Aiden's POV
I stand in front of the mirror, my fingers working the silk of my tie into a knot. It's hard to believe Alina isn't my wife anymore. After three years, I'd grown used to her being around. It has been three weeks since she stopped being the Luna, but the silence makes it feel like forever.
Suddenly, a pair of hands wrap around my waist. I flinch, my shoulders tensing for a second before Emily's face appears in the reflection.
"I can't believe you are finally mine again," she says. She holds onto me even tighter, squeezing my waist. I force a faint smile onto my face.
"Yes, I am yours now," I say. My voice is steady, but the warmth doesn't reach my eyes.
"We are destined to be together," she says, looking up at me. "No matter what anyone says, we are meant for each other." I turn toward her. The light shining in her eyes is exactly what I want to see. I tell myself there is no room for doubt. Emily will be my wife soon. My wolf will just have to accept it, because I already have.
"I can't wait for you to finally be my wife," I say. I place my hand on her cheek and give her a soft kiss on the lips. "That will be possible in just a few months."
"Oh Aiden, you don't know how happy this makes me!" She twirls around the room, her dress fluttering. "Emily, Aiden's wife and the future Luna," she says, her tone bubbling with excitement. Then, she stops. She gazes at me and the smile on her lips fades. "I am glad it wasn't too late for you to realize how vile Alina is. Her persona of being a good girl didn't leave this house. You saw who she really is after she slapped me and took over your child."
I stay quiet. It was daring of Alina. I didn't expect her to slap Emily right in front of me, or to be bold enough to request full custody of our child.
"Are you listening?" Emily asks, snapping her fingers to pull me away from my thoughts.
"We should go eat breakfast," I say, avoiding the subject. "I don't want to be late to the office." She nods, and we walk from the room to the breakfast table. Emily serves the food and sets it down.
"Thank you," I say with a smile. I pick up the cup of coffee and take a drink. Immediately, I spit it back out. "What the hell is this?" I growl, my voice laced with annoyance.
"What's the problem?" Emily asks, her voice full of concern.
"Chef! Come out, all of you!" I yell. The staff rushes out, looking at each other with confused faces. "Who made this coffee?" I demand, my anger rising
"Sir, I did," the chef says, stepping forward.
"Why isn't this the usual taste?" I demand, my brow furrowing with annoyance.
"Sir, I wasn't the one making your coffee. It was Luna Alina," she responds.
"She isn't the Luna anymore!" Emily snaps, her lip curling with disgust.
"I'm sorry. I mean... the ex-Luna always made the coffee," the chef says. My eyes flicker in surprise. I had no idea Alina was the one making my coffee all this time.
"It is settled then. I will make the coffee from now on. You don't need to worry, Aiden," Emily says with a bright smile. I smile back and turn my attention to the plate in front of me. I take a bite of the food, but I spit it out immediately. This time, my blood boils.
"Is this what I pay you for? To serve me poison?" I yell at the chef, slamming my hand on the table.
"I am sorry, sir! Ex-Luna didn't really teach me how to make your breakfast the way you like it," she says, her voice trembling.
"What? Alina made my breakfast too?" I ask, my confusion growing.
"Yes," she responds quickly.
"That isn't an excuse! You've been cooking in this house since before Alina even got here, so what's your problem?" Emily says, her voice sharp with irritation. I stand up abruptly.
"I'm leaving for work now," I say, walking out the door.
As I settle into the back seat of the car and the driver pulls away, my mind drifts to Alina. We have some of the best chefs in the country, yet she still went into the kitchen for me. My wolf begins to purr, pacing restlessly inside me. Suddenly, a sharp ache hits my chest. I clutch at my shirt, gasping as the pain flares and then slowly fades away.
When I reach the office, my staff bows and greets me. I can hear them whispering to each other as I pass, but I keep my head up and walk straight to my office. I stare at my laptop, but I can't focus. A knock sounds at the door and Knox strolls in. He has a smug grin on his face that makes me roll my eyes.
"The latest single man in town," he says, his voice dripping with amusement.
"What do you want?" I snap.
"What? I can't come see my best friend?" he asks, sounding offended.
"Are you sure you aren't just here to mock me?" I ask, leaning back in my chair.
"Mock you? Why would I do that?" Knox says. I can hear the sarcasm in every word. "I mean, you're the first Alpha I know who stayed married for three years, got an heir, and then got a divorce to be with his true love. That's not mocking—that's you being 'courageous.'"
I roll my eyes again and look back at my screen. "I don't have time for this."
"But in all honesty," Knox says, his tone turning serious as he sits down. "When do you plan on introducing Emily as the new Luna? You know the pack needs one."
"It's none of your business," I snap, my voice cutting him off. "I'll do it when the time is right. I just got a divorce; I should at least show my ex-wife some respect."
Knox holds up his hands, his eyebrows shooting up. "Woah! Where is this coming from? All you talked about before was being with Emily the second that three-year mark was up. Now you're talking about respecting your first wife? Where is the Aiden I know?" He shakes his head, his tone dripping with amusement.
"Knox, please leave. I need to focus," I say, staring hard at my laptop screen.
"Alright, alright, I'm going," he says, still chuckling as he walks out the door. As soon as the click of the lock echoes in the room, my fingers stop typing. He's right. That burning eagerness I had to be with Emily—the feeling that used to consume me—is just... gone. I rake my hand through my hair, a growl of frustration stuck in my throat. Why am I feeling like this now?
***
The bedroom is pitch black, but I'm wide awake, staring up at the ceiling. No matter how many times I shift or close my eyes, sleep won't come. Inside me, my wolf is spiraling. He's pacing, howling, calling out for Alina. It's maddening. He never acted this way when she actually lived here.
I throw the covers off and stand up. I can't keep doing this. I need to sleep, and the only way that's going to happen is if I see her. I tug on a shirt and some joggers and head out into the night.
The guards at the gate straighten up as soon as they see me. They move to follow, but I raise a hand to stop them. Alina's new place isn't far. I walk the distance on foot, the cool air doing nothing to calm the racing of my heart.
I reach her door and press the bell. It's late; I start to think she might not even be awake. But before the thought can finish, the door swings open.
"Alpha Aiden," she says.
My eyes widen, my gaze trailing over her. She's wearing a simple crop top that shows the curve of her stomach and a pair of short shorts. My pulse hammers against my ribs. Seeing her like this—looking so fucking sexy—makes my breath hitch.
"Why are you here?" she asks, her voice steady.
"I..."