, smiling. "But you look like you need someone to talk to. Since you have just saved my life, I suppose it is the least I can do."“Jane,” she finally conceded. She sighed and took a sip of the second glass of whiskey. “My name is Jane.”“Nice to meet you, Jane,” I said, extending my hand. She took it. As the night went on, and Jane consumed her fifth glass of whiskey, she loosened up. She couldn't stop telling her life story as if we had known each other for years. I'd already asked the bartender to interrupt her, but she hadn't noticed. “Xander doesn’t even try to hide it anymore,” she said, staring into her sixth, maybe seventh glass of whiskey. “Brought her into our home today. That bitch even made me move out of our bedroom. Can you believe that?” A low growl threatened to escape me. My wolf didn’t like that one bit. Something protective flared in my chest. “He let this happen?”“He…” she stopped instantly, coughing severely. Her shoulders were shaking intensely. I believed it was the cough, but when she looked up, her eyes were shining. “He suggested it.” She broke into a sob after that, drowning the sound with another gulp. Once she’d emptied her glass, she reached for the bottle, but I pushed it out of her reach and placed my hand over hers. “Maybe we should slow down. I’m not sure it’s helping.”“You don’t get to tell me how to live my life,” Jane snapped, pulling her hand away from mine. She turned toward the bar. “Bob! Another round.” Bob glanced over, his eyes flickering between Jane and me. He hesitated, waiting for my permission. I sighed. She was definitely as drunk as a skunk. “Bob won’t be pouring that.”“Excuse me?”“He values his job too much?”“And what does it have to do with you?” I shrugged, the corner of my mouth quirking up. “I own the place.” Her eyes widened slightly as she gave me a once over. Then she stood, swaying dangerously. “Well then, I guess I just have to find another bar.” I caught her elbow gently as she tried to step past me. It didn’t take much effort anyways. “Jane, wait. Please.” something in my voice must have reached her. She paused, but didn’t look at me. “Have you considered divorce? No one deserves what he’s putting you through.”“Divorce? You think I haven’t thought of that?” she sank back onto her stool. “We have complicated interests. He is my mate. I can’t leave. My family depends on Xander’s money.” I studied her face as she spoke. Beneath the anger and humiliation, there was something painful in her eyes, something I hadn’t expected to see. “It’s your life, no one should make you be like this.” She gave a sarcastic smile. “Easy for you to say, Mr. Owner.” I'd seen people like Jane who won't leave a toxic relationship because they still loved each other. She said it was because of her family, but I could tell it was more than that. She was not ready to let go. That was love -- it made you hold on even when you shouldn't. I knew that feeling too well. An idea formed in my head. It was stupid and reckless, but before I could stop myself, I said, “What if you reminded him?” I leaned in closer. “You should find yourself a boyfriend.”“Boyfriend?” She looked at me, thinking I was crazy. It sounded like a dumb idea, but one thing I knew about cheated men was that they couldn't stand being cheated on. It would drive him crazy. I hoped Xander divorced her because she was too timid to do it herself. “Not a real relationship. Just hire one to play that role until Xander came back to his senses.” Jane’s eyes lit up for the first time all night. “That’s… actually not a bad idea.” she tapped her finger against her glass. “But where would I even find someone willing to do that? It’s not exactly a standard job listing.” I felt my pulse quicken. My mouth opened before my brain could intervene. “I could do it.” Jane’s eyebrows shot up in utter disbelief. “You? Why would you want to get involved in this mess?” I shrugged, trying to look as casual as possible. “I’ve got time. And honestly? Your husband sounds like he could use a wake-up call.”“Wow. I…” she paused, staring down at her hands. She looked suspicious for a moment, but then she managed a grateful smile. “I’d pay you, of course. Generously.” I nearly laughed. I didn’t care about money, I didn’t even need it. I had enough to last me a lifetime. But I decided to humor her. “Sure. whatever you think is fair.” That made things simpler, less personal. Refusing payment would only make her more suspicious. She nodded, suddenly all business-like. “I’ll need to plan this carefully. I’ll contact you when I’m ready.” She pulled out her phone and we exchanged numbers. As I walked her to the door, I couldn’t help but feel concerned for her. “You sure you’re okay to drive? I could call you a car.”“I’m fine,” she insisted, fishing for the keys from her purse. She hopped into her Rolls Royce and turned to look at me one last time. “I know my limits.” She drove off with more steadiness than I’d expected. Maybe I’d been stupid to even worry. But as I watched her car disappear down the road, that was when it dawned on me. My wolf paced restlessly inside me.What the hell was I thinking? What kind of trouble have I gotten myself into?

Chapter 5 Surprise, Surprise. Jane I woke up with a splitting headache. “Ugh…” I grunted at the ray of sunlight spilling into the room. I forced my eyes open, I was in my living room. How did I even get home? The drive was a total blur. I remembered nothing. I pushed myself up with a groan, steadying myself against the headboard. I managed a glance out the window where I spotted Xander’s Rolls Royce parked in the driveway, without a scratch. Thank the moon goddess. At least I hadn’t ruined his precious car. I muttered as I tasted the bile rising up in my throat. My mouth tasted like something nasty had crawled up and died inside. I staggered to my feet, pausing for a moment until the room stopped spinning. I desperately needed to shower. So I gripped the banister and made my way to the master bedroom one step at a time. I froze when I opened the door. Xander’s head snapped up. Beside him, Mia’s blonde hair spilled across my pillow (MY PILLOW) her naked body tangled with his beneath sheets I’d picked out. I could feel my wolf erupt in anger, clawing at my insides. I screamed. Mia let out a scream and fell off him, struggling to cover herself. But even as she did so, I could see the triumph in her eyes. “What the fuck Jane!” Xander barked in annoyance. “Haven’t you heard of knocking?” I wanted to tell him this was my bed, my bedroom. I’d never knocked on any door in this house before, but what was the point? So, instead, I said, “I just needed to get something.”“Oh, honey.” I looked up to see Mia looking at me with false sympathy, her head tilted as if she was speaking to a child. “All your things were moved to the guest room.” She emphasized ‘guest’ like I was some unwelcome visitor. “I took care of it yesterday.”“How thoughtful,” I hissed. Xander didn’t even look at me. “Close the door on your way out.” I nodded stiffly. My wolf paced, teeth bared. If I stay in this hallway one more second, my wolf would take over me and riped that bitch apart. I turned to leave, struggling to keep my anger in check. Good job, Jane. When I finally opened the guest room door, I froze. My clothes were scattered across the floor, dresser drawers left open and emptied. My books had been dumped in a careless pile, family photos tossed aside like trash. Mia hadn’t ‘moved’ my things. She’d ransacked them. I ignored everything and dragged myself to the bathroom. I was too exhausted to deal with that situation. It would have to wait. But the moment I was safe in the shower and the hot water touched my skin, I let go. The sound of the water was like white noise, drowning out my unwanted sobs. I won’t cry for Xander. I won’t cry for Mia. After the therapeutic shower, I wandered into the kitchen. “Melina?”“Morning Luna, hope you sleep well?” Melina glaced at me. “Like a baby” I lied, “I’m starving”“Food will be ready soon, please take a seat.” My stomach growled in anticipation of what was to come. But when I sat at the counter, Melina placed a plate in front of me with nothing but a few lettuce leaves. I stared at the sad arrangement, wondering if it was some kind of joke. “What is this?” Melina’s eyes darted nervously toward the doorway before she leaned closer. “I’m sorry, Luna Jane. Beta Mia instructed that we’re only to have low-have calorie options from now on.” So that was what we were doing now? Resorting to intimidation tactics? That little snake is stirring up a war. First my husband, then my bedroom, now my kitchen. Melina’s voice dropped to a whisper, “Alpha Xander threatened to let me go if I didn’t follow her instructions exactly.”“Did he now?” Melina nodded. She looked genuinely distressed. I couldn’t blame her. She’d been with us for five years longer than Mia had been in Xander’s life. Well, let’s begin the games. I forced myself to eat the tasteless vegetables, my mind racing back to last night. Should I call Aaron now? Could it actually work? Making Xander jealous seemed like a high school tactic, but I was desperate enough to try anything. I pulled out my phone, fingers hovering above the screen for a second before typing: Hi, I’m the drunk lady last night. Made it home safe. Car unscathed. Thanks for last night. We should talk about that plan soon. I hit send before I could change my mind. My phone buzzed almost immediately. Aaron’s name flashed on the screen: Sorry, who is this? Oh, my God. He didn't remember me. This was awkward. Just kidding. Glad you and the Rolls Royce survived. When do we start Operation Jealousy? Sigh Eh. He was unbearable. A rebellious smile tugged at my lips just as the sound of footsteps filled the room. I quickly pocketed my phone. Xander and Mia descended like royalty, her hand possessively wrapped around his. Her flowing silk robe, my silk robe trailed behind her as they entered the kitchen. “Good morning, Jane,” Mia chirped innocently. “How’s breakfast? Isn’t you just wonderful with the new menu I designed?” Designed is a pretty strong word for whatever Melina had served me. Melina’s eyes flickered to mine as she silently placed identical plates of lettuce in front of the happy couple. Mia beamed at her creation. “It’s a detoxifying micro-salad. Perfect for purifying the body.” She turned to Xander. “Isn’t it delicious, baby?” Xander stared at the plate. I knew him well enough to know that that tick in his jaw was disgust. He stabbed at a ;eaf and chewed with visible effort. “Mmm.” The word was strained. “Delicious.” But his eyes swept through the kitchen, as if he was looking for something else to eat. Perfect. Now, it's time to give him something else to choke on. “I’ve been thinking,” I began. All three faces turned toward me. “About last night and everything. I know you’ve made me feel… uncomfortable.” I looked directly at Xander. “But you know what? You’re not worth it.” Xander galced at me warily, sensing something’s off. “You’re my alpha, my husband. Everyone has the right to fulfill their own wishes. Even if those wishes seem… meaningless to others.” I took a deep breath. “So, I’ve decided to fully embrace our new arrangement. This house is certainly big enough for all of us.” Xander shifted uncomfortably. He studied me quietly. I wasn’t surprised. After all these years, he could tell when I was talking nonsense. Mia clapped her hands in excitement, practically bouncing in her seat. “Oh, Jane! I’m so glad you’re being reasonable about this.” She reached across the table to squeeze my hand, which I subtly moved away to adjust my napkin. “Absolutely,” she continued. “It’s the twenty-first century after all. The era of being bound to just one mate is so outdated.” She turned to Xander for confirmation. “Werewolves could have more than one mate. It’s our nature.” I smiled. They had no idea what was coming for them. “You’re right, Mia.” I widened my smile. “Which is why I’ve also gotten myself a boyfriend.” The kitchen fell silent. Xander froze, his fork suspended halfway to his mouth, a piece of lettuce dangling in the air. “Boyfriend?” Mia’s eyes widened. I leaned back in my chair, savoring the moment like it was the hearty breakfast I’d desperately needed. “That’s right dear.” I picked up a lettuce leaf with my fingers and bit into it. “I think that’s fair, don’t you? If you want to explore…” I fixed my gaze on Xander. “Then so do I.”

Can't wait to know what's next? Tap to continue!

The story unfolds with you as the main character — play now!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You and Xander were once the golden couple of the Blackwood Pack—Alpha and Luna, mates bound by fate and power. But now, three years into your marriage, the light in his eyes has dimmed, replaced by something colder. Tonight, on your thirtieth birthday, he’s thrown you a party—'for you'—but spent it singing karaoke with his Beta, Mia, their bodies pressed together, her fingers tracing his spine.

You sit alone, champagne in hand, feeling the weight of every whisper, every pitying glance. The balloons say 'Happy Birthday to My Luna,' but the truth is clear: you’re a figurehead, a ghost in your own home.

When you finally snap and shut down the party, Xander stumbles after you, drunk and annoyed. At home, he drops the bomb: an open marriage. Not a request. A declaration.

The next morning, Mia arrives with a suitcase.

'You're moving to the guest room,' she says, smiling. 'I'm not sharing a bed with you and Xander.'

You stand frozen as they walk past you, into your bedroom. The door closes. You hear their laughter.

You run.

You drive for hours, numb, until you pull into Moonfall, a hidden bar on the edge of werewolf city. You order whiskey, glass after glass, until a handsome stranger slides beside you.

'Play along,' he whispers, grabbing your hand. 'I'll explain later.'

He pretends you're his wife, fending off an angry ex. When it’s over, he buys you another drink. You tell him everything—about Xander, Mia, the open marriage, the suitcase, the lettuce.

He listens. Then he says, 'What if you reminded him? Get yourself a boyfriend. Just for show.'

You laugh. It sounds insane.

Then he says, 'I could do it.'

You stare at him. 'Why would you help me?'

He shrugs. 'Maybe I hate cheaters. Or maybe... I just don’t like seeing a queen brought to her knees.'

You exchange numbers. The next morning, you wake up in your guest room, humiliated, violated.

Mia has taken everything.

You pull out your phone and text him: Hi, I’m the drunk lady last night. Made it home safe. Car unscathed. Thanks for last night. We should talk about that plan soon.

Your thumb hovers over send.

Do you go through with it?