Severing My Alpha's Mark

"I'm fine," I said, wiping my mouth and trying to look like I was just feeling ill. "I'm probably just exhausted lately."

Andrew frowned, reaching out to touch my forehead. "Should I call the pack doctor? You look pale."

"No," I said, gently pushing his hand away. "I just need some rest."

He carefully helped me back to the bedroom, treating me as if I were a fragile doll.

"Get some sleep," Andrew said, tucking me in and placing a soft kiss on my forehead. "If you're not better tomorrow, we'll go to the hospital."

I closed my eyes and gave a tired nod.

The lights went out, and the mattress dipped as Andrew lay down beside me. I could feel his warmth and smell his fresh, clean scent, but it all just made me sick.

About half an hour later, once he was sure I was "asleep," Andrew carefully slipped out of bed.

His movements were silent, clearly trying not to wake me.

Through my lashes, I watched him walk to the balcony and slide the glass door shut.

Then, he took a call.

Even through the glass, my wolf hearing picked up his hushed voice.

"I told you not to call when I'm home. Lucia might hear."

Crystal’s coy voice purred from the other end. "But I miss you... Aren't you craving me?"

"Guess I didn't tire you out enough last night," Andrew let out a low, husky chuckle.

My stomach churned again, but I forced myself to keep listening.

"Of course not. I'm still starving for more," Crystal said, her voice dripping with triumphant provocation. "Same place tomorrow? You can tell me what to wear, anything you want."

The desire in Andrew's voice was obvious. "I want you wearing nothing. I'll dress you myself."

They continued their graphic flirtation, every word a shard of glass in my gut.

Ten minutes later, Andrew ended the call.

He tiptoed back to the bed and placed another gentle kiss on my forehead. "Goodnight, my wife."

I instinctively flinched away, turning slightly in my sleep.

Andrew didn't suspect a thing, assuming it was just an unconscious movement.

The next morning, Andrew was up early, making me breakfast.

Scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and my favorite Blue Mountain coffee.

The perfect breakfast from the perfect mate.

Just then, the doorbell rang. It was Logan, his beta, holding a discreet black bag.

"Boss, the stuff you asked for," Logan said, avoiding my eyes as he quickly handed it over.

My sharp eyes caught the logo of an adult novelty store on the package.

It must be the "new clothes" he mentioned on the phone last night, for his rendezvous with Crystal this afternoon.

Andrew returned to the dining room as if nothing had happened, hiding the bag behind his back.

"Who was that?" I asked casually.

"Just Logan, dropping off some work files," he lied smoothly. "Boring pack business."

I nodded, not calling him on it.

We ate in silence. To an outsider, it would have looked like a scene of domestic bliss.

Halfway through the meal, I put down my fork and looked up at him.

"Andrew, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it?" he asked, his gaze soft.

I looked into his clear, gray eyes and asked softly, "Could you ever cheat on me?"

The question caught him off guard. He put down his coffee cup and took my hand.

"Why would you ask that?" His expression grew serious, earnest.

"Just curious," I said, keeping my expression innocent. "We've been mated for five years. Don't you ever get tired of me?"

Andrew squeezed my hand tighter, using his other hand to point to the mate mark on his chest.

"Listen to me, Lucia. If I ever betray you, may the Moon Goddess strip me of my wolf and leave me a powerless outcast. I swear on my life, I will never cheat on you. I will never betray our bond."

His solemn, gut-wrenching vow echoed in the dining room. His expression was so sincere, his eyes so truthful, that if I didn't know the truth, I would have been moved to tears.

Now, all I felt was deep, biting irony.

Just last night, he was planning today's tryst with another woman. Just minutes ago, he accepted a package of sex toys for his affair.

And now, he could swear the most sacred oath to the Goddess without flinching.

I looked up at his handsome, deceitful face and slowly broke into a smile.

"Okay. I believe you."