rad’s eyes widened in shock. His jaw dropped as he struggled to comprehend what I had just said.
“What are you talking about?” He asked with a scoff. Maybe he thought I was joking.
My voice was sharp as I delivered the words I had been longing to say for years. “You heard me. I’m done. And I want a divorce too.“% He chuckled, but his eyes betrayed his anger. “You can’t be serious,” he sneered. “Where do you think you’re going to go? You’re a part of this pack, and you’re bound to me by law.“%
I shot him a cold smile. “We’re only bound by papers. You never marked me, never made me your true mate. And even if we were bound by more than just papers, I’d still want out. I deserve better than to be treated like a servant.”
His jaw tightened. I could see the muscles in his neck strain with restrained anger. “You should be grateful that I married you in the first place. A lot of women would kill to be in your position.“”
I heaved a deep sigh. “You’ve rejected me, what, five times now? And every time, you’ve made it painfully clear that you want nothing to do with me. This is why I’m dumping your ass.”
He gave me a smoldering glare.“You ungrateful little brat. You really think you can leave me after everything I’ve done for you?” “You didn’t do anything for me, Brad,” I said, my voice firm. “You didn’t marry me for love, or even for lust. You married me out of obligation.”
I remembered the first time we met, how he had saved me from those bullies who loved to torment me just because I was an omega.” At that moment, I had been captivated by his strength and courage. He had so effortlessly dispatched my tormentors. He looked at me with a softness in his eyes that I had never seen before, and I had felt my heart flutter with admiration and something deeper.
Little did I know that that moment of kindness would be the only one I would ever experience from him.
As the pack elders had informed me, I was a direct descendant of the Moonblood lineage–a rare and powerful bloodline. According to the old century’s law, that was important to the pack’s stability and prosperity.
They chose me to be his future Luna. Apart from that, he was my destined mate after all.
At the time, I had already harbored feelings for Brad. The prospect of becoming his mate, of sharing my life with him, made me excited.
I had thought being his mate would bring us closer together. But instead, it only seemed to drive us further apart.
He resented me, reminding me every day that he felt trapped. I was just a constant reminder of his obligation.
Brad believed I had manipulated the pack elders into forcing him to marry me. He said that I was power–hungry. He thought that I only wanted to be the alpha’s mate for status and prestige. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
I loved him, truly and deeply. But it was clear his heart only belonged to Lydia.
Lydia had been Brad’s lover before I met him, and her disappearance had left him devastated.
She was captured by a rival pack, and he searched for her for years but couldn’t find her. But now, she was back. It was clear that she had no intention of letting me stand in her way.
Brad wanted her too, and the thought stung. Every time I was on heat, I endured the agony alone. I couldn’t even seek comfort in anyone else’s arms because Brad was my mate, and I loved him.
But now, I realize that love wasn’t enough, and I was a fool.
“I’ll have the divorce papers ready in a few days,” I said, turning to leave.
Brad’s voice stopped me. “You’ll never survive without me, Bella. Have you forgotten your parents practically sold you off to me? They don’t give a shit about you.“>>
I swallowed hard because he was right. I couldn’t make dumb decisions based off my emotions. My parents were going to be furious if I dared step my feet back home.
I was going to manage for a few more days until the divorce papers were finalized. And I was going to leave the country, far away from him and everyone. I didn’t mind being a rogue at this point.”
Lydia who had walked out to use the rest room sauntered back into the room just then. It what she was wearing around her neck that caught my attention. It was a rare, priceless family heirloom that had been passed down through generations.}
The necklace was a stunning piece, with diamonds and pearls that sparkled in the light. I remembered my mother telling me about it, how it was supposed to be worn by the Luna. But Brad had never given it to me. Instead, it seemed he saved it for Lydia.
“I found this in your room,” Lydia said, her voice husky as she gazed up at Brad. “I hope you don’t mind me wearing it.“@
His face grew soft and he looked at her with so much adoration. “You look beautiful,” he commented, his voice low. “Just like a princess.“”
Her smile was radiant as she reached up to touch the necklace. “So, I can keep it?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Brad nodded, his smile matching hers. “Of course, you can have anything you want. You just need to think about it, and it’s yours.” She gleefully wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him in for a passionate kiss. And there I was, watching them like a moron.8
I turned to walk away, unable to bear the sight of their affection. But Brad’s voice stopped me.”
“Bella, wait,” he called sharply. “I just remembered that Lydia’s bags are still in the trunk of the car. Can you go get them for her?”
