Chapter 7

Elaine 

If I were to ask, I wanted nothing from Tristan and couldn’t care less if he hosted a party without me. But I was also the Luna of Wolfsilver Pack, and I wasn’t that selfish to neglect my duty just because my husband and I didn’t get along. The Alpha Conference in Lycos was such a big event that hosting it would mean a lot of possible opportunities for our pack. Maybe that was the reason why Tristan chose me to accompany him at the party instead of Megan? 

And so, with no choice, I attended without any choice.

When I entered the party hall, the atmosphere immediately shifted. Everyone stared at me with their judgment in their eyes, and several laughed and mocked me.

"Can you believe the Alpha brought the Luna here? It's so unusual.”

"I heard the Luna tried to end her own life. How embarrassing.”

“Poor, Alpha. Imagine having a Luna as insecure and shameless as her!” 

Their gossip hurt me deeply, like a sharp knife slicing through my emotions. Even though some pretended to be polite, I could sense their eyes watched me closely, analyzing everything I did. Surely, they were looking for any imperfection they could find. The constant scrutiny weighed heavily on me, making me feel trapped, like a cornered animal. But I was determined not to let their cruelty define me.

Meanwhile, the shameless bitch stood beside my unfaithful husband, talking with some dignitaries while I was left alone, standing for myself against the scrutiny of the crowd. I scoffed. Tristan probably brought me here on purpose, merely to humiliate me further. 

"I don't belong here," I mumbled to myself, then gulped my wine down in one go.

That only brought more disapproving looks and whispers. "Is Luna trying to get attention again? So pathetic of her!” 

Feeling trapped by their judgmental stares and harsh words, I slipped away, escaping to the poolside, seeking comfort in the quiet. The water's gentle rippling was a calming presence, offering a respite from the chaos inside. Taking a deep breath, I pondered the situation. It was time to leave this suffocating atmosphere behind. 

Suddenly, a voice shattered my solitude, and I looked up to see Megan looming over me. 

“I was really impressed with you today,” Megan said, looming over me and shattering my solitude. “You seemed tougher than the last time we saw each other.”

I scoffed and scanned her from head to toe. “Are you afraid of me now?”

“Why would I be? I could slap your face and push you into this pool, and still get away with it. I have no reason to fear you," Megan declared with arrogance.

“Yeah, right,” I smirked at her empty threat. But Megan seemed confident.

“Wanna bet?” she challenged. “Let’s see which of us Tristan would save between us two.” 

Annoyance flared within me. I pitied the old me for letting this good-for-nothing she-wolf bully her. Like I cared if Tristan would save her.

"If you two love each other so much, then, why don’t you ask him to divorce me? I am sure he’ll be happy to, considering how much IN LOVE he loves you. Wait. Never mind. After all this time, you’re still his only mistress.”

“You, bitch!” Megan shouted, her fists clenched tightly at her sides, turning her knuckles white with rage. Her eyes blazed with ferocity, and her entire body trembled with fury. "It's all your fault, you bitch! If it weren't for you, he would have married me, and we’d already be together." 

Not wanting to hear anymore, I stood to leave. She pushed me toward the pool. Before I could react, I grabbed onto her arms in a futile attempt to steady myself. But her force was too strong, and we both tumbled into the water with a resounding splash. 

Because I couldn’t swim, panic surged through me. I thrashed in the water, my lungs burning with fear. Through blurred vision, I saw Tristan leap into the pool, his powerful strokes aimed at reaching Megan.

As I witnessed my husband's devotion to her over me, pain pierced my heart with an intensity I had never known. Despite my best friend's warnings about Tristan's infidelity, seeing it unfold before my eyes was a bitter pill to swallow.

Tristan had never truly cared for me.

Slowly, I sank beneath the surface of the pool, surrendering to the cruel fate that had befallen me. As darkness threatened to consume me, a familiar scent enveloped me, a scent I felt I knew, though I was sure I’d never encountered it. 

It offered a glimmer of hope amidst my what I had thought was my impending doom. But he reached with me long strokes, then cradled me in his arms and pulled me upward. I propelled myself with him, breaking through the surface with a gasp for air. 

But the moment I looked at my mysterious savior, the world came to a sudden halt.