Snowflakes
"Madam, your friend Miss Dove is here," the maid called that bright morning, and the words pushed me up to my feet.
I went into the bathroom, took a quick bath, brushed my teeth, then grabbed a casual dress from the rack.
After slipping it on, I walked out and descended the stairs. From the balcony I could see Dove, standing, not sitting, ignoring the warm tea Ana had served. She was waiting for me, worried.
Dove, who normally never ignores Ana's special delicacies.
I sighed as I made my way down.
The moment she saw me, she froze mid-pace, her eyes widening at my pale face.
"Ana, go clear my room. Don't leave a speck of rose," I murmured to the maid, who bowed and rushed upstairs. I walked to the couch and sank into it, exhausted. Dove's eyes followed me the whole time.
I hadn't slept a single minute. Of course I looked like hell.
Dove didn't move at first. Then she walked over quietly and lowered herself beside me, her gaze fixed on the floor.
"Maybe I shouldn't have said anything," she whispered. "I hate seeing you like this, Snow."
I lifted my gaze, and she swallowed, eyes full of worry.
"Your human brothers will kill Ares if they ever see you like this, or if they hear he knew about…"
"They can't know," I cut in calmly. "Not now, at least."
"You've got to be kidding me." Her voice rose. "For Ares to hold another woman's hand before a hotel suit, it's obvious he is never faithful…"
"I know. I should have known he never feel anything for me from the start." I murmured, staring at her tiredly. "So much for having an intuition that picks up energy, Right?"
Silence.
I swallowed hard and looked down to keep new tears from coming. I had cried all night. It was enough.
"As much as I want him," I said softly, "I think it's best we all go our separate ways and forget it."
More silence. I felt her gaze on me until she finally sighed.
"What's your plan then, Snow? Because you can't stay with a man who cheated on you and lied."
I held my breath. I tried reconsidering, but the truth stayed the same.
"Divorce," I murmured with finality. When I looked up, she saw the determination in my eyes. "Divorce, Dove, and I'll go back to what I was meant to be. A profiler. I'll face my brothers, beg for forgiveness for being foolish. They were right. I was wrong. I want a divorce. That's it."
Dove didn't answer immediately. When she finally did, it wasn't with words. She opened her bag, pulled out a file, and handed it to me.
I nearly smiled at how he had forgotten last night was supposed to be our first night consummating four years of marriage.
I didn't want to argue.
I went to the table, picked up the divorce papers I had already signed, and held them out.
"Please sign."
I turned back to the shelf to browse another book when I felt the sharp shift in the air. Though my wolf wouldn't surface unless I found my mate, I could still sense emotional energy.
Anger.
Heavy, sharp anger radiated from my husband.
"What is this?" he asked, his voice cold and lethal.
I turned slowly. Ares looked furious, stunned, confused, as if a dog he had caged for years had suddenly dared to bark.
Looking into his eyes, I was determined.
"The divorce papers. I've already signed it."

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