Ariel POV

I saw the waiter carrying a tray of drinks. This seemed like a good opportunity. I slightly pushed my body to the left side where the waiter was passing by. I nudged her intentionally but ensured no one realized I did it. The waiter swayed. The drinks on the tray suddenly hit my beautiful dress. The tray fell along with the glasses containing the expensive drinks. Shattering could be heard clearly, making the guests look at me.

"You fucking idiot!" Lucien immediately snapped at the waiter. I was shocked. He shouldn't have behaved like that in front of the crowd.

"Did you know the woman you hit was Luna!" Lucien was still so angry. "How incompetent!"

"I apologize, Alpha. I didn't mean to. I'll clean up this mess right away."

The waiter picked up the broken glasses on the floor. I'd managed to distract Crystal, but it looked like I'd just created a new problem.

"You need to clean your dress, Luna," Crystal said.

"Oh, it's okay," I said as I crouched down. Then, I helped the waiter clean up the broken glasses.

All the guests turned to me, but I didn't notice. I saw the waiter's terrified expression and shaking hands. I felt guilty, but I had no other choice. I had to save myself.

"I am so sorry, Luna," the waiter stammered.

"It's fine," I said. "Hurry up, get this done."

Suddenly, I felt a jolt in my hand. Apparently, the broken glass had hit my finger.

"Aah!" I saw that my finger was bleeding.

Crystal grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet.

"You should come with me," Crystal said as she dragged me away from the party.

Crystal led me to a room with a bed and a large mirror. She slightly pushed me onto the bed, but luckily, I didn't fall.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I was confused.

"Me? You!" Crystal looked annoyed.

"Me?" I was surprised. "What's wrong with me?"

"Did you do this on purpose? Are you embarrassing Lucien on purpose?"

I furrowed my brow, trying to understand what Crystal was saying. I couldn't be rash, or everything would be exposed.

"Why did you have to help that servant? You are Luna. You don't have to do these crazy things. I know you don't want this marriage, Nadine, but you should show some maturity. You can't attack Lucien in public like this."

Does Crystal know that Nadine doesn't want this marriage? Why? So, Crystal and Nadine really know each other? What should I do? What conversation should I have?

"Don't just talk, Crystal. I willingly married Lucien. I don't know what agreement you're referring to. And do we really know each other? If so, why are you acting like that towards me?"

I tried to act confident. I don't know. I hope my lie doesn't get out.

All of a sudden, Crystal laughed. She covered her mouth with her hand. I couldn't understand more. What was wrong with Crystal?

"I really don't know you, Nadine. I was just pretending in front of Lucien. He asked me to be nice to you. I don't like that. I don't like pretending, but I can't refuse Lucien's request."

Lucien had a close relationship with Crystal.

"To be honest, I don't like you being here, Nadine. I know about this marriage because the Pack Council talked about it. You and Lucien weren't supposed to get married, but this all had to happen. So, I'm forced to accept all of this."

I saw Crystal's angry expression. What should I do?

"Do I have a relationship with Lucien?" I tried to ask.

"My relationship with Lucien is closer than you think. So, even though you're Luna, don't expect me to obey you. I only obey Lucien. And don't be surprised if he spends more time with me. We are inseparable, Nadine."

I don't understand why Lucien accepted this arranged marriage if he already has a woman in his life. Is this why Lucien is so cold to me? He wants to take me as his wife because another woman is in his life. I don't know. It's really complicated.

There was a knock on the door from outside. Crystal opened the door immediately. She saw Lucien standing before it, his unchanging expression cold and frightening. Why had he come here?

Crystal immediately greeted him with a hug. Lucien did not shy away at all. He let her hug him in front of me, his wife. Crystal looked at me with a smile. She even kissed Lucien's neck.

"You should be careful!" Lucien scolded me.

"I am sorry. I didn't know the waiter was passing by," I said.

"Take off your dress," Lucien said.

"What?" I was shocked. "Are you crazy?”

"You can't come back to the party with a dress full of poop, Nadine!"

Why is she angry? Am I not the one who has been victimized here? She's being ridiculous. What did I do wrong? Why did I have to take off my dress in front of him?

"There are no more dresses. I don't want to take it off," I said.

Crystal suddenly smiled and said something.

"I have one dress. How about Luna wearing it?"

Lucien looked at Crystal. "Oh, thank you, Crystal. You're the best."

What is this? Why is Lucien behaving differently with Crystal? Lucien never talked to me like that.

***

I'm forced to wear the dress Crystal gave me, even though it's more like a dress worn by a prostitute. My body is perfectly exposed, but I feel uncomfortable. I'm not used to this kind of condition, wearing a fancy dress, especially with my body exposed. It's not me, but Lucien listens to Crystal too much. I was about to leave this room but accidentally heard Lucien and Crystal talking.

"Why did you take her to this party, Lucien? Did you intentionally want to show me that you're married?" Crystal protested. "You know I'm against this ridiculous marriage. Alpha Kentz Wedrick is just using you. What do you get out of his pack?"

"I have something to consider," Lucien said.

I approached the sound of interlocking lips, wondering what they were doing. I opened the door. I was shocked to see Lucien and Crystal making out. When they saw me, they stopped. Crystal smiled at me.

"I am sorry you have to see this, Nadine. But you should know this. Lucien and I love each other. You have to accept this situation if you want to stay here."

I was confused. Lucien is having an affair? Wait, wait, wait. He doesn't care about me, even though I'm his wife. Why would he do this to me?