01

DIANA

I opened my eyes as I came fully awake, blinking at the harshness of the sunlight pouring into the room from the bedroom window. Adjusting my sight to the sudden brightness, I stretched out my limp body, rolling onto my side.

My face settled into a slight frown when I noticed the space beside me was empty but then a familiar scent caught my attention as all my senses finally began to wake up as well. I fell back into the bed, my lips stretching into a secret smile.

Just a few feet away from the bed, Lucien moved around the room half-naked as he got dressed. I should be used to seeing him half naked by now since this was part of his daily route but I could never get tired of seeing my mate patrolling around the room in nothing but a towel tied around his waist as he got dressed.

My smile turned into a smirk as an idea occurred to me, pushing the sheets away, I slowly made my way out of bed, not making a sound. I creep up behind him, pressing my chest against his back as well as my face. For a split moment, I felt the muscles of his back tense in surprise but that was the only response I got because soon after he went back to trying to put on his shirt.

Taking that as a challenge, I slowly slid my hands down, my movements stopping at the waistband of his pants. I played with the belt buckle for a few seconds before trying to open it which finally caught his attention. However, instead of reacting like I was hoping he would, he pushed my hands off him in anger, spurning around to glare at me. Okay, that wasn’t the reaction I was hoping for.

“Geez Diana! How selfish and inconsiderate can you be? Can’t you see I’m in a hurry?” He hissed, his voice filled with both anger and annoyance.

I darted a look at the alarm that sits prettily on the nightstand then back at him. “There’s still plenty of time before you go, Lucien, and come to think of it, it’s been a while since we…” I blushed, not having the courage to finish the statement.

“Wow…” he breathed sarcastically. “I have always known you to be self-centered Diana, but I didn’t know it has escalated to this! All you care about is your own needs and desires! What about mine? A good mate would understand how important today is for me and support me, instead of trying to make me late.” I opened my mouth to respond, to tell him it wasn’t my intention but then realizing that would only make the situation worse, I let the explanation die down my throat.

Besides, he was right. I should have been more considerate, after all, today was all about him. “You are right Lucien, I’m sorry.” I pouted, making a puppy face at him so he accepted my apology quicker.

Instead of responding, he brushed past me causing my heart to drop. Tears blurred my vision and rolled down my face at the indifference he showed towards my apology. “Lucien…please.” My voice cracked, just as he was about to walk out of the door.

There was a pause and at the last second, he strolled back into the room, capturing my lips in a kiss that immediately made my heart flutter. I closed my eyes, drowning in the kiss but before I could get completely lost in it, he pulled away.

“I forgive you, just don’t do it next time okay?” He warned and I nodded solemnly, happy that I was forgiven. “How about going to gain clinic later to renew your birth control pills?”

I blinked up at him in surprise, wondering why I needed birth control when we hadn’t had s*x in weeks or should I say months? Each time I initiate s*x, he either says he is tired, busy, or sleepy.

At this point, I began to have doubts about myself, was I getting unattractive? Doesn’t he find me disabled anymore? With each passing day, his rejection hurt more and more.

“In fact, how about we do something more permanent? Like getting an installed coil? This way we can be a hundred percent sure that there won’t be a freak accident…hmmm?” He presses for a response, seeing that I have gone silent

My heart skipped at the suggestion, I have no issues with birth control but getting an install coil was something I never considered because I’ve always wanted kids. My mouth opened but no words slipped out of them.

I was afraid of voicing out my fears, he might get angry and give me the cold shoulder for several days. I hate when he gets mad at me because of how he ignores me and gives me the cold shoulder, which to the mating bond was close to rejection.

“Will you stop thinking about it too much? I’m doing this for your sake and would never suggest anything that will cause you harm. This is for your good, okay? I mean…just imagine you get pregnant. Your figure will be ruined and not only that, you will get fat, bloated, and ugly. How am I supposed to find you attractive after that? What happens to our s*x life?"

" And don’t forget how draining kids are, you will have to spend all your time with them, leaving none of your time for me. That would tear us apart and I never want to be apart from you. You will hate your body but you get pregnant and there’s nothing I’ll be able to do about it, I want you to feel good about yourself, about your body. You know I love you right? If you love and trust me Diana then you will do this for us.” Before I could respond, he kissed me once more, this time, it was much more passionate.

He pressed me tightly against his heated body, leaving me hot, flustered, and panting when he finally broke off the kiss.

“You know I love you too and I trust you more than anyone so yes. I’ll go to the clinic later. How about that?” I teased, going on my tippy toes to kiss him again.

Without realizing my intentions to kiss him again, he moved away and without much of a goodbye, he walked out of the room.

Once he was gone, I collapsed on the bed, my mind preoccupied with unwanted thoughts, and yet I couldn’t stop thinking about how busy Lucien has been lately, we barely spend time together anymore!

If he isn’t attending the Alpha’s meeting then he is spending time with his best friend Beth. Another unwanted subject she doesn’t want to think about especially since Lucien had reassured her time and again that nothing was going on between them.

And yet she hated how insecure she felt about their friendship, most times I had to go through Beth to see my husband, and each time I raised my concern to Lucien, he got annoyed and irritated, telling me to stop overreacting.

Although it was killing me, I eventually stopped bringing it up. Pushing the thoughts aside, I decided to get started on my day.

After freshening up, I had breakfast and went out of the house to the clinic. My heart beats wildly against my chest as I walk into the white building, smelling different kinds of medicine.

I felt nauseous causing me to mentally scold myself into pulling it together, nothing is going to happen, if this wasn’t safe, Lucien wouldn’t have suggested it. He loves me too much to let anything happen to me.

I approached the receptionist, feeling more composed of myself when a sudden commotion caught my attention.

I moved away from the desk, in the direction where the noise was happening, and could barely keep my mouth closed when I saw a woman run out of the ward, bleeding profusely with several nurses rushing after her. They all disappeared down the hall forcing me to make my way back to the receptionist.

“Isn’t that the patient in ward three B? Doesn’t she know how dangerous a butt lift surgery is?” I heard one of the nurses say to the receptionist nurse that made me stop dead in my tracks as I listened to the conversation I shouldn’t be listening to in the first place.

“She’s having an installed coil, the danger surrounding the procedures, I wouldn’t even wish it on my worst enemy. I don’t think that woman will be okay…” probably sensing my presence, the nurse paused and looked at me.

“How may I help you ma’am?” She asked, not knowing how much she had already helped me.

I shook my head, my body quivering with fear from what I just heard and witnessed. Does Lucien know the danger of what he suggested I do? There’s no way! With my mind made up about not having an installed coil.

On getting home, I was shocked to find the door unlocked, causing me to panic because from all I knew someone could have broken into the house!

Pushing the door open quietly, I stepped into the house, grabbing the window base vase. I stopped, realizing the clothes on the chairs were familiar. I dropped the vase, wondering why Lucien was back home so early. Usually, the Alpha’s meetings run until mid-evening or later, according to Lucien.

I was heading towards the kitchen to get a glass of water when I heard a moan, a feminine moan that was accompanied by a masculine groan shortly after. Dropping my handbag on the ground, I hurried towards our bedroom, praying that my ears were playing tricks on me but nothing could have prepared me for the scene I walked into when I opened the bedroom door.

My mate, having s*x with his best friend in our freaking bedroom! I stood there frozen in shock with tears blurring my vision, my chest squeezed in pain, making it difficult for me to breathe!