Chapter 8: The one who didn't know

I woke up feeling drained for two weeks now. I couldn't eat and relax since I discovered my mate's cheating. Diesel might have been doing what he really wanted to do wherever the damn country he was in right now. I immediately went to the bathroom and took a shower.

I need to clear my mind and focus on the pack's work rather than thinking about Diesel's cheating issue.

When everything was done, I left our house and went to my office.

"Good morning, Luna. I'm sorry for barging in early in the morning," Thea, the pack Doctor, came in after knocking on my door.

"Yes, what is it, Doc?" I ask her cheerfully, hiding the stress in me.

"I would like to ask for more clinic beds. The number of she-wolves delivering pups has increased lately, and the beds won't accommodate them all. If you please, Luna."

"Okay, I'll let the supplier deliver the beds you wanted, Thea," I replied as I tapped on the keys of my laptop.

"Thank you, Luna," Thea replied, and she was about to stand up, but words had already spilled from my mouth.

"Doc, what if someone had found their mate? What would have happened? Uhm, you know I was rejected at first sight, so I don't really know anything about it."

Thea smiled and faced me again.

"Instinctively, both of them should have marked each other as soon as they recognized that they were a fated pair, Luna, especially if we were talking about the dominant pair, the Alphas. They would mark his mate the second they met due to their extreme territorial behavior."

"Oh, okay, Thea. Thank you. You can leave now," I said.

It has been hours since Thea left my office. Diesel's scent never changed, and the fact that he was unmarked told me the other woman must not be his mate. Maybe she was human or some she-wolf he met during his business trips.

While thinking, my phone rang, and when I looked at the caller, it was Erix, my cousin. I picked it up and answered his call.

"I was wondering when you will come and visit us here," Erix said. "Come over. It has been ages since I last heard about you."

I chuckled.

Yes, Erix Mcknight was my cousin from Dad's side. I lived in his pack for six years before Dad took me back to his own pack. I heard he was rejected and got himself a rejected mate, too.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. I think I need to blow some steam," I replied, holding back my tears.

There was a long pause from Erix's line. He was like an older brother to me, and once he knew about Diesel's cheating, I didn't know what he might do.

"I'll expect you to visit us, Carrie. Rain has been asking about you since the rejection."

"Yeah, I'll be there. Don't worry."

I knew leaving the pack without the Alpha was not a good idea, but I really needed to tell somebody about my problem. I couldn't keep to myself; otherwise, I'd go crazy. Maybe it's more crazy than my first rejection.

"I'll be back after three days, Marco," I said as I loaded my bag inside my car.

"Leave everything to me, Luna. Please be careful on your way," Marco replied, but something in his eyes caught me off guard. It was like pity or something that he never had before, or was I too blind to notice?

I jump into the driver's seat and turn on the car. I looked at him via the side mirror and saw him using his phone. Maybe he was calling his Alpha? I'm pretty sure he was. His loyalty lies to his Alpha, and I'd not be surprised if he knew exactly what was happening.

I placed my left arm beside the car window and bit my index finger.

I have done my part when it comes to managing the pack. I made sure each pack member had the basic needs and medical attention. Diesel has basically dumped all his pack duty on me. I hadn't noticed his frequent travels on this' business trip' until I discovered that text.

My phone lit up and vibrated on the dashboard. I reached it and saw it was from Mom, the former Luna of the pack.

I set the call to a loudspeaker, and after answering it.

"Carrie, where are you?" Mom asked.

"I'm about to go to Erix's pack. What's wrong?"

"Goddess Carrie. You shouldn't leave the pack when the Alpha's not around. What if-"

"Diesel's always on business trips, Mom. Can't I have some relaxation?" I said, trying to calm down.

I never got tired of doing Luna's work until recently. I started to question myself.

"He has to, sweety. It's his job to bring money for the pack and-"

"He's cheating on me." My mouth had already blurted out the words before I could even stop it.

"What!?" Mom reacted.

"Diesel is cheating on me, Mom," I said in a soft voice, trying not to cry again.

There was a long silence from Mom's line.

"H-how did you know, Carrie?"

"So you knew?" I accused her based on her voice. Right now, I'm sensitive to any voice reaction, and Mom's voice was exactly the tone I didn't expect. My wolf and I still have our pride, and we can't let anyone fool us around. Again.

"Carrie honey-"

"Dammit, Mom, you're my Mom!" I accused her. "Of all people, you shouldn't keep it from me! How long has he been cheating on me?"

"Calm down, sweety. We'll talk after you come back. I promise I'll tell you everything. Please-"

I ended the call before Mom finished her words. My heart started to ache. And to ease the pain, I let go of the tears that I had been holding on. I felt betrayed.

Why am I going through this pain again? Was I someone who could be played with? For goodness' sake, I'm not even young anymore.

After five hours of driving, I finally reached Erix's pack. I was greeted by some warriors who nodded their heads. I drive my car to Erix's house and park it in their garage before entering their house.

Erix and Rain, who saw how wrecked I was, were shocked.

"What happened to you? Your mascara is everywhere-"

I ran towards Rain and hugged her so tight.

"Diesel has been cheating on me, and the people I trusted knew it," I said and began to cry again.

"What?! Is the bastard out of his mind? You worked hard for the pack and reached what it has now, yet he still cheated on you?" Erix's eyes blazed with anger.

I nodded and then looked away as I tried to compose myself.

"I'm so sorry to hear about this. Why didn't you call us right away?" Rain wrapped me in her arms and gave me the most genuine embrace she had ever thought I needed since that painful night of Diesel's text shenanigans.

"It's been killing me. I am trying to understand why and how it happened. I can't even ask him. Since then, I've been walking crazy. I don't know when it goes wrong."

The tears and sobs I have been trying so hard for the past days to keep inside erupted.

"Stop crying! That bastard doesn't deserve your tears!" Erix said.

"What should I do? My mind has been all over the place ever since. I feel like I'm suffocating whenever I am in the pack."

"That bastard! You have to confront him once and for all, Carrie."

My eyes bored into Erix's. "What do you mean? I wanted so much to confront him. But I'm unsure if I'm ready to hear Diesel's answer."

Erix's jaw clenched. "He thinks he can play you with his cheating game. You deserve much better. Leave the pack and join mine. You're very much welcome here."