Chapter 9: Another

Juno's POV

"About what?" I asked, not looking at him.

"Us."

I laughed. "There is no us, Matthew. Not anymore."

I walked into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. The doorknob rattled a second later.

"Why are you locking the door?" Matthew called through the wood.

"Because since a third party moved into our home, you moved out of our room," I called back, turning on the shower to drown out any response.

I stood under the hot water, letting it wash away the day's tension. Matthew had probably told Isabelle he'd be sleeping in my room tonight. That must be why she was crying. He wasn't trying to please me—he wanted something from me.

When I emerged from the bathroom in my sleep shorts and tank top, Matthew was still there, now lying on the bed. His eyes tracked me hungrily as I moved around the room, applying lotion to my arms and legs.

"You smell good," he said, moving behind me. He tried to kiss the mark on my neck, but I stepped away.

"Don't."

"You're still my wife, Juno. My Luna."

"Your heart isn't in it," I said, turning to face him. "Don't insult me by pretending otherwise."

His gaze drifted to my closet. "You've changed your wardrobe."

"Not for you," I said firmly.

Matthew sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't want us to end up like Quinn and Maddox."

Two other Alphas in Forestvale who'd found their fated mates and abandoned their chosen ones. From what Freya and Scarlett had told me, their former Lunas hadn't fared well.

"Maybe I'll find my fated too," I said lightly, enjoying how his face darkened at the suggestion.

"That's not funny."

"I wasn't joking."

Matthew moved closer, his hands catching my waist. "I need you, Juno. The pack needs you."

"No," I said, stepping back. "You need a Luna who can do what Isabelle can't. But you want her in your bed."

His shoulders slumped. "About tomorrow's gathering..."

"What about it?"

"I'd prefer if you didn't attend," he said carefully. "Isabelle wants to go, and—"

"And you don't want us both there," I finished for him. "Too bad. Luna Freya invited me personally, and I've accepted."

"Freya?" Matthew scoffed. "She's a known slut with a drinking problem. I don't want you associating with her."

My temper flared. "Freya is doing the best she can with what life has dealt her. She's trying to find love and attention in her own way."

"Is that what you're planning to do now? Sleep around like Freya?" His eyes narrowed. "I won't share you, Juno."

The hypocrisy was so breathtaking I almost laughed. "But you expect me to share you?"

Matthew had no answer for that.

"Get out of my room," I said quietly. "Go back to your fated mate."

"Juno—"

"If I slept with someone else and came back to you," I asked, watching his face carefully, "would you touch me afterward?"

The flash of revulsion that crossed his features told me everything I needed to know.

"That's what I thought," I said. "Now get out."

When the door closed behind him, I sank to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest. Seraphine growled in my mind, her fury matching my pain.

The night of the gathering arrived, and Matthew had left early with Isabelle. To add insult to injury, he'd instructed our Omega house staff not to drive me to the venue.

Luckily, Luna Scarlett had offered to pick me up on her way. When her car pulled into our driveway, I was ready.

I'd chosen a backless silver velvet dress that hugged my curves and showed off just enough cleavage to be enticing without crossing into inappropriate. My makeup was more dramatic than anything Matthew had ever approved of, and deep red lips that matched my hair.

Looking in the mirror before heading out, I'd realized I was actually beautiful. Not in Isabelle's delicate, porcelain-doll way, but in a fierce, distinctive manner all my own. Matthew had always preferred me in simple, conservative clothing.

"Holy shit," Scarlett whistled when I slid into her passenger seat. "You clean up nice, Red."

I grinned at her nickname for me. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Scarlett wore a deep purple gown that complemented her amethyst eyes. "How are you holding up with the Isabelle situation?" she asked as we drove toward the venue.

"Better than expected," I admitted. "I thought I'd be more devastated."

"That's because you're strong," she said simply. "Not like us poor sacrificial lambs."

Scarlett's husband, Maddox, had found his fated mate six months ago. He hadn't hesitated to bring her home and relegate Scarlett to the background.

"Did Maddox..." I hesitated, not sure how to ask.

"Sleep with her immediately?" Scarlett laughed. "Of course he did. Why waste time, right? The Goddess has spoken, and all that bullshit."

She pulled a flask from her purse and offered it to me. "To the losers of fate's game," she toasted.

I took a deep drink, welcoming the burn of alcohol. "To us," I agreed.

When Scarlett and I entered the gathering hall, a hush fell over the crowd. All eyes turned to us—or more specifically, to me.

"Well, isn't this fucking awkward," a voice slurred, and Luna Freya staggered toward us, golden-brown cocktail dress glittering under the chandeliers. The air around her was heavy with the scent of expensive whiskey.

She pulled us both into a hug. "My fellow rejects! Welcome to the party."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks for inviting me, Freya."

"Come meet my guests," she said, linking her arm through mine. "They're from outside Forestvale."

She led me to a table where three men and two women sat, all watching us with curious expressions.

"This is Juno," Freya announced. "Luna of the Pineridge Pack."

One of the men frowned. "I thought—" He stopped, looking uncomfortable.

"You thought what?" I prompted.

"It's just that... we met Alpha Matthew earlier. He introduced another woman as his Luna."

Freya snorted. "That's his mistress. Juno is his wife and Luna."

"Fated mate," one of the women corrected softly.

"Technicality," Freya waved dismissively. "Juno runs the pack. The other one just runs his dick."

"Freya!" I gasped, but couldn't stop my startled laugh.

As the night progressed, I found myself actually enjoying the gathering. I didn't seek out Matthew or Isabelle, though I felt Matthew trying to reach me through our mental link several times. I blocked him out.

It seems like my outfit today caught the attention of a few gentlemen in the room. I'd never flirted before, had been with Matthew since I was sixteen, but tonight I allowed myself to enjoy the admiration in their eyes.

Matthew's voice finally broke through my block. Stop encouraging other males.

I found him across the room, standing stiffly beside Isabelle. I raised my glass in a mock toast.

Watch me, I sent back.

I was laughing at something Freya had said when I noticed a new presence approaching our table. Tall, broad-shouldered, with golden hair and piercing blue eyes, he moved with the unmistakable confidence of an Alpha.

The conversations around me dimmed as I met his gaze. His eyes gleamed dangerously in the candlelight, assessing me with open interest.

Don't engage with other Alphas, Matthew's voice broke through again, panic edging his tone. And I firmly closed the connection

The stranger stopped at our table and bowed slightly. "Luna Juno," he said, his voice deep and smooth. "I've heard much about you. I'm Kieran, Alpha of the Fireland territory. May I have this dance?"

Alpha from Fireland? And why is he here?