After My Alpha Cheated, I Took Our Son and Left

I smoothed down the front of my dress one final time, checking my reflection in the mirror of our private Luna quarters. The silver silk hugged my curves perfectly, and I'd spent an hour arranging my dark hair in loose waves that framed my face. Tonight was important—our second mating anniversary, and perhaps the night I could finally bridge the growing distance between Kaden and me.

Two years. Two years since I'd been recognized as his Luna, since I'd given birth to our son, since Kaden had begun using the excuse of 'wolf trauma' to avoid my touch. I'd researched everything I could about post-birth wolf sensitivity, spoken to healers, and tried countless approaches to help him heal. Tonight would be different. I'd prepared his favorite meal, lit candles throughout our quarters, and even requested a special dessert from the pack's baker—a chocolate cake with silver fondant, the Silverfang Pack's colors.

'He'll come home early tonight,' I told myself, adjusting a candle on the dining table. 'I'll make him feel safe enough to try again.'

Sable, my wolf, stirred restlessly within me. *Something feels wrong*, she whispered. I pushed her concern aside. Sable had been anxious for months, ever since Kaden's withdrawal had begun.

Hours passed. The candles burned lower, and the food grew cold. I checked my phone repeatedly, but no messages. By nine o'clock, I'd moved from the dining table to the window seat, watching the moon rise over the Silverfang territory.

The door finally opened at nearly eleven. Kaden stepped in, his Alpha aura filling the room as he took in the scene before him.

'What's all this?' he asked, his voice carefully neutral.

I stood, forcing a smile. 'Happy anniversary, Kaden. I thought we could—'

'You shouldn't have gone to this trouble,' he cut me off, loosening his tie. 'I told you I have that council meeting tonight.'

'It's our anniversary,' I said softly, approaching him. 'I was hoping we could reconnect. The healers said—'

'Don't.' He stepped back as I reached for his arm, a flinch so quick I almost missed it. 'Please, Evelyn. Not tonight.'

And then I caught it—a scent that didn't belong. Floral, with undertones of musk. Not my scent. Not even a Silverfang scent. An Omega's scent, clinging to his collar like a ghost.

Sable howled in outrage, clawing at my consciousness. *BETRAYAL!* she snarled.

'You smell like flowers,' I said, my voice steady despite the sudden pounding in my chest. 'Not your usual cologne.'

Kaden's hand went to his collar, a reflexive gesture I'd seen him make countless times when he was hiding something. 'It's nothing. Probably from the meeting.'

'What kind of meeting leaves an Omega's scent on an Alpha's neck?' I asked, stepping closer.

His eyes flashed amber, and his voice dropped into that Alpha tone that made lesser wolves cower. 'Enough, Evelyn. I won't have you questioning me this way. My wolf is still traumatized from Lucas's birth. Your paranoia is making things worse.'

The command in his voice pressed against me, but I was his mate, not his subject. I could resist. And for the first time, I did.

'I'm not paranoid,' I said quietly. 'I'm your Luna.'

He turned away, breaking eye contact. 'I need a shower.'

Later that night, after Kaden had fallen into a restless sleep, I slipped from our bed. Sable was fully awake now, guiding me. *Follow the scent*, she urged.

I suppressed my Luna aura and moved silently through the packhouse corridors. The floral-musk scent led me to the gardens, where the moonlight illuminated two figures among the roses.

Kaden stood with his arms wrapped around Izabella Nguyen, their foreheads pressed together. I could see the intimacy in the way her fingers traced his jaw, the way he leaned into her touch—a touch he'd denied me for months.

'You're the only one who understands,' his voice carried on the night air. 'She doesn't know what I need.'

I pressed my fingertips against my mate mark, feeling it burn with the betrayal. Sable whimpered, but I remained in the shadows, watching as my world collapsed.

When they finally separated, I retreated silently to my quarters. With trembling hands, I reached for my mind-link, connecting not to Kaden, but to Darius Holt, our Beta.

'Darius,' I whispered through the link. 'I need to see you. Tomorrow. Alone.'

His response came immediately: 'I'm here when you need me, Luna.'

As I stared at the ceiling, waiting for dawn, I made a silent vow. This wouldn't break me. I would gather every piece of evidence, every shred of proof. And then, I would leave—not in tears, but in triumph.