Chapter One
Anastasia
Alpha Julian.
Two words that summed up my existence. Two words around which my world revolved. He was my husband, my chosen mate, and the love of my life.
And as I sat on the chair, peering down at the files and trying to get work done, I heard exactly two words leave his lips again.
“I’m sorry”
Two words that brought my world crashing down and made me feel as if somebody was squeezing my heart and ripping it to shreds.
“Is that all you have to say?” I asked as he looked away, pushing the chair away to get up.
“Yes, but don’t worry. I have thought this through. I am not going to reject you even if I found my fated mate.”
He answered.
And those lines made the very ground under my feet cave in. It was as if I was being swallowed alive by the ground and the person digging the ground was none other than the person I used to think was my soulmate.
Was that supposed to be a consolation? Was I supposed to feel relieved that he was not tossing me out of his life?
Fated mates.
I had never believed it would be two words again that would change my life.
Julian and I had been happily married for three years.
Alpha Julian was not just the strongest alpha in the werewolf world but also the alpha of my heart.
I am Anastasia Gilbert, alpha Julian’s chosen mate.
Three years ago, he found me at a party where all the prominent pack leaders were gathered to discuss a treaty.
And Julian spearheaded the discussion, cutting down the long and winding meeting that would go on and on for hours to a mere two hours, finally signing off the treaty.
I was the daughter of alpha Rick, and had not found a mate yet. So hadn’t Julian.
Rumors were ripe that he was on the hunt for a chosen mate since he had not found his fated mate yet.
And I could not believe my luck when he started pursuing me.
Julian was charming, elegant, and drop-dead gorgeous. He was every girl’s dream with his ocean blue eyes and a charming smile.
I, on the other hand, was a shy and reserved girl.
My family had advised me not to fall for his tricks since he was a little older and I was quite young. My mother reminded me that I had a few years of time to wait for my fated mate, and that there was no rush to pick Julian.
But against their better judgment, I went ahead and decided to marry him. Alpha Julian Blackwood chose me as his mate and vowed to stop searching for a fated mate.
So did I. And we have lived happily ever since then.
Or so I believed. That was the case until last week when we had to attend one of the charity events organized by a neighboring pack.
I did not want to go, feeling a little ill and the need to just relax for a while.
For the last three years, Julian and I had worked hard for the betterment of the pack, negotiating treaties, signing new deals, finding new trading partners, and increasing the funds required to train the young generation.
Back then, Julian and his pack were not so influential, but he was slowly trying to make his name in the werewolf society.
“Remember, he is already in his late 20s, so the chances of him finding a mate are slim. You, on the other hand, are just twenty-one.” My father cautioned me.
But I remember how I shook my head and proudly told my father.
“I have made up my mind. Julian is the one for me.”
It took a bit of coaxing from me, but my parents finally agreed to our wedding. And I could not have been happier.
The memories of all the good times I had with him began flashing in front of my eyes as he stood in front of me impassively.
“Why?” I asked in a strained voice, trying not to show how much it hurt me.
I knew I was not his fated mate, but I had loved him like one. I had worked hard to turn his dreams into reality, leaving my pack and the riches I had grown up with to embrace him and his life.
Silvermoon pack was now a highly respected pack with a booming business and alphas from far and wide would come in to request meetings with us. We got so busy that we had to hire a secretary for him.
He ran a hand through his hair, clearly struggling for words.
“I told you. The pack always came first. You and I both decided on that when we took the vow to lead our pack to the glory it has achieved today.”
The pack. Duties. Work. Business.
It had always been that for him. I wondered now if he ever saw a wife and a lover in me or if it was more of a business deal.
He knew I was the daughter of the most influential alpha back then.
“Julian, I gave three years of my life to you and this pack. Three years of blood, sweat, sleepless nights, and a tiring work schedule. Does it all mean nothing to you?”
My voice was shaking, and I fought to maintain my composure. Part of me wished this was all a big, cruel joke.
But I knew the voice he used when he meant business. There seemed to be no hint of remorse or guilt in his voice when he said that.
Julian raked a hand through his hair again, and I fought the urge to bury my fingers in it. I had spent so many nights cuddling with him, letting him claim me, my heart, and my soul.
“This is very complicated, Ana. I don’t like it either.”
Typical business communication.
I felt like I was expired goods he did not need anymore. Easily discardable.
Tears stung at the back of my eyes as I took a step forward.
“Who is it? Your secretary?”
I hated the way my voice sounded so jealous and needy. I hated how my body wanted to run to him and have him embrace me and console me.
That was not going to happen.
I could not see any emotion on his face. He was something I thanked the Moon Goddess over and over for letting me have beside me every day.
Somewhere at the back of my mind, I used to have this fear that maybe one day his fated would show up and everything would turn to dust.
At every mating ball, I used to hesitantly step inside, fearing that today was the day his fated would find him.
But with the passing of time, that possibility grew slimmer as no such thing happened. Turns out, I was wrong.
“Answer me!!” I screamed, and he came forward, speaking in a stern voice.
“There is no need to cause a scene, Ana. We can talk about this like civilized people.”
I remembered how he had started spending more and more time in the office, and slowly pulling himself away from me.
It had not been my imagination. It was my wolf sensing the betrayal long before I did.
I couldn’t help it. I reached for the collar of his shirt and grabbed it.
“She is not the secretary, Ana. You know her, though.”
He answered in that same emotionless voice.
“Who then?”
“Angelica.”