THE BETA'S SIN

CLARA WILLIANS

The cold night air slides over my skin as I stare at the man who was once the love of my life.

My husband.

Anthony.

We’re in the spacious living room of the mansion we share, sitting on opposite sides of the black leather couch.

The fireplace burns in the corner, illuminating my husband's face, but nothing could warm the coldness that has settled between us over the past few months.

"Clara, we need to talk." he says, running a hand through his dark hair.

I cross my arms, trying to hide the apprehension spreading through my chest.

"Sounds serious."

He takes a deep breath, as if searching for the right words.

"I feel like our marriage is... stagnant. We're not the same anymore. You feel it too."

My stomach twists. Of course, I feel it.

The man who once made me feel desired and loved is now always absent.

His touch is rare, his words superficial. The love that once burned bright and fierce is now nothing but dying embers.

But hearing it out loud from my own husband? That’s different. That hurts.

"And what do you suggest?" I ask, already dreading the answer.

He hesitates for a moment and then lets it out:

"An open relationship."

My heart stops.

"What?" My voice comes out quieter than I intended.

"I don’t want to separate, but I think we’re clinging to an idea of marriage that doesn’t work anymore. If we could explore other connections, maybe we’d find a way to reignite what we have."

Blinking, I try to process the shock.

He wants us to sleep with other people? As if that could save us?

Everything in me screams that this is a terrible idea.

But then I ask myself: what is left to save?

He already treats me like a stranger.

"Do you already have someone in mind?" my voice is cold.

He looks away.

"It’s not about that, Clara. It’s about freedom. About giving each other space to figure out what we really want."

A tear forms, but I refuse to let it fall.

He’s already made up his mind. So what choice do I have?

If I say no, he’ll just find a way to do it behind my back. At least this way, I’m not left behind.

"Fine." I say, my voice firm.

"But I’ll have my freedom too."

The following weeks are a blur of silence and distance.

I try to ignore the feeling of abandonment every time he leaves without saying where he's going.

Our marriage no longer exists.

All that remains is an agreement.

That night, my best friend Amber drags me to an exclusive pack club.

The place is packed with werewolves and humans, all immersed in the game of seduction. The music pulses, and the scent of desire lingers in the air.

"You need to relax." my friend says, handing me a glass of tequila.

I take it and drink, feeling the burn slide down my throat.

My gaze wanders around the room until it lands on a group of men.

They’re friends of my brother, well-known within the pack. Charming, powerful men. Men who know how to treat a woman.

My husband wants freedom?

Then I’ll have mine too.

With a smile that doesn’t reach my eyes, I walk toward them.

I toss my hair back, exposing the curve of my neck, and smile at one of the wolves—a tall man with intense eyes and sharp features. He catches the invitation in my gaze immediately and steps closer.

"Clara, what a surprise seeing you here." he says, his voice deep and laced with interest.

I tilt my head, amused.

"I thought it was time to have some fun."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

"And how do you plan to do that?"

I bring the glass to my lips slowly before answering:

"No love. Just fun."

"Just fun." I repeat to myself, determined to stick to my new rule.

Never love again. Just pleasure.

But I have no idea this choice will change everything.

Soft music fills the room as I walk alongside my husband, my wine glass spinning between my fingers.

The party is in full swing, with laughter and conversation blending into the elegant melody from the speakers.

The hall is full of pack members, and I try to ignore the growing sense of displacement I’ve been feeling lately.

Then, my husband stops beside a tall, imposing man with piercing eyes and a presence that makes the air around us feel heavier.

"Clara, this is Jake. My younger brother." he says, smiling.

Jake extends his hand, and I notice the strength in his fingers and the subtle veins running along the back of his hand.

When our eyes meet, a shiver runs down my spine.

"I’ve heard a lot about you." he says, his voice rough and filled with something I can’t quite define.

I smile, trying to keep my composure.

"I hope it was good things."

"Of course. It’s nice to finally meet the woman who won Anthony’s heart."

My husband chuckles and pats his brother’s shoulder.

"Let’s have some fun."

Time passes in light conversation and genuine laughter.

I feel more at ease next to Jake than I have in months with my own husband.

We exchange teasing remarks, playing a dangerous game of glances and smiles.

"Has your brother always been this serious?" I joke, nudging Jake.

He smirks, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Always. But I guess that comes with being an Alpha, right?"

I laugh, but my heart tightens.

The man who was once my safe haven now feels so distant.

At some point during the night, Jake leads me to the balcony, where the cool night air brushes against my warm skin.

I rest my arms on the railing, feeling his presence beside me.

"You seem uncomfortable." he observes.

I look at him, realizing how easy it is to talk to Jake.

"Just... a little out of place."

He tilts his head.

"Why?"

I sigh.

"Things have changed. My marriage has changed."

Jake frowns.

"Changed how?"

I hesitate for a moment before answering.

"We have an open relationship now."

He blinks, clearly surprised.

"Seriously?"

I nod.

"It wasn’t my idea."

Jake is silent for a moment.

"So... you can be with whoever you want?"

I turn to face him, and at that moment, the tension between us thickens.

"Something like that." I say, my voice softer.

Jake’s eyes drop to my lips.

"Do you have any idea how wrong this conversation is?"

I arch an eyebrow.

"Wrong why?"

"Because you’re my brother’s wife."

I tilt my head, stepping closer.

"And I have an open marriage."

It’s the last thing I say before I take the initiative and press my lips against his.

Jake hesitates for a second, but then he kisses me back, pulling me closer.

The next moments are a blur of desire and urgency.

Jake’s touch is firm, different from what I’m used to, and the way our bodies fit together makes me forget everything else.

We shouldn’t be doing this, but right now, nothing else matters.

"Are you sure my brother won’t kill me for kissing his wife?"

I roll my eyes, moving closer, feeling Jake’s hands around my waist.

I feel so good with him.

"Well, my dear husband is probably looking at another girl right now, so I think he’s too busy to notice what we’re doing..." I whisper, and he smiles.

Jake kisses me again before leading me down a hallway.

He pushes me against the wall, his lips claiming mine once more.

I sigh into his mouth, pulling him closer.

I feel his tongue meet mine, and a moan escapes my lips.

"This is so forbidden..." he whispers as his hands start lifting my skirt.

The next morning, I wake up with my head resting on Jake’s chest.

The hotel room is silent, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.

He runs his fingers through my hair.

I should feel awful for sleeping with my husband’s brother, but then I remember we have an open marriage, and I close my eyes, sighing.

Last night will stay in my mind forever.

Weeks pass, and I try to move on with my life. Jake is gone, and the emptiness he left behind feels much bigger than I want to admit.

Why do I feel this way?

Then, one morning, I wake up with my stomach twisting. I rush to the bathroom, vomiting uncontrollably.

Anthony appears at the door.

"Are you okay?"

I wipe my mouth, my heart pounding.

"I just... don't feel well."

His expression softens.

"Maybe it's just something you ate. Do you want me to take you to the doctor?" he asks, and I quickly shake my head.

"No, I'll be fine."

I try to believe it, but something inside me screams that something is wrong.

In the bathroom, I grab my calendar, and my heart stops. My period is weeks late.

A lump forms in my throat.

I leave the house and buy a pregnancy test. When I return, I lock myself in the bathroom, my hands trembling as I open the package.

Minutes later, two lines appear.

I'm pregnant.

Panic takes over me.

When I tell my husband, he smiles, cupping my face in his hands.

"This is amazing! We're going to be parents."

He pulls me into a tight hug, spinning me around.

For a moment, I see the old Anthony again.

I try to smile, but my mind is on someone else.

Jake.

He's already gone.

And now, I don't know whose baby this is.

JAKE DAVIS

After a year and a half of intense training, I am finally coming home.

The smell of the road, the sound of the tires against the asphalt, and the feel of the leather steering wheel beneath my fingers are insignificant details compared to the excitement of seeing my family again.

Still wearing my training clothes—a black t-shirt clinging to my sweaty body and a pair of worn-out military pants—I keep one hand steady on the wheel while the other slides over my phone, scrolling through the images my brother, Anthony, posted on social media.

The pictures are of Clara and their son, Thomas, an adorable little boy with light hair and golden eyes, sitting on his father’s lap.

In another, the family poses beside a large Christmas tree, with Clara smiling in a way that makes something tighten in my chest.

I remember that night with her a year and a half ago. The intensity, the desire, and what we shared.

But now… all