A husband's betrayal (2)

Cassandra held her hand out to greet Selene. She expected a different welcome from Selene but it was good to see that Selene wasn't going to make this hard for anyone.

Selene could not believe the audacity of this woman to think they would shake hands after she was introduced as Gabriel's mistress. Selene let out a dry laugh. She saw a glimpse of why Gabriel and this woman fell in love. 

For someone with a short lifespan, Cassandra wasn't careful with her actions. Still, it was Gabriel who held Selene's anger. 

Gabriel was furious with Selene for not returning Cassandra's greeting. Asking him if he had lost his mind in front of guests was embarrassing. "Are you so high up on what status you have left that you wouldn't return her greeting? She is my lover which means you must treat her with respect."

Each word Gabriel said was a stab to the heart to Selene. She was the one who remained to take care of the home and awaited his return yet he didn't show her any respect. 

She had given her all to this marriage for what? This was how he repaid her?

"He brought a human," Selene heard the whispers of the vampires enjoying the sight.

Selene's lips were folded into a thin line showing her displeasure. "We need to talk in private," she said and then turned to head inside first.

This wasn't a conversation to have in front of their guests.

She had not anticipated entertaining them this way and she would not continue to give them something to speak about. 

Gabriel followed Selene inside, still holding Cassandra's hand. Selene should have known it was going to come to this one day. He grew tired of their marriage being solely about helping each other. 

Cassandra admired the mansion she would call home from now on. To think she had successfully placed herself next to a man like Gabriel who would unknowingly help with her plans for this kingdom. 

Selene led the pair to a library which should be far away from any of the guests. She turned around to face the two who appeared oblivious to how embarrassing and wrong this was. 

The library door was still open but Selene didn't want to pass the couple to close it. She didn't want to get closer to see Gabriel holding Cassandra's hand so lovingly.

Selene looked at Gabriel. He was the one who made a promise to her. "I asked you if you have lost your mind. How could you bring another woman into our marriage and ask that I accept her? I will not welcome her with open arms as you want. How could you be so foolish?"

She was a good wife to him. Why was this how he repaid her?

Before Gabriel left, he led her to believe they would speak of their love once he returned. What changed during that time?

"I did all that I could to take care of this home in your absence and this is how you repay me? You were foolish to think I would accept this,' Selene said, her anger quickly reaching a boiling point. 

"I can leave," came Cassandra's suggestion.

Selene laughed. It wasn't Cassandra who would be the one to leave. Selene didn't have anything worth staying here for. 

The muscles in Gabriel's jaw tightened. The tables had turned in this home for his word to be final.

Selene wished for someone to stand beside her as Gabriel's gaze made the room feel cold and uncomfortable. Sh

"Selene will leave before I send you away, Cassandra. Selene, you need to be careful that I do not throw you out for my guests to see. I am being upfront instead of running behind your back with a lover. She must stay here since I brought her a long way from her home," said Gabriel.

Selene looked down at the floor, her hands grabbing a handful of her dress. She felt a mixture of sadness and anger. "Then I will leave. Do you have any idea how it looks for you to bring her here? She is a human-"

"And my lover!" Gabriel yelled, his frustration getting the best of him. "I am to be rewarded for my part in the victories and I will have her. I am being kind to not send you away and only ask that you teach her what she needs to know."

Gabriel released Cassandra's hand. "In my absence, you've gotten ahead of yourself. I make the rules here. I've had to put up with you for too many months but I am still open to keeping our arrangement. You will be my wife but she will be my lover. It is not much for you to do compared to what I do for you."

Selene wanted to laugh again at how he downplayed the work she did. "I have been a good wife to you. It wasn't easy to run this home alone for months. What did I do to deserve you shaming me like this? I love-"

"Do not lie to me," Gabriel raised his voice, not wanting to hear her empty words. "You do not love me. You liked using me and now I have risen above you. I might not be a pureblood but now I am the kingdom's hero so you answer to me now."

Selene wasn't going to bow to Gabriel after what he did. Where was the man who promised to protect her? He was a fool if he thought she would just accept this. 

They had both started this arrangement to use each other so why now was he only pointing out her side? Selene wanted a husband to protect her while Gabriel wanted a woman with any status. They paired well with each other. 

Cassandra stepped forward to place her hand on Gabriel's chest. "Your guests are waiting for you. You shouldn't be so worked up when you have people who adore you wanting to see you."

Gabriel had more to say to Selene but he calmed down for Cassandra's sake. "You are going to put on your best smile and be a good host to the guests we have. Then you are to prepare a room for Cassandra to use tonight. She will need dresses and a maid to tend to her from tomorrow. Now, we have a banquet to attend."

Selene didn't believe the man walking away from her with the woman at his side was the man she married. He knew that going out there to a room filled with vampires was going to ruin her but he did not consider her feelings or reputation.