Turns out I was right to worry. Getting a divorce form is not easy. I went online to search, and the only way to get the council to send a form was to contact one of their messengers. Which seems easy, but the messengers don’t bother with divorce forms. They know it’s a tireless thing, and getting one to reply is difficult.

I’d need to know someone who can talk to one for me.

Normally, getting a divorce shouldn’t be hard. For humans, that is. As for us wolves, the council decides whether or not you get separated. You’d need to convince them. I think they make the whole process tiring, so you don’t go through with it.

Sighing, I zipped up my dress. Matthias’s mother should know someone. I’ll contact her after tonight. I won’t tell her it’s for a divorce, she might not agree to call her contact. The weird thing is, his parents love me. They actually love me. They think I’m wonderful and just the right person for their son.

If only he felt the same.

I can’t ponder what he feels anymore. He’s made it clear for three years, it’s about time I listened. My knees still ache from yesterday’s punishment, but I’ve taken some pain medicine. My only thought is getting divorced. I just need that form to kick start everything.

Mr and Mrs Crowe will be at the party tonight. This event is a full moon ball. One of the council members is making an appearance after being away for almost three years. Matthias has been ranting about him. Saying that I needed to get my act together, drop the lies, and focus on making him look good tonight.

If I can do that, he’ll be able to get in good with the council member. The werewolf council is made up of the strongest, most powerful wolves in the region. They rarely invite anyone to join them.

The alpha attending this party is one of the rare occasions. He’s been a member for years, and according to Matthias, he’s the only one the council members invited. They didn’t vote him in, they invited him. Which is high praise for any alpha. It means the werewolf council sees you, they value you, and they need you in their seat.

I don’t know the alpha’s name, but he’s a big deal. So much that Matthias seems nervous, and I’ve never seen him nervous. He even asked my parents not to attend. They said yes for whatever reason.

I let out another long, drawn sigh. I checked myself out in the long-standing mirror. There was no happiness, no light, nothing in my eyes. Just empty tiredness.

My bedroom door moves to the side, and from the mirror I can see Matthias. I swallowed hard. He’s too good-looking to be such a jerk to me. His black hair was tightly pulled back, giving him a more elegant look. His fitted body was pressed into a navy blue suit that matched the color of my dress.

He had on a silver watch and black, clean shoes that reflected all around it.

“What’s taking you so long? We can’t be late.”

I didn’t say anything to him. That handsome face was the man I loved, but he never looked at me the same way. What’s the point of a one-sided love?

I expelled a breath and turned around. Grabbing my purse off the nearby surface, and made my way to him. I walked past him, only to have him grab onto my elbow.

“Take the bandage off,” his tone was low.

“Unless you want everyone to see the bruise on my wrist, I can’t do that.”

I didn’t look at him, my eyes were forward while he thought about whether to listen to me or not.

He eventually chose to let me keep the bandage on, and we exited the house together. In the car ride, the silence was suffocating. I tried my best not to remember that the father of my unborn child had made me kneel for twelve hours. Facing the picture of his true love. It’s hard to keep that memory away. But I need to speak to his mother, and he needs to woo the council member, so I need to bite back the pain and sadness.

“When we arrive, stay close to me. This man prioritizes a good image, and he respects pack leaders who have their shit together. If you even so much as say something stupid, you’re going to find out real quick just how mean I can get.”

“Uh-huh,” I replied.

“I need a confirmation that you understand, don’t piss me off.”

I exhaled. “I understand, Matthias. I won’t say anything to embarrass you.”

“Good.”

The car came to a slow stop, and I could hear live music coming from the building where the party was happening. This is the first time Matthias has held a full moon ball. He’s on edge. I could be understanding to people who deserve it, and right now, I’m heartbroken, and I don’t feel like understanding.

But I have to endure.

We stepped out together and were immediately hit with flashing lights. Matthias smiled and waved. I put up my best smile, waving my hands back and forth. To the media, to those who don’t know, we’re the perfect couple. They make comments about how much we love each other.

Matthias kisses my cheek and watches as the paparazzi go wild. Taking more and more pictures. We entered the main hall and had a small moment of peace before encountering the people at the ball.

As the alpha leader of the Moonveil pack and the one hosting tonight’s events, Matthias had to go around exchanging pleasantries with everyone. I said nothing, only smiling and shaking hands when it called for it.

He kept looking around, he didn’t even stop to say hello to his parents. Though I did. My feet were tired in these heels, but then Matthias started pulling me in a certain direction.

At first, my heart skyrocketed. I didn’t do anything wrong this time. But I quickly calmed myself down, only to panic once more when we came face to face with-

“Alpha Cassiel Aldric, I’m so glad you could make it.”

Sharp golden eyes, with black hues in the middle. Golden brown hair, a chiseled jaw line, and an empty expression that did nothing to hinder his good looks. The alpha from the council was a sight to behold.

His eyes darkened as they locked with mine. Something akin to recognition flickered through them. Which is odd. I’ve never seen this man before. I think I would remember such a handsome face.

He turns slightly to Matthias. “Hello, I’m glad to be here. Who are you?”

The question seemed to throw Matthias off, and I lingered in the back, watching a man who seemed like the alpha of alphas as he addressed my husband.