Chapter 1:
*Jane*
I didn’t expect to spend my thirtieth birthday like this… at a party my Alpha mate had thrown ‘for me’, watching him make a fool of himself with another woman on stage.
I clutched a glass of champagne tightly in my hand and my wolf growled to rip that bitch apart. Xander’s shirt was half unbuttoned now, his tie long gone, and his cheeks were flushed from drinking too much whiskey. While his Beta Mia shamelessly wrapped her arm around his waist, her slender fingers dancing across his back. They sang together even if their voice was terrible.
She was younger than me, she wore a tight, low-cut dress. The red fabric clung to every curve of her body, the neckline plunging dangerously low. Her blonde hair flowed down her back, teasing my husband’s skin every time they made physical contact.
Since three years ago, Mia replace her dead father as Xander’s current beta and personal assistant,I watched their professional relationship gradually evolve into something. Little touches escalated into literal groping, small laughs escalated into inside jokes, and late nights at the office discussing ‘pack business’ for some reason now required expensive champagne and takeout.
I looked around at the ‘Happy Birthday to My Luna’ balloons decorating the room, how ironic.
Mia leaned against Xander, whispering something in his ear that made he threw his head back in laughter. He looked at her as if she was the funniest person.
I hadn’t seen him this happy for a long time.
The last time was seven years ago at our mating ceremony, at that time, the light in his eyes only shining for me.
People around were all laughing but I knew they were actually mocking me. The pack Luna, sitting here while her Alpha pratically groped his Beta in front of everyone.
“Five bucks says Alpha Xander and Beta Mia will kiss before midnight,” I heard a female voice said.
“Please,” another one responded. “They’ll do more than just kiss. Have you seen the way he’s looking at her?”
I turned around slowly to look at the people speaking, making sure to calm my features. It was two young members who had just joined our pack – a blonde and a brunette, both looking barely old enough to drink. I wasn’t surprised, as only someone completely ignorant of the company hierarchy would say something like that in front of the Alpha’s Luna.
When they finally noticed me staring, instead of showing appropriate respect, she tilted her head and arrogantly asked, “Do you also work at Blackwood Group?”
I didn’t respond. I just stared at them coldly.
Before I was about to retort words that would make them regret someone called out to me.
“Luna Jane! There you are, birthday girl!”
I knew who it was even before I turned. Gamma’s daughter Giana. With a champagne flute in hand, her red lips stretched into what most would believe to be a friendly smile. But I knew better.
We all worked for the Blackwood Group, the world leading luxury jewelry company. It was part of being in the pack. Xander was of course as CEO and Alpha, Mia was his devoted beta and ‘indispensable’ executive assistance, and Giana was the sales director. Her post was right below me, so she was one of the few people who called me by my name like a friend, even though we weren’t friends.
“Giana,” I nodded at her, as she stopped in front of me.
She air-kissed both of my cheeks, her expensive perfume practically choking me. “Happy birthday! You have to tell me how it feels to be thirty.”
Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon, I wanted to say. But instead, I offered a fake smile.
“You know,” she continued, “Everyone has been asking about you all night. ‘Where’s Luna?’ ‘When do we get to speak with our Luna?'”
“Is that so?”
“Yes,” she nodded, “But it’s so difficult for you to get any time with them. No opportunity to chat.”
Her eyes drifted to the stage, and Xander and Mia swayed together, sharing microphones and laughing like they were on a private date rather than a work event.
“By the way,” Giana began. She dropped her head as if she were telling me a secret. “What did you think about their performance? The Alpha and Beta have such… chemistry on stage, don’t they?”
Damn bitch. She was mocking me.
Still, I managed a forced smile at Giana. “That’s great. I’m very happy with the surprise my husband prepared for me.”
Before she spit another vicious words, the guests erupted into applause around us for the performance of their Alpha and Beta. I guessed they were done with their nonsense.
But Xander brought the damn microphone back to his lips. “Thank you, everyone. We’re having such a great time that we’re going to sing one more song. In honor of my Luna” He said the last part and points at me.
More applause. More cheers. But I smiled stiffly. All I wanted to go home, and forget about this damn birthday.
Giana looked at me with pity. “Well, “she said. “I’ll catch up with you later.” She hurried off.
“Oh shit, she’s Luna Jane? No way”
The two blond girls whisper again from behind me.
I turn again and glare at them the last time. They both awkwardly avert their gaze and quietly walk away.
Good.
I turned back to the stage, my heart pounding. The chords of Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’ began to play.
Mia’s eyes locked with Xander’s, and her hand was touching his arm, making my stomach twist. She was completely shameless, and he was too drunk to notice—or worse, he didn’t care. I watched Mia’s fingers leave my husband’s arm, trailing lower and lower, and lower.
I finally snapped.
I let the empty champagne flute crash to the floor as I walked toward the stage. I could sense all eyes on me, the whispers dying down as they realized what’s happening. They were waiting to see if I would break down, if the nominal Luna would finally drop the mask and accept Mia’s humiliation.
But I didn’t care. I was done playing the perfect Luna.
Xander didn’t even look up when I stopped in front of them. Mia locked gazes with me, but instead of moving away from my husband, she simply straightened up, one hand still resting possessively on his thigh.
“Xander,” I hissed. “It’s getting late. We should leave.”
He finally looked up, blinking in confusion.
“Leave?” he slurred the words and gestured with his free hand. “Come on, Jane. It’s your birthday!”
Fuck the birthday.
“We. Are. Leaving,” I said again. “Now.” I repeated.
He mumbled like a baby and tries to pull me down to the floor “Noo, Stay, Have fun with me, don’t be such a wet blanket”
The annoyance was obvious in his voice. He looked at me like I was ruining the party.
I didn’t say anything., walking backstage, my eyes landing on the event manager who’d been hovering near the sound booth.
“End it,” I commanded immediately. “Shut everything down. Now.”
He blinked at me. “Luna Jane, the party is scheduled until…”
“I don’t care when it’s scheduled for,” I cut him off, making him flinch. “This is my birthday party, and I want it over. Cut the lights, stop the music. All of it.”
He nodded quickly and turned to the technicians, relaying my orders. Within seconds, the light dimmed, the music cut off mid-note and everywhere was silent.
When I walked back to center stage, all that was left was the sound of my high heels. I grabbed my husband’s arm and pulled him firmly toward the edge of the stage. “We’re leaving,” I said, loud enough for those nearby to hear.
Mia started saying something, but one look from me had her sinking back to the bench and shutting her mouth.
“Jane…” Xander stuttered as he stumbled behind me. He was shocked by my sudden assertiveness, but I wouldn’t engage. He was too drunk for me to argue with him.
As if he understood that I was in a sour mood, he became quiet. For once, I was the one in control.
I walked with Xander till we get to our car parked outside. Mike, our driver sees us coming and quickly rushes to open the back seat door. Then he helped me set Xander inside. I entered the passenger seat before slaming the door shut. I sighed, “Take us home.”
