Chapter 1 His Hidden Wife

Kimberly Pov

For three years, I lived as the hidden wife of the most powerful Alpha in the world.

Until the day the news broke.

*Alpha Vaelor Knight will be marrying his childhood sweetheart, Clara Dalton*

I clutched the phone tight in my hand as I read the trending news headline.

The news struck me like a slap across the face upon finding out my husband will be getting married soon.

The comments on the post show clearly that I never existed in his world. To the world, my husband is getting married for the first time while I've been his secret wife for three years.

*Finally the two lovers are together*

*I knew love will always win*

The comments kept coming, praising Clara and Vaelor on their engagement.

I couldn't concentrate in class anymore, so I took an excuse from the lecturer and stormed out before the tears would spill.

I ran into the bathroom. I didn't hold my tears; I let them pour freely as I remembered all I've sacrificed for my husband.

For three years, I've been a devoted Luna. His secret wife. And had sacrificed half of my life for him.

When the pack was in danger, I stood by him.

When he was sick, and all his family rejected him, I didn't leave him alone.

I drove to the court with my divorce papers clutched in my hands. This should be my third time coming here this week.

Three years. Three years as Kimberly Knight, wife to Vaelor Knight, the Alpha of the most powerful pack in the world.

It's like a void memory fading away.

My parents died when I was fifteen; my father was the beta of his father when he was an Alpha. After the death of my family, his father took me in and treated me like his daughter.

Vaelor is everything dangerous I shouldn't crave. Ruthless. Distant and cold. He never looks in my direction. At a young age, he took over his father's position as the Alpha, and on my 18th birthday, we found out we were fated mates.

I thought Vaelor was going to reject me, so I kept my distance until one night when he came back home drunk and covered with blood.

I helped him treat his wound. I could still feel the touch of his finger brushed against my thighs that night.

I should have pushed him away, but I pulled him in.

He's my fated mate; the bond was strong, so three weeks later, Vaelor and I got married.

It was a contract marriage to protect his legacy, a certificate to protect me, so he said, and our marriage was kept private.

But we did everything couples do, including bed things. I thought Vaelor loved me until Clara appeared. His late night doubled.

Clara, the Alpha daughter of Moonshine pack, a long-time alliance to the pack and also a business partner of the Knights company, showed up after her divorce with her husband. She has constantly been available in Vaelor's life, in his car, in his business, and in his space.

It ends today.

“I'm here to file for a divorce,” I told the lawyer who had his head buried in paperwork.

He checked the papers, and when his eyes settled on the name and age, he finally looked up at me.

“Young lady, divorce is not something you can easily just do. Where is your husband?”

I knew he must be surprised because a girl of my age shouldn't be married but going about planning her life and future.

Instead, I was planning the future with my husband.

“Just stamp it, I will get my husband to sign his signature.” My voice was calm, concealing all the anger inside of me.

*****

The pack house was quiet when I got back home. The guards didn't pay me any attention as I passed. Just another piece of furniture in Vaelor’s collection.

The moment I stepped in, I walked straight to Vaelor's study. The door was slightly ajar, and I heard laughter from inside.

The choking scent of perfume was the first thing that hit me, and I doubted whether my husband was in there.

Vaelor has always hated the smell of strong perfume, so I usually go for something subtle with a light, flowery scent or even days without it. But she must be someone special to have him settle for the smell.

I pushed the door open.

My husband, Vaelor Knight, was relaxing on his chair with a wide smile on his face, and beside him was Clara Dalton, his childhood sweetheart, who had come back to the pack a year ago after her divorce.

She was helping him to fix his tie when I walked in. They had snacks and drinks before them.

They must be celebrating their wedding announcement.

The smile on Vaelor’s face disappeared the moment he saw me.

“Oh, Kimberly, you're here,” Clara said, her perfect red lips forming a smile. “You must have seen the wedding announcement.”

“Yes, I did.” I simply say, my face is void of any emotions.

“Kimberly—"

Vaelor tried to speak, but I cut him off.

“Please sign this document.”

I stepped forward, sliding the divorce papers across the polished Mahogany desk, the sound of the paper rustling unnaturally loud in the silent room.

“What is this?” Vaelor asked, wearing his glasses.

“The University needs your signature for my project approval.” I quickly flipped it to the last page of the signature.

“They needed your signature for insurance since you're the only family I have.”

Silence follows as the lies settle between us. I've been practicing this after I left the court, and I hope I sound convincing enough.

My parents had died years ago in a suspicious fire outbreak, so he knew I was alone. I've used his signature for most of my documents.

“Let me see what paper it is—”

My body froze, and it took everything in me to still have my knees holding me because I felt them go weak out of fear. Vaelor never asked questions with all the university documents I've brought to him. He'd just sign it with one glance.

So why now?

Why today?

“Oh, Vaelor, don't be so uptight. It's just a signature. Don't waste time on this; we still have many documents to review and sign at your office.” 

Clara rested her arms on his shoulder, smiling.

As the daughter of the Alpha of Moonshine pack, a pack that shares boundaries and a significant relationship with the Crescent pack, Clara has always been close to Vaelor. Attending pack meetings with him, galas, and even business conferences. Anywhere Vaelor is, Clara is always by his side. Her dress complemented his suits as if they were tailored made from heaven since her return to the pack a year ago.

Vaelor hesitated for a while but signed the document like signing a business deal.

I quickly take the document away before he sees the petition for DIVORCE boldly written at the top.

“I don't think she'd ever grow up with the way you treat her like a kid sister,” Clara said, but Vaelor didn't reply.

Without saying anything else, I hurried out of the room before they noticed my shaking hands.

The door shut behind me.

Finally, it's over.

I'm free.

I took in a steady breath, clutching the paper over my chest as I walked through the Knight's mansion, heading to my room.

Every step I took, every hallway I turned, reminded me of Vaelor. The good old days with him.