Chapter Twenty–Five: Mattias Crowe
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I don’t know why it bothered me. The entire day, while I worked, I kept checking that picture. It happened every four hours, then escalated to every thirty minutes. I couldn’t help myself. There was just something there that bothered me. Why was she with him? What were they doing?
Are they friends? Is she trying to sabotage me and my chances of getting into the council? Why is she doing such a thing?
What could she and Alpha Aldric have to discuss?
I need to know what they’re up to. It bothers me. It truly does. I finally caved halfway into my work and called her.
“Matthias, is everything okay?” Those were her first words to me. I could hear someone in the background. What if she is pregnant? Was she sleeping with him? No, that’s ridiculous. Alpha Cassiel is a busy man, and up until a few nights ago, he didn’t know my wife.
I’m assuming.
“Um, I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch today.”
“It’s already past the time for lunch, Matthias. And are you alright? Why do you suddenly want to have lunch?”
I thought about just yelling at her to say yes, but that seemed unreasonable. It’s not like I was in love with her or anything of the sort. I was just worried about my future.
“I…. you left the house early.”
I waited for it. For some kind of lie in her words. Aurielle surprises me. She looked stunning in that picture. Strange how I never viewed her as someone with any sort of beauty.
“Yes, I went to turn in the divorce papers. Alpha Cassiel gave me a ride back, so now I’m… shopping.”
She brought his name up without much care. Why?
Are they truly friends? And how could she befriend him without telling me?
I couldn’t ask those questions. It would seem like I was bothered, and what she does with herself is none of my business.
“How about an early dinner?” I found myself saying, and I wondered what possessed me to do that. My curiosity…. perhaps that’s what it is. I should have just gone for the true question.
Aurielle must know me better than I know myself because her response sends me down a path.
“I’m not sabotaging you, Matthias. I saw your buddy before I got into that car.” She sounded tired, and I felt upset at myself for caring. But also for the part of my brain that was disturbed by that photo. And disturbed by her exasperation.
“We’re friends, in case you’re curious. I don’t discuss you with him. Your business is your business.”
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Chapter Twenty Five Mattias Crowo
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That bit me the wrong way. “You’re the luna of the pack, shouldn’t you care about the image you’re presenting to an outsider?”
“I’m not going to be Luna for long. As of right now, I’ve stopped doing my job,” she muttered.
I laughed at that. “What job? Aurielle-”
“Matthias, no. I don’t want to argue, and I don’t want to convince you of something you’re never going to understand. No to dinner. If you have a question, husband-” she said that word like it was polson. “– just ask me. I’m not a liar. Contrary to what you believe.”
I bit my tongue to keep myself from saying anything back to her.
She is a liar. Aurielle was hit hard yesterday; there must be a bruise, and Alpha Cassiel might think it came from me. That makes this so–called friendship a problem.
I don’t like this. Truly, I’m not a fan of the way Aurielle handles things. Some days, I think I should feel sorry for her, but then I remember times like this. Her true self is cold and manipulative.
Or perhaps I’ve spent too much of my day falling for her trap. I rubbed my hands over my face and got back to work.
I shoved back each thought, each image of Aurielle in that picture. She doesn’t look like the woman I married.
I finished my duties by seven pm, Lena offered me a chance to go drinking once again, but I was preoccupied.
I arrived just in time to see Aurielle return. She came home with a cab, not Cassiel. She was walking in while i pulled my car into the compound, and the gates were locked behind us.
I stepped out, grabbing my bag. I’m not sure why i was looking at her. We’re getting divorced, and i feel nothing. When we
married, i felt anger, now i feel… slight relief which isn’t nothing. But somehow a bittersweet taste at the back of my throat.
Aurielle turned around, her hair whipping over her shoulders. She looks….. i shook my head, my eyes must be messing with me.
I should go see my grandmother again, she might be the voice of reasoning to fix my stupid brain.
Aurielle being hit, and this photo is what’s fucking up my brain.
She turned back, and walked into the house. I followed her. I’m not sure why, but i just couldn’t let it go.
I wanted to ask her something, and i couldn’t let it go. I’d feel restless without some answers. We’re getting divorced right? Don’t
i deserve some answers for the life i let her have in my own home?
I could have thrown her out… i should have thrown her out. But i never did. For that i deserve some curtesty. Some restpect.
D
