Morning light filtered through the curtains, pale and intrusive.
Mira lay awake, long before it arrived.
She hadn’t moved since the day before, hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch, or dinner, hadn’t even taken a shower.
Her mind reeled, desperate for a way out of this marriage.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Mira?” Ivy’s voice called out, soft and tentative.
“May I come in?”
Mira shut her eyes for a brief second, before getting out of bed and opening the door.
“Ivy.” She greeted coolly.
Ivy stood there, her hand resting on the wall as though standing required effort.
Her other hand rested on her lower belly.
“Hi.” Ivy’s eyes trailed up her body, frowning slightly.
“Are you okay?”
She looked concerned, sounded concerned too.
If Mira didn’t know better, she’d think the woman cared for her.
“Yes,” Mira responded, tightening her fingers on the knob.
“I’m fine.”
“May I come in?”
Mira hesitated, but stepped aside, letting her come in.
Ivy walked in, her breathing heavy, her movement slow.
She settled down on the chair dramatically, then turned her head to face Mira again.
“Sorry,” she offered a tight-lipped smile.
“The pregnancy…”
Mira nodded, her expression blank.
“I just wanted to say,” Ivy began, her voice cracking.
“I’m sorry about last night, I never meant to upset you.”
Her eyes shimmered—carefully controlled, practiced.
She almost looked sympathetic, but Mira could see through it, could see the smug smile she tried really hard to contain, could see the excitement glimmering in her eyes.
Mira watched her silently.
“I know everything has been…
overwhelming,” Ivy continued.
“And I understand why you reacted the way you did.
Anyone would’ve.”
That was it, the bait, the invitation for Mira to snap, to defend herself.
Mira was tempted to, her wolf hungry to lash out again but she controlled herself, putting on a smile instead.
The smile wasn’t wide, or warm.
It was calm, controlled.
She wouldn’t let another woman humiliate her in her own home.
Not again.
“You’re right,” Mira agreed.
“I did overreact.”
“I was emotional,” Mira went on, settling down beside Ivy.
“Between the rogue attack and the stress of everything else, I let my feelings get the better of me.
That wasn’t fair—to you or to Adrian.”
The room fell into a thick, suffocating silence.
Ivy’s mouth parted slightly before she caught herself.
“O—oh.
I see.”
Mira tilted her head.
“Adrian is an Alpha.
And out of respect for Alpha Draven,” she added lightly, grabbing Ivy’s hands gently.
“Of course he should ensure the safety of a pregnant she-wolf carrying his child.
Especially during such a delicate time.”
Ivy nodded slowly, her brow twitching.
“That’s…
very understanding of you.”
She no longer looked smug, or excited.
Her expression had shifted into one of confusion and barely concealed disdain.
“I try to be,” Mira responded.
Mira barely registered the footsteps approaching before Adrian appeared in the doorway, his expression wary—clearly prepared for tension.
His brows instantly shot up, as his gaze landed on Ivy’s hands in Mira’s tender hold.
“You’re okay?” He asked Mira cautiously.
Mira stood, smoothing her dress.
“Of course.
We talked it out.
I was wrong to react that way yesterday.
Ivy deserves all the attention and care.”
Relief washed over his face instantly.
He crossed the room and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
“That means a lot.”
Ivy’s fingers curled into the fabric of her skirt, her jaw clenching at the sight.
“Actually,” Mira added, glancing up at him, “I was thinking we could go out tonight.
There’s a friend’s birthday celebration.
I already told her we might come.”
Adrian smiled, a genuine one that reached his eyes.
“That sounds great.”
“I’d love to come too,” Ivy said quickly.
“It might be nice to get some fresh air.”
Mira’s smile didn’t waver.
“Oh, I don’t think that would be wise.” She said.
Ivy stiffened.
“What?”
“The venue is smoky,” Mira explained gently, concern etched on her face.
Loud music.
Crowds.” She placed a hand over Ivy’s briefly.
“None of that is good for the baby.”
Adrian frowned immediately.
“She’s right, Ivy.
You should stay home and rest.”
“I—” Ivy started.
“I’ll have the staff check on you,” Adrian added.
“You don’t need to push yourself.”
Ivy forced a smile.
“Of course.
I understand.”
Mira did not miss the flash of resentment in her eyes.
She smiled, satisfied with herself.
***
The party was in full swing by the time they got there.
The bass thumped through the walls as Adrian led Mira down the hallway toward the private booth.
As they approached, laughter spilled from behind the closed door.
“…I’m telling you, it’s either the wife or the side piece.” A familiar voice slurred, clearly drunk.
“Nah, if it’s the wife, this better be a miracle.”
Mira’s jaw tightened.
“Place your bets—who’s brave enough to show up with him tonight?”
“And I heard she’s been unfaithful since three years ago” another man added.
“Guess who it’s with?” He continued, his voice lower.
“The man who supposedly assaulted her.”
Mira felt Adrian go rigid beside her.
There was a roar of laughter.
“She won’t give herself to him but she’ll give herself to her supposed assailant.”
Adrian’s hand tightened around the door handle.
And then he kicked it open.
The room fell silent instantly.
Adrian stepped inside, eyes blazing with anger.
“Say that again.” He hissed.
Mira followed calmly, despite the anger pulsing in her veins.
She lifted her chin, her presence undeniable.
Every gaze snapped to her.
Some wore shock, recognition, unease.
She smiled sweetly.
“Good evening,” she said.
“I’m Mira.
His wife.”
And just like that, the game changed.