Chapter 3: Seraphina

Seraphina's POV

The next morning Alister had already left. It wasn't rare that I woke up to an empty bed. But every single time I expected it to be different. I showered and got ready for the day ahead of me. After meeting with my father, discussing the potential threats with the neighboring pack. I decided to take a walk in the gardens. Strangely enough, Lyla was there sitting under a tree drinking what looked like a lemonade as she had several males sitting next to her and laughing at whatever she had said.

I'm not sure why but I envied her. Maybe it was because my husband looked at her with lust in his eyes. I turned around and walked away. Calm down Seraphina, maybe I saw wrong. Maybe she's just beautiful and my husband just looked at her.

Either way, I wanted to escape her. I went upstairs to the study.

Alister had fallen asleep on the table, soft snores came from him as he slept soundly.

I cracked a small smile as I watched him. It's rare seeing him like this. He usually slept after me and was gone before I woke up.

"Hey sleepy head," I greeted as I stroked his hair.

He made a sound in his sleep and leaned into my touch. I froze as he did this. A blush creeping up onto my face.

"You have to wake up now," I whispered.

Alister looked up to me and for a brief second I swore his eyes softened before he quickly cleared his throat and stood up. He looked at his watch briefly.

"I have a meeting with your father. Excuse me." He brushed past me and out of the study before I could say a word. I stood there with a loss for words.

“Thanks Seraphina for waking me up.” I spoke to myself mimicking Alister’s voice. “Oh don’t mention it darling.” I responded to myself in a higher pitched tone mocking a conversation between us. Alister forgot his phone on the desk and as I was about to return it, three hearts popped up on the screen. The number was not saved so I couldn't tell who it was from.

Who would be sending him hearts? I knew all his family members and friends numbers were saved in his phone. Could it be Lyla? Something in the way he looked at her made me think that it could be a possibility, especially after the way he dismissed our conversation about her yesterday.

No! I didn't want to think like that. Alister wouldn't do that. He was married to me. I placed his phone down and left the room.

I spent the rent of the day fighting with myself about whether or not I should ask Alister about the text message I had seen. I hadn't been able to find Alister all day and when I finally caught up to him in the evening he seemed annoyed.

“How was your meeting with my father?” I asked him as I fiddled with a few strands of my black hair.

“Fine,” Alister grunted.

I pursed my lips as I attempted not to berate him with questions. “Were you able to come up with a battle plan in case we are attacked?” I questioned. Alister paused buttoning his dress shirt.

“What’s up with the twenty questions, Seraphina? Do you need something?” His tone was cold and unwelcoming.

I sat on the edge of the bed and gulped. “I just wanted to hear about your day,” I said in a small voice.

He took a step closer to me. “Battle plans aren’t your concern. We have everything under control.”

He buttoned the top button of his shirt before rolling up his sleeves. The veins on his forearms bulged, making me drool internally. I wanted those strong arms wrapped around my body.

I stood up and looked up into Alister’s eyes. He pressed a kiss to my cheek before walking to the door. “I’ll see you later tonight.” He was halfway out the door and gave me a rare smile. “You have girl’s night with Chrissy tonight, right?”

I smiled at him remembering my plans. “Yes I do.”

“I’ll see you tonight then. Have fun.”

After Alister left the room, I decided this was my chance to win him over. I was ready.

I felt a passion burning inside of me, one that I couldn't contain. I wanted him.

I put several outfit options, some makeup, and my curling wand in a bag before texting Chrissy to let her know I needed her help getting ready.

When I got to Chrissy’s cabin, I was pleasantly surprised to see that she had made brownies and poured some wine for us.

After spending a couple of hours curling my straight, stubborn hair, and a smokey-eye look, Chrissy looked at me with a broad smile.

“And I give you…” a pregnant pause passed. “A princess!” I looked at myself in the mirror, I was satisfied with what I saw. This should make Alister want me, right?

“Girl, you look smoking hot!” Chrissy praised me while squeezing my shoulders.

I looked at myself in the mirror in awe. My black hair cascaded down into soft curls that went past my shoulders. I wore a violet silk floor-length dress that hugged my curves perfectly. The dramatic eye makeup made my indigo eyes look brighter. Underneath the gown was a matching black lace bra and underwear set. For the first time in a long time, I felt beautiful.

I gathered all of my belongings together and, with a pep in my step, walked back to the packhouse. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I approached the large sandstone building. Thankfully we had an entire wing of the home to ourselves to give us the much-needed privacy a married couple needed or was supposed to need.

As I approached my door, a thumping sound accompanied by the soft moans of a female was emanating from my bedroom! I felt my wolf Alya instantly tense and raise her hackles. I felt my eyes dilate to that of my wolf so if there were a threat she could respond accurately.

My hand shook as I grabbed the vintage gold knob. Slowly I opened the door and gasped at the sight before me. It took a few moments for me to register what was going on. An overwhelming wave of bitter betrayal hit me in the face.

“What the actual fuck is going on here?” I yelled.