The night before our anniversary, I finished packing the last of my important belongings.
Just as I closed my suitcase, I heard voices. They came from the guest room down the hallway.
Luvena’s room.
They must have believed I was already asleep.
I stepped quietly into the hallway. My crystal communicator was already in my hand with the camera open.
The door to her room was slightly open. A thin line of light stretched across the floor. I did not need to see them to understand what was happening.
The sounds were obvious. Two people moving together with desperate hunger.
Then the noises suddenly stopped. Luvena’s voice cut through the air sharply.
“I hate this,” she snapped. “I saw the box, Jareth. The necklace you bought for her. Real diamonds. Vintage design. You told me you were buying her something cheap.”
“Lower your voice, Luvena,” Jareth whispered quickly. “She might wake up.”
He sounded breathless.
“It’s only for show,” he continued. “Tomorrow is the pack alliance ceremony and our anniversary. The press will be there. I need to look like a loving Alpha mate. If I give her something cheap, the reporters will tear us apart.”
“But I want that necklace!” Luvena complained. “You promised me diamonds.”
“I will buy you ten necklaces,” Jareth said. “Better ones. After everything is finished. Once the old Alpha signs the succession documents.”
I held my crystal communicator steady and pointed the camera through the narrow opening of the door.
I could see them clearly. Jareth sat at the edge of the bed with his shirt off. While Luvena knelt close to him, clutching the sheets.
“I am tired of waiting,” Luvena said. Her voice trembled with anger and desire. “I am tired of being hidden. I want something that binds you to me. Something she cannot take.”
She lifted her face to him. Her eyes looked wild.
“Give me a pup,” she demanded. “Right now. Make me pregnant.”
Jareth paused for a moment.
“Luvena, we already talked about this. The timing is not right.”
“Prove it,” she hissed. “Show me you love me more than her. Give me your pup, Jareth. Make me the mother of your heir.”
Jareth groaned softly. His resistance collapsed under her touch.
“Alright,” he said quietly. “Alright. Anything you want.”
Then he pulled her onto the bed.
I did not look away. I also did not feel sick. Instead, I felt calm. Cold and satisfied.
I pressed the record button and captured everything. Every word. Every promise. Every betrayal.
I let the recording continue for a full minute so their voices were clear and their faces easy to recognize. Then I stopped. I saved the file to my cloud storage. Then into a protected folder. After that, I sent a copy to my lawyer.
***
The following evening, the Grand Ballroom overflowed with nobles, Alphas, and powerful pack leaders. The hall shimmered with elegant suits and expensive gowns. It was the most important social gathering of the season.
I wore the necklace. The diamonds rested heavily against my throat like a chain I was ready to break.
Jareth stood beside me with his hand resting possessively on my back. He performed perfectly. He smiled for the flashing cameras, laughed at the correct moments, and leaned close to whisper sweet words that meant nothing.
“You look beautiful tonight, Shara,” he said as photographers surrounded us.
“Happy Mating Anniversary,” I replied with a bright smile.
Then we moved through the crowd while people offered congratulations.
Luvena was there too. Of course she was.
She wore a bright red dress that clashed with the elegant decorations. She stood near the tall tower of champagne glasses, watching us with sharp eyes like a hunting wolf.
Soon the music softened. A spotlight lit the stage.
Jareth’s grandfather slowly stepped toward the microcrystal communicator.
The Alpha King looked weak, but his eyes remained sharp.
“Tonight,” he said slowly, his voice echoing across the silent hall, “we celebrate more than a new alliance. We celebrate a legacy.”
“A legacy of family. Stability. Loyalty.”
He raised his glass toward us.
“To my grandson, Jareth Warhowl, and his wonderful Luna, Ashara Bloodwyn. Because of her strength and loyalty, I feel confident giving my empire to the next generation. A man who cannot protect his home cannot rule a pack. But Jareth has chosen wisely.”
The hall erupted in applause. Jareth squeezed my waist proudly. He believed he had won. He believed the Alpha throne already belonged to him.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I know,” I replied quietly.
The celebration continued. Guests surrounded us.
For another twenty minutes I played the perfect Luna. Then I felt Jareth’s hand slip away from my back.
“I need to use the restroom,” he muttered as his crystal communicator vibrated in his pocket.
I watched him walk away. He did not go toward the restroom. He walked toward the service elevators.
I glanced toward the bar. Luvena was gone.
They could not stop themselves. Even on the most important night of his life, while his grandfather watched, they still needed their secret moment.
They probably believed they were untouchable.
Perfect.
I did not hesitate.
I did not say goodbye to anyone.
I simply turned and walked toward the main exit. I crossed the lobby, passed the guards, and stepped into the cool night where a black car waited.
“To the skyport,” I told the driver. “Please hurry.”
Later I stood at the boarding gate with my ticket in my hand.
My communicator suddenly vibrated. I looked down.
Jareth.
He must have returned to the ballroom and searched for his perfect Luna to stand beside him for the final toast.
But I was gone.
I let the communicator ring. Then it stopped. Then it rang again.
Messages quickly followed.
Jareth: [Shara, where are you?]
Jareth: [People are asking about you. Grandpa wants to see you.]
Jareth: [Stop joking. This is not funny. Come back to the ballroom.]
Jareth: [Shara, answer me.]
I could almost feel his panic.
Instead of answering, I typed a single message.
To: Jareth
[I am tired, so I went home early. Please come back, too. Your anniversary gift is waiting in our room. Happy Mating Anniversary, Jareth.]
I sent the message. Then I blocked his number.
I placed the communicator inside my bag, picked up my luggage, and walked down the boarding bridge.
I never looked back.
