| Scrape | 23 |
|---|---|
| Id | 2,257 |
| Active | 1 |
| Created Epoch | 1,736,812,804 |
| Modified Epoch | 1,742,869,276 |
| Scrape Epoch | 1,736,813,163 |
| Created | 1/13/25, 6:00 PM |
| Modified | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM |
| Status | completed |
| Notes | |
| Dataset External No | 2257 |
| Filename |
| Id | Active | Status | Created | Modified | Created Epoch | Modified Epoch | Notes | Scrape Result Id | Original Ad Id | Adarchiveid | Collationcount | Collationid | Currency | Enddate | Entitytype | Fevinfo | Gatedtype | Hasuserreported | Hiddensafetydata | Hidedatastatus | Impressionstext | Impressionsindex | Isaaaeligible | Isactive | Isprofilepage | Pageid | Pageinfo | Pageisdeleted | Pagename | Reachestimate | Reportcount | Ad Creative Id | Byline | Caption | Cta Text | Dynamic Versions | Effective Authorization Category | Display Format | Title | Link Description | Link Url | Page Welcome Message | Creation Time | Page Id | Page Name | Page Profile Picture Url | Page Entity Type | Page Is Profile Page | Instagram Actor Name | Instagram Profile Pic Url | Instagram Url | Instagram Handle | Is Reshared | Version | Body | Branded Content | Current Page Name | Disclaimer Label | Page Like Count | Page Profile Uri | Page Is Deleted | Root Reshared Post | Cta Type | Additional Info | Ec Certificates | Country Iso Code | Instagram Branded Content | Spend | Startdate | Statemediarunlabel | Actions |
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| 2663952 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 10:38 AM | 1736814073 | 1749137930 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471470098_1275511460332715_5818217062555050841_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=KYdpsESL9XIQ7kNvgHPhr8u&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYCx423Pw1OEkfromqPpFuQTkn0Id5n4Hcqrr1J4g1Y-_A&oe=678B8344 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Where is she?" I hear the Beta scream. I groan and rise to my feet, grabbing the cleaning basket before heading over. The moment Beta Kyle sees me, he strides towards me and his hand slices against my cheek. I don't make a sound. Years of experience has taught me to keep my mouth shut at all times. "Alpha Trey is expecting company and you still have not cleaned the office." Beta Kyle spits at me. I nod my head and my hand tightens on the cleaning basket. If only I could find the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. But I didn't need another week locked up with no food. My stomach already hurt enough. "We are trying to make a good impression on Alpha Dane. Don't you understand how important it is for us to join ourselves with his pack?!" I don't answer, It's a trap, a ploy to provoke me into saying something that would justify punishment. I keep my eyes lowered, avoiding his gaze. "He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!" We had never been attacked and we had never attacked anyone, so why did we need another pack to help us? He grabs my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin as he turns me around and kicks me into the office. "Useless Wolf." He mutters as he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean against it, observing the already clean office. It looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned eighteen, I could finally escape, but four years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. Someone clears their throat and I freeze, I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don't quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. "Is this the way you greet all Alphas?" His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. "I'm sorry." I whisper, getting to my feet. "I...I thought I was alone." I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. "Come forward." He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey wil kill me. I step around the corner, doing as I'm told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. "You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?" I nod, though I couldn't tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. "I would prefer it if you spoke to me." He growls, "I'm not in the mood to play games." "Yes." I whisper. I couldn't help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? "Why do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me." "I..." I hated the question. "You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?" His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact."My Wolf abilities were bound," I mutter. Twice, I wanted to add. Twice my abilities were bound. But he probably wasn't interested in that part. He leans forward, I could feel him staring at me, "Why would someone do that?" If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. "It was a punishment." I whisper. It wasn't far from the entire truth. There's a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldn't tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me "Neah, what are you doing in my office?" He turns to the crimson eyed man. "I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane." Crap, it's him. My brother spins around, hand poised to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He is taller than my brother, more muscly too. "Neah," My name rolls off of his tongue, "was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested." What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brother glares at me, withdrawing his hands reluctantly. "Neah is your sister, correct?" Alpha Dane questions my brother. "She is." Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. He looks away from me to focus on the man asking questions. "Why do you treat her like trash?" No one had spoken to my brother about his treatment of me because everyone took great joy in beating me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move but I knew I'd better leave. If this deal goes to pot because of me, then that would be my fault too. "Neah was responsible for our parents' death." Alpha Trey spits. I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. "Responsible how?" Alpha Dane's voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. "She served them Wolfsbane." Don't make a sound. Don't make a sound. I knew Alpha Dane was studying me. They all did, no one could ever quite believe how someone could do something so disgusting as poisoning their own parents. I stood there, with my head hanging low, wishing for the ground to open up and suck me in. There are movements around me. He was standing directly in front of me. With a rough finger he tilts my face up towards his, forcing me to look at him. "You poisoned your parents?" "I was six." I splutter. "I just made them lemonade." My voice comes out all squeaky as I try to defend myself. I could barely remember my parents, but I could remember all the guilt I had been made to feel since that day. His crimson eyes flash to my brothers. "Hardly seems fair to blame a six year old." "A six year old should know the difference between plants." Alpha Trey snaps "Sounds to me like she was set up." Alpha Dane shrugs his shoulders, letting go of me. "You weren't there, Alpha Dane." My brother muttered through gritted teeth as his eyes narrowed to slits. "I didn't ask you here to talk about my slave!" Alpha Dane grabs his leather jacket from the chair. Unlike other Alpha's, he seemed to dress more casually, and his arms are bare of tattoos, not a single bit of ink poked out anywhere. "You're right and now I have a few things to mull over." "I thought we agreed." My brother exclaims. "Nothing has been signed. Now I will show myself out." The moment he is out of the office, my brother slams a hand into my stomach. "What the heck did you say to him?" "N...nothing. Well, he just asked me why I smelled funny." "Did you tell him?" My head involuntarily moves up and down. "But I didn't say it was you." I tried to sound strong and confident but it just comes out as a whisper. My brother's hand locks into my black hair as he yanks my head back, sending a shooting pain through my skull. "If you have ruined this, you won't see daylight again." He drags me by my hair from the office and down the hallway towards the basement door. "Please…." I beg. "He was an Alpha…I… I had to answer him." My cheeks burn with my tears as he flings the door open. On the other side of the door is Alpha Dane. He is leaning against the wall with his arms folded, staring out at us. My brother's hand falls from my hair, relieving the pressure on the back of my skull... "Alpha Dane, I thought you had left." Alpha Trey murmurs angrily. "I said I would show myself out. I thought I had found the door, but instead I find a basement, riddled in your sister's strange scent. Is this how you treat your family?" "It's none of your business!" Alpha Trey sputters. Alpha Dane laughs. "If I agree to this deal, everything about your business becomes my business. So tell me, what would your punishment be for her? No food, locked away for a week, beatings?" I see those crimson eyes land on my swollen face. "I have a proposition for you, Alpha Trey." "We have already agreed on terms." "Well, I'm adding one. And if you don't agree, you will not get my help. Instead, you will become my enemy. And we both know, you don't want that." "I take it that your new terms have something to do with her?" Alpha Trey mutters through clenched teeth. "You would be correct. Let me take her away to my pack and then you, Trey will have a deal." Me? Why would he want me? I was a nobody, no one special. "Deal." After a little more thinking, Alpha Trey sticks out his hand for Alpha Dane to shake. He doesn't take it, instead his crimson eyes shift from me to my brother. "I will have paperwork drawn up and will return tomorrow." He reaches a hand out and cups my face, "Ensure you have everything packed." He drags his thumb across my bottom lip and strides to the opposite end of the hallway and straight to the front door. He knew exactly where the front door was, so what was he up to? He pauses at the door. "If I find out you has laid a hand on her. The contract will be the last thing you need to worry about." He struts out, slamming the door behind him. After Dane leaves, my brother grabs me by the collar. "You think you're going to have a good life if you follow Alpha Dane out of here? Don't be naive!" He continues in a vicious voice. "He's the coldest man in the world, he's killed nine of his mates, I'm waiting to see what happens to you!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663884 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 12:01 PM | 1736814064 | 1749142885 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1&locale=EN_US | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465808911_1011195700813584_3508851047248350528_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pnRsH-YsaWYQ7kNvgHmfjlX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYBlSBM8t2OIi6YECoIN-pJJCMOGet5cUFzuNB-DvB8FFA&oe=678B98A5 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663864 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 10:45 AM | 1736814062 | 1749138314 | 2257 | effecto.app | Learn more | IMAGE | Rewire Your ADHD Brain & Unlock Your Potential | https://effecto.app/start?lp=ad5&locale=EN_US | 1.0159776942848E+14 | Effecto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461421936_897298865322963_8342751535488571211_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9tjl8dGceigQ7kNvgEBGciq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYDoOOOc2DXljxQJMcQ6w_KlHTV9a6wPkB9iDpMODq30Kw&oe=678B9259 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Effecto.app helps people take control of ADHD, create structure in life, manage overwhelm, get more done & be more confident. Take a Free ADHD quiz to find out how. | Effecto | 15432 | https://www.facebook.com/100087423606578/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663872 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 11:29 AM | 1736814063 | 1749140947 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn More | DCO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | {{product.description}} | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469754137_1258525005431995_6097417261043299538_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cH6QkAEAUMoQ7kNvgF6z84i&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYDDXlH8Iill4HeVeo65UAjuBpmY2IAoDl607Eyo5Jk9kA&oe=678B670F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663963 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 11:37 AM | 1736814074 | 1749141465 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=934080944896999&exdata=6A8B0BF850DF8E753895B6338169DB7C1CA17A87E2C4F980 | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473162976_1267033097904307_8966488986408185646_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=y2KVzQKvgKYQ7kNvgE-XSNN&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYBY64i57nRKmEbt961RMlsyxlfhu8JLpXXlnAUysaCfIA&oe=678B9060 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Dressed up for her wedding day, she was unwittingly drugged by her husband's mistress. She spent the night with a stranger, unaware that he was her husband's half-brother and his formidable business adversary! ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &7& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2664007 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 4:46 AM | 1736814078 | 1749116777 | 2257 | nvwibcnshop.com | Learn more | IMAGE | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://nvwibcnshop.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17313&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473143892_564430793237415_286861463423781992_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HhkMasMOklEQ7kNvgFWeTP1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYA27GERAeKizk95jAFhzPqy40-e8m_g10aP2MnzxBZa4g&oe=678B70DC | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Conrad brought an expecting woman to live in our home. It was my widowed sister-in-law, Susanna. She’s a very pitiful woman. Her husband Alexander died in a plane crash, and the rescuers still haven’t recovered his body. "Take good care of her, Abigail" my husband told me. I agreed. Conrad’s brother Alexander has always had a good relationship with us, So, it's our responsibility to take care of his wife. But ever since Susanna moved in, our lives have become more and more off track. Conrad used to spend hours in his study working, now seemed to devote his time to Susanna. His gaze never leaving her. For me, I was exhausted dealing with Susanna's demands. She treated me like her personal maid, with a thousand tough tasks waiting for me every day. I’ve thought about protesting, but Susanna's tears always stop me. Maybe the expecting widow just needs more patience and sympathy, I told myself that every time. The only good news these days was that I was expecting. I had been hoping for having a child for a long time. One day, Susanna purposely dropped a plate at my feet. The sharp sound of shattering ceramic echoed, and I felt pain in my leg as the fragments exploded at my feet, cutting me. “Susanna!” I gasped, my eyes widening. “What are you doing?” But she didn’t answer me. She began to wail, clutching her hands to her chest. Her sobs filled the room, each one louder than the last. “I know I’m a burden,” she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fell to her knees. “But I promise, I’ll try harder. Please, don’t send me away…” Just as I opened my mouth to tell her, a familiar voice cut through the room. “Who dares to send you away?” Conrad stepped out from behind me. His voice was sharp with authority. The moment he showed up, Susanna stumbled backward and Conrad rushed forward, catching her before she could hit the ground. “Susanna,” he said, patting her back as she continued to weep. “Are you alright?” She shuddered and lifted her head to meet his gaze. “I’m fine, Conrad. It was all my fault. I just asked Abigail for some help, and maybe she thought I was asking too much. She must be…tired of having me here. And…I don’t blame her. I must seem so weak—” Her tears were a weapon, and she knew how to use them. As soon as Conrad saw Susanna crying, he believed everything she said. “She’s expecting, Abigail. How could you be so cruel? I'm really disappointed in you.”Conrad blamed me. “Conrad, listen,” I cried, “I didn’t do that, it’s Susanna, she smashed the plate...” “So what? ”Conrad angrily interrupted me. His words were like a slap as I stood there, stunned. My throat felt tight, my heart pounding painfully in my chest as I tried to understand how he could believe her over me so easily. Just as I was about to say something, the metallic taste hit my nose. My stomach twisted. I’d always had a problem with blood, and now, seeing it drip from my leg, I could feel the familiar chill creeping through me, stealing my strength. My legs gave way uncontrollably, and new shards immediately embedded into my feet and knee. My vision started to blur, and my heartbeat was pounding in my ears, drowning out even the sounds of Susanna’s sobs. "Hang on, I'll get a doctor," Conrad's voice came through, and I let out a sigh of relief. "Susanna, don't be afraid, no one can hurt you," he said as he carried Susanna out. It turned out he wasn't talking to me after all, he hadn't even noticed that I was the one who needed help. Susanna leaned out of Conrad’s arms, watching me struggle to keep my balance and avoid falling into the shards. I couldn’t see her expression clearly, but I’m sure it was a smile. Conrad left with Susanna, abandoning me, injured and alone. It must be bile spreading to my mouth, otherwise, why would it taste so bitter? When I was at the hospital, I couldn't get in touch with Conrad at all. I called him countless times, but he never answered. I having to undergo a stitch-up without any anesthesia. It hurts so much. I desperately needed my husband to be there with me, but he was probably too busy staying with my sister-in-law. Only Daniel, Alexander’s assistant, showed up to help me. While I was texting, I had accidentally sent the message to Alexander as well. Daniel handles all messages related to Alexander, so he saw it. The message I accidentally sent to my deceased brother-in-law was more helpful than reaching out to my husband. Just as I was home, Conrad just walked out of Susanna’s room. “Abigail?” Conrad’s voice was brisk, tinged with irritation. “Where are you? Why aren’t you home?” I tried to keep my voice down. “Hospital. Where else could I go after bleeding from the plate Susanna threw?” "What, you're bleeding? " After a moment, Conrad's voice came through, "I'm so sorry I didn’t realize….". His face full of worry and guilt calmed my anger, at least for a moment. “Abigail…I’m sorry. I should have been there for you.” I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow even to my own ears. “Should have? Conrad, you should trust your wife, at least listen to me! ” He stepped forward and hugged me tightly, his deep voice vibrating through his chest as it reached my ear. "It’s all my fault. I’ve been stuck in the aftermath of Alexander’s accident. You know how much Alexander cared for us. I feel like it’s my responsibility to look after his wife and child now, for his sake. When Susanna cried, I thought it was you... I misunderstood you..." He sat me down on the sofa, took my hand, and gently fixed my slightly messy hair. "So it was all a misunderstanding today... " His warmth surrounded me, and the thorn in my heart disappeared. "There won’t be a next time, I promise. Abigail. You’re my wife. You’re my priority" "Let’s be more careful with expecting women," he said, caressing my cheek. Before I could respond, his hand moved lower, and his tone turned suggestive. "When you have a child, I’ll be more careful, so can we…" I quickly swatted his hand away and laughed. "I just came from the hospital! Are you that eager, Daddy?" He lay down beside me, his voice low. "Do you remember what we talked about before? I want a daughter. She’ll be the cutest little princess, with blue eyes and chestnut-colored hair." I pushed him away, stopping him from trying to "help" me take a bath. A few more months, and our dream would finally come true. The joy was so overwhelming that I forgot to correct Conrad—how could we, neither of us with blue eyes, possibly have a child with blue ones? When I pushed open the bedroom door, I thought about how I’d tell him about the baby. Maybe tonight? It's my birthday today. I guessed Conrad would give me the gift he had prepared tonight. I unexpectedly found a freshly painted oil painting in his study, it was of a woman’s back and her smiling profile, someone who looked a lot like me, though it annoyed me a bit, and also a bit like Susanna. But then I noticed the roses next to the painting, with a heartfelt confession. These gifts could only be for me, after all, I’m his wife, his lover. As Conrad give me my gift, I’d be giving him the baby gift in return. But when I opened the door to our bedroom, Someone was there. The light fell on her chestnut-colored hair, making her look as if she were glowing. She stood in front of my vanity, casually inspecting one of my necklaces as though it belonged to her. She turned at the sound of the door, her face breaking into a bright smile, but her blue eyes were filled with indifference. “Oh, Abigail! I didn’t hear you come in.” It was Susanna. She's in my bedroom. “What are you doing here?” I asked sharply. “This is my room.” “Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” she said, waving a hand. “This is my room now.” I blinked, the words taking a moment to sink in. “Excuse me?” Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Conrad wants me to recover properly, he said I could ask for anything, so I decided I wanted to move into this cozy bedroom. The design’s great, did you do it yourself?” My pulse quickened, anger rising swiftly. “This is our room. I and Conrad’s. You don’t just decide to move in without even asking.” Susanna smirked, unfazed by the heat in my voice. “I wasn’t asking. Conrad said I could stay here.” “Did he?” I said, my tone ice-cold. “I find that hard to believe.” Before she could respond, Conrad appeared in the doorway, his expression full of happiness as he looked at Susanna. “Happy birthday, Susanna!” he exclaimed, stepping into the room. I stood to the side, frozen. Shock flooded my system as I watched him pull out the painting from behind his back, revealing it in a flourish, followed by the bouquet of red roses. “I thought you’d like these. I know how much you love flowers.” There was also a cute little card on the roses. I couldn’t make out the message clearly, but I knew it said, "My eternal love, my forever beauty." It felt like I was watching a scene unfold from a play that I had no role in. Conrad knelt before Susanna, presenting her with the gifts. “I thought you might like these, too. You deserve to be celebrated today.” I couldn’t hold back the shocked sound that escaped my lips. “What?” Finally, his gaze snapped to me, surprise flickering across his face as he realized I was in the room. “Abigail?” he asked, confusion in his features, as if he couldn’t understand what I was doing here, in the room. In his house. In his life. | Random Reading | 336 | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663939 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 11:44 PM | 1736814071 | 1749098667 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/451430610_1600509390882573_4925046373294028512_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vp_BrHcyDosQ7kNvgGIxH-n&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYDXzaK-9Y9BH1rbnKvtFwy2hqCYHNe_1niEfiNt249mnA&oe=678B7DCA | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663974 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 9:52 AM | 1736814076 | 1749135174 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=233925549638247&exdata=B416D31AF7415CA5519CF676367F37A4241EF2C51707F9CB | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472969501_3987716091552737_6212367453595985340_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=fP5yvDpGfEcQ7kNvgG0i6Ue&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYA4Le0_lD-nX4ZPOJi0ZJHLBJqzqQAw40YghHltO7988A&oe=678B944B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Emerging from the confines of marriage, she blossomed from a mundane housewife to a renowned painter with a legion of admirers. When her ex-husband sought reconciliation at her doorstep, he witnessed her in the arms of a prominent man. "Meet your new sister-in-law!" ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &9& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663910 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 2:21 AM | 1736814066 | 1749021670 | 2257 | www.aelfriceden.com | Shop now | VIDEO | Find your fit | https://www.aelfriceden.com/collections/best-sellers?&sort_by=aelfric-eden-retro-90s-knit-sweater-recommended-by-juicyjrock-copy,aelfric-eden-blurring-star-washed-hoodie-2,3d-embroidery-star-hoodie,aelfric-eden-cartoon-dog-hoodie,aelfric-eden-stellaris-embroidered-hoodie,aelfric-eden-flower-embroidery-number-hoodie,aelfric-eden-christmas-dog-hoodie%2Caelfric-eden-number-jacquard-cardigan%2Caelfric-eden-denim-star-applique-embroidery-hoodie,aelfric-eden-vintage-red-stripe-sweater,aelfric-eden-fringe-gradient-pinstripe-cardigan-1 | 6.1355342234285E+14 | Aelfric Eden | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470194215_892084702909548_6264839154325590995_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Z7NMJtypPHsQ7kNvgFcZUNk&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYBq-0aY68U0xEGoo7XCpAo6D1lHrU-_mPuyFsKwzXr7uA&oe=678B6973 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🎁 Today's Special! ✨Shop top picks with amazing discounts + Free Shipping! 🌟Easy shopping, great quality. #ootd #outfitinspo #outfitideas #fitcheck #schooloutfit #newbalance #hoodieszn #longchamp #aelfriceden #Christmas #blackfriday #foryoupage #hit #dance #stopdropandroll #trending #thisnotyours | Aelfric Eden | 78796 | https://www.facebook.com/aelfricedencom/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663898 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 5:56 PM | 1736814065 | 1749077803 | 2257 | www.italojewelry.com | Shop now | VIDEO | 4 interest-free payments | ✅60-day Return & One Year Warranty | https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-1130-02&utm_campaign=1211-17 | 5.6018496768178E+14 | Italo Jeweler | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473106866_571017975772979_8495585420047279413_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=avjwgWFcVswQ7kNvgFHD9Di&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYAuqyzybqnEbJjDK_Yrglsd05KWjw5V0qpBB5ii3onZuw&oe=678B665F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Prepare the surprise of love 🎁 early, for a perfect Valentine’s 💞 ✅Any order 10%off & more promotions enjoy now Shop Now👉:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo Free shipping & After Pay | Italo Jeweler | 20423 | https://www.facebook.com/italojeweler/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663888 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 5:58 PM | 1736814064 | 1749077883 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16733&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470813541_1331365174950895_3526592986477027401_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zw-hEVj6zCoQ7kNvgGc5KPG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYDoqvSspIFb2CxI_mobxjFPO8aRGDF6HBcFXFjktwKvww&oe=678B70D8 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I forced myself to look at the book in my hand. Seeing Elijah recently at Urban Next Design Studio had stirred up unexpected emotions within me. We’re already divorced. Because he never stopped loving his first love, Serena. He didn’t care about me at all, not even when I was carrying our baby. I left that heartbreaking place behind and came to France to pursue my dreams. I thought I could finally start over, but I never expected Elijah to follow me here, trying to win me back. Luckily, I wasn’t fooled by his lies. He came to France with Serena, his new flame. I shouldn’t think about him anymore. A bitter smile tugged at my lips. But I can’t deny it—when I saw him in France, my heart still skipped a beat. My phone rang then. When I saw Serena’s name on the screen, I groaned loudly. “What do you want this time?” I straightened up and answered casually. “Hello.” “Hi, Sophia!” As always, she had that fake sugary-sweet voice on. “How’ve you been? I was hoping we could meet today at that cafe across your campus where Elijah and I saw you before?” “Why?” I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. “I know that he’s still hanging around you, maybe trying to catch you or talk to you… I know of a way for him to stop harassing you, Sophia.” I couldn’t understand why Serena wouldn’t just leave me alone and go on with her life. But my curiosity got the best of me. “How?” I asked. “I’ll see you in fifteen minutes, then you can find out.” She put the phone down, leaving me no choice but to get ready and meet her in that cafe. It wasn’t long before we were sitting across from each other. Serena didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. A small smile was playing on her lips. An evil smile, I would say. She was probably up to no good, but I still stayed and listened, anyway. “Have you heard of Sabrina Baker?” she asked directly. “No.” She seemed quite happy. “Well, Sabrina is Elijah’s long-lost childhood best friend and the first love of his life. She went missing when they were about ten years old, and Elijah was never the same since then. He spent years looking for her and only stopped when he met you…” “Huh?” I was bewildered by this news, but I didn’t want to show her. “So what? It has nothing to do with me. We’re divorced.” “You’re connected to Sabrina, in a way,” Serena went on. “That’s because you reminded Elijah of her. That’s why he pursued you in college.” My heart began to thump hard. “Is that your painting?” he’d asked me upon approaching me after class way back during our college days. His eyes were glimmering as he glanced at the Eiffel Tower artwork that peeked out from the folder I was holding. “Uh, yes.” “Have you been to Paris?” I shook my head. “Not yet, but I would love to visit someday. Or perhaps even study and work there.” “I know a coffee shop nearby that has a beautiful mural of Paris…” he’d said. And that afternoon, the two of us got to know each other for the first time. And that was when I first told him that I was allergic to coffee, so he bought a chocolate drink for me instead. But he gave me a coffee when I first went to his company and found him with Serena before we got divorced. I didn’t like where the conversation with Serena was going. “Who knows? Maybe he even got you were carrying a baby on purpose, so you’d want to marry him,” Serena continued, her tone mocking. “If you weren’t similar to his dearest Sabrina, he wouldn’t have bothered spending any time with you, you know. And it’s the real reason that he married you! He told me so himself!” Serena’s devilish smile grew bigger. “You know why he was so cold and distant when you were together? Because he realized that you weren’t like Sabrina, after all! But out of duty, he decided to stay with you because you were carrying his baby. And so when you had lost the baby, he became more out of reach and he didn’t treat you like a real wife…” Her words pierced my heart like a sharp knife. But still I held my composure, not wanting her to see that she was getting to me and that this revelation was having a huge impact. “And now it’s the same,” Serena went on mockingly. “It’s about the baby again. He’s pretty sure it’s his so he feels responsible. He can’t bear the thought of just leaving without a care. That’s why he’s been trying to reconcile with you, Sophia.” My eyes widened, but I knew she was telling the truth. She’s right, I realized bitterly. “You’re smart, aren’t you? Then you ought to know what I mean.” I stared at her silently, not knowing what to make of it. I knew what she was saying, but it was difficult to process it at the moment. “Think hard about it, Sophia,” Serena said before getting up and leaving. I was left dumbfounded, staring into the caffeine-free drink that Serena had ordered for me before I arrived. Serena is well aware that I’m allergic to caffeine, and I don’t even know her well. But Elijah whom I’d been married to for two years had easily forgotten. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. All this time, I had believed that Elijah genuinely liked me, that our relationship was built on something real. But now, as I sat in the café, I couldn't shake the feeling of devastation. It became clear to me that Elijah never really cared about me. I was just a stand-in, a substitute for someone else. I was a mere reminder of this Sabrina, whoever she was, and it was because of her that Elijah had decided to pursue me. The thought was crushing. I had let myself believe in something that was never real, and the realization left me feeling hollow inside. How could I have been so blind? So naive? The pain of the truth threatened to overwhelm me, and I struggled to hold back tears. After a while, I tried to gather my wits despite the rattling nerves. Still greatly confused, I returned home. And the one who were waiting for me outside my apartment building is… Elijah. When he saw me and began to approach, I held up my palm and shook my head. I didn’t want to see him or talk to him. I was just too exhausted and confused to deal with him right now. “Sophia, wait!” He called after me. I could hear his footsteps quickening behind me as I went to the direction of the elevator. “Sophia!” I turned around with an exasperated expression on my face. “Have you…” He hesitated before continuing. “Have you ever… gone missing when you were a child?” I felt myself turning pale. My heartbeat went into overdrive. “What do you mean?” I saw his nose twitching, which meant that he was somehow uncertain or embarrassed. I waited for him to go on. “Sophia, please be honest with me,” he pleaded. “Just answer my question truthfully because this is really very important to me.” I couldn’t help scoffing. “It’s important because it involves Sabrina, right?” I asked him mockingly. Elijah froze, his face registering shock. | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663901 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 6:01 PM | 1736814065 | 1749078092 | 2257 | www.italojewelry.com | Shop now | VIDEO | 4 interest-free payments | ✅60-day Return & One Year Warranty | https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-1130-02&utm_campaign=1211-17 | 5.6018496768178E+14 | Italo Jeweler | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472920349_578920608256605_912300990161847287_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=id_ZF5HfMcwQ7kNvgEjgxY_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYC2N9oAL2k62P2g1JpwS5TnLSSRuwNhyhdnxpvf96w_eA&oe=678B6AB5 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Prepare the surprise of love 🎁 early, for a perfect Valentine’s 💞 ✅Any order 10%off & more promotions enjoy now Shop Now👉:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo Free shipping & After Pay | Italo Jeweler | 20423 | https://www.facebook.com/italojeweler/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663995 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 5:28 AM | 1736814077 | 1749032925 | 2257 | infiniteage.com | Learn More | DCO | I Quit Dangerous Meds - Here's How 👉 | 100% Money-Back Guarantee | https://infiniteage.com/pages/lp3 | 1.0989629381594E+14 | Infinite Age | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471765829_627836129612210_6335533016287355058_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q4tpse-P2OwQ7kNvgG3EtXP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCVYb86qxjdUNKVaDcvaTBPUiXJCklH4Hoz97CEIfup0A&oe=678B8D15 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Tired of being a slave to your meds? I was too. Learn how I broke free and regained control of my health & happiness naturally👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 | Infinite Age | 44556 | https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663958 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/7/25, 9:16 AM | 1736814074 | 1749305779 | 2257 | vmc.vet.osu.edu | Learn More | CAROUSEL | Care Credit Accepted | Easy access and free parking! | https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/dublin | 3.8216817522321E+14 | The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463623653_521947757123575_2838208827216320575_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HNCSgnds7VgQ7kNvgE3wdPK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYDL3TxC3kkXLcJBkM16d6hciSbjtuPUjV-TLnNUTqSBww&oe=678B6BB3 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Easy access and free parking! | The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center | 14030 | https://www.facebook.com/OSUVeterinaryMedicalCenter/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663866 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/7/25, 2:39 PM | 1736814062 | 1749325188 | 2257 | effecto.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Rewire Your ADHD Brain & Unlock Your Potential | https://effecto.app/start?lp=ad5&locale=EN_US | 1.0159776942848E+14 | Effecto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468285542_1117324980101865_3567068353359441125_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5IgvRjEXPc0Q7kNvgH6FjJm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYBNX3vyvRRg_faHGvwvsJKY3vfdKLC5Fk5YrnebUe2j4Q&oe=678B949C | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Adults with ADHD may find it challenging to focus and prioritize, leading to missed deadlines and low productivity. The inability to control impulses can range from impatience waiting in line or driving in traffic to mood swings and outbursts of anger. Effecto personalized plan helps to: ✔️ Improve focus ✔️ Achieve goals ✔️ Boost productivity ✔️ Improve mood Want a proven, personalized plan to improve focus, manage the overwhelm and create your ultimate routine? Take this short quiz 👇 | Effecto | 15432 | https://www.facebook.com/100087423606578/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663885 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/7/25, 3:41 PM | 1736814064 | 1749328916 | 2257 | brainway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Overcome Procrastination Naturally | https://brainway.app/start?qz=pro1&locale=EN_US | 1.4257913226241E+14 | Brainway App | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465455127_521949030832073_3185631787244419887_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vigsLxhqBGwQ7kNvgEJB16O&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYBw_5R48RvgDxpQ_6qVlFhmEAZW8n3fwe9d8P1VRSqDxQ&oe=678B8627 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Overcoming procrastination doesn’t have to be hard! Created by a team of psychologists and behavioral change experts, Brainway is designed to: 1️⃣ Identify your unique “Procrastination Type” 2️⃣ Reveal the unique “Trigger Point” that makes you procrastinate 3️⃣ Provide personalized, simple, and effective strategies to help you stop putting things off 🏆 And let you join thousands of people enjoying 100% stress-free productivity with Brainway! 🔥 Take a short quiz and see how Brainway can help you break free from procrastination & embrace your natural productivity today!👇 | Brainway App | 23253 | https://www.facebook.com/61551442591062/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663903 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/7/25, 6:47 PM | 1736814065 | 1749340072 | 2257 | www.italojewelry.com | Shop now | VIDEO | best seller | ✅Easy Return & One Year Warranty | https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-1130-02&utm_campaign=1211-17 | 5.6018496768178E+14 | Italo Jeweler | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473124847_594423633540485_5097854532810267574_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oRxVMkKKDDgQ7kNvgHGH2it&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYAxul4HO9rD985xTU-YdHNC34mgxpv_FdC62KTuUMG5bQ&oe=678B90FB | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨Let jewelry be the star of your love story 💌Valentine’s pre-sale starts 🎉 ✅Any order 10% off & more promotions enjoy now Learn more:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo 🎁Free shipping & Easy return🎁 | Italo Jeweler | 20423 | https://www.facebook.com/italojeweler/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664003 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/7/25, 6:48 PM | 1736814078 | 1749340082 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664009 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/2/25, 6:26 PM | 1736814078 | 1748906814 | 2257 | nvwibcnshop.com | Learn more | IMAGE | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://nvwibcnshop.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17313&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472757780_467980293017084_4014569730378509815_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xs1tKufS1ecQ7kNvgH1jCSb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYBu_T7qKndrwPkRN39u9Vy2tAXM1QfP2bl-Rbxw3RJN9w&oe=678B70B7 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Conrad brought an expecting woman to live in our home. It was my widowed sister-in-law, Susanna. She’s a very pitiful woman. Her husband Alexander died in a plane crash, and the rescuers still haven’t recovered his body. "Take good care of her, Abigail" my husband told me. I agreed. Conrad’s brother Alexander has always had a good relationship with us, So, it's our responsibility to take care of his wife. But ever since Susanna moved in, our lives have become more and more off track. Conrad used to spend hours in his study working, now seemed to devote his time to Susanna. His gaze never leaving her. For me, I was exhausted dealing with Susanna's demands. She treated me like her personal maid, with a thousand tough tasks waiting for me every day. I’ve thought about protesting, but Susanna's tears always stop me. Maybe the expecting widow just needs more patience and sympathy, I told myself that every time. The only good news these days was that I was expecting. I had been hoping for having a child for a long time. One day, Susanna purposely dropped a plate at my feet. The sharp sound of shattering ceramic echoed, and I felt pain in my leg as the fragments exploded at my feet, cutting me. “Susanna!” I gasped, my eyes widening. “What are you doing?” But she didn’t answer me. She began to wail, clutching her hands to her chest. Her sobs filled the room, each one louder than the last. “I know I’m a burden,” she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fell to her knees. “But I promise, I’ll try harder. Please, don’t send me away…” Just as I opened my mouth to tell her, a familiar voice cut through the room. “Who dares to send you away?” Conrad stepped out from behind me. His voice was sharp with authority. The moment he showed up, Susanna stumbled backward and Conrad rushed forward, catching her before she could hit the ground. “Susanna,” he said, patting her back as she continued to weep. “Are you alright?” She shuddered and lifted her head to meet his gaze. “I’m fine, Conrad. It was all my fault. I just asked Abigail for some help, and maybe she thought I was asking too much. She must be…tired of having me here. And…I don’t blame her. I must seem so weak—” Her tears were a weapon, and she knew how to use them. As soon as Conrad saw Susanna crying, he believed everything she said. “She’s expecting, Abigail. How could you be so cruel? I'm really disappointed in you.”Conrad blamed me. “Conrad, listen,” I cried, “I didn’t do that, it’s Susanna, she smashed the plate...” “So what? ”Conrad angrily interrupted me. His words were like a slap as I stood there, stunned. My throat felt tight, my heart pounding painfully in my chest as I tried to understand how he could believe her over me so easily. Just as I was about to say something, the metallic taste hit my nose. My stomach twisted. I’d always had a problem with blood, and now, seeing it drip from my leg, I could feel the familiar chill creeping through me, stealing my strength. My legs gave way uncontrollably, and new shards immediately embedded into my feet and knee. My vision started to blur, and my heartbeat was pounding in my ears, drowning out even the sounds of Susanna’s sobs. "Hang on, I'll get a doctor," Conrad's voice came through, and I let out a sigh of relief. "Susanna, don't be afraid, no one can hurt you," he said as he carried Susanna out. It turned out he wasn't talking to me after all, he hadn't even noticed that I was the one who needed help. Susanna leaned out of Conrad’s arms, watching me struggle to keep my balance and avoid falling into the shards. I couldn’t see her expression clearly, but I’m sure it was a smile. Conrad left with Susanna, abandoning me, injured and alone. It must be bile spreading to my mouth, otherwise, why would it taste so bitter? When I was at the hospital, I couldn't get in touch with Conrad at all. I called him countless times, but he never answered. I having to undergo a stitch-up without any anesthesia. It hurts so much. I desperately needed my husband to be there with me, but he was probably too busy staying with my sister-in-law. Only Daniel, Alexander’s assistant, showed up to help me. While I was texting, I had accidentally sent the message to Alexander as well. Daniel handles all messages related to Alexander, so he saw it. The message I accidentally sent to my deceased brother-in-law was more helpful than reaching out to my husband. Just as I was home, Conrad just walked out of Susanna’s room. “Abigail?” Conrad’s voice was brisk, tinged with irritation. “Where are you? Why aren’t you home?” I tried to keep my voice down. “Hospital. Where else could I go after bleeding from the plate Susanna threw?” "What, you're bleeding? " After a moment, Conrad's voice came through, "I'm so sorry I didn’t realize….". His face full of worry and guilt calmed my anger, at least for a moment. “Abigail…I’m sorry. I should have been there for you.” I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow even to my own ears. “Should have? Conrad, you should trust your wife, at least listen to me! ” He stepped forward and hugged me tightly, his deep voice vibrating through his chest as it reached my ear. "It’s all my fault. I’ve been stuck in the aftermath of Alexander’s accident. You know how much Alexander cared for us. I feel like it’s my responsibility to look after his wife and child now, for his sake. When Susanna cried, I thought it was you... I misunderstood you..." He sat me down on the sofa, took my hand, and gently fixed my slightly messy hair. "So it was all a misunderstanding today... " His warmth surrounded me, and the thorn in my heart disappeared. "There won’t be a next time, I promise. Abigail. You’re my wife. You’re my priority" "Let’s be more careful with expecting women," he said, caressing my cheek. Before I could respond, his hand moved lower, and his tone turned suggestive. "When you have a child, I’ll be more careful, so can we…" I quickly swatted his hand away and laughed. "I just came from the hospital! Are you that eager, Daddy?" He lay down beside me, his voice low. "Do you remember what we talked about before? I want a daughter. She’ll be the cutest little princess, with blue eyes and chestnut-colored hair." I pushed him away, stopping him from trying to "help" me take a bath. A few more months, and our dream would finally come true. The joy was so overwhelming that I forgot to correct Conrad—how could we, neither of us with blue eyes, possibly have a child with blue ones? When I pushed open the bedroom door, I thought about how I’d tell him about the baby. Maybe tonight? It's my birthday today. I guessed Conrad would give me the gift he had prepared tonight. I unexpectedly found a freshly painted oil painting in his study, it was of a woman’s back and her smiling profile, someone who looked a lot like me, though it annoyed me a bit, and also a bit like Susanna. But then I noticed the roses next to the painting, with a heartfelt confession. These gifts could only be for me, after all, I’m his wife, his lover. As Conrad give me my gift, I’d be giving him the baby gift in return. But when I opened the door to our bedroom, Someone was there. The light fell on her chestnut-colored hair, making her look as if she were glowing. She stood in front of my vanity, casually inspecting one of my necklaces as though it belonged to her. She turned at the sound of the door, her face breaking into a bright smile, but her blue eyes were filled with indifference. “Oh, Abigail! I didn’t hear you come in.” It was Susanna. She's in my bedroom. “What are you doing here?” I asked sharply. “This is my room.” “Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” she said, waving a hand. “This is my room now.” I blinked, the words taking a moment to sink in. “Excuse me?” Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Conrad wants me to recover properly, he said I could ask for anything, so I decided I wanted to move into this cozy bedroom. The design’s great, did you do it yourself?” My pulse quickened, anger rising swiftly. “This is our room. I and Conrad’s. You don’t just decide to move in without even asking.” Susanna smirked, unfazed by the heat in my voice. “I wasn’t asking. Conrad said I could stay here.” “Did he?” I said, my tone ice-cold. “I find that hard to believe.” Before she could respond, Conrad appeared in the doorway, his expression full of happiness as he looked at Susanna. “Happy birthday, Susanna!” he exclaimed, stepping into the room. I stood to the side, frozen. Shock flooded my system as I watched him pull out the painting from behind his back, revealing it in a flourish, followed by the bouquet of red roses. “I thought you’d like these. I know how much you love flowers.” There was also a cute little card on the roses. I couldn’t make out the message clearly, but I knew it said, "My eternal love, my forever beauty." It felt like I was watching a scene unfold from a play that I had no role in. Conrad knelt before Susanna, presenting her with the gifts. “I thought you might like these, too. You deserve to be celebrated today.” I couldn’t hold back the shocked sound that escaped my lips. “What?” Finally, his gaze snapped to me, surprise flickering across his face as he realized I was in the room. “Abigail?” he asked, confusion in his features, as if he couldn’t understand what I was doing here, in the room. In his house. In his life. | Random Reading | 336 | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663960 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 5:58 AM | 1736814074 | 1749034717 | 2257 | vmc.vet.osu.edu | Learn More | CAROUSEL | Care Credit Accepted | Easy access and free parking! | https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/dublin | 3.8216817522321E+14 | The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463623653_521947757123575_2838208827216320575_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HNCSgnds7VgQ7kNvgE3wdPK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYDL3TxC3kkXLcJBkM16d6hciSbjtuPUjV-TLnNUTqSBww&oe=678B6BB3 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Easy access and free parking! | The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center | 14030 | https://www.facebook.com/OSUVeterinaryMedicalCenter/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663870 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/2/25, 6:33 PM | 1736814063 | 1748907201 | 2257 | effecto.app | Learn more | VIDEO | 🚨 Up to 60% OFF + 2 FREE Gifts + FREE Shipping 🚨 | https://effecto.app/start?lp=ad5&locale=EN_US | 1.0159776942848E+14 | Effecto | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470799774_930399462392728_7862960073586706100_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wj8aUmiDbhwQ7kNvgFGRpQB&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYB8Khfv7Yc5MWHwyTb6Mdl5Qg44e47jYnJo4mCPgmqAnQ&oe=678B83D6 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🖤 Black Friday Flash Sale! 🖤 Adults with ADHD, reclaim your focus with Effecto’s personalized plan: ✔️ Improve focus ✔️ Achieve goals ✔️ Boost productivity ✔️ Improve mood 🎯 For a limited time, unlock your full potential with 51% OFF. Take the short quiz today 👇 | Effecto | 15432 | https://www.facebook.com/100087423606578/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663977 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/26/25, 12:34 AM | 1736814076 | 1745645651 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=638434121690371&rawadid=120218149900010091 | 1.1034189532913E+14 | Good Story | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470528455_1576123519693620_4533897928619848361_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8QxSJIQ2btYQ7kNvgG_HU9L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDUNjT_Ulxl5aZwFpUZXW04WOQXBG_5g5STu7x_4t9u9w&oe=678B927B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After being publicly rejected by her mate, she refused to accept it and resolved to use the bond between mates to punish him. However, when another Alpha began to court her, he lost it. "You belong only to me!" ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5& | Good Story | 817 | https://www.facebook.com/100090635329790/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663893 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 6:23 AM | 1736814064 | 1749036209 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16566&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470156620_542614088784668_6424688947680955974_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cwqPrpWswQQQ7kNvgH8i83y&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYAkZGO_dD1rAHaASGL3CSIpU_9sNJCsOSEOETT_5U9UrQ&oe=678B990C | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Wow…My best friend is carrying my husband’s child. " Lulu was in disbelief. "The two closest people in my life… " "Please leave, I'll meet you at home and we can discuss this further. You’re barren, but Lily is with my first child, I don't want you to stress Lily and our baby." Alex shunned her. Lulu had no choice but to turn around. She was here to share her IVF conception news, but now she chose to stay quiet. "I can't believe I am having a child with this devil who I mean nothing to, I'm not going to keep a child with this loser!" She cried as she got into the taxi. She forgot all about her dreams and was fueled by anger. "How can Alex repay me this way?" She told the taxi driver her destination and, in a few minutes, her phone rang. Sniffing, she wiped her tears, it was her doctor from the hospital. "Mrs. Moore, there has been a terrible mistake!" She frowned, "Please call me Miss Bridge from now and, what do you mean by the mistake?" "We just found out that the sample that was mixed with your egg does not belong to your husband." "What?!" She was confused. “Before insemination, the nurse in charge of your IVF had found out that your husband had no living tadpoles, your reproductive misfortune was from your husband.” “What?!” Lulu threw her hands over her mouth in astonishment, which meant there was no way Lily was actually carrying Alex's child. She was lying to him! "Wait, so how come my conception was successful?" "That's the problem, one of our hospital's biggest clients was also scheduled for an insemination on that same day, and the samples were accidentally swapped." "Wait, so what you're saying is... I'm carrying someone else's child?" "Not just anyone, David Carlson's child." "Am I supposed to know who that is?" "He's the world's most famous artist, how haven't you heard of him?" | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663969 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/8/25, 1:34 AM | 1736814076 | 1749364479 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65282322-fb_contact-enp26_6-1226-core3.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=1435595577085911&exdata=3B6BDC606D33F833E88497E0C3FC47364AA8AF580004888F | 1.1646967472085E+14 | Fun Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472378194_579293865061878_7254159947301439960_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=L5M5gxXavaoQ7kNvgE0j4J9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYAVhlQQiZFdg0LpXDINv-0v2mSCgfQz9TBylPzBxiWZdw&oe=678B7170 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | It was a contractual marriage for both of them to get what they wanted, yet she fell in love first. But when she was in a life-threatening situation during a fire and needed him the most, he chose to stay by the side of his first love instead. She finally let it go, divorced him, and made a grand comeback as a great screenwriter. ===== "Saved! They've been saved." Firefighters emerged from the smoldering inferno, carrying Carrie Campbell to safety at the roadside. Her features, usually refined and expressive, were now smeared with soot; her sparkling eyes dimmed to a vacant gaze, hollow and lost. As reality seeped back into her consciousness, Carrie felt a rush of gratitude overpower her usual composure. Her voice, hoarse and weak, conveyed a profound "thank you" to her rescuers. Shaking, she fumbled for her phone, her fingertips quivering as they found the familiar number. "Hello, the person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable. Please try again later..." The automated message played after a few rings, leaving her with a lump in her throat, her unvoiced frustrations and sorrow welling up inside her. Bang! With a deafening roar, the explosion abruptly silenced the cold, mechanical voice echoing through the line. Carrie's head snapped upwards, shock painted on her face as she witnessed the apartment she had just exited erupt into flames. Chunks of debris were hurled into the air by the force of the blast, scattering across the sky. Panic engulfed the crowd as survivors, freshly rescued, screamed in terror. They huddled together, seeking solace in each other's arms, their cries piercing the tumultuous scene. In stark contrast, Carrie lay alone on a stretcher, her isolation magnified amidst the chaos. "Kristopher..." Fighting the dread creeping up her spine, Carrie pressed her lips together tightly and dialed her husband's number again, her resolve unwavering. Yet, the call disconnected after a few short rings, leaving her with a haunting silence. Just then, a Twitter notification flickered on her phone screen. The gossip feed was alive with the latest gossip: #LiseNash #MysteriouBoyfriend. According to the tweet, a producer from a well-known variety show had invited the renowned star Lise Nash to a dinner, which had quickly soured when she declined to partake in a toast. This act of defiance had sparked a confrontation, only to be interrupted by Lise's domineering boyfriend. He stormed into the private dining room, dismissing the producer with a dismissive wave and escorting Lise away. The tweet described the scene vividly, painting a picture of a powerful man defending his beloved partner. Yet, perhaps due to his prominence, only the back of the man was visible in the accompanying photos, preserving his anonymity. Meanwhile, Lise, donning an oversized suit jacket, beamed a smile, reaching out to clasp his hand as they departed together. Carrie's eyes were glued to the screen, her stare intense and unblinking as she absorbed the image before her. There he was--Kristopher Norris! The suit jacket draped carelessly over Lise was a dead giveaway. Every piece of clothing Kristopher owned had been meticulously tailored by a master craftsman abroad, a detail Carrie knew all too well. Her grip on her phone tightened, her knuckles blanching to a stark white, as if her very soul were being squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain sharp and acid-like in its intensity. In her most desperate moment, Kristopher had coldly disconnected their call, choosing instead to be at Lise's side. What was the worth of their two-year marriage? The tears she had been holding back now overwhelmed her, streaming down her face. Even as she tilted her head back in a futile attempt to stem the flow, the tears continued to escape. Lise had always been Kristopher's first love, a fact whispered and gossiped about among their circles. The Norris family had never approved of Lise, seeing her ordinary background as unfitting. Forced apart by family pressures, it had been Lise who ended things, but the past, it seemed, was not easily left behind. Kristopher had diligently pursued the leadership of the Norris family, harboring dreams of finally being with Lise. Yet, when he reached his goal, he discovered that Lise had already chosen another. In defiance of his family's expectations and perhaps out of bitterness, Kristopher turned to Carrie, a woman equally devoid of wealth or status, to become Mrs. Norris, thereby blocking any matchmaking attempts by his relatives. At that time, Carrie faced immense pressure from her father, Tristan Campbell, who was pushing her towards a marriage with a playboy, the son of a business associate, to cover her grandmother's steep medical expenses. Both Kristopher and Carrie, driven by their personal motives, consented to a marriage of convenience. Originally set for just one year, their contractual marriage stretched beyond its term, sustained by a shared understanding between them. Over time, Carrie began to believe in the authenticity of their union, never suspecting that it was merely an extension of her hopes. Just moments ago, a fire had nearly claimed Carrie's life. In that critical moment, she reached out to Kristopher, only to be twice rebuffed as he spent his time with Lise. This harsh reality shattered Carrie's illusions, revealing that her perceived transition from pretense to genuine relationship was nothing but a facade maintained by her own desires. Carrie wasn't even a temporary substitute in Kristopher's life but merely a pawn used to spite his family. After a poignant pause, tears welled up in Carrie's eyes, unstoppable and poignant. It might be time for her to release herself from the shackles of her own hopeful delusions--to stop deceiving herself. Chapter 2 Trending Topics The overwhelming number of injuries from the fire was staggering, straining the already frantic doctors and nurses as they tried to provide aid. Carrie had been merely grazed by a splintered clothes rack, which left a deep, jagged wound on her calf. In comparison to the chaos around her, her wounds seemed almost negligible. She managed to get basic care--a brisk cleaning and a quick wrap of bandages--at a local hospital before catching a cab back to her house. Bayview Villa, a grand property under Kristopher's name, was technically their matrimonial residence. Living alone had become the norm for Carrie, as Kristopher was hardly ever around. She had bid farewell to the housekeeper, discovering that her life could be quite adequately maintained with just takeout, deliveries, and the occasional visit from a part-time cleaner. Now, she found herself the sole occupant of the sprawling living room, sinking into the sofa, her gaze drifting across the empty space. The stark, monochrome decor did nothing to imbue warmth into the atmosphere. A chilling realization crept up on her: this vast, elegant space felt more like a colossal tomb, a silent grave for her lost years of youth and a love that had quietly slipped away. In this cold, echoing house, would anyone even notice if her breath ceased one day? Carrie exhaled a weary sigh, her frame heavy as she leaned against the cold wall for support, struggling up the stairs to her bedroom on the second floor. Each step was a battle, sending stabbing pains shooting through her from the surface of her skin down to her aching bones. The house, stark and hollow, echoed even the smallest sounds, magnifying her sense of isolation. It was today, amidst this profound silence, that Carrie truly grasped the all-encompassing nature of her loneliness--it was almost tangible, enveloping her senses with its texture and mournful whispers, tightening around her heart like a vice, producing a dull, relentless ache. Upon reaching the sanctuary of her bedroom, she collapsed onto the bed, the very embodiment of exhaustion, feeling it both physically and spiritually. Just as she surrendered to this weariness, the sharp ring of the phone pierced the silence. "You reached out to me earlier. What do you need?" Kristopher's voice cut through the line, cold and distant as ever. Carrie was caught off guard by his unexpected call. Words failed her as she parted her lips to respond, but before she could collect her thoughts, a soft, feminine voice floated through from the other end. "Kristopher, will you join me to..." A surge of emotions tightened Carrie's grip on the phone, her heart thumping louder with each second. Overwhelmed and unable to contain her rising panic, she demanded, "Who's there with you?" Kristopher gave no answer, merely stating in a flat, disinterested voice, "If there's something you need, let's catch up when I'm back. I have pressing engagements right now, so I must disconnect." He promptly ended the call, cutting off any chance for Carrie to reply. As the harsh beep of the disconnected line filled her ears, Carrie's lips twisted into a rueful grin. How utterly foolish she felt! Deep down, she knew his response all too well, yet she had clung to the hope of hearing his voice confirm it. With a sense of self-inflicted irony, Carrie activated her tablet and scrolled through the day's hot topics. One headline caught her eye: "A female star shielded from harassment at a dinner by her formidable partner." A wry smile twisted her lips. Carrie knew all too well what it was like to face harassment at those kinds of dinners. She vividly remembered her first major audition after her entering the showbiz; her agent had escorted her to a dinner with the influential director and producer of the drama series "Serene Sighs." As a novice in the dizzying world of showbiz, Carrie had felt incredibly vulnerable, uncertain of how to navigate the murky waters of such gatherings. The producer had eyed her shamelessly, sneering as he asked, "Is this the new talent you're introducing? She appears presentable, but I'm curious to see how she fares with a drink. Here's the deal, if you can gulp down this bottle in one go, I'll secure you an audition for the lead role." Carrie was inclined to decline, but under the relentless pressure from her agent, she found herself compelled to consume the entire bottle. As the evening wore on, she was hurriedly taken to the hospital suffering from a severe stomach ailment. Her agent, fretful about the prospect of the role slipping away to another, quickly settled the hospital charges and departed. At that time, Carrie found herself isolated in a hospital bed for several long days. Yet, even before Carrie could be released from the hospital, the media was abuzz with the announcement that Lise had secured the lead role in "Serene Sighs." Subsequently, her agent rebuked Carrie for her lack of ambition, complaining, "You are more appealing than Lise, so why can't you show more drive? She cozied up to Mr. Norris and hardly had to make an effort. She's surrounded by people eager to cater to her every need. I've heard that Mr. Norris personally orchestrated her landing the lead role in this production!" When the show premiered, Lise was catapulted into stardom, swiftly ascending to the elite echelons of the acting world. From that moment forward, Carrie let her acting aspirations wane and chose instead to devote herself entirely to supporting her husband, Kristopher. After all, no matter her efforts, she could never get the same career opportunities that Lise seemed to receive effortlessly with Kristopher's offhand remarks. At that time, Carrie had believed she was filling the role that was meant to be Lise's as Mrs. Norris, which meant she owed Lise. By giving up the career opportunities to Lise, Carrie thought they would settle their unspoken debt. However, Carrie hadn't foreseen that Lise would claim both the coveted career and Kristopher's affections. As Lise's professional and love life blossomed, Carrie came to the painful realization that she had been overly consumed with her romantic pursuits, at the expense of her career, and now, she found herself bereft of both love and professional fulfillment. With tears streaming down her face, Carrie viewed her past two years as tragically misguided. Given another opportunity, she resolved she wouldn't be so unguarded, letting her heart recklessly fall captive to Kristopher's charm. "Ms. Spencer, the new copyright contract is prepared. Please review it for any discrepancies." Her phone buzzed with the alert, snapping Carrie out of her reverie. She gazed at the PDF file attached in the message, her mind briefly overwhelmed. Under the pseudonym Katrina Spencer, Carrie had once made a name for herself as a budding screenwriter, selling numerous scripts in her early days. During her early career as Katrina, Carrie often sold her work for a pittance, compelled by her urgent need for immediate cash. Over the years, these scripts transformed into blockbuster films and hit series, catapulting Katrina's reputation to new heights. By this time, Carrie had married Kristopher and was no longer plagued by the financial woes that had once driven her to desperation--her grandmother's hefty medical bills were a thing of the past. With her financial crises resolved, Carrie's life had pivoted to domestic responsibilities, striving to be an exemplary wife to Kristopher. Amidst these changes, her pseudonym, Katrina Spencer, gradually receded into the background. However, her past as Katrina wasn't ready to be shelved just yet. Recently, an interested buyer had come forward, ready to pay a handsome sum for one of her old scripts. Carrie, however, was hesitant to sell. She raised several concerns about the contract presented to her, and to her astonishment, the buyer was genuine enough to revise it accordingly. Holding the revised contract in her hands, Carrie inhaled deeply, her resolve hardening. She seemed to have reached a crucial decision. Her fingers danced over her phone's keyboard with swift precision, typing out a firm command. "Create a divorce agreement following my terms and ensure it reaches Kristopher Norris at the Norris Group." Without pausing for a response, she placed her phone aside and limped toward the bathroom, each step echoing a blend of determination and newfound independence. Chapter 3 Exchange Of Conveniences Thirty minutes had passed, Carrie finally heaved herself up from the bathtub, her limbs feeling heavy and uncooperative. As she lifted her gaze, her own image in the mirror halted her movements--her skin appeared as smooth and impeccable as fine porcelain, glowing with an unblemished radiance. Her eyes, deep pools of allure, sparkled with an enchanting, soft warmth, inviting anyone who dared meet her gaze. Despite edging into her late twenties at twenty-five, she reveled in the fact that time had yet to etch its marks upon her flawless complexion. Surely, a woman with such a visage had no place for self-pity. Absorbed in her contemplation, Carrie carelessly extended her right leg onto the cold floor, forgetting it was the very limb she had injured. Wrapped excessively in cling film to shield it from moisture, the tight encasement had stifled her circulation, rendering her leg eerily numb. As her foot touched down, it betrayed her, slipping forward unexpectedly. "Ah!" Carrie gasped, her arms flailing in a frantic ballet, searching for a lifeline in the void. Just as she teetered on the brink of a painful rendezvous with the floor, the bathroom door burst open. Kristopher stood at the entrance, his suit immaculately tailored, creating a striking figure. As their eyes locked, he paused, visibly taken aback, then quickly closed the distance with brisk strides. Carrie's breath caught as Kristopher swept her up in a graceful bridal style, an unexpected tightness wrapping around her waist. Caught off guard by his sudden appearance, Carrie realized with a jolt that she was completely b*re. A flush of embarrassment washed over her as she instinctively clutched her hands over her ch*st. This was their first moment of such intimacy since their wedding, and the discomfort made her toes curl inward, her skin blushing a delicate shade of pink. Kristopher looked down at her with a mischievous grin. "Let's be honest, there's not much to see," he teased gently. Feeling both mortified and slightly irritated, Carrie snapped back, "Oh, Mr. Norris, after all you've seen, I suppose nothing can impress you anymore." She carried her C-cup curves with understated charm, a touch of sen**ality that outshone Lise's painfully flat, almost awkwardly rigid build. Yet Carrie knew well that without love, even the most perfect physique paled in comparison to the charm of one dearly cherished. Nonchalantly, Kristopher reached for a bathrobe hanging behind the door and draped it over her. His frown deepened at her comment. "What are you talking about, Carrie?" A thought seemed to strike him, and his expression grew even more impatient. "Tell me, did you send those divorce papers in the dead of night just to lure me back here--to catch you completely b*re?" His tone was a mix of disbelief and annoyance. "I told you I was swamped with work. Was this dramatic display really necessary?" Carrie's temper flared at his accusatory tone, reigniting the tension between them. He was always so quick to lose patience with her. She wasn't the type to throw around words like divorce or breakups lightly. In fact, this was the first time she'd ever mentioned divorce in their two-year marriage, yet he seemed indifferent to her turmoil. He simply dismissed her concerns as if she were overreacting about trivial matters. Despite the throbbing pain in her leg, Carrie mustered her strength and said, "Put me down." Kristopher, however, paid no heed, his eyes scanning her leg swathed in bandages. His brow furrowed slightly. "What happened to your leg? Is this some elaborate ploy to lure me back?" At his words, a bitter laugh escaped Carrie. It seemed he viewed her as merely seeking attention, and in failing to capture it, she had likely concocted a story to draw him back, allowing her to dramatize her plight in his presence. With a blank face, she replied untruthfully, "It's a beauty treatment that shouldn't get wet." "Why did you suddenly decide to undergo such a treatment?" Kristopher inquired, his tone casual as he carried her outside, not pressing the issue further. His frame was large, and through his thin shirt, she could distinctly feel the warmth of his body and the defined shape of his ch*st muscles. The closeness created an uncomfortable tension for Carrie, who had resolved to end things once and for all. Her voice climbed involuntarily, sharper this time. "Oh, since when have you been concerned with such minor things, Mr. Norris?" For the first time, Kristopher witnessed her using biting sarcasm; it struck him as peculiarly amusing. With a calm demeanor, he responded, "You're my wife, it's only natural I'd be concerned about your well-being." "Really?" There was a somber note in Carrie's voice now. "It seems like you've never really regarded me as your wife. I'm scared that if I were to die, you wouldn't even know until much later." After all, at that very moment, Kristopher had been distracted, lost in moments with his first love, too consumed to lend an ear to her desperate pleas. Caught off guard by her accusation, Kristopher's eyes widened with surprise before he let out a disbelieving chuckle. "Carrie, what's brought on this sudden outburst of anger? Just because I was tied up this afternoon and missed your call? Perhaps I've been too indulgent with you lately, and it's made you a bit too presumptuous?" Carrie froze, startled. Was he accusing her of being too presumptuous? She realized their marriage had always been lopsided. In his eyes, she was nothing more than a transactional partner, a woman who had bartered her freedom for financial security. Their union was meant to be a mere exchange of conveniences, yet she had, quite foolishly, fallen deeply in love with him. In the tricky terrain of romance, the one who fell first invariably found themselves at a distinct disadvantage. Kristopher's dismissive reaction left Carrie reeling, her emotions dismissed as trifles, a tight knot of suffocation rising in her chest. "I said to put me down this instant!" Carrie exclaimed, jerking her head to the side, her voice laced with a sharp edge of impatience. Kristopher remained mute, effortlessly carrying her towards the bed before suddenly releasing his hold. Carrie felt a jolt as the support vanished, her heart skipping a beat as she instinctively grasped for him. Their bodies collided on the bed, her bathrobe teetering on the brink of decency, threatening to unravel with any minor shift. Propped on one elbow, Kristopher gazed down at her, his lips curled into a sly, teasing grin. "You wanted to be let go, didn't you? So why cling to me now?" His eyes, deep and sparkling like a midnight lake speckled with stars, captivated her. In those celestial depths, Carrie caught a glimpse of her own reflection. At times like this, she was misled into believing he harbored a deep affection. Sadly, his heart was a fortress reserved for Lise, and all Carrie had left were empty fantasies. "Boring!" she exclaimed, her voice devoid of any enthusiasm as she attempted to rise, her hand inadvertently brushing against something unexpected. "Don't move, or I can't promise what might happen next," he warned in a deep, gravelly voice. With a frown, Carrie internally cursed upon hearing the statement. It was an undeniable fact. Primal instincts steered the actions of men. Absence of affection didn't quell their basic d**ires. Yet, she dared not agitate Kristopher. Angling her face away, her body remained rigid, frozen in place. Carrie, feeling irked, shot back. "Didn't you say there's nothing here to see? What's with the reaction now, Mr. Norris? Are you really that easy to impress?" No sooner had her words flown than she grasped the potential repercussions of her sharp tongue. A wave of regret surged through Carrie, but instead of anger, Kristopher responded with a chuckle, "You are my wife, after all. Since that's something I can't alter, I might as well embrace it. Besides, it's been years since we became husband and wife--it would be a shame to neglect you completely." Chapter 4 Are You Out Of Your Mind? Kristopher leaned in close to Carrie. The fabric of his suit brushed lightly against Carrie's cheek, releasing a mix of scents: a familiar woody aroma intertwined with an unexpected zesty twist of lemon. It was unmistakably Jo Malone's Blue Agava and Cacao--Lise's signature scent. A surge of nausea overwhelmed Carrie at the realization. Heat crept up her neck, coloring her cheeks a bright scarlet as indignation took hold. Without thinking, her hand flew up and delivered a stinging slap across Kristopher's face. All her suppressed grievances from the day ignited in that swift motion. The impact of her sl*p had left a light, crimson mark on Kristopher's cheek, marking him with her outrage. His eyes, wide with disbelief, met hers. "Carrie, are you out of your mind?" Out of her mind? Yes, she was clearly insane to ever fall for him in the first place. Carrie fumed silently, her heart pounding in her chest. Suddenly, the sharp buzz of the phone on the table cut through the mounting tension, its vibration bringing a brief respite from their standoff. Kristopher cast a fleeting glance at the message, shut off the phone with a snap, and strode towards the door, his back rigid with tension. Her voice, firm and unwavering, chased after him. "We're getting a divorce! Make sure you sign those papers before you walk out that door!" Kristopher paused briefly and said sharply, "I have something to do now. When I return, do whatever pleases you." With that, he forcefully shut the door. Carrie's eyes followed his unwavering exit, feeling an oppressive weight compressing her chest once again. She disregarded the sharp sting in her leg and hobbled determinedly toward her tablet. Fingers trembling, she hastily navigated to Lise's Twitter page. Lise had just uploaded a new tweet. The photo showed her lying down with a fever patch adhered to her forehead, still enveloped in Kristopher's familiar jacket. The caption read, "Being sick makes me extra clingy. Wishing I had someone here. Stay cozy and take care, everyone!" The simultaneous timing of these two events made it almost impossible for Carrie not to suspect that Kristopher had dashed off to tend to Lise. Carrie's instincts loudly proclaimed that this was no accident; Lise had deliberately sought to tug at Kristopher's heartstrings. It appeared her tactics were effective. Not even Carrie's stark threat of divorce could overshadow Lise's theatrical display of vulnerability. Lise didn't have to lift a finger, and Carrie had already fallen, utterly broken and beyond redemption. Seething with fury, Carrie quaked like a leaf swept into a storm. She had arrived here with nothing but a suitcase and a heart full of dreams, and now she was leaving, dreams crumbled, utterly alone. It was time for her to pursue her acting career and give it her all... ...... ==== It was supposed to be a marriage of convenience, but Carrie made the mistake of falling in love with Kristopher. When the time came that she needed him the most, her husband was in the company of another woman. Enough was enough. Carrie chose to divorce Kristopher and move on with her life. Only when she left did Kristopher realize how important she was to him... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& | Fun Novel | 1316 | https://www.facebook.com/100090881055588/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663998 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/26/25, 1:48 AM | 1736814078 | 1745650105 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663968 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/8/25, 4:32 AM | 1736814076 | 1749375127 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=233925549638247&exdata=B416D31AF7415CA566942AC8840B004ED1034CEAF985DF3A | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472801570_886609826699944_3662455601786614302_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=15q82t-48GgQ7kNvgE_irf5&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCtTWIvVbJb2fMGZzjM2t7al4soUYArrmLvE3Hu-ejVZw&oe=678B6669 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Emerging from the confines of marriage, she blossomed from a mundane housewife to a renowned painter with a legion of admirers. When her ex-husband sought reconciliation at her doorstep, he witnessed her in the arms of a prominent man. "Meet your new sister-in-law!" ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &9& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663930 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/26/25, 5:30 AM | 1736814070 | 1745663432 | 2257 | evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com | Learn more | IMAGE | Slim Down & Tone Up in 4 Weeks | I agree to terms & conditions and privacy policy provided by the Evolve Athletics. By providing my phone number, I agree to receive text messages from the Evolve Athletics. | https://evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com/homepage-live | 1.0111007129001E+14 | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472182159_570460462542599_479657371922726889_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=PhhadSR84C4Q7kNvgHTA4XP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYC1n0M9FxAwebidNcB-2FHnSFyL0XRhoz6OPQdhzpcgNw&oe=678B95A5 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🛑 Sterling: Ready to Slim Down, Tone Up, and See Results in Just 4 Weeks? If you’re frustrated by fitness plans that don’t deliver or struggling to see real progress, our 4-Week Total Transformation Program is crafted to help you shed inches, build strength, and elevate your energy—with results guaranteed. Our Guarantee: We promise you’ll reach your goal—if not, we’ll work with you for free until you do! ✅ A personalized fitness plan designed just for your goals ✅ 1-on-1 expert coaching to keep you motivated and accountable ✅ Small-group training sessions to tone up and burn fat effectively ✅ A welcoming, results-focused community at our Sterling studio Ready for results that stick? Click "Learn More" to book your No Sweat Consultation—a quick, no-pressure phone call to discuss your fitness goals and how we can help you achieve them. No commitment, just clarity! ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO GET STARTED ⏪ (Only 8 Spots Available!) 📖 PS – About Evolve Athletics... At Evolve Athletics, we specialize in science-backed, sustainable fitness transformations. Whether you’re looking to slim down, gain strength, or just feel energized again, our coach-led programs make achieving your goals simple and effective. ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO JOIN OUR 4-WEEK PROGRAM ⏪ (Limited Spots Available!) Click Learn More to secure your spot, and we’ll reach out to schedule your No Sweat Consultation—a friendly, no-pressure phone call to kickstart your transformation! | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | 960 | https://www.facebook.com/EVOLVEATHLETICSNOVA/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663865 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 11:47 PM | 1736814062 | 1749098844 | 2257 | effecto.app | Learn more | IMAGE | Rewire Your ADHD Brain & Unlock Your Potential | https://effecto.app/start?lp=ad5&locale=EN_US | 1.0159776942848E+14 | Effecto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/461465180_1046449763612081_8290826816623177669_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=9DG-nLF8P88Q7kNvgFSXkxi&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYA5eZ7jsZ0uKRANw9yIj2bmjbPO3f3oUzB5jMqYICbOUw&oe=678B71BB | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Effecto.app helps people take control of ADHD, create structure in life, manage overwhelm, get more done & be more confident. Take a Free ADHD quiz to find out how. | Effecto | 15432 | https://www.facebook.com/100087423606578/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663917 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/26/25, 6:34 PM | 1736814067 | 1745710452 | 2257 | elvori.com | Learn More | CAROUSEL | Dating for singles 24/7 👉 | 💋❤️😍🔥 | https://elvori.com/l/AaN7Cb | 1.011710824052E+14 | Elvori | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469280561_2049907535461555_7852380098774166112_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kvsmTuVkRfEQ7kNvgF6Wcu1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCBiOoO7LpWKGo1YmHlHsWTOMB8VEjDDdVHz1EpHqCrUg&oe=678B90DF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 💋❤️😍🔥 | Elvori | 25566 | https://www.facebook.com/elvori.dating/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663916 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/3/25, 3:28 AM | 1736814066 | 1746260912 | 2257 | elvori.com | Learn More | CAROUSEL | Dating for singles 24/7 👉 | 💋❤️😍🔥 | https://elvori.com/l/AaN7Cb | 1.011710824052E+14 | Elvori | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469280561_2049907535461555_7852380098774166112_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kvsmTuVkRfEQ7kNvgF6Wcu1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCBiOoO7LpWKGo1YmHlHsWTOMB8VEjDDdVHz1EpHqCrUg&oe=678B90DF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 💋❤️😍🔥 | Elvori | 25566 | https://www.facebook.com/elvori.dating/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663919 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814068 | 1742869277 | 2257 | hibbly.com | Learn more | IMAGE | Find your soulmate here👉 | 💖📲👀👩❤️👨 | https://hibbly.com/l/QL6VTV | 1.0461374223074E+14 | Hibbly | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469100725_9257161520994758_8691130505630533248_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0lZe1-_K7jkQ7kNvgEnk0Xf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYBEBae6LMfzoTCiQtMo88KtCtJsxsjNICZI3Hukmzx7bw&oe=678B651E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 💥 💃 Looking for exciting connections? Meet and chat with singles near you. 👩 It's fast, fun, and free. 💋 Try this website today! 💖 | Hibbly | 12452 | https://www.facebook.com/hibbly.dating/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663922 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/5/25, 10:53 AM | 1736814068 | 1746460392 | 2257 | jolly.me | Learn More | CAROUSEL | 💗See more photos! | Worth a try! | https://jolly.me/l/MDP5SZ | 2.0947640627094E+14 | Jolly | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469146800_1185780116309307_5188208708260939206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mXl5i2aLr4oQ7kNvgG_992H&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCcIygX3-C8rmBxC4uu0hMPo2BFSAKs4xB2IAR2tIIYhQ&oe=678B7988 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Worth a try! | Jolly | 104828 | https://www.facebook.com/jollymesite/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663923 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/5/25, 3:17 PM | 1736814069 | 1746476233 | 2257 | jolly.me | Learn More | CAROUSEL | 💗See more photos! | Worth a try! | https://jolly.me/l/MDP5SZ | 2.0947640627094E+14 | Jolly | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469146800_1185780116309307_5188208708260939206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mXl5i2aLr4oQ7kNvgG_992H&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCcIygX3-C8rmBxC4uu0hMPo2BFSAKs4xB2IAR2tIIYhQ&oe=678B7988 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Worth a try! | Jolly | 104828 | https://www.facebook.com/jollymesite/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663946 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 2:55 AM | 1736814072 | 1749110114 | 2257 | phntx.org | Learn more | IMAGE | Coverage Options You Can Afford | Get started now. | https://www.phntx.org/services/health-insurance-marketplace-navigator/ | 2.1421671861629E+14 | Prism Health North Texas | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469364916_1278758766639642_7449795188935263718_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bCwY68V0hh0Q7kNvgHphanq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYDdwhQglZcxTJ5JVexz7nR9LoLIwEy5uXYGMAfS7sKVvA&oe=678B6398 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Don’t navigate health insurance alone! Prism Health North Texas offers free assistance to help you compare plans and enroll in the right coverage for your needs. | Prism Health North Texas | 3104 | https://www.facebook.com/PrismHealthNTX/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663957 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814073 | 1742869277 | 2257 | umzuvymz.com | Learn more | IMAGE | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://umzuvymz.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16412&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.1188048854169E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472914438_9767511833295655_5931289967888631493_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=i1Lg_oI_YAIQ7kNvgF2WsVT&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYCDEqLxIFws46GMu2Ge9CHQwGdPrdOZbNn0oXxZFKn_sA&oe=678B7F04 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband fell in love with another woman after he lost his memory in a car accident. For three years, he hadn’t touched me—until two months ago, when we were both drunk... I thought I’d finally won him back. But the next morning, He angrily accused me of drugging him and stormed out without looking back. After months of absence, he finally returned—with another woman by his side. ** “Sign this.” As soon as Jayden Brennan walks in, he throws a file onto the table in front of me. I look at the heading. ‘DIVORCE AGREEMENT’. “No, Jayden, please." My hands shake as I beg him. "You loved me. You just forgot .” He looks at me like I’m something he stepped on, his face twisted with disgust. “Why can’t you just give up? You may have gotten me into bed with you once, but I won’t be slumming anytime soon again. ” Tears pour down my face. Perhaps I should just walk away. God knows I’d tried everything to get him to remember, but all he showed was contempt. “Ashlyn and I want to engaged. Sign the papers!” he roars. Behind him I notice Ashlyn with a smug look on her face. This hits me so hard I want to vomit. I stumble to the kitchen sink and barely manage to hold myself up as I heave, his words echoing in my mind, tearing me apart. When I went back to the dining room, Jayden was looking at me with disgust. “You can pretend to be sick all you want. I’m not falling for that." He shoves the pen toward me. The fury on his face almost scares me. "If you don’t sign now, I will see that you never have anything. Find some other man to scheme, I promise I won’t get in your way.” I grip the divorce papers so tight in my hands that it was creased under my fingers. He leans forward and stares at me. “I can honestly say one thing.” His voice is quiet now and my heart skips a beat in hope. I take the pen, hoping he has something nice to say as we part. “I wish I never met you.” Heartbroken and hurt, I sign the papers and leave him with “Me too.” ... THREE YEARS LATER After the divorce, my life finally began to turn around. I start a little firm and give birth to a beautiful daughter. Yes, I was pregnant when I left Jayden, but I never told him. Keeping my daughter safe and in a stable home environment is worth the sacrifice of leaving her father behind. I kiss Abby on the forehead. “Momma’s got to go, sweetie.” Today I'm accompanying my busniess partner Phillip sign a major contract with a big company. It’s a subsidiary of Brennan Industries, but there’s no way Jayden would turn up for a meeting with such a small company like mine. That is way beneath his level. Phillip has been my rock these past three years, helping grow the company. This deal means everything to him, and I’ve agreed to be there for support. Phillip fidgets, running a hand nervously through his hair. “My palms are sweating,” “Don’t worry. You got this.” I reassure him. I haven’t told him about it being a company of my ex. I don’t want him to think he won or lost the contract because of my past. “Winona, I can’t thank you enough for taking me in as a partner, I can’t believe I’m so close to the start of my dreams!” His eyes lit up and he pulled me in close to him. He smells amazing and his fit body envelopes mine. “Winona, you know how I feel about you. Can I invite you to dinner ?” I hesitate. “Well...I just want to stay friends and business partners.” He looks at me, not giving up. “But you’re attracted to me as well, I can feel it. What’s holding you back? ” I sigh. He’s right. I am attracted to him. I was just too scared of being hurt again to go there. “We have to keep it professional. Let’s get this deal signed, then maybe we can talk.” Then before I can stop him his lips are on mine. His kiss is gentle and the softness of his lips makes me hesitate before pushing him away. “It’s the wrong timing, Phillip. They’ll be here any second to discuss the deal.” “I apologize. I’m just so pumped about it and I’ve wanted to kiss you forever.” I turn around, and standing at our glass door, glaring in at me and Phillip, is Jayden Brennan himself. | Romance Novel | 34665 | https://www.facebook.com/RomaceNove1/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663959 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/4/25, 5:47 AM | 1736814074 | 1746355636 | 2257 | vmc.vet.osu.edu | Learn More | CAROUSEL | Care Credit Accepted | Easy access and free parking! | https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/dublin | 3.8216817522321E+14 | The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463623653_521947757123575_2838208827216320575_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HNCSgnds7VgQ7kNvgE3wdPK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYDL3TxC3kkXLcJBkM16d6hciSbjtuPUjV-TLnNUTqSBww&oe=678B6BB3 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Easy access and free parking! | The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center | 14030 | https://www.facebook.com/OSUVeterinaryMedicalCenter/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663981 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814077 | 1742869277 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=638434121690371&rawadid=120218149883620091 | 1.1034189532913E+14 | Good Story | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471588876_3841939479408193_365732161636532828_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=oINeFCxyHRkQ7kNvgHa8ue7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCux6ADS--uFnU-WE9g5ZvH2S2L09BRCqfaFRnyR2HL5g&oe=678B8372 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After being publicly rejected by her mate, she refused to accept it and resolved to use the bond between mates to punish him. However, when another Alpha began to court her, he lost it. "You belong only to me!" ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5& | Good Story | 817 | https://www.facebook.com/100090635329790/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663986 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 10:58 PM | 1736814077 | 1749095903 | 2257 | couragetales.com | Learn more | IMAGE | FREEBIE: Lesson Plan for Homeschool and Class | Download my FREE Lesson Plan to introduce discussions on empathy and the challenges of foster care in your class. Please […] | https://couragetales.com/book-visit/ | 1.0775351238790E+14 | CourageTales | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470215631_23965049996464697_404919391117260421_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=z7t23dMlFcoQ7kNvgFK2kbw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYD7kCBfctSpj93JtsGpvbqiv9Pox1wGwWRtzdVjtcRwrg&oe=678B99E3 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Teaching kids kindness and empathy can feel like an uphill struggle. It’s not easy to help them understand and practice these values. 🤔 But it doesn’t have to be so hard! ✅ Download the FREE Lesson Plan on empathy and compassion for kids ages 5-11 ✅ Fun, interactive activities to teach kindness and empathy 💪 SIGN UP NOW and empower your child to be a kindness hero! Sign Up Here: https://couragetales.com/book-visit/ #FreebieAlert #EmotionalIntelligenceForKids #empathy | CourageTales | 2848 | https://www.facebook.com/couragetales/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664005 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814078 | 1742869278 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664008 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/8/25, 7:25 AM | 1736814078 | 1746707156 | 2257 | nvwibcnshop.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://nvwibcnshop.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17313&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473046363_610863811485920_4957307814589450381_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0bmpr1PhPXcQ7kNvgFYmolJ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYD5AxOp5I4aRK2eC9wGuoskjGn0CviRREqezdy9TmHtdQ&oe=678B729A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I was planning to tell my husband Conrad that I’m expecting on my birthday. Conrad promised me a surprise, and I’m guessing it’s the painting he’s hidden in the study. I stumbled upon it by accident. The painting is of my silhouette, and it’s beautifully done; he must have spent months on it. Given the effort he put into it, I’ve decided to pretend I didn’t see it and wait for him to give it to me himself. I was going upstairs to take my pregnancy report. But when I opened the bedroom door, there was a woman on my bed. It was my widowed sister-in-law, Susanna. She was wearing a revealing silk nightgown, casually spreading my jewelry and clothes across the bed, with my report in her hand. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “Why are you messing with my stuff?” “Oh, it’s you,” she gave me a dirty look. “Don’t talk to me like that. This is my room now.” It’s ridiculous. I could feel my anger rising."This is mine and my husband’s room, how could it become yours?!" She smiled and said, "I wanted it, so Conrad gave it to me." Conrad just wanted to take care of his brother’s wife, that’s what he told me. We’ve been taking care of her really carefully in this difficult time. I didn’t expect her to be grateful, but she’s gone too far. She’s always asking for more; my time, my jewelry, I’ve given her all that. And now, my bedroom? Before I replied, Conrad appeared in the doorway, his expression full of happiness as he looked at Susanna. “You’re. This is a gift for you.” he exclaimed, stepping into the room. I stood to the side, frozen. Shock flooded my system as I watched him pull out the painting and roses from behind his back. There was also a cute little card on the roses. I couldn’t make out the message clearly, but I knew it said, "My eternal love, my forever beauty." It felt like I was watching a scene unfold from a play that I had no role in. Conrad knelt before Susanna, “You're my one and only.” Susanna hugged him and smiled, saying, "Thank you so much! I have some good news to tell you, I'm expecting!" It wasn’t until I fell to the ground that my husband noticed I was here. I'm just my sister-in-law's substitute. | Random Reading | 336 | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663945 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/8/25, 12:32 PM | 1736814072 | 1749403961 | 2257 | phntx.org | Learn more | IMAGE | Navigate Health Plans With Ease | Get the coverage you need. | https://www.phntx.org/services/health-insurance-marketplace-navigator/ | 2.1421671861629E+14 | Prism Health North Texas | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469205255_564943872822535_6466587690917585180_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=qR00nA6XdxAQ7kNvgGuljVM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYC6sauhavarR4BJLTDozdCZhSnoNGVJuk5SoidZ-5DVWQ&oe=678B66DB | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Need help with health insurance? Get free guidance through the health insurance marketplace navigator program to find your best plan. | Prism Health North Texas | 3104 | https://www.facebook.com/PrismHealthNTX/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663966 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/18/25, 10:22 PM | 1736814075 | 1747624925 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=638434121690371&rawadid=120218149931960091 | 1.1034189532913E+14 | Good Story | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472167732_1769191583873609_7956061409707303629_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=uAcMYVwMnEkQ7kNvgEznQAI&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYCU6oIA8dowWnK7BeQgptPNwD5egsxlMUjgadtEOzCV8w&oe=678B97DA | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After being publicly rejected by her mate, she refused to accept it and resolved to use the bond between mates to punish him. However, when another Alpha began to court her, he lost it. "You belong only to me!" ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5& | Good Story | 817 | https://www.facebook.com/100090635329790/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663891 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/26/25, 7:49 PM | 1736814064 | 1745714951 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16566&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470211614_1224927931912526_9192325071944815126_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SQeMJ46wW0IQ7kNvgHrl0Uq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYBbFDIB4kFXuhmrFgZymx2VItJ62QhheXGbRcaEEcP1xg&oe=678B8F76 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Wow…My best friend is carrying my husband’s child. " Lulu was in disbelief. "The two closest people in my life… " "Please leave, I'll meet you at home and we can discuss this further. You’re barren, but Lily is with my first child, I don't want you to stress Lily and our baby." Alex shunned her. Lulu had no choice but to turn around. She was here to share her IVF conception news, but now she chose to stay quiet. "I can't believe I am having a child with this devil who I mean nothing to, I'm not going to keep a child with this loser!" She cried as she got into the taxi. She forgot all about her dreams and was fueled by anger. "How can Alex repay me this way?" She told the taxi driver her destination and, in a few minutes, her phone rang. Sniffing, she wiped her tears, it was her doctor from the hospital. "Mrs. Moore, there has been a terrible mistake!" She frowned, "Please call me Miss Bridge from now and, what do you mean by the mistake?" "We just found out that the sample that was mixed with your egg does not belong to your husband." "What?!" She was confused. “Before insemination, the nurse in charge of your IVF had found out that your husband had no living tadpoles, your reproductive misfortune was from your husband.” “What?!” Lulu threw her hands over her mouth in astonishment, which meant there was no way Lily was actually carrying Alex's child. She was lying to him! "Wait, so how come my conception was successful?" "That's the problem, one of our hospital's biggest clients was also scheduled for an insemination on that same day, and the samples were accidentally swapped." "Wait, so what you're saying is... I'm carrying someone else's child?" "Not just anyone, David Carlson's child." "Am I supposed to know who that is?" "He's the world's most famous artist, how haven't you heard of him?" | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663962 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 6:13 AM | 1736814074 | 1749122036 | 2257 | www.forthealthcare.com | Learn more | VIDEO | Restore your mobility | Personalized orthopaedic care. | https://www.forthealthcare.com/service/orthopaedic/?utm_source=Media-S&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Orthopaedics | 327605405330 | Fort HealthCare | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/462264123_914631600534121_7045555554892209654_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8p5H8ClqUI8Q7kNvgG94DFG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYCNPLISKi3YIe7809XV_X5p_G9cWZWO6rtpfYtyO2S1qw&oe=678B66B4 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | From chronic pain and injuries to any movement-impeding issue, our orthopaedic specialists help you get moving again. | Fort HealthCare | 4786 | https://www.facebook.com/FortHealthCare/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663908 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/27/25, 6:03 AM | 1736814065 | 1745751788 | 2257 | sigmakin.com | Shop now | VIDEO | AirEssentials Turtleneck Tunic | 49% OFF & BUY 2 FREE SHIPPING!! BUY MORE SAVE MORE | https://sigmakin.com/airessentials-turtlleneck-tunic | 5.316786666927E+14 | Fashion 5s | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470184125_1100552168187696_6542625810537269536_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=7AFMcf7sVyMQ7kNvgHx6cTd&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYAd1IXlL8xBFZqCLVZD2N8fc_TQ05QMyMnSB_MaOuKmIQ&oe=678B7E8A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | This year's Oprah most popular AirEssentials Turtleneck Tunic😍 This top will help keep you warm in dropping temperatures, and provides added backside coverage that will leave you feeling comfortable and confident. Super-soft, light-as-air fabric.✅ 4-way stretch for maximum comfort.✅ Tunic length for added coverage.✅ 💋Fits all sizes! | Fashion 5s | 7 | https://www.facebook.com/61571213909285/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663996 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 8:29 AM | 1736814077 | 1749130141 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663927 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 1:18 AM | 1736814069 | 1749104284 | 2257 | feeling.me | Learn more | IMAGE | 💗Safe online dating | Worth a try! | https://feeling.me/l/8Zmjt7 | 1.2251103427637E+14 | Feeling.me | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468819348_946508444049920_7189515856566693869_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Talpil1LZ1sQ7kNvgFg6tKv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYAKC-e8eeAfJYFlAUD5rV2zaJEZNtUaizhNGzBqHOMDrg&oe=678B7F0E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 😘 ☀️ Looking for exciting connections? Meet and chat with singles near you. 💖 It's fast, fun, and free. 💃 Try this website today! 🌷 | Feeling.me | 7927 | https://www.facebook.com/61550771918965/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663999 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/8/25, 11:38 PM | 1736814078 | 1749443923 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663876 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/9/25, 1:06 AM | 1736814063 | 1749449169 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn More | DCO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | {{product.description}} | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469911761_8483926585068934_8738181204002965165_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hcpcdIqGNewQ7kNvgFT_FuV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYAdM3SU-vl-61V13cpuf-0QnGUt39jC7UA5_ZwHLN02IA&oe=678B84F4 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663956 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/9/25, 4:30 AM | 1736814073 | 1749461423 | 2257 | mn.ikkly.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://mn.ikkly.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16869&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472387734_569340169059167_7522749053576498469_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LbR8q2yYp0sQ7kNvgFJZe6C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYBRpoVuNJwQdXQGNuTE-6mlWTAYsdAKfhdBIED4Qn8aGQ&oe=678B823F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After a monthlong cold war, Liesel Sharp is in the hospital when she receives word of her husband throwing a welcome-back party for his true love. When she returns home, Jacob Ford hands her a divorce agreement. "She's back, so let's divorce." "Alright." The past three years have been nothing but a farce. This time, Liesel is really out of hope for him. Liesel Sharp had just unlocked her phone while waiting for her IV drip to be done when she received a message from her best friend, Chelsea Walden. "Jacob's back." She faltered. She and Jacob Ford had barely spoken throughout their month-long cold war, so she had no idea he was back. Soon, she received another message. "He's brought a young woman back with him." A photo had been sent with the message. The young woman in the photo resembled Liesel a little—she was Natalie Sharp, Liesel's younger half-sister. She'd been raised in the countryside. Chelsea continued, "The Sharp family is throwing them a welcome-back party. Do you want to crash it, Lili?" She knew what Liesel was like. Liesel would give Jacob a taste of his own medicine if he dared to do anything to her. There was even a chance she would set the Sharp residence on fire. Liesel checked her IV bag. She'd had a high fever for three days now, and the back of her hand was swollen from the constant IV drips she'd been on. She wasn't in the mood for that nonsense. "No," she replied. Then, she shut her eyes to get some rest. It was close to 10:00 pm when she took a cab back to Viewpoint Residences. The fever had taken its toll on her, so she soon drifted into a restless sleep. Jacob returned at some point, which woke her up. "Did I wake you?" he asked while rolling up the sleeves of his ironed shirt. The dim light made his skin glow, adding a hint of iciness to his already cold demeanor. He looked down at her with an indifferent gaze. His voice was as alluring as always, though. "No." Liesel's voice was a little nasal because she'd just woken up. She explained lazily, "I wasn't sleeping too soundly after taking my meds." He frowned slightly. "Are you sick?" She chuckled softly. She'd been sick for a while now and had mentioned it in her texts to him when admitting defeat. Yet he looked like he'd only just noticed. She poured two glasses of water and handed one to him. "How are things at Norton City? I heard from Brook that there seemed to be some trouble with it. You—" Her throat felt dry and uncomfortable; she wasn't in the mood to chat. Still, someone had to back down—it had been nearly two months since they'd seen each other. However, Jacob cut her off. "Let's divorce." She stared at him and almost lost her grip on her glass. Her throat seemed to hurt more now. He didn't explain himself. All he said was, "You can ask for whatever you want. I won't shortchange you." Liesel's heart clenched, but she soon regained her composure. "We can discuss this if this is because you left to pick Natalie up two months ago." "It's not." He looked at her, his gaze aloof. "This is a loveless marriage, Liesel. There's no point in keeping it going." It was true that the marriage alliance between the Ford and Sharp families had never been the one Jacob had hoped for. Liesel was the eldest daughter of the Sharp family, but he'd never wanted to marry her. Their accidental encounter that night was the only thing that had made him choose to take responsibility for her. Liesel lowered her eyes and said slowly, "Alright. All I want is the house at Northview Garden, and I won't quit my job after the divorce." Her mother, Heather Mallone, had left the house for her. For whatever reason, it had ended up in the Ford family's hands and become one of her wedding gifts. As for her career, she'd worked hard and built a network within Ford Corporation. She couldn't allow the divorce to wipe her efforts away. Jacob didn't object. He looked at her and said, "Okay. Anything else?" "No." Liesel shook her head. "If it bothers you, I can move out tomorrow." He seemed surprised by how accommodating she was. He cautioned her calmly, "Make sure you've thought this through, Liesel. I don't want there to be anything between us after the divorce." "Don't worry about that." She smiled. He seemed to want to say something else, but his phone rang. He answered it and hung up shortly after. Then, he said, "I have something else to do. I'll get a lawyer to talk to you about the divorce." Soon after he left, Liesel saw a trending topic on him and Natalie showing up together somewhere. In hindsight, fate was such a twisted thing. Back then, Heather could not tolerate even the slightest flaw in her marriage. After learning about Natalie's existence, she forced her husband, Jeffrey Sharp, to send Natalie to the countryside so she could grow up there. Less than two years after Heather's death, Jeffrey had remarried, turning Liesel into a joke. Natalie had also been brought back from the countryside. Fate loved playing jokes on everyone—no one would've expected Natalie to be the one who held Jacob's heart. … Liesel only woke up the following noon. Her cold was much better now. A lawyer brought her the divorce agreement, making sure to go through the allocation of assets. Jacob truly hadn't shortchanged her. Aside from the house at Northview Garden, he'd also given her some other real estate. The lawyer said, "Sign here if you don't have any objection to the clauses, Ms. Sharp." Liesel nodded and signed the agreement without hesitation. The divorce would take some more time to finalize, though. Jacob was busy, so Liesel didn't get to see him at all. She reminded the lawyer, "Please tell Mr. Ford to expedite the finalization of the divorce if he's not too busy. Dragging this out won't do any of us favors." After settling the divorce, Liesel moved out of her and Jacob's marital home. Chelsea heard about this and invited her out for coffee. "You know about Natalie, right? She studied hard in the countryside after being banished by your mother and later got into a good university. Jacob ran into her at Alden University when he went there to give a talk." Chelsea snorted. She continued, "I heard Natalie was really in awe of him; it helped that she was so hardworking and optimistic. Your father was desperate to matchmake them, you know. But here's the question—why would someone as wonderful as her not realize what a contemptible move it is to ruin someone's marriage?" z Chelsea had always been defensive of people she counted as her own, and she scorned those who knowingly got involved with people who had significant others. The fact that Natalie was an illegitimate child only made Chelsea despise her more. Liesel looked unfazed, though. "It's all in the past now. Jacob and I are already divorced, so she's not really ruining the marriage." She chuckled. She had mixed feelings about the whole thing. "Besides, it's not like Jacob and I ever had feelings for each other." She lowered her gaze and suddenly remembered the first time she and Jacob had met. The year Heather had died, she'd caused one of Jeffrey's business deals to fall through. She'd been overjoyed and had dragged Chelsea out for a celebration. After the celebration, she'd refused to let go of a handsome man she'd latched onto. They'd both had too much to drink and had ended up in bed. It was only later that she'd learned he was Jacob Ford, her fiancé. Rumor had it that he'd never wanted to marry her, but he'd looked at her the following morning and said, "I'm willing to take responsibility for this, Liesel. What about you?" He'd proposed marriage. Liesel had looked at him, and a rare moment of rashness had taken over her. She'd said, "Let's do it." To tell the truth, there wasn't anything bad about Jacob. He didn't love her but had never played the field or slept around with other women. He was also calm and level-headed, considerate and gentle. She didn't even have any complaints about their adventures in bed. But after he'd run into Natalie at Alden University two months ago, everything had changed... | Random Reading | 336 | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663882 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 6:57 AM | 1736814064 | 1749124670 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn More | DCO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | {{product.description}} | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433019396_923201436210067_5858777528543955254_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A5MCATGLHlMQ7kNvgFwe7JD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYBIeFRvoEf0osbI3TLMDefciBb6SQ_pzi671aVWCTUrwg&oe=678B635D | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663883 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 7:04 AM | 1736814064 | 1749125086 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1&locale=EN_US | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469182835_932013555509079_2738354863407469600_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pj86A322TpsQ7kNvgHV9Uex&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYBSaqIslhxqxKHJY1oBnMa2TaAEF8GSSXQk9zD_S8Jcsw&oe=678B900E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663936 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/9/25, 7:08 AM | 1736814071 | 1749470885 | 2257 | evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com | Learn more | IMAGE | Slim Down & Tone Up in 4 Weeks | I agree to terms & conditions and privacy policy provided by the Evolve Athletics. By providing my phone number, I agree to receive text messages from the Evolve Athletics. | https://evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com/homepage-live | 1.0111007129001E+14 | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472247364_1636453363618657_2674304532149506665_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8Mjlib7_SAYQ7kNvgFNob4Y&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYBAiqjhY2ybtl6793J_xf98UXR0FpC3Y8u2um7xzpYboA&oe=678B7771 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🛑 Sterling: Ready to Slim Down, Tone Up, and See Results in Just 4 Weeks? If you’re frustrated by fitness plans that don’t deliver or struggling to see real progress, our 4-Week Total Transformation Program is crafted to help you shed inches, build strength, and elevate your energy—with results guaranteed. Our Guarantee: We promise you’ll reach your goal—if not, we’ll work with you for free until you do! ✅ A personalized fitness plan designed just for your goals ✅ 1-on-1 expert coaching to keep you motivated and accountable ✅ Small-group training sessions to tone up and burn fat effectively ✅ A welcoming, results-focused community at our Sterling studio Ready for results that stick? Click "Learn More" to book your No Sweat Consultation—a quick, no-pressure phone call to discuss your fitness goals and how we can help you achieve them. No commitment, just clarity! ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO GET STARTED ⏪ (Only 8 Spots Available!) 📖 PS – About Evolve Athletics... At Evolve Athletics, we specialize in science-backed, sustainable fitness transformations. Whether you’re looking to slim down, gain strength, or just feel energized again, our coach-led programs make achieving your goals simple and effective. ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO JOIN OUR 4-WEEK PROGRAM ⏪ (Limited Spots Available!) Click Learn More to secure your spot, and we’ll reach out to schedule your No Sweat Consultation—a friendly, no-pressure phone call to kickstart your transformation! | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | 960 | https://www.facebook.com/EVOLVEATHLETICSNOVA/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663940 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/9/25, 8:47 AM | 1736814072 | 1749476830 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1494665502781E+14 | Your Personal Coach Sophia | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460430401_494672633382149_4759260890587632284_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vHLAkhgz-GoQ7kNvgFM_5SG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYCmLI0nWUG_Ax3blvYMrssn9XO1k1wSQttOIdushDQb6Q&oe=678B6E1F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Your Personal Coach Sophia | 1556 | https://www.facebook.com/61555143686071/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663978 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 7:13 AM | 1736814076 | 1749125623 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=934080944896999&exdata=6A8B0BF850DF8E755FF80351F3BBA78DA711E2487055823A | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473067427_904455331890692_4155808839572699140_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lGMuOgVl3W4Q7kNvgErFxV_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYA9gy-xP4imJt4UNJEwuJ4rnKsAtPErxBWcBcAQZRHDlA&oe=678B8A6D | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Dressed up for her wedding day, she was unwittingly drugged by her husband's mistress. She spent the night with a stranger, unaware that he was her husband's half-brother and his formidable business adversary! ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &7& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663951 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/10/25, 12:28 AM | 1736814073 | 1749533336 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | 🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472115080_475364321923159_9205442978486022437_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=JXVNQTqNt3AQ7kNvgFJvLWx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYDSzgb5AS4af7dKTCwnprtc-R63HpF_LFv9s_FKGKr5cw&oe=678B6C14 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Where is she?" I hear the Beta scream. I groan and rise to my feet, grabbing the cleaning basket before heading over. The moment Beta Kyle sees me, he strides towards me and his hand slices against my cheek. I don't make a sound. Years of experience has taught me to keep my mouth shut at all times. "Alpha Trey is expecting company and you still have not cleaned the office." Beta Kyle spits at me. I nod my head and my hand tightens on the cleaning basket. If only I could find the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. But I didn't need another week locked up with no food. My stomach already hurt enough. "We are trying to make a good impression on Alpha Dane. Don't you understand how important it is for us to join ourselves with his pack?!" I don't answer, It's a trap, a ploy to provoke me into saying something that would justify punishment. I keep my eyes lowered, avoiding his gaze. "He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!" We had never been attacked and we had never attacked anyone, so why did we need another pack to help us? He grabs my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin as he turns me around and kicks me into the office. "Useless Wolf." He mutters as he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean against it, observing the already clean office. It looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned eighteen, I could finally escape, but four years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. Someone clears their throat and I freeze, I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don't quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. "Is this the way you greet all Alphas?" His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. "I'm sorry." I whisper, getting to my feet. "I...I thought I was alone." I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. "Come forward." He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey wil kill me. I step around the corner, doing as I'm told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. "You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?" I nod, though I couldn't tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. "I would prefer it if you spoke to me." He growls, "I'm not in the mood to play games." "Yes." I whisper. I couldn't help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? "Why do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me." "I..." I hated the question. "You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?" His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact."My Wolf abilities were bound," I mutter. Twice, I wanted to add. Twice my abilities were bound. But he probably wasn't interested in that part. He leans forward, I could feel him staring at me, "Why would someone do that?" If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. "It was a punishment." I whisper. It wasn't far from the entire truth. There's a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldn't tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me "Neah, what are you doing in my office?" He turns to the crimson eyed man. "I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane." Crap, it's him. My brother spins around, hand poised to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He is taller than my brother, more muscly too. "Neah," My name rolls off of his tongue, "was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested." What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brother glares at me, withdrawing his hands reluctantly. "Neah is your sister, correct?" Alpha Dane questions my brother. "She is." Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. He looks away from me to focus on the man asking questions. "Why do you treat her like trash?" No one had spoken to my brother about his treatment of me because everyone took great joy in beating me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move but I knew I'd better leave. If this deal goes to pot because of me, then that would be my fault too. "Neah was responsible for our parents' death." Alpha Trey spits. I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. "Responsible how?" Alpha Dane's voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. "She served them Wolfsbane." Don't make a sound. Don't make a sound. I knew Alpha Dane was studying me. They all did, no one could ever quite believe how someone could do something so disgusting as poisoning their own parents. I stood there, with my head hanging low, wishing for the ground to open up and suck me in. There are movements around me. He was standing directly in front of me. With a rough finger he tilts my face up towards his, forcing me to look at him. "You poisoned your parents?" "I was six." I splutter. "I just made them lemonade." My voice comes out all squeaky as I try to defend myself. I could barely remember my parents, but I could remember all the guilt I had been made to feel since that day. His crimson eyes flash to my brothers. "Hardly seems fair to blame a six year old." "A six year old should know the difference between plants." Alpha Trey snaps "Sounds to me like she was set up." Alpha Dane shrugs his shoulders, letting go of me. "You weren't there, Alpha Dane." My brother muttered through gritted teeth as his eyes narrowed to slits. "I didn't ask you here to talk about my slave!" Alpha Dane grabs his leather jacket from the chair. Unlike other Alpha's, he seemed to dress more casually, and his arms are bare of tattoos, not a single bit of ink poked out anywhere. "You're right and now I have a few things to mull over." "I thought we agreed." My brother exclaims. "Nothing has been signed. Now I will show myself out." The moment he is out of the office, my brother slams a hand into my stomach. "What the heck did you say to him?" "N...nothing. Well, he just asked me why I smelled funny." "Did you tell him?" My head involuntarily moves up and down. "But I didn't say it was you." I tried to sound strong and confident but it just comes out as a whisper. My brother's hand locks into my black hair as he yanks my head back, sending a shooting pain through my skull. "If you have ruined this, you won't see daylight again." He drags me by my hair from the office and down the hallway towards the basement door. "Please…." I beg. "He was an Alpha…I… I had to answer him." My cheeks burn with my tears as he flings the door open. On the other side of the door is Alpha Dane. He is leaning against the wall with his arms folded, staring out at us. My brother's hand falls from my hair, relieving the pressure on the back of my skull... "Alpha Dane, I thought you had left." Alpha Trey murmurs angrily. "I said I would show myself out. I thought I had found the door, but instead I find a basement, riddled in your sister's strange scent. Is this how you treat your family?" "It's none of your business!" Alpha Trey sputters. Alpha Dane laughs. "If I agree to this deal, everything about your business becomes my business. So tell me, what would your punishment be for her? No food, locked away for a week, beatings?" I see those crimson eyes land on my swollen face. "I have a proposition for you, Alpha Trey." "We have already agreed on terms." "Well, I'm adding one. And if you don't agree, you will not get my help. Instead, you will become my enemy. And we both know, you don't want that." "I take it that your new terms have something to do with her?" Alpha Trey mutters through clenched teeth. "You would be correct. Let me take her away to my pack and then you, Trey will have a deal." Me? Why would he want me? I was a nobody, no one special. "Deal." After a little more thinking, Alpha Trey sticks out his hand for Alpha Dane to shake. He doesn't take it, instead his crimson eyes shift from me to my brother. "I will have paperwork drawn up and will return tomorrow." He reaches a hand out and cups my face, "Ensure you have everything packed." He drags his thumb across my bottom lip and strides to the opposite end of the hallway and straight to the front door. He knew exactly where the front door was, so what was he up to? He pauses at the door. "If I find out you has laid a hand on her. The contract will be the last thing you need to worry about." He struts out, slamming the door behind him. After Dane leaves, my brother grabs me by the collar. "You think you're going to have a good life if you follow Alpha Dane out of here? Don't be naive!" He continues in a vicious voice. "He's the coldest man in the world, he's killed nine of his mates, I'm waiting to see what happens to you!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663900 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/12/25, 1:17 AM | 1736814065 | 1749709077 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16733&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470804931_2344715502560163_4896168022408925535_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FzhS8xkICFoQ7kNvgEjPweu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYBcpVJW1xEeUibFEHHjGvi1rII-0_tHc6XnDBejQAjudA&oe=678B6944 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I forced myself to look at the book in my hand. Seeing Elijah recently at Urban Next Design Studio had stirred up unexpected emotions within me. We’re already divorced. Because he never stopped loving his first love, Serena. He didn’t care about me at all, not even when I was carrying our baby. I left that heartbreaking place behind and came to France to pursue my dreams. I thought I could finally start over, but I never expected Elijah to follow me here, trying to win me back. Luckily, I wasn’t fooled by his lies. He came to France with Serena, his new flame. I shouldn’t think about him anymore. A bitter smile tugged at my lips. But I can’t deny it—when I saw him in France, my heart still skipped a beat. My phone rang then. When I saw Serena’s name on the screen, I groaned loudly. “What do you want this time?” I straightened up and answered casually. “Hello.” “Hi, Sophia!” As always, she had that fake sugary-sweet voice on. “How’ve you been? I was hoping we could meet today at that cafe across your campus where Elijah and I saw you before?” “Why?” I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. “I know that he’s still hanging around you, maybe trying to catch you or talk to you… I know of a way for him to stop harassing you, Sophia.” I couldn’t understand why Serena wouldn’t just leave me alone and go on with her life. But my curiosity got the best of me. “How?” I asked. “I’ll see you in fifteen minutes, then you can find out.” She put the phone down, leaving me no choice but to get ready and meet her in that cafe. It wasn’t long before we were sitting across from each other. Serena didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. A small smile was playing on her lips. An evil smile, I would say. She was probably up to no good, but I still stayed and listened, anyway. “Have you heard of Sabrina Baker?” she asked directly. “No.” She seemed quite happy. “Well, Sabrina is Elijah’s long-lost childhood best friend and the first love of his life. She went missing when they were about ten years old, and Elijah was never the same since then. He spent years looking for her and only stopped when he met you…” “Huh?” I was bewildered by this news, but I didn’t want to show her. “So what? It has nothing to do with me. We’re divorced.” “You’re connected to Sabrina, in a way,” Serena went on. “That’s because you reminded Elijah of her. That’s why he pursued you in college.” My heart began to thump hard. “Is that your painting?” he’d asked me upon approaching me after class way back during our college days. His eyes were glimmering as he glanced at the Eiffel Tower artwork that peeked out from the folder I was holding. “Uh, yes.” “Have you been to Paris?” I shook my head. “Not yet, but I would love to visit someday. Or perhaps even study and work there.” “I know a coffee shop nearby that has a beautiful mural of Paris…” he’d said. And that afternoon, the two of us got to know each other for the first time. And that was when I first told him that I was allergic to coffee, so he bought a chocolate drink for me instead. But he gave me a coffee when I first went to his company and found him with Serena before we got divorced. I didn’t like where the conversation with Serena was going. “Who knows? Maybe he even got you were carrying a baby on purpose, so you’d want to marry him,” Serena continued, her tone mocking. “If you weren’t similar to his dearest Sabrina, he wouldn’t have bothered spending any time with you, you know. And it’s the real reason that he married you! He told me so himself!” Serena’s devilish smile grew bigger. “You know why he was so cold and distant when you were together? Because he realized that you weren’t like Sabrina, after all! But out of duty, he decided to stay with you because you were carrying his baby. And so when you had lost the baby, he became more out of reach and he didn’t treat you like a real wife…” Her words pierced my heart like a sharp knife. But still I held my composure, not wanting her to see that she was getting to me and that this revelation was having a huge impact. “And now it’s the same,” Serena went on mockingly. “It’s about the baby again. He’s pretty sure it’s his so he feels responsible. He can’t bear the thought of just leaving without a care. That’s why he’s been trying to reconcile with you, Sophia.” My eyes widened, but I knew she was telling the truth. She’s right, I realized bitterly. “You’re smart, aren’t you? Then you ought to know what I mean.” I stared at her silently, not knowing what to make of it. I knew what she was saying, but it was difficult to process it at the moment. “Think hard about it, Sophia,” Serena said before getting up and leaving. I was left dumbfounded, staring into the caffeine-free drink that Serena had ordered for me before I arrived. Serena is well aware that I’m allergic to caffeine, and I don’t even know her well. But Elijah whom I’d been married to for two years had easily forgotten. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. All this time, I had believed that Elijah genuinely liked me, that our relationship was built on something real. But now, as I sat in the café, I couldn't shake the feeling of devastation. It became clear to me that Elijah never really cared about me. I was just a stand-in, a substitute for someone else. I was a mere reminder of this Sabrina, whoever she was, and it was because of her that Elijah had decided to pursue me. The thought was crushing. I had let myself believe in something that was never real, and the realization left me feeling hollow inside. How could I have been so blind? So naive? The pain of the truth threatened to overwhelm me, and I struggled to hold back tears. After a while, I tried to gather my wits despite the rattling nerves. Still greatly confused, I returned home. And the one who were waiting for me outside my apartment building is… Elijah. When he saw me and began to approach, I held up my palm and shook my head. I didn’t want to see him or talk to him. I was just too exhausted and confused to deal with him right now. “Sophia, wait!” He called after me. I could hear his footsteps quickening behind me as I went to the direction of the elevator. “Sophia!” I turned around with an exasperated expression on my face. “Have you…” He hesitated before continuing. “Have you ever… gone missing when you were a child?” I felt myself turning pale. My heartbeat went into overdrive. “What do you mean?” I saw his nose twitching, which meant that he was somehow uncertain or embarrassed. I waited for him to go on. “Sophia, please be honest with me,” he pleaded. “Just answer my question truthfully because this is really very important to me.” I couldn’t help scoffing. “It’s important because it involves Sabrina, right?” I asked him mockingly. Elijah froze, his face registering shock. | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664010 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/10/25, 2:21 AM | 1736814078 | 1749540099 | 2257 | nvwibcnshop.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://nvwibcnshop.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17313&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473046363_610863811485920_4957307814589450381_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0bmpr1PhPXcQ7kNvgFYmolJ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYD5AxOp5I4aRK2eC9wGuoskjGn0CviRREqezdy9TmHtdQ&oe=678B729A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I was planning to tell my husband Conrad that I’m expecting on my birthday. Conrad promised me a surprise, and I’m guessing it’s the painting he’s hidden in the study. I stumbled upon it by accident. The painting is of my silhouette, and it’s beautifully done; he must have spent months on it. Given the effort he put into it, I’ve decided to pretend I didn’t see it and wait for him to give it to me himself. I was going upstairs to take my pregnancy report. But when I opened the bedroom door, there was a woman on my bed. It was my widowed sister-in-law, Susanna. She was wearing a revealing silk nightgown, casually spreading my jewelry and clothes across the bed, with my report in her hand. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “Why are you messing with my stuff?” “Oh, it’s you,” she gave me a dirty look. “Don’t talk to me like that. This is my room now.” It’s ridiculous. I could feel my anger rising."This is mine and my husband’s room, how could it become yours?!" She smiled and said, "I wanted it, so Conrad gave it to me." Conrad just wanted to take care of his brother’s wife, that’s what he told me. We’ve been taking care of her really carefully in this difficult time. I didn’t expect her to be grateful, but she’s gone too far. She’s always asking for more; my time, my jewelry, I’ve given her all that. And now, my bedroom? Before I replied, Conrad appeared in the doorway, his expression full of happiness as he looked at Susanna. “You’re. This is a gift for you.” he exclaimed, stepping into the room. I stood to the side, frozen. Shock flooded my system as I watched him pull out the painting and roses from behind his back. There was also a cute little card on the roses. I couldn’t make out the message clearly, but I knew it said, "My eternal love, my forever beauty." It felt like I was watching a scene unfold from a play that I had no role in. Conrad knelt before Susanna, “You're my one and only.” Susanna hugged him and smiled, saying, "Thank you so much! I have some good news to tell you, I'm expecting!" It wasn’t until I fell to the ground that my husband noticed I was here. I'm just my sister-in-law's substitute. | Random Reading | 336 | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663890 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/10/25, 8:00 AM | 1736814064 | 1749560409 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16566&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470242760_2052923828464294_5867640167796605218_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MZBcc79I5igQ7kNvgFmRr3_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYCVHqGLsiFxml9sjbbR3suFTBxYoHY3HigHzThCh0Lwhg&oe=678B7D6B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Wow…My best friend is carrying my husband’s child. " Lulu was in disbelief. "The two closest people in my life… " "Please leave, I'll meet you at home and we can discuss this further. You’re barren, but Lily is with my first child, I don't want you to stress Lily and our baby." Alex shunned her. Lulu had no choice but to turn around. She was here to share her IVF conception news, but now she chose to stay quiet. "I can't believe I am having a child with this devil who I mean nothing to, I'm not going to keep a child with this loser!" She cried as she got into the taxi. She forgot all about her dreams and was fueled by anger. "How can Alex repay me this way?" She told the taxi driver her destination and, in a few minutes, her phone rang. Sniffing, she wiped her tears, it was her doctor from the hospital. "Mrs. Moore, there has been a terrible mistake!" She frowned, "Please call me Miss Bridge from now and, what do you mean by the mistake?" "We just found out that the sample that was mixed with your egg does not belong to your husband." "What?!" She was confused. “Before insemination, the nurse in charge of your IVF had found out that your husband had no living tadpoles, your reproductive misfortune was from your husband.” “What?!” Lulu threw her hands over her mouth in astonishment, which meant there was no way Lily was actually carrying Alex's child. She was lying to him! "Wait, so how come my conception was successful?" "That's the problem, one of our hospital's biggest clients was also scheduled for an insemination on that same day, and the samples were accidentally swapped." "Wait, so what you're saying is... I'm carrying someone else's child?" "Not just anyone, David Carlson's child." "Am I supposed to know who that is?" "He's the world's most famous artist, how haven't you heard of him?" | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663984 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/10/25, 4:39 PM | 1736814077 | 1749591574 | 2257 | couragetales.com | Learn more | VIDEO | FREEBIE 🎁 Lesson Plan for Homeschool and Class Worksheet | https://couragetales.com/book-visit/ | 1.0775351238790E+14 | CourageTales | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471200485_555375204012643_6514328738217129721_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=73W4rSx1Rd8Q7kNvgFiu_Z2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDjCMvbXNMNs21UulSc-NapA3pODPmmjKp-3f6GumxR3g&oe=678B7483 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Teaching kids kindness and empathy can feel like an uphill struggle. 🤔 But it doesn’t have to be so hard! ✅ Download the FREE Lesson Plan on empathy and compassion for kids ages 5-11 ✅ Fun, interactive activities to teach kindness and empathy 💪 SIGN UP NOW and empower your child to be a kindness hero! Sign Up Here: https://couragetales.com/book-visit/ #FreebieAlert #EmotionalIntelligenceForKids #empathy | CourageTales | 2848 | https://www.facebook.com/couragetales/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663993 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/28/25, 4:06 PM | 1736814077 | 1745874405 | 2257 | infiniteage.com | Learn More | DCO | I Quit Dangerous Meds - Here's How 👉 | 100% Money-Back Guarantee | https://infiniteage.com/pages/lp3 | 1.0989629381594E+14 | Infinite Age | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471765829_627836129612210_6335533016287355058_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q4tpse-P2OwQ7kNvgG3EtXP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCVYb86qxjdUNKVaDcvaTBPUiXJCklH4Hoz97CEIfup0A&oe=678B8D15 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Tired of being a slave to your meds? I was too. Learn how I broke free and regained control of my health & happiness naturally👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 | Infinite Age | 44556 | https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663902 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 2:24 AM | 1736814065 | 1749108241 | 2257 | www.italojewelry.com | Shop now | VIDEO | 4 interest-free payments | ✅60-day Return & One Year Warranty | https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-1130-02&utm_campaign=1211-17 | 5.6018496768178E+14 | Italo Jeweler | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473063953_3239552932865354_586377610140927211_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=xpoV2gC-VXUQ7kNvgH6DoUx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYAMOJw3xlQMjuyMgWotv_FOwtQa4Dxv_4DBozFltzQljA&oe=678B63E2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Prepare the surprise of love 🎁 early, for a perfect Valentine’s 💞 ✅Any order 10%off & more promotions enjoy now Shop Now👉:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo Free shipping & After Pay | Italo Jeweler | 20423 | https://www.facebook.com/italojeweler/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663990 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/10/25, 8:10 PM | 1736814077 | 1749604232 | 2257 | infiniteage.com | Learn More | DCO | Ditched Meds Naturally - Game-Changer 👉 | 100% Money-Back Guarantee | https://infiniteage.com/pages/bldprsr-a | 1.0989629381594E+14 | Infinite Age | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472163652_584903390943143_6186450672812918882_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=awvVd6ABbAcQ7kNvgFnaj0I&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCzBkjqtoHEXVa6iUtaH7lcVJ-6RK4ZsOXWJMUsSQjEVg&oe=678B7E79 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I’m Black and I realized standard meds weren't made for my body. Discover how I took control of my health using natural, ancestral wisdom👇🏾👇🏾 | Infinite Age | 44556 | https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2663997 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/10/25, 11:07 PM | 1736814078 | 1749614878 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2663973 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 2:45 AM | 1736814076 | 1749109532 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=673595984708315&exdata=B56E3013188E3AF4E67AE08BA063A4E9B1B21C9F62A88058 | 1.0903469850659E+14 | Popular romance stories | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472522173_1105834717936468_7299222868649422943_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dUDISsDXCy8Q7kNvgE9Lci9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCv9GdWTwAkdb51krPRUjPXvWc0T9n2lqb4-iQlyNijkg&oe=678B722E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | At the opening ceremony of the new school year, she was publicly rejected by her mate, becoming the subject of everyone's gossip. However, she refused to accept his rejection; she wouldn't let his scheme succeed. "If I'm going down, you're coming with me, my dear..." ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& | Popular romance stories | 17951 | https://www.facebook.com/100083149047490/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663881 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/8/25, 8:05 PM | 1736814064 | 1746752755 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn More | DCO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | {{product.description}} | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/433019396_923201436210067_5858777528543955254_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A5MCATGLHlMQ7kNvgFwe7JD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYBIeFRvoEf0osbI3TLMDefciBb6SQ_pzi671aVWCTUrwg&oe=678B635D | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2663875 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 9:03 AM | 1736814063 | 1749045817 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Stop overthinking and start living | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470071010_527719013600854_8110496363145148361_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=5s3c68HoCeEQ7kNvgFL9TJq&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYD8Ya__AqkC2RtLpIZ5lUVa4v3OAmcIsCLrRdqtKusL6A&oe=678B8EDB | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664000 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 7/12/25, 1:02 PM | 1736814078 | 1752343329 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663979 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 9:55 PM | 1736814076 | 1749092116 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=638434121690371&rawadid=120218149872920091 | 1.1034189532913E+14 | Good Story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471663006_523106107430809_5897942392050332902_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=QlSkflhC0EoQ7kNvgGZNXrX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDricEKZyBFBgHFcIlNp68QTUAtUBteU_vgd1CveGcZkw&oe=678B8403 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After being publicly rejected by her mate, she refused to accept it and resolved to use the bond between mates to punish him. However, when another Alpha began to court her, he lost it. "You belong only to me!" ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5& | Good Story | 817 | https://www.facebook.com/100090635329790/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2663964 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/12/25, 11:09 PM | 1736814075 | 1749787765 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=638434121690371&rawadid=120218149949810091 | 1.1034189532913E+14 | Good Story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472126803_576490288630070_5081665047337006144_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=RzTJRhqIItwQ7kNvgEttLx2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYAhSL-rfZAm97yymbJzQIDc0qh8nDRflrd10aBNd-qO6g&oe=678B97DF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After being publicly rejected by her mate, she refused to accept it and resolved to use the bond between mates to punish him. However, when another Alpha began to court her, he lost it. "You belong only to me!" ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5& | Good Story | 817 | https://www.facebook.com/100090635329790/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663906 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/13/25, 6:18 PM | 1736814065 | 1749856683 | 2257 | www.italojewelry.com | Shop now | VIDEO | 4 Interest-free Payments | ✅Easy Return & One Year Warranty | https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-1130-02&utm_campaign=1211-17 | 5.6018496768178E+14 | Italo Jeweler | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472976719_2235310746854397_7841659736451558211_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=nvnWPSWvosEQ7kNvgF_DVQF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCy-Tw2LhcYW0o2cFWSPxlC_pMPOTZa54DZSSWbrQv5FA&oe=678B89FF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 💖Find your forever favorite ring at Italo💍 ✅Any order 10% off and more promotions enjoy now. Learn more:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo 🎁Free shipping & Easy return🎁 | Italo Jeweler | 20423 | https://www.facebook.com/italojeweler/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663941 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/8/25, 2:57 AM | 1736814072 | 1746691032 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/452764810_514010677856175_159840744907144150_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=8375PYg0ceUQ7kNvgETOpgf&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYBO5Veb791Jv4WlLz7IlHbpCTyyRtNyi7bwwSJZoqwiFA&oe=678B82EC | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663942 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/4/25, 6:38 PM | 1736814072 | 1746401923 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | IMAGE | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/441278918_968472297971114_9138964206907837138_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3k8VvPuxn3EQ7kNvgHYItrx&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYCuPvzz9pUBi-yQF3TyMvX8HC8d2IApHKXNoxueTIWZ9w&oe=678B6BF0 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663967 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/9/25, 6:54 AM | 1736814076 | 1749470050 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=934080944896999&exdata=6A8B0BF850DF8E7557DD5D6408E32A228EB1B523714E53FD | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473589101_1800920890709516_6526866153596146294_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SyrLg2aBsfYQ7kNvgFHaMlM&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYA2RTFFF5N0VQ5kh0-5Spf5-LCyTW_hCFgKUejAYzpK7w&oe=678B661F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Dressed up for her wedding day, she was unwittingly drugged by her husband's mistress. She spent the night with a stranger, unaware that he was her husband's half-brother and his formidable business adversary! ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &7& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663970 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/4/25, 5:02 PM | 1736814076 | 1746396126 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=934080944896999&exdata=6A8B0BF850DF8E755FC19C504154294F3BDEAA615F737D77 | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473248190_657676833256677_8173371154402457645_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=4oltC3ONhfQQ7kNvgG2JdIt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYAhMVfJwPtdhaddGrmNBv7_VQsw1L2-9dMCASJaO9tQ9g&oe=678B94D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Dressed up for her wedding day, she was unwittingly drugged by her husband's mistress. She spent the night with a stranger, unaware that he was her husband's half-brother and his formidable business adversary! ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &7& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663971 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814076 | 1742869277 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=673595984708315&exdata=B56E3013188E3AF4D0D093BB308FA58A166C45FC6929F8AA | 1.0903469850659E+14 | Popular romance stories | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472478645_542169305472045_8355256334235340198_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=FCCWCCA7fEMQ7kNvgHH8aKb&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYBjeLlSTITSd3UoxcdvxEAuj_hRRAJdvTx_gOe_7p4EUA&oe=678B6A76 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | At the opening ceremony of the new school year, she was publicly rejected by her mate, becoming the subject of everyone's gossip. However, she refused to accept his rejection; she wouldn't let his scheme succeed. "If I'm going down, you're coming with me, my dear..." ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &3& | Popular romance stories | 17951 | https://www.facebook.com/100083149047490/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663972 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/4/25, 8:22 AM | 1736814076 | 1746364924 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=638434121690371&rawadid=120218149879550091 | 1.1034189532913E+14 | Good Story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472209637_1657879148142456_8068569046529665336_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=m9knBWDZgWAQ7kNvgHaaBOD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYBBhszw9vucyX7q_-2U0wj_3nHTy3yq0Vhn0Nf4M4gXpA&oe=678B8E80 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After being publicly rejected by her mate, she refused to accept it and resolved to use the bond between mates to punish him. However, when another Alpha began to court her, he lost it. "You belong only to me!" ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5& | Good Story | 817 | https://www.facebook.com/100090635329790/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2663975 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/5/25, 3:21 AM | 1736814076 | 1749111690 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=934080944896999&exdata=6A8B0BF850DF8E75B86CAC04407B94163F849A4F025ABFBD | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473042990_576771018318556_7641999427034391209_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=OlMYvNuuiZ4Q7kNvgGEW7wu&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCOQF-iALWkSopVvGXwiGKiGqGfjaGlrctLXc7LEnnsig&oe=678B8D5B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Dressed up for her wedding day, she was unwittingly drugged by her husband's mistress. She spent the night with a stranger, unaware that he was her husband's half-brother and his formidable business adversary! ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &7& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663976 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/11/25, 5:26 AM | 1736814076 | 1749637583 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.com | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.com/65284322-fb-abtest-44M.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=1435595577085911&exdata=8722D8B8A369F815325073231902BEFA110D48C4C22CC845 | 1.0620689217158E+14 | Love Story City | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473450010_1322328412116780_6638316863294311657_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SVGW87dCXlwQ7kNvgENRaQg&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYD7pwQcBc-eo9R4NXXnihOpp6lDbwwzkhQ7fhyoxwn82w&oe=678B8FDA | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | On her wedding day, Khloe Evans was put on trial by her fiance Eric Watson. All along, she thought Eric was the love of her life. But it turned out he had been cheating with her stepsister, Sloane Evans. What was more, he falsely accused her of being a m*rderer. As she walked out of the courtroom, Khloe turned and looked back at Eric, sitting in the plaintiff's seat, her eyes burning with deep hatred and fury. ...... Three years had passed. "Khloe Evans, someone has bailed you out. You're free to go." Upon hearing that, Khloe raised her head, her pale face filled with shock. An hour after she was released from prison, Khloe was taken to a hospital. She entered a ward, and her heart clenched when she saw her mother through the ICU door, lying motionless in the hospital bed. "Mom..." Khloe wanted to open the door and go in. "Stop! This ward is specially secured. No one is allowed to enter without my permission." A female voice suddenly rang out behind her. Khloe turned around and was surprised. "Sloane? My mom severed ties with the Evans family long ago. Why are you still doing this to her?" Then, she sneered, "Khloe, looks like you are mistaken. I'm saving her. Without me, perhaps, by the time you come out of prison, you will only see her tomb." "Sloane, stop being so hypocritical. You're using her to manipulate me, right?" "Khloe, you're as clever as ever. But it's a pity that your fate is in my hands now," Sloane taunted. "So, today, all you need to do is spend a night with Karl Russell. Then, I'll arrange for your release and your mother's treatment." "Karl Russell? That old man is already in his sixties. Are you out of your mind?" Khloe was in disbelief. "I'll give you five seconds to decide. Otherwise I'll have them remove your mom's life support. Five, four, three..." "Fine! I'll go," For her mother, Khloe had to do it. But Khloe didn't expect, as fate would have it, she crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life... &12& | Love Story City | 19390 | https://www.facebook.com/100083614308933/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663980 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/2/25, 2:16 PM | 1736814077 | 1746213370 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=934080944896999&exdata=6A8B0BF850DF8E7515E2D3C8420EFD171846FA250AA077B8 | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472983013_466047989661966_9076272838851425807_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=XdgRRWxFIK4Q7kNvgHJ5dXY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYC7NlyqF79xiR7qkqgYOk7SeOu5A27P6nMREODNKeS2Qg&oe=678B63EC | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Dressed up for her wedding day, she was unwittingly drugged by her husband's mistress. She spent the night with a stranger, unaware that he was her husband's half-brother and his formidable business adversary! ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &7& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663982 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 10:06 PM | 1736814077 | 1749092787 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=638434121690371&rawadid=120218149913180091 | 1.1034189532913E+14 | Good Story | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472106909_574908465470778_5581861010620883306_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=vtBfZBwAWlEQ7kNvgFUCgU6&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDvST0iyhfblnnDYJyGaLUA9EUn9zPEhNIPD2W5MSaDjQ&oe=678B897E | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After being publicly rejected by her mate, she refused to accept it and resolved to use the bond between mates to punish him. However, when another Alpha began to court her, he lost it. "You belong only to me!" ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5& | Good Story | 817 | https://www.facebook.com/100090635329790/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663892 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/8/25, 9:41 PM | 1736814064 | 1746758466 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16566&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470220184_1222089068855954_5837136570385148620_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=zKZeGy-Ep-kQ7kNvgHYc-LY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYAVqm3FosaAkMCC0ABI6fWzFXaAsh9lfjbJ9NyPIOA9jg&oe=678B7E5B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Wow…My best friend is carrying my husband’s child. " Lulu was in disbelief. "The two closest people in my life… " "Please leave, I'll meet you at home and we can discuss this further. You’re barren, but Lily is with my first child, I don't want you to stress Lily and our baby." Alex shunned her. Lulu had no choice but to turn around. She was here to share her IVF conception news, but now she chose to stay quiet. "I can't believe I am having a child with this devil who I mean nothing to, I'm not going to keep a child with this loser!" She cried as she got into the taxi. She forgot all about her dreams and was fueled by anger. "How can Alex repay me this way?" She told the taxi driver her destination and, in a few minutes, her phone rang. Sniffing, she wiped her tears, it was her doctor from the hospital. "Mrs. Moore, there has been a terrible mistake!" She frowned, "Please call me Miss Bridge from now and, what do you mean by the mistake?" "We just found out that the sample that was mixed with your egg does not belong to your husband." "What?!" She was confused. “Before insemination, the nurse in charge of your IVF had found out that your husband had no living tadpoles, your reproductive misfortune was from your husband.” “What?!” Lulu threw her hands over her mouth in astonishment, which meant there was no way Lily was actually carrying Alex's child. She was lying to him! "Wait, so how come my conception was successful?" "That's the problem, one of our hospital's biggest clients was also scheduled for an insemination on that same day, and the samples were accidentally swapped." "Wait, so what you're saying is... I'm carrying someone else's child?" "Not just anyone, David Carlson's child." "Am I supposed to know who that is?" "He's the world's most famous artist, how haven't you heard of him?" | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663894 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814064 | 1742869277 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | 😍Read the next chapters👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16733&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470879398_2329094214112807_3411015629244858025_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ZlLq3BjrgGoQ7kNvgF0v4pX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYDuNGqvyKxLx6ThQJoZhLtElM9hq42OzoaEVLOfp_Z7sA&oe=678B9B32 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I forced myself to look at the book in my hand. Seeing Elijah recently at Urban Next Design Studio had stirred up unexpected emotions within me. We’re already divorced. Because he never stopped loving his first love, Serena. He didn’t care about me at all, not even when I was carrying our baby. I left that heartbreaking place behind and came to France to pursue my dreams. I thought I could finally start over, but I never expected Elijah to follow me here, trying to win me back. Luckily, I wasn’t fooled by his lies. He came to France with Serena, his new flame. I shouldn’t think about him anymore. A bitter smile tugged at my lips. But I can’t deny it—when I saw him in France, my heart still skipped a beat. My phone rang then. When I saw Serena’s name on the screen, I groaned loudly. “What do you want this time?” I straightened up and answered casually. “Hello.” “Hi, Sophia!” As always, she had that fake sugary-sweet voice on. “How’ve you been? I was hoping we could meet today at that cafe across your campus where Elijah and I saw you before?” “Why?” I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously. “I know that he’s still hanging around you, maybe trying to catch you or talk to you… I know of a way for him to stop harassing you, Sophia.” I couldn’t understand why Serena wouldn’t just leave me alone and go on with her life. But my curiosity got the best of me. “How?” I asked. “I’ll see you in fifteen minutes, then you can find out.” She put the phone down, leaving me no choice but to get ready and meet her in that cafe. It wasn’t long before we were sitting across from each other. Serena didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. A small smile was playing on her lips. An evil smile, I would say. She was probably up to no good, but I still stayed and listened, anyway. “Have you heard of Sabrina Baker?” she asked directly. “No.” She seemed quite happy. “Well, Sabrina is Elijah’s long-lost childhood best friend and the first love of his life. She went missing when they were about ten years old, and Elijah was never the same since then. He spent years looking for her and only stopped when he met you…” “Huh?” I was bewildered by this news, but I didn’t want to show her. “So what? It has nothing to do with me. We’re divorced.” “You’re connected to Sabrina, in a way,” Serena went on. “That’s because you reminded Elijah of her. That’s why he pursued you in college.” My heart began to thump hard. “Is that your painting?” he’d asked me upon approaching me after class way back during our college days. His eyes were glimmering as he glanced at the Eiffel Tower artwork that peeked out from the folder I was holding. “Uh, yes.” “Have you been to Paris?” I shook my head. “Not yet, but I would love to visit someday. Or perhaps even study and work there.” “I know a coffee shop nearby that has a beautiful mural of Paris…” he’d said. And that afternoon, the two of us got to know each other for the first time. And that was when I first told him that I was allergic to coffee, so he bought a chocolate drink for me instead. But he gave me a coffee when I first went to his company and found him with Serena before we got divorced. I didn’t like where the conversation with Serena was going. “Who knows? Maybe he even got you were carrying a baby on purpose, so you’d want to marry him,” Serena continued, her tone mocking. “If you weren’t similar to his dearest Sabrina, he wouldn’t have bothered spending any time with you, you know. And it’s the real reason that he married you! He told me so himself!” Serena’s devilish smile grew bigger. “You know why he was so cold and distant when you were together? Because he realized that you weren’t like Sabrina, after all! But out of duty, he decided to stay with you because you were carrying his baby. And so when you had lost the baby, he became more out of reach and he didn’t treat you like a real wife…” Her words pierced my heart like a sharp knife. But still I held my composure, not wanting her to see that she was getting to me and that this revelation was having a huge impact. “And now it’s the same,” Serena went on mockingly. “It’s about the baby again. He’s pretty sure it’s his so he feels responsible. He can’t bear the thought of just leaving without a care. That’s why he’s been trying to reconcile with you, Sophia.” My eyes widened, but I knew she was telling the truth. She’s right, I realized bitterly. “You’re smart, aren’t you? Then you ought to know what I mean.” I stared at her silently, not knowing what to make of it. I knew what she was saying, but it was difficult to process it at the moment. “Think hard about it, Sophia,” Serena said before getting up and leaving. I was left dumbfounded, staring into the caffeine-free drink that Serena had ordered for me before I arrived. Serena is well aware that I’m allergic to caffeine, and I don’t even know her well. But Elijah whom I’d been married to for two years had easily forgotten. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. All this time, I had believed that Elijah genuinely liked me, that our relationship was built on something real. But now, as I sat in the café, I couldn't shake the feeling of devastation. It became clear to me that Elijah never really cared about me. I was just a stand-in, a substitute for someone else. I was a mere reminder of this Sabrina, whoever she was, and it was because of her that Elijah had decided to pursue me. The thought was crushing. I had let myself believe in something that was never real, and the realization left me feeling hollow inside. How could I have been so blind? So naive? The pain of the truth threatened to overwhelm me, and I struggled to hold back tears. After a while, I tried to gather my wits despite the rattling nerves. Still greatly confused, I returned home. And the one who were waiting for me outside my apartment building is… Elijah. When he saw me and began to approach, I held up my palm and shook my head. I didn’t want to see him or talk to him. I was just too exhausted and confused to deal with him right now. “Sophia, wait!” He called after me. I could hear his footsteps quickening behind me as I went to the direction of the elevator. “Sophia!” I turned around with an exasperated expression on my face. “Have you…” He hesitated before continuing. “Have you ever… gone missing when you were a child?” I felt myself turning pale. My heartbeat went into overdrive. “What do you mean?” I saw his nose twitching, which meant that he was somehow uncertain or embarrassed. I waited for him to go on. “Sophia, please be honest with me,” he pleaded. “Just answer my question truthfully because this is really very important to me.” I couldn’t help scoffing. “It’s important because it involves Sabrina, right?” I asked him mockingly. Elijah froze, his face registering shock. | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2663931 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/13/25, 3:14 AM | 1736814070 | 1749802491 | 2257 | evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com | Learn more | IMAGE | Slim Down & Tone Up in 4 Weeks | I agree to terms & conditions and privacy policy provided by the Evolve Athletics. By providing my phone number, I agree to receive text messages from the Evolve Athletics. | https://evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com/homepage-live | 1.0111007129001E+14 | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472210614_517855761303031_8524347869969637836_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HGMfQHe3xzAQ7kNvgEItX2h&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYC0DMa9aUPiPDaWvJPhXit0SaqyArATbVnNX1hlXkerQA&oe=678B6440 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🛑 Sterling: Guaranteed Results—Slim Down, Tone Up, and Transform in 4 Weeks! You’ve tried the programs that didn’t deliver. Now, it’s time for one that does. At Evolve Athletics, our 4-Week Total Transformation Program is designed to help you achieve real, lasting results—with zero guesswork. Our Promise: Hit your goals, or we’ll work with you for free until you do. ✅ A custom-tailored fitness plan built for your success ✅ 1-on-1 expert coaching to keep you on track ✅ Fat-burning, strength-building small-group training sessions ✅ A results-driven community that motivates you every step of the way Results aren’t optional here—they’re guaranteed. Ready to start your transformation? ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO GET STARTED ⏪ (Only 8 Spots Available!) 📖 PS – About Evolve Athletics We specialize in science-backed fitness transformations that are as effective as they are sustainable. Whatever your goals—slimming down, gaining strength, or feeling your best—we’re here to make it happen. ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO JOIN THE PROGRAM ⏪ (Limited Spots Available!) | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | 960 | https://www.facebook.com/EVOLVEATHLETICSNOVA/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663988 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 10:29 PM | 1736814077 | 1749094175 | 2257 | infiniteage.com | Learn More | DCO | Ditched Meds Naturally - Game-Changer 👉 | 100% Money-Back Guarantee | https://infiniteage.com/pages/bldprsr-a | 1.0989629381594E+14 | Infinite Age | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472163652_584903390943143_6186450672812918882_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=awvVd6ABbAcQ7kNvgFnaj0I&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCzBkjqtoHEXVa6iUtaH7lcVJ-6RK4ZsOXWJMUsSQjEVg&oe=678B7E79 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I’m Black and I realized standard meds weren't made for my body. Discover how I took control of my health using natural, ancestral wisdom👇🏾👇🏾 | Infinite Age | 44556 | https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664006 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/1/25, 6:56 AM | 1736814078 | 1746100594 | 2257 | nvwibcnshop.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://nvwibcnshop.com/market/buenovela/3?lpid=17313&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 3.4292496556255E+14 | Random Reading | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472847708_8945529715559488_2887592479705412046_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=auteYMdq194Q7kNvgHlUivO&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYATFKBZtoYrZO1Lxfho1Taz_i2IkD26G2ZmN71JhGyx_Q&oe=678B8998 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband Conrad brought an expecting woman to live in our home. It was my widowed sister-in-law, Susanna. She’s a very pitiful woman. Her husband Alexander died in a plane crash, and the rescuers still haven’t recovered his body. "Take good care of her, Abigail" my husband told me. I agreed. Conrad’s brother Alexander has always had a good relationship with us, So, it's our responsibility to take care of his wife. But ever since Susanna moved in, our lives have become more and more off track. Conrad used to spend hours in his study working, now seemed to devote his time to Susanna. His gaze never leaving her. For me, I was exhausted dealing with Susanna's demands. She treated me like her personal maid, with a thousand tough tasks waiting for me every day. I’ve thought about protesting, but Susanna's tears always stop me. Maybe the expecting widow just needs more patience and sympathy, I told myself that every time. The only good news these days was that I was expecting. I had been hoping for having a child for a long time. One day, Susanna purposely dropped a plate at my feet. The sharp sound of shattering ceramic echoed, and I felt pain in my leg as the fragments exploded at my feet, cutting me. “Susanna!” I gasped, my eyes widening. “What are you doing?” But she didn’t answer me. She began to wail, clutching her hands to her chest. Her sobs filled the room, each one louder than the last. “I know I’m a burden,” she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks as she fell to her knees. “But I promise, I’ll try harder. Please, don’t send me away…” Just as I opened my mouth to tell her, a familiar voice cut through the room. “Who dares to send you away?” Conrad stepped out from behind me. His voice was sharp with authority. The moment he showed up, Susanna stumbled backward and Conrad rushed forward, catching her before she could hit the ground. “Susanna,” he said, patting her back as she continued to weep. “Are you alright?” She shuddered and lifted her head to meet his gaze. “I’m fine, Conrad. It was all my fault. I just asked Abigail for some help, and maybe she thought I was asking too much. She must be…tired of having me here. And…I don’t blame her. I must seem so weak—” Her tears were a weapon, and she knew how to use them. As soon as Conrad saw Susanna crying, he believed everything she said. “She’s expecting, Abigail. How could you be so cruel? I'm really disappointed in you.”Conrad blamed me. “Conrad, listen,” I cried, “I didn’t do that, it’s Susanna, she smashed the plate...” “So what? ”Conrad angrily interrupted me. His words were like a slap as I stood there, stunned. My throat felt tight, my heart pounding painfully in my chest as I tried to understand how he could believe her over me so easily. Just as I was about to say something, the metallic taste hit my nose. My stomach twisted. I’d always had a problem with blood, and now, seeing it drip from my leg, I could feel the familiar chill creeping through me, stealing my strength. My legs gave way uncontrollably, and new shards immediately embedded into my feet and knee. My vision started to blur, and my heartbeat was pounding in my ears, drowning out even the sounds of Susanna’s sobs. "Hang on, I'll get a doctor," Conrad's voice came through, and I let out a sigh of relief. "Susanna, don't be afraid, no one can hurt you," he said as he carried Susanna out. It turned out he wasn't talking to me after all, he hadn't even noticed that I was the one who needed help. Susanna leaned out of Conrad’s arms, watching me struggle to keep my balance and avoid falling into the shards. I couldn’t see her expression clearly, but I’m sure it was a smile. Conrad left with Susanna, abandoning me, injured and alone. It must be bile spreading to my mouth, otherwise, why would it taste so bitter? When I was at the hospital, I couldn't get in touch with Conrad at all. I called him countless times, but he never answered. I having to undergo a stitch-up without any anesthesia. It hurts so much. I desperately needed my husband to be there with me, but he was probably too busy staying with my sister-in-law. Only Daniel, Alexander’s assistant, showed up to help me. While I was texting, I had accidentally sent the message to Alexander as well. Daniel handles all messages related to Alexander, so he saw it. The message I accidentally sent to my deceased brother-in-law was more helpful than reaching out to my husband. Just as I was home, Conrad just walked out of Susanna’s room. “Abigail?” Conrad’s voice was brisk, tinged with irritation. “Where are you? Why aren’t you home?” I tried to keep my voice down. “Hospital. Where else could I go after bleeding from the plate Susanna threw?” "What, you're bleeding? " After a moment, Conrad's voice came through, "I'm so sorry I didn’t realize….". His face full of worry and guilt calmed my anger, at least for a moment. “Abigail…I’m sorry. I should have been there for you.” I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow even to my own ears. “Should have? Conrad, you should trust your wife, at least listen to me! ” He stepped forward and hugged me tightly, his deep voice vibrating through his chest as it reached my ear. "It’s all my fault. I’ve been stuck in the aftermath of Alexander’s accident. You know how much Alexander cared for us. I feel like it’s my responsibility to look after his wife and child now, for his sake. When Susanna cried, I thought it was you... I misunderstood you..." He sat me down on the sofa, took my hand, and gently fixed my slightly messy hair. "So it was all a misunderstanding today... " His warmth surrounded me, and the thorn in my heart disappeared. "There won’t be a next time, I promise. Abigail. You’re my wife. You’re my priority" "Let’s be more careful with expecting women," he said, caressing my cheek. Before I could respond, his hand moved lower, and his tone turned suggestive. "When you have a child, I’ll be more careful, so can we…" I quickly swatted his hand away and laughed. "I just came from the hospital! Are you that eager, Daddy?" He lay down beside me, his voice low. "Do you remember what we talked about before? I want a daughter. She’ll be the cutest little princess, with blue eyes and chestnut-colored hair." I pushed him away, stopping him from trying to "help" me take a bath. A few more months, and our dream would finally come true. The joy was so overwhelming that I forgot to correct Conrad—how could we, neither of us with blue eyes, possibly have a child with blue ones? When I pushed open the bedroom door, I thought about how I’d tell him about the baby. Maybe tonight? It's my birthday today. I guessed Conrad would give me the gift he had prepared tonight. I unexpectedly found a freshly painted oil painting in his study, it was of a woman’s back and her smiling profile, someone who looked a lot like me, though it annoyed me a bit, and also a bit like Susanna. But then I noticed the roses next to the painting, with a heartfelt confession. These gifts could only be for me, after all, I’m his wife, his lover. As Conrad give me my gift, I’d be giving him the baby gift in return. But when I opened the door to our bedroom, Someone was there. The light fell on her chestnut-colored hair, making her look as if she were glowing. She stood in front of my vanity, casually inspecting one of my necklaces as though it belonged to her. She turned at the sound of the door, her face breaking into a bright smile, but her blue eyes were filled with indifference. “Oh, Abigail! I didn’t hear you come in.” It was Susanna. She's in my bedroom. “What are you doing here?” I asked sharply. “This is my room.” “Oh, don’t be so dramatic,” she said, waving a hand. “This is my room now.” I blinked, the words taking a moment to sink in. “Excuse me?” Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Conrad wants me to recover properly, he said I could ask for anything, so I decided I wanted to move into this cozy bedroom. The design’s great, did you do it yourself?” My pulse quickened, anger rising swiftly. “This is our room. I and Conrad’s. You don’t just decide to move in without even asking.” Susanna smirked, unfazed by the heat in my voice. “I wasn’t asking. Conrad said I could stay here.” “Did he?” I said, my tone ice-cold. “I find that hard to believe.” Before she could respond, Conrad appeared in the doorway, his expression full of happiness as he looked at Susanna. “Happy birthday, Susanna!” he exclaimed, stepping into the room. I stood to the side, frozen. Shock flooded my system as I watched him pull out the painting from behind his back, revealing it in a flourish, followed by the bouquet of red roses. “I thought you’d like these. I know how much you love flowers.” There was also a cute little card on the roses. I couldn’t make out the message clearly, but I knew it said, "My eternal love, my forever beauty." It felt like I was watching a scene unfold from a play that I had no role in. Conrad knelt before Susanna, presenting her with the gifts. “I thought you might like these, too. You deserve to be celebrated today.” I couldn’t hold back the shocked sound that escaped my lips. “What?” Finally, his gaze snapped to me, surprise flickering across his face as he realized I was in the room. “Abigail?” he asked, confusion in his features, as if he couldn’t understand what I was doing here, in the room. In his house. In his life. | Random Reading | 336 | https://www.facebook.com/61559743679549/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663928 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814069 | 1742869277 | 2257 | norvure.com | Shop now | IMAGE | Let Your Pup Roam Safely With This Tie Out Stake | 40% Off Until Midnight | https://norvure.com/products/tanglefree%E2%84%A2-360-swivel-dog-tie-out-stake | 1.1075792873604E+14 | HappyMe's | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/424585601_786195066602972_3927234968190252650_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6tMXsffY1rkQ7kNvgHwEG3F&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYAYO-26s4VVGaeFzIq9jq0Xds27YRBPb78ufAyhx8pZlw&oe=678B76B4 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🐾 Give your furry friend the freedom to explore without tangles! TangleFree™ 360° Swivel Dog Tie-Out Stake ensures your pet's safety and your peace of mind during outdoor playtime. 👇 Click Below To Get Yours 40% Off Until Midnight | HappyMe's | 4152 | https://www.facebook.com/100094368992659/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663929 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814069 | 1742869277 | 2257 | norvure.com | Shop now | IMAGE | Let Your Pup Roam Safely With This Tie Out Stake | 40% Off Until Midnight | https://norvure.com/products/tanglefree%E2%84%A2-360-swivel-dog-tie-out-stake | 1.1075792873604E+14 | HappyMe's | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/440410296_320816604184579_4382935421732099458_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=UvIXG-CpeFcQ7kNvgGaxWB-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYDh0guLenxkW-aj_9AZ0KtTXNFRs6GzGQwIUkMandjX2Q&oe=678B7D3C | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🐾 Give your furry friend the freedom to explore without tangles! TangleFree™ 360° Swivel Dog Tie-Out Stake ensures your pet's safety and your peace of mind during outdoor playtime. 👇 Click Below To Get Yours 40% Off Until Midnight | HappyMe's | 4152 | https://www.facebook.com/100094368992659/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663873 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/5/25, 6:57 AM | 1736814063 | 1746446254 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn More | DCO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | {{product.description}} | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469754137_1258525005431995_6097417261043299538_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cH6QkAEAUMoQ7kNvgF6z84i&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYDDXlH8Iill4HeVeo65UAjuBpmY2IAoDl607Eyo5Jk9kA&oe=678B670F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663874 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/3/25, 11:10 PM | 1736814063 | 1746331800 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469842960_594021509664503_3748355891000019306_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=GWdLRCfrdPAQ7kNvgGONbCm&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYD8d-7xw19Q0bWVA6O3keHG7OOcp1K4aBvGX7iNvIoC3A&oe=678B7721 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663877 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/26/25, 5:35 AM | 1736814063 | 1745663738 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn More | DCO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | {{product.description}} | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469911761_8483926585068934_8738181204002965165_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=hcpcdIqGNewQ7kNvgFT_FuV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYAdM3SU-vl-61V13cpuf-0QnGUt39jC7UA5_ZwHLN02IA&oe=678B84F4 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663878 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/3/25, 12:46 AM | 1736814064 | 1746251210 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1&locale=EN_US | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469864150_582005214416936_7343781345494655549_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mgYNN8Gn_qQQ7kNvgGcGMuF&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYCDx4cMMajEbCvZmcmpsCCBG6jOn6z0GyG4cRj5Dk1CNw&oe=678B9A3B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663880 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/8/25, 8:21 PM | 1736814064 | 1746753683 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1&locale=EN_US | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465792390_1618939455501573_3885314495022520509_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=Xas6YvqdqF8Q7kNvgHot2BY&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYDWgnHHYmQZaXJ2hFd2kUzwmeYFTyrACXGXU6aeKsQZGg&oe=678B9847 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663918 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/8/25, 6:44 PM | 1736814068 | 1746747870 | 2257 | hibbly.com | Learn more | IMAGE | Find your soulmate here👉 | 💖📲👀👩❤️👨 | https://hibbly.com/l/QL6VTV | 1.0461374223074E+14 | Hibbly | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/468824867_586213320478098_7310127135113846002_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=lrWWClmT8f0Q7kNvgH8Eq7B&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYBoiCNtv1MwJC7RKKNWOhiQgKuPAGn9O5T-Y6mtp1bN7A&oe=678B7B12 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 💥 💃 Looking for exciting connections? Meet and chat with singles near you. 👩 It's fast, fun, and free. 💋 Try this website today! 💖 | Hibbly | 12452 | https://www.facebook.com/hibbly.dating/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663921 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814068 | 1742869277 | 2257 | jolly.me | Learn More | CAROUSEL | 💗See more photos! | Worth a try! | https://jolly.me/l/MDP5SZ | 2.0947640627094E+14 | Jolly | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469146800_1185780116309307_5188208708260939206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mXl5i2aLr4oQ7kNvgG_992H&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCcIygX3-C8rmBxC4uu0hMPo2BFSAKs4xB2IAR2tIIYhQ&oe=678B7988 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Worth a try! | Jolly | 104828 | https://www.facebook.com/jollymesite/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663871 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814063 | 1742869276 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469901550_3933739026884707_647948155789108393_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=M6I1VuK20gkQ7kNvgEaF_Ls&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYCRDn4ZgH7R6F_6CpHQcCSvEExTBSAGpgcJuMevY3p3ew&oe=678B837A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663867 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/3/25, 9:18 PM | 1736814062 | 1746325111 | 2257 | effecto.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Rewire Your ADHD Brain & Unlock Your Potential | https://effecto.app/start?lp=ad5&locale=EN_US | 1.0159776942848E+14 | Effecto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/457310389_1209833653503283_5498737314013448019_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=N5UHDbOow5cQ7kNvgGsyPiw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYCLXFNMxjHdsHwn37ph3IqINcKy9pN7Xu4zE-DQEMT0Aw&oe=678B659A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Effecto.app helps people take control of ADHD, create structure in life, manage overwhelm, get more done & be more confident. Take a Free ADHD quiz to find out how. | Effecto | 15432 | https://www.facebook.com/100087423606578/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663925 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/3/25, 10:19 PM | 1736814069 | 1746328782 | 2257 | jolly.me | Learn More | CAROUSEL | 💗See more photos! | Worth a try! | https://jolly.me/l/MDP5SZ | 2.0947640627094E+14 | Jolly | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469146800_1185780116309307_5188208708260939206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=mXl5i2aLr4oQ7kNvgG_992H&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCcIygX3-C8rmBxC4uu0hMPo2BFSAKs4xB2IAR2tIIYhQ&oe=678B7988 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Worth a try! | Jolly | 104828 | https://www.facebook.com/jollymesite/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663868 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/4/25, 2:39 AM | 1736814063 | 1746344398 | 2257 | effecto.app | Learn more | IMAGE | Take control of ADHD | https://effecto.app/start?lp=ad5&locale=EN_US | 1.0159776942848E+14 | Effecto | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470873026_1070381318119893_7813692083845036372_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pWuuN9PJHyEQ7kNvgFspH_2&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYCCAr1i_t4Ipb8vRnf4E4F-ith_jpCEW2PByM_PlVcxnA&oe=678B910A | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Effecto.app helps people take control of ADHD, create structure in life, manage overwhelm, get more done & be more confident. Take a Free ADHD quiz to find out how. | Effecto | 15432 | https://www.facebook.com/100087423606578/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663869 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/9/25, 3:15 AM | 1736814063 | 1746778550 | 2257 | effecto.app | Learn more | IMAGE | Rewire Your ADHD Brain & Unlock Your Potential | https://effecto.app/start?lp=ad5&locale=EN_US | 3.5165675468751E+14 | Top 5 apps for ADHD | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/453064834_427431006958460_8740930296153028046_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pPHPd5CMypIQ7kNvgHb_OnC&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ADvy1e8SZLJx2LL8BbJ5KQG&oh=00_AYCr2h9kuBthnSf2seJFFXi950a1HJ-Itm7HEzDxt15_xA&oe=678B8A99 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Effecto.app helps people take control of ADHD, create structure in life, manage overwhelm, get more done & be more confident. Take a Free ADHD quiz to find out how. | Top 5 apps for ADHD | 187 | https://www.facebook.com/61560333209544/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663889 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/4/25, 7:01 AM | 1736814064 | 1746360076 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16566&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470242760_2052923828464294_5867640167796605218_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=MZBcc79I5igQ7kNvgFmRr3_&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYCVHqGLsiFxml9sjbbR3suFTBxYoHY3HigHzThCh0Lwhg&oe=678B7D6B | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Wow…My best friend is carrying my husband’s child. " Lulu was in disbelief. "The two closest people in my life… " "Please leave, I'll meet you at home and we can discuss this further. You’re barren, but Lily is with my first child, I don't want you to stress Lily and our baby." Alex shunned her. Lulu had no choice but to turn around. She was here to share her IVF conception news, but now she chose to stay quiet. "I can't believe I am having a child with this devil who I mean nothing to, I'm not going to keep a child with this loser!" She cried as she got into the taxi. She forgot all about her dreams and was fueled by anger. "How can Alex repay me this way?" She told the taxi driver her destination and, in a few minutes, her phone rang. Sniffing, she wiped her tears, it was her doctor from the hospital. "Mrs. Moore, there has been a terrible mistake!" She frowned, "Please call me Miss Bridge from now and, what do you mean by the mistake?" "We just found out that the sample that was mixed with your egg does not belong to your husband." "What?!" She was confused. “Before insemination, the nurse in charge of your IVF had found out that your husband had no living tadpoles, your reproductive misfortune was from your husband.” “What?!” Lulu threw her hands over her mouth in astonishment, which meant there was no way Lily was actually carrying Alex's child. She was lying to him! "Wait, so how come my conception was successful?" "That's the problem, one of our hospital's biggest clients was also scheduled for an insemination on that same day, and the samples were accidentally swapped." "Wait, so what you're saying is... I'm carrying someone else's child?" "Not just anyone, David Carlson's child." "Am I supposed to know who that is?" "He's the world's most famous artist, how haven't you heard of him?" | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663886 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/26/25, 11:20 PM | 1736814064 | 1745727645 | 2257 | brainway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Overcome Procrastination Naturally | https://brainway.app/start?qz=pro1&locale=EN_US | 1.4257913226241E+14 | Brainway App | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465572954_1067244724693655_6969392312662757206_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=iURGUW1v_58Q7kNvgGr80Cs&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYBWSQnMoFcXsenGZlNusTjGst7AQRnBVaU834lW0xXU4g&oe=678B6FEF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Overcoming procrastination doesn’t have to be hard! Created by a team of psychologists and behavioral change experts, Brainway is designed to: 1️⃣ Identify your unique “Procrastination Type” 2️⃣ Reveal the unique “Trigger Point” that makes you procrastinate 3️⃣ Provide personalized, simple, and effective strategies to help you stop putting things off 🏆 And let you join thousands of people enjoying 100% stress-free productivity with Brainway! 🔥 Take a short quiz and see how Brainway can help you break free from procrastination & embrace your natural productivity today!👇 | Brainway App | 23253 | https://www.facebook.com/61551442591062/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663887 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/1/25, 7:23 AM | 1736814064 | 1746102182 | 2257 | redtgb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔥🔥Click to read the next chapter for free👉 | https://redtgb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16566&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 2.303035935086E+14 | Happyday | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470226959_1089551712956149_5041117661607427917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=LKiNdSq_YmgQ7kNvgHSfUdS&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AZlFjphZND6AuIRzUHh_s0T&oh=00_AYDRGgAM9ouXD6sKORUzoGNy0BW5joDFcSEAIenu2ourhQ&oe=678B8444 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Wow…My best friend is carrying my husband’s child. " Lulu was in disbelief. "The two closest people in my life… " "Please leave, I'll meet you at home and we can discuss this further. You’re barren, but Lily is with my first child, I don't want you to stress Lily and our baby." Alex shunned her. Lulu had no choice but to turn around. She was here to share her IVF conception news, but now she chose to stay quiet. "I can't believe I am having a child with this devil who I mean nothing to, I'm not going to keep a child with this loser!" She cried as she got into the taxi. She forgot all about her dreams and was fueled by anger. "How can Alex repay me this way?" She told the taxi driver her destination and, in a few minutes, her phone rang. Sniffing, she wiped her tears, it was her doctor from the hospital. "Mrs. Moore, there has been a terrible mistake!" She frowned, "Please call me Miss Bridge from now and, what do you mean by the mistake?" "We just found out that the sample that was mixed with your egg does not belong to your husband." "What?!" She was confused. “Before insemination, the nurse in charge of your IVF had found out that your husband had no living tadpoles, your reproductive misfortune was from your husband.” “What?!” Lulu threw her hands over her mouth in astonishment, which meant there was no way Lily was actually carrying Alex's child. She was lying to him! "Wait, so how come my conception was successful?" "That's the problem, one of our hospital's biggest clients was also scheduled for an insemination on that same day, and the samples were accidentally swapped." "Wait, so what you're saying is... I'm carrying someone else's child?" "Not just anyone, David Carlson's child." "Am I supposed to know who that is?" "He's the world's most famous artist, how haven't you heard of him?" | Happyday | 1527 | https://www.facebook.com/61558228850235/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663914 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814066 | 1742869277 | 2257 | elvori.com | Learn More | CAROUSEL | Dating for singles 24/7 👉 | 💋❤️😍🔥 | https://elvori.com/l/AaN7Cb | 1.011710824052E+14 | Elvori | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469280561_2049907535461555_7852380098774166112_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kvsmTuVkRfEQ7kNvgF6Wcu1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCBiOoO7LpWKGo1YmHlHsWTOMB8VEjDDdVHz1EpHqCrUg&oe=678B90DF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 💋❤️😍🔥 | Elvori | 25566 | https://www.facebook.com/elvori.dating/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663915 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/27/25, 6:31 AM | 1736814066 | 1745753483 | 2257 | elvori.com | Learn More | CAROUSEL | Dating for singles 24/7 👉 | 💋❤️😍🔥 | https://elvori.com/l/AaN7Cb | 1.011710824052E+14 | Elvori | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469280561_2049907535461555_7852380098774166112_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=kvsmTuVkRfEQ7kNvgF6Wcu1&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCBiOoO7LpWKGo1YmHlHsWTOMB8VEjDDdVHz1EpHqCrUg&oe=678B90DF | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 💋❤️😍🔥 | Elvori | 25566 | https://www.facebook.com/elvori.dating/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663911 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/1/25, 3:12 PM | 1736814066 | 1746130364 | 2257 | www.aelfriceden.com | Shop now | VIDEO | Find your fit | https://www.aelfriceden.com/collections/best-sellers?&sort_by=aelfric-eden-retro-90s-knit-sweater-recommended-by-juicyjrock-copy,aelfric-eden-blurring-star-washed-hoodie-2,3d-embroidery-star-hoodie,aelfric-eden-cartoon-dog-hoodie,aelfric-eden-stellaris-embroidered-hoodie,aelfric-eden-flower-embroidery-number-hoodie,aelfric-eden-christmas-dog-hoodie%2Caelfric-eden-number-jacquard-cardigan%2Caelfric-eden-denim-star-applique-embroidery-hoodie,aelfric-eden-vintage-red-stripe-sweater,aelfric-eden-fringe-gradient-pinstripe-cardigan-1 | 6.1355342234285E+14 | Aelfric Eden | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470219751_907441258196259_7054265153456975994_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=cIAnQraAUZMQ7kNvgFF_Epz&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYCVH0Zt3dN4HLvnyyW0V3q3Noxiw-FmAoMC87nbnIuz_Q&oe=678B7909 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🎁 Today's Special! ✨Shop top picks with amazing discounts + Free Shipping! 🌟Easy shopping, great quality. #ootd #outfitinspo #outfitideas #fitcheck #schooloutfit #newbalance #hoodieszn #longchamp #aelfriceden #Christmas #blackfriday #foryoupage #hit #dance #stopdropandroll #trending #thisnotyours | Aelfric Eden | 78796 | https://www.facebook.com/aelfricedencom/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663912 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/2/25, 3:29 PM | 1736814066 | 1746217791 | 2257 | www.italojewelry.com | Shop now | VIDEO | 4 Interest-free Payments | ✅60-day Return & One Year Warranty | https://www.italojewelry.com/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=fb-1130-02&utm_campaign=1211-17 | 5.6018496768178E+14 | Italo Jeweler | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/469226005_593420536524809_8398339858808999242_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0a4oytDrGxQQ7kNvgGHp-UZ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=A7fJWWhnQ282lNJi9vsMDLG&oh=00_AYB933D3JNpUKXsvvpluejj8g_VK1sjDFT8JnB66FtBTFg&oe=678B7818 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✅60%off buy 1⃣ get 1⃣ Find Great Christmas Deals Shopping at italojewelry!🎁☃ Shop Now👉:http://italojewelry.io/Cwo Free shipping & After Pay | Italo Jeweler | 20423 | https://www.facebook.com/italojeweler/ | 0 | SHOP_NOW | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663934 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/9/25, 6:54 AM | 1736814071 | 1749470045 | 2257 | evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com | Learn more | VIDEO | Slim Down & Tone Up in 4 Weeks | https://evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com/homepage-live | 1.0111007129001E+14 | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472070714_2081343482283845_7273836536846262355_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=B0Bhf6FlpkkQ7kNvgHPR6fU&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYCaCCxY0Adb1uvPUngrSPpsEjYqGFhmFj-vNMNLbpPR4A&oe=678B8D4F | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🛑 Sterling: Ready to Slim Down, Tone Up, and See Results in Just 4 Weeks? If you’re frustrated by fitness plans that don’t deliver or struggling to see real progress, our 4-Week Total Transformation Program is crafted to help you shed inches, build strength, and elevate your energy—with results guaranteed. Our Guarantee: We promise you’ll reach your goal—if not, we’ll work with you for free until you do! ✅ A personalized fitness plan designed just for your goals ✅ 1-on-1 expert coaching to keep you motivated and accountable ✅ Small-group training sessions to tone up and burn fat effectively ✅ A welcoming, results-focused community at our Sterling studio Ready for results that stick? Click "Learn More" to book your No Sweat Consultation—a quick, no-pressure phone call to discuss your fitness goals and how we can help you achieve them. No commitment, just clarity! ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO GET STARTED ⏪ (Only 8 Spots Available!) 📖 PS – About Evolve Athletics... At Evolve Athletics, we specialize in science-backed, sustainable fitness transformations. Whether you’re looking to slim down, gain strength, or just feel energized again, our coach-led programs make achieving your goals simple and effective. ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO JOIN OUR 4-WEEK PROGRAM ⏪ (Limited Spots Available!) Click Learn More to secure your spot, and we’ll reach out to schedule your No Sweat Consultation—a friendly, no-pressure phone call to kickstart your transformation! | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | 960 | https://www.facebook.com/EVOLVEATHLETICSNOVA/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663932 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814070 | 1742869277 | 2257 | evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com | Learn more | VIDEO | Slim Down & Tone Up in 4 Weeks | https://evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com/homepage-live | 1.0111007129001E+14 | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472426803_617294957511092_6666380635137272197_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=sZbwYu3m6mMQ7kNvgE8zan9&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYBOcH1EQ2JdubhE2Zv2KyY4Mfz5kAk9PiaqftCKDkIBSg&oe=678B9AB4 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🛑 Sterling: Ready to Slim Down, Tone Up, and See Results in Just 4 Weeks? If you’re frustrated by fitness plans that don’t deliver or struggling to see real progress, our 4-Week Total Transformation Program is crafted to help you shed inches, build strength, and elevate your energy—with results guaranteed. Our Guarantee: We promise you’ll reach your goal—if not, we’ll work with you for free until you do! ✅ A personalized fitness plan designed just for your goals ✅ 1-on-1 expert coaching to keep you motivated and accountable ✅ Small-group training sessions to tone up and burn fat effectively ✅ A welcoming, results-focused community at our Sterling studio Ready for results that stick? Click "Learn More" to book your No Sweat Consultation—a quick, no-pressure phone call to discuss your fitness goals and how we can help you achieve them. No commitment, just clarity! ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO GET STARTED ⏪ (Only 8 Spots Available!) 📖 PS – About Evolve Athletics... At Evolve Athletics, we specialize in science-backed, sustainable fitness transformations. Whether you’re looking to slim down, gain strength, or just feel energized again, our coach-led programs make achieving your goals simple and effective. ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO JOIN OUR 4-WEEK PROGRAM ⏪ (Limited Spots Available!) Click Learn More to secure your spot, and we’ll reach out to schedule your No Sweat Consultation—a friendly, no-pressure phone call to kickstart your transformation! | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | 960 | https://www.facebook.com/EVOLVEATHLETICSNOVA/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663933 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814070 | 1742869277 | 2257 | evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com | Learn more | VIDEO | Slim Down & Tone Up in 4 Weeks | https://evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com/homepage-live | 1.0111007129001E+14 | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472469841_3900870706827707_2665356018860716114_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3no3_Q9TdHkQ7kNvgFchD7v&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYBSa0Qa8AgO9kXH2htz-K8jfWeG05DIrcAlLPo9jCn1IA&oe=678B94BE | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🛑 Sterling: Guaranteed Results—Slim Down, Tone Up, and Transform in 4 Weeks! You’ve tried the programs that didn’t deliver. Now, it’s time for one that does. At Evolve Athletics, our 4-Week Total Transformation Program is designed to help you achieve real, lasting results—with zero guesswork. Our Promise: Hit your goals, or we’ll work with you for free until you do. ✅ A custom-tailored fitness plan built for your success ✅ 1-on-1 expert coaching to keep you on track ✅ Fat-burning, strength-building small-group training sessions ✅ A results-driven community that motivates you every step of the way Results aren’t optional here—they’re guaranteed. Ready to start your transformation? ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO GET STARTED ⏪ (Only 8 Spots Available!) 📖 PS – About Evolve Athletics We specialize in science-backed fitness transformations that are as effective as they are sustainable. Whatever your goals—slimming down, gaining strength, or feeling your best—we’re here to make it happen. ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO JOIN THE PROGRAM ⏪ (Limited Spots Available!) | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | 960 | https://www.facebook.com/EVOLVEATHLETICSNOVA/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663935 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/26/25, 1:58 PM | 1736814071 | 1745693903 | 2257 | evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com | Learn more | VIDEO | Slim Down & Tone Up in 4 Weeks | https://evolveathletics.kickstartmyfitnessjourney.com/homepage-live | 1.0111007129001E+14 | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472311964_1113804100404110_2454136459769532775_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=pnwsy9Ch6oEQ7kNvgGoOYXR&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYDImC3scGHP7P00UazO7D5QlrBIraQUykfgmx4eYcOYJw&oe=678B9849 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | 🛑 Sterling: Guaranteed Results—Slim Down, Tone Up, and Transform in 4 Weeks! You’ve tried the programs that didn’t deliver. Now, it’s time for one that does. At Evolve Athletics, our 4-Week Total Transformation Program is designed to help you achieve real, lasting results—with zero guesswork. Our Promise: Hit your goals, or we’ll work with you for free until you do. ✅ A custom-tailored fitness plan built for your success ✅ 1-on-1 expert coaching to keep you on track ✅ Fat-burning, strength-building small-group training sessions ✅ A results-driven community that motivates you every step of the way Results aren’t optional here—they’re guaranteed. Ready to start your transformation? ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO GET STARTED ⏪ (Only 8 Spots Available!) 📖 PS – About Evolve Athletics We specialize in science-backed fitness transformations that are as effective as they are sustainable. Whatever your goals—slimming down, gaining strength, or feeling your best—we’re here to make it happen. ⏩ CLICK "LEARN MORE" TO JOIN THE PROGRAM ⏪ (Limited Spots Available!) | Evolve Athletics - NOVA | 960 | https://www.facebook.com/EVOLVEATHLETICSNOVA/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663937 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814071 | 1742869277 | 2257 | brainway.app | Learn more | VIDEO | Overcome Procrastination Naturally | https://brainway.app/start?qz=pro1&locale=EN_US | 1.4257913226241E+14 | Brainway App | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471108479_1117739653236504_322844271138041367_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=bR0jO5zGyqcQ7kNvgHszwJv&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYBh4HNmSb0x-i3j42uk-TKQlXHX0aCioTKh952Nh1i7RQ&oe=678B8A7D | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Overcoming procrastination doesn’t have to be hard! Created by a team of psychologists and behavioral change experts, Brainway is designed to: 1️⃣ Identify your unique “Procrastination Type” 2️⃣ Reveal the unique “Trigger Point” that makes you procrastinate 3️⃣ Provide personalized, simple, and effective strategies to help you stop putting things off 🏆 And let you join thousands of people enjoying 100% stress-free productivity with Brainway! 🔥 Take a short quiz and see how Brainway can help you break free from procrastination & embrace your natural productivity today!👇 | Brainway App | 23253 | https://www.facebook.com/61551442591062/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663938 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/27/25, 7:18 AM | 1736814071 | 1745756332 | 2257 | mindway.app | Learn more | IMAGE | Chronic Overthinking Test 👉 | https://mindway.app/start?qz=mw1 | 2.1357182184276E+14 | Mindway | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/460224911_888939179236240_5343524915211593368_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=dLg23_eXSUAQ7kNvgE3CnSt&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=ArmEOiHFQCw8f23IL_3R7Pp&oh=00_AYAZHqg2Ods3WXedMMYNgzrkw1z96gBRXQNbTsJL82UA9Q&oe=678B7F80 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | ✨️️️️️️️ Stop overthinking and start living today ✨️️️️️️️ 🎯 Boost confidence: Develop strategies for better decision making and self-esteem 💫 Eliminate negative thoughts: Learn how to identify and reduce toxic thought patterns ⌛ Live in the present moment: Become calm, happy, and trust your intuition | Mindway | 19555 | https://www.facebook.com/61555945144541/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663948 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814072 | 1742869277 | 2257 | marsghc.com | Learn more | VIDEO | Stress Less, Sleep Better, Live More 🌟 | https://marsghc.com/products/mars-pure-lion-mane-caps?srsltid=AfmBOorH4z-UPwyrfI0P73t_2nBQE1HwFZN2Lc-WMy9JAm-xxyZgDNMC&utm_source=FB&utm_medium=AGED-09&utm_campaign=CBO2-US-SD1708%28HL-Variations%29-06012025&utm_content=CBO2-FB-LionsMane-US-P1-SD1708%28HL10%29%28H2498S2505%29%28Open%29-Inhouse-V1-06012025 | 3.9136671739227E+14 | Mars Global for Men | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472733835_1136509421244536_1205652725887355854_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=0Ytw52HsqGMQ7kNvgHzLZg7&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYBr21iEiNx3x0qkUQeZLiPhUBi0qaGnAhoAF9fD2nUymw&oe=678B8AAD | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "My go-to supplement for stress relief and better sleep 🛌🌙. Mars Lion's Mane Capsules are a game-changer, with: 🧠 Lion's Mane: Clears the mental fog and calms your mind 🧠🍃 🔥 Tongkat Ali: Fights fatigue and boosts nighttime recovery 🌙💪 🌿 Moringa: Helps you unwind naturally after a long day 🌱✨ 🐟 Cod Liver Oil: Nourishes your body for deep, restful sleep 🛌🌊 Say goodbye to restless nights and hello to a refreshed, stress-free you! 🌟⚡" | Mars Global for Men | 7 | https://www.facebook.com/marsbyghc.australia/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663949 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814072 | 1742869277 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | VIDEO | 🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472554499_1638522883732426_6899226104962299165_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=3KA8zJ_zRmAQ7kNvgE9MKlQ&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYDszJrvHwao51pMP30CedDMBalg66tqouWl9x_2R17ZdA&oe=678B6FC0 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Where is she?" I hear the Beta scream. I groan and rise to my feet, grabbing the cleaning basket before heading over. The moment Beta Kyle sees me, he strides towards me and his hand slices against my cheek. I don't make a sound. Years of experience has taught me to keep my mouth shut at all times. "Alpha Trey is expecting company and you still have not cleaned the office." Beta Kyle spits at me. I nod my head and my hand tightens on the cleaning basket. If only I could find the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. But I didn't need another week locked up with no food. My stomach already hurt enough. "We are trying to make a good impression on Alpha Dane. Don't you understand how important it is for us to join ourselves with his pack?!" I don't answer, It's a trap, a ploy to provoke me into saying something that would justify punishment. I keep my eyes lowered, avoiding his gaze. "He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!" We had never been attacked and we had never attacked anyone, so why did we need another pack to help us? He grabs my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin as he turns me around and kicks me into the office. "Useless Wolf." He mutters as he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean against it, observing the already clean office. It looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned eighteen, I could finally escape, but four years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. Someone clears their throat and I freeze, I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don't quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. "Is this the way you greet all Alphas?" His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. "I'm sorry." I whisper, getting to my feet. "I...I thought I was alone." I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. "Come forward." He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey wil kill me. I step around the corner, doing as I'm told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. "You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?" I nod, though I couldn't tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. "I would prefer it if you spoke to me." He growls, "I'm not in the mood to play games." "Yes." I whisper. I couldn't help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? "Why do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me." "I..." I hated the question. "You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?" His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact."My Wolf abilities were bound," I mutter. Twice, I wanted to add. Twice my abilities were bound. But he probably wasn't interested in that part. He leans forward, I could feel him staring at me, "Why would someone do that?" If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. "It was a punishment." I whisper. It wasn't far from the entire truth. There's a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldn't tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me "Neah, what are you doing in my office?" He turns to the crimson eyed man. "I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane." Crap, it's him. My brother spins around, hand poised to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He is taller than my brother, more muscly too. "Neah," My name rolls off of his tongue, "was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested." What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brother glares at me, withdrawing his hands reluctantly. "Neah is your sister, correct?" Alpha Dane questions my brother. "She is." Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. He looks away from me to focus on the man asking questions. "Why do you treat her like trash?" No one had spoken to my brother about his treatment of me because everyone took great joy in beating me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move but I knew I'd better leave. If this deal goes to pot because of me, then that would be my fault too. "Neah was responsible for our parents' death." Alpha Trey spits. I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. "Responsible how?" Alpha Dane's voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. "She served them Wolfsbane." Don't make a sound. Don't make a sound. I knew Alpha Dane was studying me. They all did, no one could ever quite believe how someone could do something so disgusting as poisoning their own parents. I stood there, with my head hanging low, wishing for the ground to open up and suck me in. There are movements around me. He was standing directly in front of me. With a rough finger he tilts my face up towards his, forcing me to look at him. "You poisoned your parents?" "I was six." I splutter. "I just made them lemonade." My voice comes out all squeaky as I try to defend myself. I could barely remember my parents, but I could remember all the guilt I had been made to feel since that day. His crimson eyes flash to my brothers. "Hardly seems fair to blame a six year old." "A six year old should know the difference between plants." Alpha Trey snaps "Sounds to me like she was set up." Alpha Dane shrugs his shoulders, letting go of me. "You weren't there, Alpha Dane." My brother muttered through gritted teeth as his eyes narrowed to slits. "I didn't ask you here to talk about my slave!" Alpha Dane grabs his leather jacket from the chair. Unlike other Alpha's, he seemed to dress more casually, and his arms are bare of tattoos, not a single bit of ink poked out anywhere. "You're right and now I have a few things to mull over." "I thought we agreed." My brother exclaims. "Nothing has been signed. Now I will show myself out." The moment he is out of the office, my brother slams a hand into my stomach. "What the heck did you say to him?" "N...nothing. Well, he just asked me why I smelled funny." "Did you tell him?" My head involuntarily moves up and down. "But I didn't say it was you." I tried to sound strong and confident but it just comes out as a whisper. My brother's hand locks into my black hair as he yanks my head back, sending a shooting pain through my skull. "If you have ruined this, you won't see daylight again." He drags me by my hair from the office and down the hallway towards the basement door. "Please…." I beg. "He was an Alpha…I… I had to answer him." My cheeks burn with my tears as he flings the door open. On the other side of the door is Alpha Dane. He is leaning against the wall with his arms folded, staring out at us. My brother's hand falls from my hair, relieving the pressure on the back of my skull... "Alpha Dane, I thought you had left." Alpha Trey murmurs angrily. "I said I would show myself out. I thought I had found the door, but instead I find a basement, riddled in your sister's strange scent. Is this how you treat your family?" "It's none of your business!" Alpha Trey sputters. Alpha Dane laughs. "If I agree to this deal, everything about your business becomes my business. So tell me, what would your punishment be for her? No food, locked away for a week, beatings?" I see those crimson eyes land on my swollen face. "I have a proposition for you, Alpha Trey." "We have already agreed on terms." "Well, I'm adding one. And if you don't agree, you will not get my help. Instead, you will become my enemy. And we both know, you don't want that." "I take it that your new terms have something to do with her?" Alpha Trey mutters through clenched teeth. "You would be correct. Let me take her away to my pack and then you, Trey will have a deal." Me? Why would he want me? I was a nobody, no one special. "Deal." After a little more thinking, Alpha Trey sticks out his hand for Alpha Dane to shake. He doesn't take it, instead his crimson eyes shift from me to my brother. "I will have paperwork drawn up and will return tomorrow." He reaches a hand out and cups my face, "Ensure you have everything packed." He drags his thumb across my bottom lip and strides to the opposite end of the hallway and straight to the front door. He knew exactly where the front door was, so what was he up to? He pauses at the door. "If I find out you has laid a hand on her. The contract will be the last thing you need to worry about." He struts out, slamming the door behind him. After Dane leaves, my brother grabs me by the collar. "You think you're going to have a good life if you follow Alpha Dane out of here? Don't be naive!" He continues in a vicious voice. "He's the coldest man in the world, he's killed nine of his mates, I'm waiting to see what happens to you!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663954 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814073 | 1742869277 | 2257 | www.inlandvalleyrecovery.org | Contact us | VIDEO | Your Road To Recovery Starts Here | Break free from addiction. | https://www.inlandvalleyrecovery.org/ | 2.4115578941294E+14 | Inland Valley Recovery Services | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/465171144_1461668777743019_811736859776547749_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=106&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=-aihOfWLNLoQ7kNvgF_OhmG&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYA1JrtSX_W4dyBSV9iANfdHJfYazQIVOqdW1bsLnaA13Q&oe=678B9346 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Are you or someone you love battling a fentanyl addiction? You're not alone. We are ready to help you. | Inland Valley Recovery Services | 2181 | https://www.facebook.com/InlandValleyRecoveryServices/ | 0 | CONTACT_US | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663955 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814073 | 1742869277 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | 🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472233281_1282050826329082_752883230663613509_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=6IoJm_9KmT4Q7kNvgFMeA8C&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYAz5ntwDWZZwefVkLdSsYDvy6Euig5yNpAlCrvxU2Sv3A&oe=678B7AD4 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Where is she?" I hear the Beta scream. I groan and rise to my feet, grabbing the cleaning basket before heading over. The moment Beta Kyle sees me, he strides towards me and his hand slices against my cheek. I don't make a sound. Years of experience has taught me to keep my mouth shut at all times. "Alpha Trey is expecting company and you still have not cleaned the office." Beta Kyle spits at me. I nod my head and my hand tightens on the cleaning basket. If only I could find the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. But I didn't need another week locked up with no food. My stomach already hurt enough. "We are trying to make a good impression on Alpha Dane. Don't you understand how important it is for us to join ourselves with his pack?!" I don't answer, It's a trap, a ploy to provoke me into saying something that would justify punishment. I keep my eyes lowered, avoiding his gaze. "He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!" We had never been attacked and we had never attacked anyone, so why did we need another pack to help us? He grabs my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin as he turns me around and kicks me into the office. "Useless Wolf." He mutters as he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean against it, observing the already clean office. It looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned eighteen, I could finally escape, but four years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. Someone clears their throat and I freeze, I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don't quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. "Is this the way you greet all Alphas?" His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. "I'm sorry." I whisper, getting to my feet. "I...I thought I was alone." I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. "Come forward." He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey wil kill me. I step around the corner, doing as I'm told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. "You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?" I nod, though I couldn't tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. "I would prefer it if you spoke to me." He growls, "I'm not in the mood to play games." "Yes." I whisper. I couldn't help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? "Why do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me." "I..." I hated the question. "You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?" His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact."My Wolf abilities were bound," I mutter. Twice, I wanted to add. Twice my abilities were bound. But he probably wasn't interested in that part. He leans forward, I could feel him staring at me, "Why would someone do that?" If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. "It was a punishment." I whisper. It wasn't far from the entire truth. There's a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldn't tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me "Neah, what are you doing in my office?" He turns to the crimson eyed man. "I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane." Crap, it's him. My brother spins around, hand poised to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He is taller than my brother, more muscly too. "Neah," My name rolls off of his tongue, "was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested." What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brother glares at me, withdrawing his hands reluctantly. "Neah is your sister, correct?" Alpha Dane questions my brother. "She is." Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. He looks away from me to focus on the man asking questions. "Why do you treat her like trash?" No one had spoken to my brother about his treatment of me because everyone took great joy in beating me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move but I knew I'd better leave. If this deal goes to pot because of me, then that would be my fault too. "Neah was responsible for our parents' death." Alpha Trey spits. I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. "Responsible how?" Alpha Dane's voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. "She served them Wolfsbane." Don't make a sound. Don't make a sound. I knew Alpha Dane was studying me. They all did, no one could ever quite believe how someone could do something so disgusting as poisoning their own parents. I stood there, with my head hanging low, wishing for the ground to open up and suck me in. There are movements around me. He was standing directly in front of me. With a rough finger he tilts my face up towards his, forcing me to look at him. "You poisoned your parents?" "I was six." I splutter. "I just made them lemonade." My voice comes out all squeaky as I try to defend myself. I could barely remember my parents, but I could remember all the guilt I had been made to feel since that day. His crimson eyes flash to my brothers. "Hardly seems fair to blame a six year old." "A six year old should know the difference between plants." Alpha Trey snaps "Sounds to me like she was set up." Alpha Dane shrugs his shoulders, letting go of me. "You weren't there, Alpha Dane." My brother muttered through gritted teeth as his eyes narrowed to slits. "I didn't ask you here to talk about my slave!" Alpha Dane grabs his leather jacket from the chair. Unlike other Alpha's, he seemed to dress more casually, and his arms are bare of tattoos, not a single bit of ink poked out anywhere. "You're right and now I have a few things to mull over." "I thought we agreed." My brother exclaims. "Nothing has been signed. Now I will show myself out." The moment he is out of the office, my brother slams a hand into my stomach. "What the heck did you say to him?" "N...nothing. Well, he just asked me why I smelled funny." "Did you tell him?" My head involuntarily moves up and down. "But I didn't say it was you." I tried to sound strong and confident but it just comes out as a whisper. My brother's hand locks into my black hair as he yanks my head back, sending a shooting pain through my skull. "If you have ruined this, you won't see daylight again." He drags me by my hair from the office and down the hallway towards the basement door. "Please…." I beg. "He was an Alpha…I… I had to answer him." My cheeks burn with my tears as he flings the door open. On the other side of the door is Alpha Dane. He is leaning against the wall with his arms folded, staring out at us. My brother's hand falls from my hair, relieving the pressure on the back of my skull... "Alpha Dane, I thought you had left." Alpha Trey murmurs angrily. "I said I would show myself out. I thought I had found the door, but instead I find a basement, riddled in your sister's strange scent. Is this how you treat your family?" "It's none of your business!" Alpha Trey sputters. Alpha Dane laughs. "If I agree to this deal, everything about your business becomes my business. So tell me, what would your punishment be for her? No food, locked away for a week, beatings?" I see those crimson eyes land on my swollen face. "I have a proposition for you, Alpha Trey." "We have already agreed on terms." "Well, I'm adding one. And if you don't agree, you will not get my help. Instead, you will become my enemy. And we both know, you don't want that." "I take it that your new terms have something to do with her?" Alpha Trey mutters through clenched teeth. "You would be correct. Let me take her away to my pack and then you, Trey will have a deal." Me? Why would he want me? I was a nobody, no one special. "Deal." After a little more thinking, Alpha Trey sticks out his hand for Alpha Dane to shake. He doesn't take it, instead his crimson eyes shift from me to my brother. "I will have paperwork drawn up and will return tomorrow." He reaches a hand out and cups my face, "Ensure you have everything packed." He drags his thumb across my bottom lip and strides to the opposite end of the hallway and straight to the front door. He knew exactly where the front door was, so what was he up to? He pauses at the door. "If I find out you has laid a hand on her. The contract will be the last thing you need to worry about." He struts out, slamming the door behind him. After Dane leaves, my brother grabs me by the collar. "You think you're going to have a good life if you follow Alpha Dane out of here? Don't be naive!" He continues in a vicious voice. "He's the coldest man in the world, he's killed nine of his mates, I'm waiting to see what happens to you!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663961 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814074 | 1742869277 | 2257 | vmc.vet.osu.edu | Learn More | CAROUSEL | Care Credit Accepted | Easy access and free parking! | https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/dublin | 3.8216817522321E+14 | The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/463623653_521947757123575_2838208827216320575_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=HNCSgnds7VgQ7kNvgE3wdPK&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYDL3TxC3kkXLcJBkM16d6hciSbjtuPUjV-TLnNUTqSBww&oe=678B6BB3 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Easy access and free parking! | The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center | 14030 | https://www.facebook.com/OSUVeterinaryMedicalCenter/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663965 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814075 | 1742869277 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | IMAGE | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/65327322-fb_contact-eny8297_2-1229-a-core2.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=638434121690371&rawadid=120218149876510091 | 1.1034189532913E+14 | Good Story | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471593817_475041098614663_204663782836545808_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=A_E7uJ9SsK0Q7kNvgEz594L&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYAq3Hy7cF2b__xO4KdPS9zmWNqNBsvqGF073PSOpXaftg&oe=678B7E76 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | After being publicly rejected by her mate, she refused to accept it and resolved to use the bond between mates to punish him. However, when another Alpha began to court her, he lost it. "You belong only to me!" ===== "I, Jacob Carter of the Blood Moon Pack, reject you, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, as my Luna-to-be," he announced with his full voice. I can hear loud gasps and whispers throughout the place. They cannot believe that their goody two shoes of a senior-year president are making this claim in front of everybody. What goody two shoes? More like a two-faced j**k! I cannot believe they failed to see his facade all these years. For a second, I feel sorry for them, as they were deceived by this tall, dark, handsome, and well-built...Argh nevermind. He had always been so stoic and secretly arrogant that only I could notice. My poor schoolmates were too blinded by his beauty to see past his pretentious attitude. But there is no way he could have fooled me with those! Even if he was doing a damn great job to maintain his act. "He is rejecting us! Mate doesn't want us, Sophia! What will we do!?" Lia, my wolf, hysterically panicked and sadly whimpered within me. She was deeply hurt, and I was too. Who wouldn't be? My destined mate rejected us. He made it clear he doesn't want anywhere near us. Why is he suddenly being like this to us, though? Rejecting and embarrassing a she-wolf in public! Not to mention, his very mate! How could he be less than his prestigious title!?! We are not close or anything, but at the same time, I could not recall a moment where I could have offended him. He is just being simply absurd for no reason! I blew out a sharp breath so that I would not burst out in anger. It could only make me look pathetic and weak. And that is the last thing I would want out of this grand and majestic plot of his. "Calm down, Lia; we would not let that happen." I calmly soothe my wolf, unsure of myself if I can do anything to stop this mess. But I should still try. "Luke is against this! He is fighting Jacob for control!" she whined. Luke is Jacob's wolf and a much more reasonable being than he is. I can understand Lia's worries. He even rejected me in front of the school gym, at a podium, no less, where there were lots of students as witnesses. This psychopath! It's like he is turning the rejection into some sort of school play. That made Lia think that this rejection is quite serious, unlike any other rejections that we have only heard stories about, in which the she-wolf is rejected in private. Not like this! In public and in front of everyone! Oh, and mind you, our parents are also here to see, and a couple of other wolves' parents as well, because it is literally the opening ceremony of the starting school year, which ended just a few minutes ago. He wanted to start our last year of school like this. A hot issue for the other students to gossip about. If any of you might be wondering, we did the election of officers in our junior year so that they could prepare for their duties in advance, since some of them, like this stoneface Jacob, are future Alphas and have lots of responsibilities for the pack aside from school duties. Even nowadays, it is indeed, no doubt, a much safer place to live, but there are still rogue wolves everywhere, and the issue with other cities needs time, effort, and attention to avoid an all-out war. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, we should have just elected the officers this year. In that way, they would see this scene unfold in front of their very eyes! But I doubt they would change their minds, especially the she-wolves, who almost glorify him. They couldn't be more than happy to see their crush as available and single. Hmmm. That sounds unfair. We couldn't just let them be happy now, couldn't we? I saw my older twin brothers growl, and my father was ready to attack Jacob, but Mom sneered to stop them. Well, only a Luna can stop her Alpha and the twins. But I swear, even if I did not see it, Mom was grinning. Waiting for me to make my move. "What the f**k are you doing?" I angrily whispered to him, full of concern for both of our wolves' feelings. He just stared at me with a blank face, showing no empathy for our wolves. "Mom, can I smack him just once?" I asked Mom about our mindlink. And I heard her laugh through it. Mom was also once rejected by my Dad. But that was when they were in primary school! This one's different, Mom! I annoyingly thought to myself because I knew Mom would lay that plate on me. "As much as I want to see that baby, the answer is no. He is the future Alpha of one of the big three, after all," Mom defeatedly said in a teasing voice. She knows how to piss me off. Do not take it the wrong way, though; Mom and I are close like that. We love to tease and piss each other off, but at life-or-death Moments, we are willing to sacrifice ourselves for our family. "Does it hurt the Queen Bee's pride to let all her lemmings witness the rejection of her mate?" Jacob whispered and smirked. I can see him tightening up his jaw as if holding himself back from growling at me since that could damage his reputation and popularity as well. I smiled sarcastically at him to aggravate him even further, as I was trying so hard to stop myself from slapping him. "Don't slap, mate," Lia begged. "That is why I am trying to stop myself." I sighed. Lia is right; I will be hurt more if I slap that annoyingly handsome face of his. Future Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, Sophia, please remember. I chanted as I held myself back again and again. "Why would I be? You are also dirtying your precious popularity as well, Mr. Goody two shoes." I hissed back at him. He snarled, and in the next split second, the color of his eyes flickered as they changed from his usual daunting black to glistening gold. "Lia." Luke was in control for a Moment, and Lia scurried back and forth excitedly. "Luke!" Lia's words escaped from my mouth, and for a moment he smiled, and the next split second his eyes reverted back to black. He sighed in annoyance, and I just knew he was fighting with Luke right now. "Sophia Addison, your answer?" he spat. I could feel the people's anticipation, and I even saw his Dad's hands on his face and massaging his head while his Luna comforted him and glared at Jacob's back. "This boy will surely regret his decision sooner or later." I heard her Mom whisper with my enhanced wolf hearing, unlike any other normal wolf. I smiled and smirked. Of course, he will regret it, Aunt Mia. "I, Sophia Addison of the Crescent Moon Pack, deny your rejection, Jacob Carter." I smiled triumphantly at him, and he just glared at me. I looked away and turned my back on him, ready to go to where my family was, but as I was about to take a step, he grabbed my arm. He wants to say something; I can feel it through our stupid special bond, but before he can breathe a word, my family jumps in front of me with my mother by my side and the twins in front of us, shielding us with their arms forward and Dad at the forefront. At the same time, his parents immediately ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Frank," Dad said in a warning tone. "You may have been my best friend since we were little runts, but I cannot accept this humiliation," he sneered. Uncle Frank just sighed and nodded in agreement. "I know Daniel; for this, I am very sorry." He apologized and held Jacob's shoulders too tightly. I stared at his hand. "I will be sure to punish and discipline him later," he sternly stated, and his grip on him became much tighter, causing the young Carter to wince in pain. "NO!" I unconsciously yelled and whimpered. "He is hurting mate!" Lia growled in my head, absolutely furious and ready to fight, even if it was one of the Alphas of the Big Three. "Frank, be sensitive; the bond." Aunt Mia reminded Uncle Frank, and he loosened his grip on his son. I can finally breathe well again; this stupid bond is causing me pain whenever that jerk Carter is hurt. He looked at me, causing me to look away. "Mom, let's go," I said to my Mom, and she worringly nodded. "Mia! We will be going first! Let's hang out next time!" Mom shouted so that Aunt Mia could hear. "It is indeed a pity, Anna, because this happened. I really am sorry. Let us see each other next week!" Aunt Mia shouted back and waved. The two alphas just nodded to each other; I think they had some sort of agreement through the mindlink, and with a swift movement, all of us went our separate ways. With no one else around that could see me and our windows tinted, I sobbed and cried like an annoying baby. Chapter 2 Sophia's POV--Attacked "That p**ck!" Dad was about to get out of the car, but I stopped him. "Dad, please, let's just go home for now," I pleaded. He glanced at me, debating what to do, and then he defeatedly sighed. "Only you and your mother can make me do things against my will, sweetie." He softly laughed, and Mom giggled, but soon her emotions changed like a switch. "Of course! Who else would dare!?" Mom angrily huffed and glared at Dad. "No one else, my Luna." Dad softly chuckled and tenderly looked at my Mom and held her palm with his free hand while the other was holding the steering wheel. "Hey Dad! You forgot when we bought fast food! That was against your will!" Jayden childishly protested. "That doesn't count, Jayden; stop embarrassing yourself with that face of mine!" Aidan sighed and tried to reach out to Jayden to smack him off, but to no avail. "I can't help it, bro, we're twins!" Jayden smirked. "Then please, in Goddess's name, at least stop telling people you're me!" Aidan facepalmed, as he was really pissed off. "Where's the fun in that?" Jayden laughed. Mom and Dad just shook their heads and watched them bicker for minutes until their mouths grew tired. My two brothers are by my side, with me in the middle. That is why I am smushed with their bickering and petty fights almost all the time. This has been our seating place wherever we go, since all of them, especially my two twins older brothers, are annoyingly overprotective of me despite their bickering. Since they both surprisingly agree and understand one another when it comes to our family, with me. I just watched from the window as the scenery changed from Woodhill University to the familiar sight of our pack's forest. My Dad is the Alpha of our pack, and these two i**ots are both the successors in the future once they find their mate and when they are all ready to inherit the pack. Since they are twins, they both have the same mate, and I can't wait to meet her so that their attention and all of their clinginess will finally fall on her. Oh Goddess, I pity her now, even though we haven't met her yet. These two will surely be more protective of her than me because of the mate bond. I let out small evil laughs, and they all looked at me; even Dad took a peek. "Mom, Sophie's being so scary," Jayden blurted out while slowly backing away from me as if being truly scared. I frowned and told Mom. "Jayden, stop teasing your little sister, or else I will really show you what scary is." Mom warned Jayden and threw her compressed powder at him. "Yeah, right, Mom, and you are the one who always teases Sophie," Aidan remarked, and we all laughed because Aidan makes jokes with his serious face, and it is always hilarious, especially sometimes when he really means it and not as a joke. That innocent and stern expression of his never fails to make our day, which is why Jayden always teases and makes fun of his own twin brother. I felt relieved now that we were coming back at our pack as we all continued to laugh at Jayden's and Aidan's bickering, but not too long when someone threw sharp objects at the tires and we crashed into a big tree, totally destroying our ride. We were caught off guard when someone tried to pull Mom's hair. Dad immediately growled, and with no second to waste, he released his Alpha pheromones, which made the intruder instantly back out. Maybe it was just a lowly wolf since a simple pheromone made him back away at once. At the same time, while Dad was busy protecting Mom, someone tried to pry open the roof of our car and was successful. It opened instantly and grabbed me by the hair, but Jayden and Aidan shifted to protect me. Jayden viciously bit the other intruder's hand that grabbed my hair, and Aidan ran outside to capture the one who grabbed Mom's hair since he was nearer than Dad, but that was after he held me down to prevent the intruder from pulling me up. All of it happened so fast; it's like a reflex. Jayden was able to rip off the arm of the one who attacked me, but it escaped. While Aidan triumphantly caught the one who pulled Mom's hair and rendered him unconscious. Oh, Goddess, this will be good. I was super ecstatic and can't wait to see what will unravel. I jumped out of the car and sat on the ripped-off roof, wiggling my legs. Dad was truly infuriated as it attacked his precious Luna and released such strong pheromones that the intruder almost ran out of breath. Mom instantly released her pheromones from the car to calm Dad down. "Daniel, for goodness sake, we need him alive. Calm your wits down! The kids can't breathe!" Mom growled and surrounded us with her sweet and loving pheromones as Dad truly was making us suffocate. He seemed to snap out of his anger and immediately ran to Mom just to feel and caress her cheeks. "Are you okay?" He managed those words to escape from his lips under pressure as he was still catching his breath out of fear for Mom's safety. Mom genuinely nodded and kissed Dad. Geez, does anyone remember that I was just rejected hours ago? I cannot stand their public display of affection. "Dad, I'm not! Look what it did to my hair!" I childishly ranted out like some spoiled 7-year-old, jumped down from the roof, and grimaced at their gross kissing scene. Mom laughed, and Dad scoffed and patted my head. The Moment he pulled his hand back, all three of the men panicked. Mom instantly got out of the car and held my face. There was lots of bl**d, and it didn't hurt until now that I saw some of it drip from Dad's hand. "Baby, are you okay?" Mom's voice was slowly fading away as my vision got blurry with each split second that passed. "Sophia." Lia's voice felt like it was slowly melting away, but I could grasp that she was reaching out to me, telling me to grab hold of her. With no delay, I tried to seize her paws, and she purred as I calmed her down in my head. I heard my Dad violently curse out and lift me up. I think I saw Aidan breaking the limbs of the prey he caught just enough that it didn't die. I felt Jayden pick something from the car, but I didn't have much energy to be able to sense what it was, and I couldn't move my lips to ask. My eyes were getting heavy, and I then slowly drifted myself into slumber. ---- After what seemed like years of sleeping, I found myself in a familiar place. In my room at the packhouse, I felt someone waking up beside me, and when I turned my head to see who it was, it was Aidan. "Sophie! Are you okay?! Goddess, we are f**king worried sick about you! You were suddenly unconscious!" he exclaimed, and not too long after that, I sensed the big strides of someone. The door pried open, and it popped out a disheveled Jayden. "Sophia!" He jumped on me and hugged me tight. "Jayden, I can't.. Breathe.." I tapped him, and suddenly he was at the door again because Aidan pulled him away from me with force. "Hey, stupid, you are killing our sister!" Aidan snapped, and I just noticed that both of their eyes were puffy and red. "That's overdramatic; I just felt sleepy, that's all." I giggled and teased them if they were crying; they looked away, of course, and shamelessly denied it. I asked where Mom and Dad were, and they said that both of them were interrogating the intruder. They then later said that the wolf was a rogue one from the neighboring city, in which we are currently walking on eggshells, or else a full-out war may break out. A war that all of the pack from our city is trying hard to prevent. I then wondered why on earth they attacked us, but that thought soon vanished right away when I was caught in surprise by Mom and Dad licking me. They are in their wolf forms, full of bl**d, and they really stink for real. I tried to push their heads away but was hopeless, and with no other choice, I just let them lick and cuddle me to their hearts' content. Lia was extremely happy with it. When they finally settled down, I frowned at them, with hands on my waist, as I was standing up full of their saliva. Jayden and Aidan were running out of breath, laughing. "So, happy now?" I sighed, and they just pranced around me, smelling and ensuring that I was fine. I cuddled both of them after I wolfed out for a Moment and shrugged all their saliva off of me. We then shifted back, butt n**ed, because we were the only ones in my room and we were quite used to it. Actually, being naked is not a big deal at all, as it is our nature as wolves. But of course, both of them immediately covered each other up. I chuckled as I was reminded that Alphas and Lunas are really protective of each other and of their pups. I suddenly felt Lia being so restless, and she won't tell me why, but when a tall, dark, and well-built man appeared in front of me like magic, covering my n**ed body with his from my parents and brothers, I was stunned and froze in place. His sweet and inebriating scent filled my nose. With a deep breath, I yelled. "What the f**k are you doing here, Carter?" I reveled and indulged myself with his sweet smell. So so tantalizingly delicious... I clenched my fist to stop myself from pouncing on him... ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &5& | Good Story | 817 | https://www.facebook.com/100090635329790/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663985 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814077 | 1742869277 | 2257 | couragetales.com | Learn more | VIDEO | Now it's the time! | https://couragetales.com/book-visit/ | 1.0775351238790E+14 | CourageTales | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471319432_576821354961255_4359256989845795971_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=ckuW0fvKV7cQ7kNvgEun1Mj&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYAAomKdQkpWatonEZw813_lB6VX8RiogTVgRtPp4YsuMQ&oe=678B7CC1 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Have you noticed how little kindness and empathy there is in the movies and TV shows kids watch today? 🤔 ⚡ But teaching your child to be kind doesn’t have to be that hard! ⚡ ✅ Download the FREE Lesson Plan on empathy and compassion for kids ages 5-11 ✅ Fun, interactive activities to teach kindness, empathy, and compassion 💪 SIGN UP NOW and empower your child to be a kindness hero! Sign Up Here: https://couragetales.com/book-visit/ #BeNiceBeAHero #EmpathyForKids #KindnessMatters #FreeLessonPlan #FreebieAlert #EmotionalIntelligenceForKids | CourageTales | 2848 | https://www.facebook.com/couragetales/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663991 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/7/25, 12:17 PM | 1736814077 | 1749316652 | 2257 | infiniteage.com | Learn More | DCO | I Quit Dangerous Meds - Here's How 👉 | 100% Money-Back Guarantee | https://infiniteage.com/pages/lp3 | 1.0989629381594E+14 | Infinite Age | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471765829_627836129612210_6335533016287355058_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q4tpse-P2OwQ7kNvgG3EtXP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCVYb86qxjdUNKVaDcvaTBPUiXJCklH4Hoz97CEIfup0A&oe=678B8D15 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Tired of being a slave to your meds? I was too. Learn how I broke free and regained control of my health & happiness naturally👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 | Infinite Age | 44556 | https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663989 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 3/24/25, 9:21 PM | 1736814077 | 1742869277 | 2257 | infiniteage.com | Learn More | DCO | Ditched Meds Naturally - Game-Changer 👉 | 100% Money-Back Guarantee | https://infiniteage.com/pages/bldprsr-a | 1.0989629381594E+14 | Infinite Age | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472163652_584903390943143_6186450672812918882_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=awvVd6ABbAcQ7kNvgFnaj0I&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCzBkjqtoHEXVa6iUtaH7lcVJ-6RK4ZsOXWJMUsSQjEVg&oe=678B7E79 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I’m Black and I realized standard meds weren't made for my body. Discover how I took control of my health using natural, ancestral wisdom👇🏾👇🏾 | Infinite Age | 44556 | https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663987 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/4/25, 1:35 PM | 1736814077 | 1749062140 | 2257 | infiniteage.com | Learn More | DCO | Ditched Meds Naturally - Game-Changer 👉 | 100% Money-Back Guarantee | https://infiniteage.com/pages/bldprsr-a | 1.0989629381594E+14 | Infinite Age | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472163652_584903390943143_6186450672812918882_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=awvVd6ABbAcQ7kNvgFnaj0I&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCzBkjqtoHEXVa6iUtaH7lcVJ-6RK4ZsOXWJMUsSQjEVg&oe=678B7E79 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | I’m Black and I realized standard meds weren't made for my body. Discover how I took control of my health using natural, ancestral wisdom👇🏾👇🏾 | Infinite Age | 44556 | https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663992 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 4/27/25, 8:15 PM | 1736814077 | 1745802951 | 2257 | infiniteage.com | Learn More | DCO | I Quit Dangerous Meds - Here's How 👉 | 100% Money-Back Guarantee | https://infiniteage.com/pages/lp3 | 1.0989629381594E+14 | Infinite Age | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/471765829_627836129612210_6335533016287355058_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=q4tpse-P2OwQ7kNvgG3EtXP&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYCVYb86qxjdUNKVaDcvaTBPUiXJCklH4Hoz97CEIfup0A&oe=678B8D15 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Tired of being a slave to your meds? I was too. Learn how I broke free and regained control of my health & happiness naturally👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾 | Infinite Age | 44556 | https://www.facebook.com/infiniteage/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664004 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 7/10/25, 10:20 PM | 1736814078 | 1752204007 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664001 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/9/25, 1:06 AM | 1736814078 | 1749449174 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2664002 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/3/25, 1:35 PM | 1736814078 | 1746297326 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn More | DCO | 🔞HOT! HOT!Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/goodnovel/1?lpid=16560&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/470237291_1265292398062052_3318296055901822157_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=SfyTKrhJW7AQ7kNvgEcf3GD&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYDWN--O6kyx4AN9Dkrh-NBX3xyVTjkQAh1Hc5kDbVPPHQ&oe=678B98D2 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | My husband and mate, Elijah, is the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in Fenrisa, the Iron Claw Pack. I am his wife and his mate. One would think that due to being fated, our relationship would be a good one. But that’s far from the truth. The truth is, I am his second chance mate. “Verena, I want to reject our bond and get separated,” Elijah’s voice doesn't hold an ounce of emotion as he sits across from me in the dim living room. I'd been waiting for him to celebrate our third wedding anniversary together. But when he arrived, there was this coldness about him. I figured he was just tired from work, but then he asked me to sit down and dropped a bombshell on me. "Why?" I blink in disbelief. He must be joking, right? But the intensity of his gaze chips away at my doubt, replacing it with a growing sense of worry. I know the reason. The one I've feared the most for so long. His mate has returned to the pack. Elijah’s first mate had left him just before the mating ceremony. The reason was unknown, but everyone assumed that she didn’t want a relationship with her mate and loved someone else. On the same day of their separation, Elijah found me and realized that I am his second chance mate. Second chance mates are rare, and it can be called a miracle that the Goddess gives Elijah a second chance in love by mating us. He hasn’t rejected his first mate, but one can find a second mate irrespective of rejecting their first mate. It's complicated and goes against the laws of the mate bond. Yet it's a blessing to the ones whose first mate dies or leaves them. Elijah sighs, “You know about Nixie. She wants to be back with me.” I clench my fist. “And you want to get back with her?” My lips quiver, and I struggle to stop my body from trembling, but it's futile. Despite being Elijah’s second chance, he’s my first. My first mate, the only love of my life. No matter who your second chance is, the bond with the first mate is stronger, like the first love that you can’t move on from. Elijah feels the same towards Nixie, I know, but can I simply accept it? His face remains aloof, “Nixie needs me, Verena. She is my mate and my wolf needs her.” His first mate returned a week ago, claiming that she was kidnapped by our enemy pack and taken hostage for three years. The pack that captured her was destroyed due to a pack war, and the hostages were released. That’s how Nixie escaped and returned to our pack. "I can’t have two mates at the same time. Having you both is putting a lot of pressure and weakening my wolf. Over time, it’ll get worse. So, I’ll have to reject one," he adds in a calm voice, while a storm is rising in my chest. "And you choose her," I reply, tears brimming in my eyes. I knew that Elijah hadn’t moved on from his first mate when I entered his life. But I had believed that I could heal him and show him that I can love him more. I did everything in my power to make him happy when we got married. Yet, she’s the one he chooses. What about us? The relationship we built for all these years, does it mean nothing to him? When I walked into his life, he was emotionally unavailable and rude to me. But I stayed patient and he gradually started to warm up to me. Since then we had worked together on everything and he promised to stay beside me forever. I know that I won’t be able to bear him a healthy child because I did not shift after I turned eighteen and it's been five years since I have been wolf-less. But I felt the mate bond when I saw Elijah at the Mating Ball. He also agreed to marry me because his pack needed a Luna and it was better to have a second chance mate than have no mate at all. “You said you'd never leave me. You promised me,” I remind him. “How can you break it because of someone who left you years ago?” His icy presence sends a chill through the room. "Rena, watch your words. Remember who you're speaking to," he warns, his tone sharp like a blade. "And do you expect me to overlook the fact that you intentionally drove Nixie away because you wanted to be with me?" My brows raise, “What are you talking about?” He stands from the couch, “You think I don’t know? Nixie returned to this pack just one year after our marriage and wanted to meet me. But you met her first and threatened her to not come close to me and disappear from the pack.” A shadow falls on his chiseled face, making him look deadly and dangerous. I have always admired his ruthless side, especially when he makes sure to punish anyone who tries to hurt me. But today, he’s giving me this look as if he’s disgusted by me. “Because of you, Nixie could not contact me and tell me what happened to her. I couldn’t be there for her when she needed me. Just because of you.” He accuses me, and I feel like I have been stabbed in the chest. “I did not!” I say and he tilts his head as if he did not expect that response from me. As much as I want Elijah all to myself, I know that he feels empty without Nixie. So I would have accepted them being together, just for the sake of Elijah’s happiness. He raises a brow, “So you are not going to admit it?” “Admit what? I have no idea what you are talking about.” I protest. "Fine, I'll call him then," Elijah's obsidian eyes glaze over as he connects through the mind-link. Seconds later, the door swings open and Joshua walks inside. “What’s the matter?” He asks as he looks at both of us. He is Elijah’s Beta. “Rena denies that she had not tried to kick Nixie out of the pack when she returned two years ago. Is that true?” I look at Joshua expectantly. He will tell Elijah the truth. I relax a little, waiting for the truth to come out. But why do I have this bad feeling? “No, I saw her two years ago with the Luna,” Joshua replies calmly, with a subtle smile on his face. “The Luna did threaten her and tell her to leave the pack.” What?! “Joshua, what the hell are you saying?! I didn't even meet Nixie!” I rise from my seat in shock and look at him in disbelief. “Keep your voice low, Rena. Joshua is saying what he saw and I am surprised that you believed he’d lie for you. After all, he’s the one who showed me pictures of your encounter with my mate.” Elijah throws the pictures on the table and it feels like someone has pulled the rug off my feet. These are from a different time. They are manipulated. I look at the Beta who gives me a smirk. He betrayed me. I thought we were good friends but… My shoulders slump as I look at the floor. This can’t be happening. “Do you have any evidence that the Beta is lying?” Elijah asks. I don’t have an answer. My head spins, trying to process everything that has happened. “No,” I whisper. If I had known that he’ll betray me like this, I would have been more cautious. But why would he do this? For a few minutes, silence hangs heavy in the air until Elijah gently grasps my chin, coaxing me to meet his gaze. His inky black hair falls messily across his face, reminding me of its softness when I touched it before. “It's over, Rena. You knew how much I loved Nixie, yet you pushed her away from me. Then you pretended to love me when all you wanted was the power and wealth that comes with being my wife. I can’t let any of this slip away.” he says, his voice gentle but deep and chilling. Pretend to love him? After all these years, he thinks it was an act. I know I don’t have any evidence to prove my innocence, but won’t he try to believe me for once? I can’t help but wonder if he would have believed Nixie if she was in my shoes. He would have probably forgiven her, because mates tend to be possessive of their partners. But he won’t treat me like that, because according to him, I am just his second chance. I am nothing compared to his first true mate, his first love. Tears glisten in my eyes as pain grips my heart. "Elijah, I mean it. I don't care about the position. I just want you." He growls, baring his canines and his eyes flash, “I had enough. You should be grateful that I am not imprisoning you for doing something like this. So if you don’t want to live in the cells, I advise you to accept the divorce and the rejection.” He lets go of my chin and retrieves the divorce agreement. He slaps it onto the coffee table, making me flinch. "Sign it.” I stare at the papers with a bleeding heart. All the good memories I had with him flash in my head. What did all of those moments mean? Was it a lie when he said that I make him smile? That I am special to him? That our bond is no lesser than a first mate bond? I slowly bend forward, and grab the pen. I sign the paper while holding back my tears.“Here, it's done,” I whisper while holding the divorce agreement. For a brief moment, the iciness in his gaze melts, replaced by shock and hurt. But he swiftly regains his composure and accepts the paper from me. A sad smile curves my lips. So he would have gotten separated from me anyway. It did not matter what I did, he just needed a reason to reject me and have his mate back. “When is the rejection ceremony going to take place?” I ask while looking down at my trembling arms. If I see his face, I’m afraid I’ll break down completely. “Tomorrow. I expect you to be present at the training ground at eight in the morning. Once the rejection is over, you can stay at the packhouse. Though I’d prefer if you don’t come close to my mate. I don’t want you to cause a scene.” he replied and it hurts how he calls Nixie ‘my mate’. I rise from my seat and turn around, “Don’t worry, you won’t find me anywhere near you or Nixie after the rejection is over. That’ll be my gift to you. Happy Marriage Anniversary, Alpha Elijah.” Chapter 2 : Her, Nixie Verena It's alright. Things will get better. Elijah will change his mind, after all he loves me—- My trembling hand freezes halfway as I reach for the plate on the dining table. Tear droplets splatter on the polished darkwood, and the sight of our signatures on the divorce agreement brings me crashing back to reality. We're divorced, and tomorrow he will reject me. Not being able to pretend anymore, I break down into sobs. My fingers curl on the edge of the table while I look at the hardwood floor with tears streaming down my eyes. He really divorced me. My relationship with Elijah hasn’t been a bed of roses. When we married, he was cold and distant. But I started to witness the softer, emotional side of him that he tried to hide from the rest of the world. I made his pain my own, and tried my best to keep him happy. He was gradually warming up to me. But then Nixie returned and he pushed me away like those years of our relationship meant nothing to him. My chest squeezes painfully at the thought of it. I just can’t accept that he doesn't want me anymore. But the untouched food on the table, and the red velvet cake with Happy Third Marriage Anniversary written on it is a reminder that it's true. It took me almost four hours to bake this cake, in high hopes of seeing a smile on Elijah’s face when he returns. “Are you finished with your nonsense?” Maya, my maid’s voice, draws my attention to the door. She stands there with an annoyed expression, gesturing towards the wall. “Unlike you, I actually have work to do, like cleaning up this mess.” I wipe my face, and take a step back, “Yes, go ahead.” My voice sounds dry. Maya rolls her eyes, her lips curl in disapproval as she walks over and eyes the table. “Such a headache,” she mutters while shaking her head. Despite being Luna, I am not liked in the packhouse. It's because I am an orphan who did not shift. Even an omega has a wolf, so it makes me appear way beneath in rank. So the people don’t approve of me as their Queen. Someone without a wolf can’t lead a pack of wolves. That’s what I have always been told. I have learned to live with it because that is how I have always been treated. And forcing people to like me through fear of my position goes beyond my values, so I try to make up for my weakness by putting my best efforts. But Elijah has punished anyone who has tried to misbehave with me, always taking my side when things went down. He was very protective of me. Was. I wonder if he believes now Nixie will be a better Luna than me because of having a wolf. She comes from a family of Gammas, so she has a strong wolf and anyone will choose her over me. Rip! My body jolts at the sudden sound of something being torn off, and I notice Maya ruthlessly tearing the fairy lights and red balloons off the wall behind the table. With each delicate adornment being stripped away, I feel a prick in my chest. My friends Dory and Drake helped me set up the decorations last night, and we were so proud of it. Maya does not hold back on the food either, and I flinch at the way she just dumps the cake into the dustbin. I feel like that cake, dumped into trash. My head feels dizzy at the overwhelming emotions. I need a shower. I walk out of the dining hall, and my legs feel heavy for some reason. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling quite sick since this morning. My throat itches, I feel nauseous, and I've been unusually tired lately. Maybe it's because of Elijah. Not paying any attention to my surroundings, my hand subconsciously reaches to open the door to the bedroom. But the moment the door swings back, a pleasant musky scent hits my nose. There’s another scent with it that makes my nose crinkle. My body freezes in place when I notice Elijah sitting on the bed. With Nixie on his lap. With brown hair that brushes her shoulders in curls and a floral print mini skirt riding up her slender, milky white thighs, Nixie looks like any man’s wet dream. Compared to her, I look basic in my plain blue dress and straight midnight blue hair. They seem to be having a moment as her arms are wrapped around his neck, while his hand is on her slim waist. Elijah notices my presence, “Rena,” he takes my name with his deep, velvety voice that tugs at my heart and lets go of Nixie’s waist. Nixie gets off his lap and stands beside him, fixing her skirt. “Oh my Goddess, Rena. I-I didn’t know you would be coming,” her pale skin turns red as if she’s embarrassed. Even when I don’t have a wolf, I can still feel the sting of their intimacy. My heart pounds painfully in my chest. “Rena, why are you here?” Elijah asks, staring at me with his cold obsidian eyes. I can’t tell what he is thinking. Chapter 3 : He, with Her Verena “I…um…” the words feel stuck in my throat. My legs feel weak. I can’t believe he started to get so intimate with her after a few hours of our divorce. If he’s this affectionate with her, then it means that he has already moved on. Though maybe he did not need to move on in the first place. “Rena?” He takes my name again, and I regain my composure. I need to get a hold on myself. He’s no longer my husband, and soon he’ll reject me from the mate bond. So I shouldn’t be feeling anything. “Did I interrupt something?” I ask, my gaze sliding to Nixie who stares at me with her big doe green eyes. Anyone would fall for the innocence those eyes portray, but I can see the malice behind it. Elijah narrows his gaze, and places a hand over his mouth. He does that when he’s curious, and annoyed. “You did,” he replies sharply, and I'm struck by his words. “I–” “Rena, you should remember that you need to ask for the Alpha’s permission before entering his room.” My lips part in shock, and my brows lift. “What?” “You heard me. Still, I’d let this go because we aren’t officially rejected and you are my mate.” His voice puts me in an icy chokehold. Just a few hours, and our relationship has completely changed. Where is the man who waited for me every single night in bed to fall asleep together? Who is he? “Wow, I did not know that it was your room now, Alpha. The same room we shared for three years,” I retort, crossing my arms. My eyes flit to the bed where he was sitting with Nixie on his lap. His jaw clenches at my words. “We are divorced now. So isn’t it obvious that we won’t be sharing the same room anymore?” He tilts his head, gauging my reaction. I smirk, “Sure. I mean, you won’t like me barging into your ‘room’ while you spend some quality time with your mate,” I emphasize the last word and my gaze shifts to Nixie. “Rena, before you say something to insult Nixie, I’ll warn you. I have been lenient with you, but I won’t this time. So choose your words wisely.” He speaks in a low, commanding voice, reminding me of who’s in charge. His words crush my soul. It's as if I am the problem in his life. “Elijah, it's alright,” Nixie moves closer to him, and slides her hand over his shoulder. “I can understand that she’s hurt so I am fine with it.” A growl leaves my lips as I stare at her hand placement. Elijah raises a brow, and I realize what I have done. He’s still my mate, and it's not easy for me to watch someone else touch him, even if that person is his first mate. “I–I am sorry if I made you upset, Rena,” Nixie looks at me with quivering lips, “But you have to understand that I love him and can’t stay away from him.” Tears fill her eyes, and she starts to sob. “Nixie, don’t cry. It's not your fault,” Elijah gets up, and wraps an arm around her. My insides scream at that sight, but I don’t let a word out of my mouth. I silently watch him comfort her when I am the one in need of comfort. “Rena and I have come to a mutual agreement, so it's our decision.” I scowl. It was never my decision to get separated from him. Elijah looks at me with a pointed look, “You did not tell me why you are here.” His voice is gentle as always, but I can tell that he does not want me here. He feels that I will sabotage his relationship with Nixie. My jaw trembles, “It's nothing. I am sorry for interrupting whatever you both were doing,” I storm out of the door while the tears trickle down my eyes. The paintings and furniture on the hallway start to look unfamiliar as I rush past them. Why? Why do I have to go through this? My head starts to throb, and I stop in my steps. I feel dizzy. The nausea grows, crawling up my chest and through my blurry vision, I see two figures on the other side of the hall. They look concerned as they walk towards me. “Luna, are you alright?” I recognize the voice. It's Dory, “You look no well—” I don’t hear the rest of her sentence as the air shifts, and I grace the floor. Shadows dance in my vision before everything turns dark. Beep. Beep. My eyes flutter open on hearing a sound, and I find myself in a hospital bed. A dull ache throbs in my head. “She’s awake,” I feel Dory’s warm hand on my back as I slowly get up. She helps me sit. “Thank Goddess!” Drake exclaims as he stands beside her. They are twins, and work for me in the pack. I groan, feeling the same throbbing sensation. “I passed out?” “Yeah. We brought you to the hospital as soon as possible. Are you okay now?” Drake asks. I nod, “Yeah.” The door opens, and a woman walks in wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard. "Oh, you're awake. That's good," she says with a smile as she approaches me. My gaze falls onto the tag on her coat. Dr. Shalini, Senior Gynaecologist. “Is it an infection?” I ask. Her smile widens, “No, Luna. I have good news for you. I hope that the Alpha throws us a party after this.” she says and my frown deepens. My gaze shifts to Drake and Dory. Drake shrugs while Dory shakes her head. “I don’t understand,” I say. “Congratulations, my Luna. You are going to be a mother.” she replies. Chapter 4 : A Baby? Verena The world seems to stop as I hear what she said. I am…carrying a baby now? “What?” I gasp. The woman nods, her eyes glinting with excitement. “Yes, Luna. I ran a USG scan, and it shows the pregnancy.” Dory shrieks, “Oh my Goddess! That's wonderful news.” She grins at me, and hugs Drake, who is taken aback by her sister’s excitement. The doctor looks at my confused expression and asks, “Is everything alright?” I stare at my lap. How can I be? Drake senses my confusion and turns to the doctor, “Can we have some time alone with her? We’ll call you if we need anything. Thank you for the news, doc.” “Um, alright,” she says hesitantly, giving me one last glance before walking out of the room. Dory senses the change in mood and asks me, “What’s wrong, Luna?” “I think I understand why she is confused,” Drake answers, and Dory looks at him. “We all know that Luna does not have a wolf.” Dory’s brows shoot up in realization. “Oh my, that’s right. Then, how?” She looks at me, the colors of excitement on her face completely gone. A she-wolf who did not shift can’t bear another male wolf’s child, let alone that of an Alpha’s child. Our genetics act like one of a normal human, and we are not compatible with carrying a shifter’s child. So how can I having a baby? “We should get the report checked or tell them to run another test on you. The report can be wrong,” Drake says in a calm voice. He is always calm in these situations and looks at every problem through a logical perspective. As advised by Drake, I undergo another USG scan to confirm if the report is accurate or not. Dory insists that I get some rest, so I return to the packhouse after the test is over. She promises to bring me the test report, so I anxiously wait for her in one of my spare rooms. When the second test report arrives, my eyes stay glued to the report file, my hands trembling. Test result—positive. Sweet tears blur my vision. I can’t believe this. “It's really true, Luna. You are with child,” Dory remarks with a huge smile plastered on her face. My hand reaches to my belly. There is a life growing inside me. When I had not shifted after my 18th birthday, I had lost all hope of conceiving. Elijah was unhappy about my barren state, and it was another reason for him to act cold towards me in the initial stages of our marriage. An Alpha needs an heir, and I was incapable of providing one. “But how is this possible? I never shifted,” I mutter. “I have a theory in my mind,” Dory replies as she stands before me with her hands crossed. I look up from the file, and a thoughtful look darkens her eyes, “There have been a few cases where the shifter did not transform at the right age because their wolf was still in a developmental phase.” I raise a brow, “Developmental phase?” She hums, “Most wolves start to develop in our bodies from the time of our birth. The average age for any healthy transformation is from eighteen to nineteen. Usually, after that time, no shifter ever transforms, meaning their wolf could not grow properly because of the lack of strength in the person’s body. But there was this one case study in the Moonlight Pack where the Alpha got his wolf at the age of twenty-six. Rumor has it that his predecessors also got their wolves late.” “So it's in the bloodline?” I ask, rubbing my belly, “Isn’t the Moonlight Pack Alpha a powerful one who has magical powers?” She nods, “That’s what everyone says. But recently, no one has seen the Alpha around, and some say that it's just baseless rumors. If he truly had magical powers, then he would have shown them, but there’s no incident as such. He’s been a mystery for the last ten years.” I hum in agreement. It's hard to tell what my condition is, but I don’t care. If Elijah learns about this, I am sure he’ll annul the divorce. He can’t reject me after knowing that I have his baby. It will put the child’s life at risk. I need to tell him. He has to change his mind after this. He can’t get separated from me if he knows that I am carrying his future heir. I get up from the bed and tell Dory, “I’ll show this to the Alpha.” Not wasting another second, I am rushing out of the guestroom. Thank Selene! She has blessed me with a child. She believes that Elijah and I are meant to be together. A smile curves my lips. The moment I reach his office, I knock the door twice with my knuckles while excitement bubbles through me. I hear his deep voice through the door, “Come in.” I step in, feeling a little nervous as I find him sitting on his office chair, wearing his blue-light glasses with a white rim. They frame his obsidian eyes that scrutinize me. He looks so handsome in them. But then my gaze falls on Nixie, whose arm rests on his shoulder. She is way too close to him, and frowns when she notices me. It's not hard to see the malicious look in her eyes. Once I settle things with Elijah, I’ll make sure she never gets a chance to come close to him. “What brings you here, Rena?” Elijah asks, shifting his gaze to his computer screen. I am about to respond when he says, “I hope it's not ‘nothing’ like last time. You should know that I am a busy person, and my time has value." He speaks in a frosty demeanor that reminds me of winter. “I am carrying your baby, Elijah,” I say, hoping that the news will shock him. He has always been looking forward to having an heir. Now his wish has come true. Chapter 5: Will He Be Back? Verena His gaze lifts from the display screen and darkens with disappointment, “Is this your new trick to get me back?” he retorts, and the corner of Nixie’s lips curls into a smirk. I blink in confusion. Trick? “Why–why would I trick you with something like this?” His jaw clenches, and the air turns cold with his icy gaze, “You tell me, Rena. You want me to believe that without having a wolf, you can carry the child of an Alpha?” I flinch at his words. I am not proud of my condition. But it's out of my control. “I know it's hard to believe. I did not believe it either. That’s why I ran two tests to confirm the report. I am really carrying a baby.” I take a step towards his desk and hand him the file. He flips through it, his eyes going over the report. Nixie leans in to also check, and her face turns pale. It makes me a little happy. This child will be the one to save our relationship and this pack. “I get it now,” he says, staring at the table in thought, and I breathe in relief. “You went to Shadow Den after the divorce for this reason. To create a fake pregnancy report.” He adds, and suddenly it feels like I have been punched in the gut. “What?! What are you talking about?” I ask, my eyes wide in horror. Shadow Den is a shady place at the borders of the pack where all kinds of illegal activities take place, including creating fake documents. A dignified lady will never step into that place because it reeks of crime and rogue trafficking. “I told my men to keep an eye on you, and they reported that you went to Shadow Den. At first, I couldn’t believe it and punished them for lying to me. But now it seems that they were telling me the truth.” The look Elijah gives me completely shatters my soul. It feels like the respect he had for me is broken now. I shake my head frantically, “No! I did not go there, Elijah. Please trust me!” He scoffs, his eyes swirling with hurt. “How can I trust you when you are doing things behind my back? You know how much I have desired a child. It pains me to think you have gone this far.” “That’s not true. I will never do something like this, you know that,” The corner of my eyes prick. How can he believe that I will fake childbirth? “I can prove myself this time. Call the hospital and ask if I had done a test there or not.” I raise my voice, holding my ground as much as I can. Elijah dials the number on his phone. He puts it on the loudspeaker and places it on the desk for me to hear. With each ring, my heart beats with anticipation. This has to work. The clinic keeps records of their patients. “Larsen's Clinic speaking. How may I help you, Alpha?” The female receptionist’s voice comes from the receiving end. Elijah places his hands on the desk and asks, “Is there any record of my wife Verena Donovan getting a USG test done today at your clinic?” “Give me a second please, Alpha,” the receptionist answers politely. Patient records are confidential, but since it's the Alpha asking for information, the hospital has to obey his orders. I fidget, waiting for her to confirm it. Each second feels like an hour, making me grow nervous. Her voice finally comes through, “There’s no record of her checking in our clinic today, Alpha.” My heart drops, and for a second I forget how to breathe. No, this can’t be possible. I was there. They saw me. Then, why? Elijah hangs up the phone. Nixie’s eyes glint with victory as she stares at me. The walls around the office feel like they are closing in on me. Why did the clinic lie? Is someone else behind this? My gaze shifts to Nixie, who has a smug look on her face. It is strange how she has been so silent and did not try to stop me from showing the reports. He sighs and takes off his glasses. “Rena, look. Your excuses are not going to work on me. This rejection is going to happen because as an Alpha, I have to be with my rightful mate.” He rises from the chair and approaches me. Standing close to me, he adds “And I am letting you stay here. I won’t banish you from the pack, so you don’t have to use these cheap tricks.” Cheap tricks? My hand goes to my belly. The man I have spent my life with for three years did not try to believe me for once. This proves that he never trusted me in all these years, and I thought that we had a good relationship—one that was built out of mutual love and respect. It was all in my head. “This is the extent of my kindness, Rena,” Elijah adds, “Don’t test my patience any further.” I don’t need his kindness. The only thing I wanted from him was to take my side, to have faith in me. But he pushed it all away. I decide to leave silently and walk towards the door. When I grab the handle with my shaking hand, his voice stops me. “Rena.” I look over my shoulder and find him staring at me. There is something in his gaze. “I hope you remember the time of the rejection ceremony tomorrow. Don’t try to bail on me because then I’ll have to force you to join me at the training grounds.” My chest tightens at the lack of empathy in his voice. “I won’t,” I hold back the tears that threaten to fall by clenching the doorknob tightly. He wants to get rid of me so badly. But I am worried about my child. I can only pray to have the strength to protect my baby from his rejection. Chapter 6 : Love’s Not Enough Verena “So, when is the Alpha throwing us a party?” Dory asks as she walks into my room with a cheerful smile. She does not know. The only thing she knows is that I went to Elijah to tell him the good news. “You definitely have to tell me the names you are deciding on, especially if it's a girl. I don’t want our princess to have a terrible name like mine. Also I–” “We are going to have a rejection ceremony today,” I say with a grim expression. Dory blinks a few times, “What? That’s such a bad joke.” My lips curve in a sad smile while I sit on the armchair, “It's not.” The girl’s smile drops, “No, that’s not possible.” My gaze dips to the jar she’s holding in her hand, “Did you bring the herbs I asked you to?” Her brows pucker, “Yeah, I did. But the herbs you asked for are used to protect an unborn from any strong supernatural forces. Why would you ask for something like—” her lips stop moving as her eyes light up with realization. There are certain herbs that protect an unborn child in the womb of a mother who gets rejected from her mate. I told her to bring one of those so that no harm comes to my baby. She stays still for a few seconds, “What? I– Are you really getting rejected?” I answer her with my silence. She stands still, as if processing everything. “The Alpha...he’s behind this, isn’t he?” she grits her teeth. “I should have known it. Something felt off about you staying in this room, and looking so pale.” She clenches her fist. I slowly rise from my armchair, “Dory, calm down.” “No for this case!” she slams the jar into the bedside, and stomps out of the room. Crap! I run up to her. She’s going to argue with Elijah. Stepping out of the room, I get hold of her wrist, and stop her, “Stop! Don’t do it.” She whips her head at me, rage burning like coal in her eyes, “Luna, I respect you. But I can’t accept this. How can he do this to you? I’ll go and knock some sense into him!” “No, no, no.” I pull her back. She is acting like a dog who has gone feral, and needs to be kept on a leash. Most of the time she is calm and rational. But when it comes to the people she cares for, she becomes hot-headed and does something regretful. If she talks back to Elijah, she can be put into the cells or even banished. “Calm down. This decision is mutual,” I say, and she freezes. She turns to me with a face as if lightning has struck her. “What about the child? How can you get separated when the future heir of this pack is growing inside you?” She points at my belly and I place my palm on it. Despite what the clinic said, I believe that a life is growing inside me. I can feel it in my bones. But I don’t want to tell Dory everything. She does not need to be involved in my problems. "It's because of the new girl who joined the pack, isn’t it?” Dory asks suddenly, and I jerk my head up at her, my heart skipping a beat. I did not expect her to catch on to it so quickly. She notices my face, “You don’t need to worry about her, Luna. I’ll teach her a lesson that she’ll run out of the borders of this pack and never look back,” she says with determination. I sigh. This girl has no sense of danger. “You’ll do nothing like that. Promise me.” She frowns, “But—” “I said what I said. Don’t argue with your Luna,” I will be ex-Luna soon but there is time left for the rejection ceremony. So I will use my authority to make sure Dory does not put herself in danger. Her shoulders sag, and she reluctantly nods. “But why are you not doing anything? Will you let another girl just take everything from you?” Her words prick me. I did try, but when Elijah wants me to step out of his life, then there is nothing I can do. Even our child could not save our relationship because he does not even believe in its existence. “It's pointless. Also, it's better to end things. Our marriage was like an agreement and since he has no use for me now, the agreement has ended.” It was a mistake. If I had known that I would be treated like this after the return of his fated mate, I would have never agreed to this marriage. Second chance mates after all are…second choice, not first. “But Luna…” She steps closer to me, her brown eyes staring at me, “You love him, more than your own life. I know you.” Her words squeeze my chest tightly and warm tears cover my vision. She has seen how much dedicated I have been to Elijah. I blink to push my tears back, and amidst the silence of the gloomy morning my words come out like a sad symphony, “My love is not enough.” A tear slips down my left eye. Dory's eyes glisten with pain as she wraps her arms around me in a gentle embrace. The warmth of her act stirs something inside me, and I break down into sobs. Now that she's here, I realize how much I needed someone's presence to share my sorrow. With no parents or many friends whom I can trust to open up to, given my focus on work and Elijah, her presence feels like a cool shade after hours of walking in scorching heat. "I am so sorry this is happening to you. If the Alpha can't see how much you have sacrificed for him, then he does not deserve you!" she cries, and I hug her tighter. It brings me some relief knowing that there's someone for me. "Don't worry sweetheart, it's okay. I can make it." I pat Dory on the back. "Later I'll go to Elijah's room and get my stuff back, they must not want to see me in this house, and neither do I.” Chapter 7: Shattered Expectations An hour later, I step inside Elijah’s bedroom to get all my stuff. The walls of the room make me suffocated as it reminds me of the times we have spent here. Brushing those thoughts away, I focus on my task at hand. There is no point in staying in this packhouse so I’ll pack my things and leave. The money I have saved from my stock investments will get me to stay for six months in a five-star hotel. I will use that time to find a job. Since I have always been focused on my duties as the Luna of this pack, I never got the time to pursue anything else, especially my dream to open a bakery. Now that I no longer have any duties towards the pack, I can focus on my dream and have a bakery shop of my own. Feeling a little energetic from the idea, I start to pull out all my accessories from the drawer when my eyes fall on a photo frame. Bright blue sky, palm trees and sand fill the background before which stands a couple smiling at me. The lady’s cheeks are pink, and the shine in her eyes is unavoidable as her man has his arm wrapped around her waist. “Haha! You can’t catch me!” I scream as I run across the sand, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and the cool breeze tangling my hair. Elijah has a challenging look on his face as he chases me, but there’s a subtle smile on his handsome sun-kissed face. Before I know it, his strong arms grab me from behind, “Looks like I won,” I gasp as he gently lifts me off my feet, my heart fluttering in my chest. With a playful smile, he swings me around. Our laughter mixes and rings in the air, the world fading away as we get lost into the moment. My hand trembles as I run my palm over the picture in the photo frame. Those were some of our best moments, filled with joy and sweetness. Our relationship wasn’t one of love, but he was slowly warming up to me. "Oh, looks like there is a thief in here," Nixie's voice startles me as I find her standing inside the room. "How dare you try to steal my things?" she accuses me with her arms crossed. I look at the clothes that I am holding. "These are my things." She scoffs, "No more. Whatever you had before, it all belongs to me now. Including Elijah." Her words cut deep, and she smiles in satisfaction, enjoying the effect her words have on me. Her eyes lower to my hand, zeroing in on the ring I am wearing. I look at the diamond ring. It's a very special ring to me as Elijah gifted it to me on my birthday. "This ring will protect you from everything and my heart is in it. I give it to you," He said when he slid it onto my index finger. It's a rare diamond that can't be bought with money. "Hand over that ring right now," Nixie says, her eyes beaming with greed. I take a step back, holding my hand. "No." This ring means a lot to me. Even if I am separated from Elijah, I still want to keep a part of him with me forever. “I won’t say it again. Give it to me; it's my order! Your Luna’s order,” she shouts. “You'll never be my Luna. And I'm not giving this to you,” I reply confidently. “How dare you!” she grabs my wrist forcefully, and I yelp as a sharp pain shoots through my finger to my spine as she pulls the ring out of me forcefully. “Give it to me or I’ll cut your fingers off, you useless lowly beast!” she yells. Instinctively, I push her away with my other hand, and she stumbles back onto someone’s chest. My eyes go round when I see Elijah holding her from behind. His eyes are as cold as the Arctic, freezing me in my spot. “What is happening here?” “E-elijah,” Nixie starts crying, and wraps her arms around his neck, “I–” she sniffs, “I was only asking her how costly the ring is and she pushed me away.” She sobs like a baby. “That’s not true. She was trying to take the ring from me!” I protest. “So what if she did?” he asks, his face like a carved stone with no emotions. I stare at him, trying to process what he said for a moment. “I told her that she can have the ring when she asked me about it.” My eyes widen in disbelief, unblinking as they stare at him. Time stands still. I can’t believe what he is saying. “Hand over the ring to her, Rena,” he demands in a frosty voice. My feet feel glued to the floor. Nixie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches me in despair. The room closes around me, suffocating me with the weight of its shattered expectations. My lips curve upwards, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. It's devoid of any joy and is a mask to hide the emptiness within. Why did I even hope that he’ll care for me? Stupid, stupid me. I walk towards them and pull out the ring from my finger. “Here, take it,” I say while the smile remains intact. “You can have everything else here too. I don’t want it anymore.” It's exhausting to keep hoping that things will change, that he’ll take me back. Those are my last words, and I walk out of the room, accepting my defeat. Nixie wins, I lose. Suddenly, I feel a hand grab my wrist from behind and hear Elijah’s voice, “Rena.” I freeze. His voice is so gentle. My heart pounds in my chest, and I look past my shoulder to meet his black eyes. “The rejection ceremony is going to start soon. I’ll wait for you at the training grounds.” Chapter 8 : The Rejection Verena I smile, while my heart breaks in pain. He is so good at crushing my heart, like it's an object. “I will be there in time.” Saying that, I pull my hand away from him, engraving his touch for the last time in my head. A while later, I look at my reflection in the mirror. Dark eye bags hang under my green eyes, like someone has sucked the soul out of me. Only half an hour left before the ceremony begins, and after that, I will be separated from Elijah completely. I have mentally prepared myself for it, but physically, I am in a mess. Nixie took all my clothes and accessories, even the ones I bought myself. I am not that interested in fashion, so most of my clothes and jewelry were gifted by Elijah. So now, I have nothing to wear except this dress that I have on. My hands tremble a little in concern. Without anything, it will be hard for me to survive. But then I remind myself that I will be a mother soon. Stress is not good for the baby. I rub my belly, “Mamma promises to be strong from now on. You hang in there, pup.” I will need to dip into some of my savings to purchase new clothes and other necessities. But first, I must find a good hotel to stay in. My thoughts are interrupted by the loud sound of footsteps, and my face sours when I see Nixie walk in through the door, looking very chirpy. Now, what does she want? "Why are you here?" I ask in frustration, deciding not to turn around and act as though I am busy. Searching for hotels will be a better use of my time. I feel her close in, and she waves her hand before my face from behind. My gaze falls on the diamond ring on her finger, the ring I thought Elijah had gifted me as a sign of his love. My heart crumbles at the sight of it. "It suits me more than you, doesn't it? Elijah said that it looks better on me," she giggles, adding salt to my wound. I intentionally stay silent and focus on scrolling through a site that shows the various hotels available with their ratings and reviews. "Hello? I am talking to you!" she waves her hand again, clearly annoyed by not receiving her expected response. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of seeing me in pain, so I continue to avoid her. There's a groan from behind before she slaps my phone away, causing it to hit the hard, hardwood floor. I gasp at its state and immediately pick it up. The screen has cracked. "Now, that's a proper reaction," she says, smirking. Clenching my jaw, I face her. "What’s your problem, you mad woman?! I have divorced Elijah, and we are rejecting each other. That should be more than enough for you!" She sneers at me. "Don't act like you're doing me a favor. Actually, I'll do you a favor. Once you're rejected, I'll make sure you get banished after that." My face drains of all colors. Banishment? No! If I'm banished, I'll become a rogue with nowhere to live and no means to survive. That's assuming I don't get hurt by the dangerous creatures outside the borders or get captured by rogue traffickers who might sell me to some nasty, old Alpha as a slave first. I can't let my child be born in those circumstances. "Why? I'll leave this packhouse after rejection, so I won't be a threat to you anymore," I protest. She scowls. "Of course you are. I don't know what Elijah saw in you, but he seems to still care about you. He was telling me to return your clothes since he gave them to you," she rolls her eyes, "And he won't allow me to turn you into a slave for this packhouse either. So it means you're a threat to my position." I gulp, feeling a little relieved knowing that Elijah said that. But it's quickly replaced by Nixie's warning. "Be prepared to be kicked out. See you in the training grounds," she waves her hand and walks away humming a tune. My legs give out, and I collapse to the floor. My fingers curl around the bedsheet for support as I try to calm the crumbling anxiety inside me. What do I do now? I can't become a rogue. Dory walks in, her eyes falling on me. "Luna, are you okay?" she rushes up to me and helps me stand. She touches my forehead. "You're burning up. Did something happen?" I shake my head. "I'm fine. Is it time?" Her face falls, and she nods once. Taking a deep breath, I gather some courage. "Alright, let's go." Chapter 9 : Rejection I have to fight this. If Nixie wins, my pup will be in danger. I won't let that happen. We walk down the stairs and step outside. The sky is filled with gray clouds. On the large training grounds where the air usually buzzes with excitement and the energy of warriors, there's a damp, silent atmosphere among the people who came to watch the ceremony. None of them seem sad to watch me get rejected. They've never wanted me as their Luna because I'm an orphan. I take my place in the center of the ground. The people on the left clear a path for Elijah to walk through by standing in two rows, and he stops before the space created for the ceremony. Our eyes meet for a few seconds before he turns to the crowd. “I won’t waste time on explaining what’s happening here as most of you present are already aware. But know that I won’t tolerate anyone breaking the rules. If anyone dares to say a bad word to Verena or insults her in any way, I will have your head. Rejected or not, she is still a respected member of our family and this pack. So you all are expected to treat her fairly. Is that clear?” The people nod in unison, fearing Elijah’s wrath. A part of me is glad that he is rejecting me in a respectful manner. It would have hurt a lot more if he just allowed anyone to publicly berate me, especially when I go through the rejection. Elijah walks closer to me, and looks into my eyes. I feel his breathing was a little erratic and his face didn't look quite right.. Is he drunk? "I, Elijah Donovan, Alpha of the Iron Claw Pack, reject you, Verena, as my fated mate and my Luna," he declares. I close my eyes, attempting to block out the pain threatening to consume me. But even in the darkness behind my eyelids, I feel the strength of the rejection, as it threatens to tear my body apart. The pain rattles through my bones, clogging my nostrils and leaving me breathless. Elijah extends his arm to help me, but I take a step back. I will endure this pain alone. "I, Verena, current Luna of the Iron Claw Pack, accept your rejection, Alpha Elijah," I declare. My legs wobble beneath my dress as the ache in my chest intensifies. I feel a strong convulsion in my belly, causing me to lose my balance and drop to the ground, clutching my stomach. My baby! "Rena, are you alright?" Elijah inquires, but I know better than to believe that he actually cares for me. Gradually, the pain subsides, and I feel the herbs taking action to protect my baby from the effects of the rejection. "I am fine," I manage to say, wiping my tear-soaked face. "You accepted it," he mutters under his breath. Was he not expecting it? I don’t even understand him at this point. My limbs feel weak, so I remain in my place, trying to prevent myself from passing out. Just as I begin to feel like I have regained some control over my body, a strong scent hits my nose. It smells like lemons and grass, reminiscent of summer. I glance in the direction from which it's coming and spot a man walking into the crowd, looking around anxiously. He’s as tall as Elijah, broad and well-built, with spiky light-blond hair, deep blue eyes, and a tattoo running down his left arm. His aura is powerful, like that of an Alpha. The moment his eyes land on me, he growls ferociously, his wolf showing in his eyes, "Mine!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2663983 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 5/1/25, 12:26 PM | 1736814077 | 1746120415 | 2257 | fbweb.moboreader.net | Learn more | VIDEO | Read next chapter | https://fbweb.moboreader.net/63310322-fb-ena265_2-1224-core1.html?adid={{ad.id}}&char=331118&accid=934080944896999&exdata=6A8B0BF850DF8E75902CF765199EB69E64D04D20BDF76243 | 1.073341020326E+14 | Romance Novel | https://scontent-iad3-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/473194775_3777004672520525_4266500476001995240_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=U6GB4TDJEtQQ7kNvgEQ1SeV&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-2.xx&_nc_gid=AX7rEtSBXXsfNlYCJInhCwX&oh=00_AYBF59-Pz4NnmyYdz-YGku3VWfQYyfX3RqoX1QPzfbc4YA&oe=678B76CD | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | Dressed up for her wedding day, she was unwittingly drugged by her husband's mistress. She spent the night with a stranger, unaware that he was her husband's half-brother and his formidable business adversary! ===== In the dimly lit, opulent private cinema, the most exclusive jewelry auction was being broadcast live. "One million, going once, going twice--" The rich cadence of the auctioneer's voice echoed through the room, the man tightened his grip around Alicia Bennett's waist... With the intensity between them only grew fiercer as time passed... The auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold for ten million! Let's give a round of applause to Mr. Joshua Yates!" The name struck Alicia like a lightning bolt. Her body instantly went rigid, something that the man couldn't help but notice, flicked lazily toward the screen. The camera zoomed in on Joshua Yates's face, every detail of his familiar features displayed in perfect clarity. "Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family... an acquaintance perhaps?" he drawled, the corners of his mouth tugging into a sly smile. Alicia's frown deepened. The last thing she wanted was to discuss it, she didn't respond. The man, upon seeing the situation, chuckled lightly before his movements grew even more relentless... ...... When it was over, Alicia took advantage of the man's time in the shower and quietly made her escape. When Caden Ward finally emerged from the bathroom, not catching sight of the woman's figure, he curled his lips slightly. Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst into the room, clearly on edge, "Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I'll have her brought back immediately." They had just returned to the country, taking every precaution. And yet, a woman had managed to slip through the cracks of their security. Caden's features calm, almost indifferent. "No need. I was... a willing participant." Hank's eyes widened in shock. In all the time he'd known Caden, the man had never slept with a woman,even physical contact. There were even rumors that Caden might suffer from some secret ailment. Yet now, those whispers seemed to evaporate in the face of this unexpected turn of events. Before Hank could make sense of it, Caden's deep voice pulled him back to reality. "I want you to look into Joshua's personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour." Tonight, Alicia had stumbled into his room, feverish and desperate. It was obvious she'd been framed. And then came the revelation--Alicia was still a pureness. Two years of marriage to Joshua... Yet she was still untouched? Caden's lips curled into a satisfied smile. But as he reflected, one thing became abundantly clear--Alicia had no idea who she'd been with due to the d*ug's effects. ... By the time Alicia returned home, the first light of dawn filtered through the windows. Only then did she realize how long she had been out. But before she could dwell any further, her phone rang. It was her bestie, Monica Flynn, calling. "Alicia!" Monica practically screeched from the other end of the line, her voice high-pitched with worry. "How are you now?" Alicia exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes carelessly. "I've been better," she murmured. Monica's anger bubbled over, her words sharp and unrelenting. "Joshua's beyond disgusting! If he doesn't want to stay married, he should just grow a spine and divorce you already! What kind of sick man would scheme against his own wife?" The sharp pain of betrayal shot through Alicia's chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had texted her, suggesting they celebrate. Daring to hope he had changed, she had dressed up to the nine's, only to be met with disappointment and a d*ug-laced drink that sent her spiraling into a night of confusion and chaos. Was Joshua really the mastermind behind this? Swallowing the bitterness that tried clawing its way to the surface, Alicia forced herself to climb the stairs, her movements slow and weary. "It's fine, Monica. I'll handle it." Monica, ever protective, wasn't convinced. "'Handle it'? What do you mean you'll handle it? Just say the word, and I'll be over in a heartbeat." Alicia couldn't help the small, tired smile that tugged at her lips, hanging up the phone. But her heart still felt heavy, just as she lost focus, the door to her bedroom creaked open. She lifted her gaze, and almost instantly, her stomach dropped. There, fresh from a shower, a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, stood Joshua. He stared down at her. Chapter 2 Divorce Alicia snapped out of her daze as soon as she met the icy gaze of Joshua, her so-called husband. His expression remained unchanged, cold and indifferent as ever, as though he was looking at a stranger. The only thing out of place was the scars on his lips. A wave of disgust washed over her, she pushed him away and was about to enter. Joshua frowned, his hand shooting out to grab her wrist. "Alicia, what's with the attitude?" He seemed quite unhappy with her this time, which was a rare thing, considering how little he bothered to come home. Normally, Alicia would have welcomed him back with open arms, a flicker of joy lighting up her tired features, but today she looked drained, almost hollow. She didn't resist his grip, meeting his gaze with a calmness that unnerved him. "Haven't I always been like this? Obedient, sensible, making sure the house is in order, ensuring you're comfortable, ready to give your best at work." A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "Isn't that what you like most about me? It makes things easier for you, doesn't it? Frees up time for your other... 'special someone'." Joshua's eyes darkened at the veiled accusation. Denial hovered on his lips, but he didn't bother. Why should he? He dropped her hand and said gruffly, "Actually, that's why I'm here. We need to talk." Alicia vigorously rubbed her wrist, as though she was trying to erase his touch. "So, are you planning to finally go public with her?" Joshua's expression twisted instantly, his calm facade cracking. "What do you know? Did you have me stalked by a private investigator or something?" Alicia let out a soft, humorless laugh. "Is that necessary? Last night, you spared no expense to make her happy. Even a blind person could tell you're mad about her." He stared at her, unsettled by her icy tone. It was still her voice, still Alicia, but there was something different about her... For some reason, he felt inexplicably hurt, like a thorn pricking his heart. Perhaps it was the way she looked at him now--her eyes, once warm and filled with love for him, were now completely empty. There was no anger, no pain, just... nothing. It was a stark contrast to the woman who used to look at him as if he were her entire world. For reasons he couldn't explain, the sight of her like this stirred something in him, an unfamiliar dissatisfaction. Annoyed by his own reaction, Joshua decided to hit back, his voice harder now. "She's pregnant. It's a delicate pregnancy, so I bought her a little something to lift her spirits." Alicia's fists clenched before she could stop them. P**gnant? So, the nights she had stayed up waiting for him to come home, he'd been with another woman, working diligently to start a new family? Seeing Alicia wince a little, Joshua felt a flicker of satisfaction. "It's not that I don't want to touch you," he said, voice dripping with condescension. "You're just about as thrilling as watching paint dry. No man would want that." His cruel words pierced through Alicia, yet she managed to remain composed on the surface. It wasn't that she avoided intimacy; she just wasn't the one to initiate it. Did that make her so undesirable? Was it a sin? Taking a slow, steady breath, Alicia willed herself to stay calm. "Fine," she replied quietly. "Let's get a divorce then. You can give her the title she wants." The word "divorce" made Joshua's eyelid twitch involuntarily. He scoffed, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Is this another one of your games?" Convinced he was right, his voice grew colder, more biting. "Alicia, for two years, you've pulled every childish stunt, begging for my attention. Aren't you tired yet? Because I sure as hell am." He paused, letting his disdain sink in. "You claim to love me so much. Could you really walk away from me?" Alicia couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped her. Love him? Did he even understand what that meant? When Joshua's business had crumbled, leaving him with nothing but debt and shattered dreams, it had been Alicia who emptied her savings to pull him from the wreckage. Out of gratitude--or maybe obligation--he had married her. For two long years, she had been the dutiful wife, supporting him as he clawed his way to success. And what had Alicia gotten in return? She had been cast aside like a useless relic, while another woman carried his child. Her love, her loyalty, had been ground into the dirt beneath his feet. To care for this man any longer would be masochism. Her voice steady, Alicia said, "Draft the divorce agreement. I'll agree to whatever terms you want." And with that, she turned and disappeared through the door, leaving Joshua standing alone in the hallway. For a moment, he stared after her angrily, but then a cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips. Fine, she can play the martyr. He doubted she could keep it up for long. Storming out of the house, Joshua headed straight to the apartment where his lover, Lilliana Green, awaited him. "Well, that was fast," she teased upon hearing Joshua was getting a divorce, raising a brow. "Seems she wasn't as tough to deal with as you claimed." "She's cunning," Joshua muttered, the edge of suspicion creeping into his voice. "I don't know if she's actually agreeing to the divorce or just playing me." Lilliana's arms draping lazily around his neck, "Relax, Joshua, even if she changes her mind, it's too late." Joshua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?" Chapter 3 Letting Go Lilliana's eyes flickered with shadowy intent. She wasn't foolish enough to show her cards now, so she waved it off with an effortless excuse. "During your two-year marriage, she has lived quietly in the shadows as a mere housewife, disconnected from your world. When you're assertive, would she dare to say a word?" Joshua pursed his lips into a hard line. During the past two years, Alicia had indeed done everything for him--given him support and solace. She had loved him fiercely, but at the end of it all, what value did love truly hold? Against all odds, he had clawed his way to the top, and he'd finally grasped the power he craved. That success, however, hadn't come easy, and it wasn't love that secured his position--it was alliances with the powerful. The prestige of the Green family daughter, that title alone, was worth far more than Alicia's devoted love. As these thoughts plagued his mind, Lilliana said happily, "Joshua, congratulations on escaping the grind. Shall we celebrate?" For a moment, Joshua's gaze flickered down to her, but Alicia's indifferent face suddenly flashed before his eyes. Since leaving the house earlier, Alicia hadn't once called him to ask for his whereabouts. Before, if he had been upset with her, she would've called him in a panic. A sharp, inexplicable irritation surged within him. Without thinking, he pushed Lilliana back, "You're only a few weeks' pregnant. Be careful." Lilliana, sharp as ever, sensed he was distracted. "Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked gently. "Don't you want to get divorced?" Joshua's response was instant. "Of course I want to divorce her." Her eyes narrowed as she studied him. "Then why don't you seem very happy?" Joshua offered a quick excuse, his voice steady but distant. "My father's condition has worsened. He doesn't have much time left, and Caden returned last night. He's likely here to claim his inheritance. I need to figure out how to handle him." Lilliana blinked, momentarily thrown. "Caden? Your brother from your father's first marriage? He doesn't even carry the Yates name anymore. What right does he have to fight you for the inheritance?" Joshua's expression darkened. It was true--but at the end of the day, he was still the son of a home-wrecker. All these years of relentless effort had not only been to carve out a name for himself in the Yates family, but to push Caden into the shadows where he belonged. One way or another, Joshua was hell-bent on winning. Meanwhile, Alicia stirred from her sleep. Darkness had already fallen, yet she felt even more drained than before. It was because her dreams revolved around that stranger. when her phone buzzed with a call from Monica did she snap out of her daze. "Alicia, I got your bl**d test results. I passed them to a friend of mine with some serious connections. He's digging around to see who bought the stuff." Alicia sat up a little straighter, her mind sharpening. "Thanks, Monica. Appreciate it." "If you really want to thank me, do me a favor: stop obsessing over that j**k. And after the divorce, focus on your career. You owe me that much." Alicia's chest warmed, her head lowering in quiet gratitude. "I know, I know." Now that she thought about it, she had come to the realization that her feelings for Joshua had never been pure love--they were born out of a debt, a sense of obligation. Her family's expectations had always weighed heavily on her, and in that lonely, stifled childhood, it was Joshua who had been there. His companionship had nurtured a vague affection she'd confused for love. "Lucky for me, love's never been something I've held onto tightly," Alicia murmured. "These last two years... I'll just see it as repaying his kindness." Monica paused, her usual boldness tempered with thoughtfulness. She knew better than anyone how, once upon a time, Joshua had indeed loved Alicia. But, it turned out love could be a fleeting thing. "Alicia, I really hope you've let go for good," Monica said with a convicted sigh. A sharp pang hit Alicia's chest, her eyes stinging as she fought back the urge to cry. Quickly, she pressed her hand to her eyelids, refusing to let the tears fall. It was only then she noticed something startling. Stunned, she stared at her hand. The wedding ring--something she had once held onto so tightly--was gone. Gone for a whole day and night, and she hadn't even noticed. Suddenly, her heart felt lighter, the weight of everything she'd been carrying beginning to lift. She whispered, more to herself than anyone, "Yes, I've truly let go." ... It didn't take long for Joshua to notice. He had returned to grab something quickly when his eyes fell on her hand. His brow furrowed as he asked, without thinking, "Where's your wedding ring?" Chapter 4 Her Nemesis Alicia's only concern now was leaving Joshua, so she ignored his question and asked flatly, "Are the divorce papers ready yet?" That word again--"divorce". Irritation flickered across Joshua's eyes. "What's the rush?" he snapped, his voice cold and sharp. "My father's finalizing his will, and if word gets out about my divorce, it'll ruin my standing. Now, pack your things--we're having dinner at the Yates Mansion this afternoon." With Caden's return, the family was throwing a welcome-home dinner for him. They also hoped that by doing so, it'd lift the spirits of Jerald Yates, Joshua's father. However, maintaining the charade of a happy marriage was the last thing on Alicia's mind. "I'm not going," she announced curtly. "Just get the divorce finalized and stop wasting my time." Joshua laughed, a sound that held no warmth. "Oh, come on, Alicia. Stop pretending. You hid the ring because you don't actually want to leave me, right? You can't stand the thought of being without me." He leaned in, smirking, and added, "You've worked hard these past two years. Even if we divorce, I'll still take care of you--as long as you keep me happy." Alicia's eyes widened, disbelief turning into anger. Hid the ring? Couldn't bear to be without him? His arrogant words sounded like nails on a chalkboard to Alicia's ears. With a sharp sneer, she shot back, "Oh, Mr. Yates, how could I possibly make you happy? Don't worry, I'll return the ring--wouldn't want this plain Jane to irk you, right? Once you have it, we're finalizing the divorce immediately." But Joshua wasn't fazed by her venom. He thought he knew her too well, convinced this was just another ploy to get his attention. Without thinking too much, he tossed a bag at her. "We've got guests today. Dress appropriately, and don't make me look bad." Alicia looked down at the bag, her mind flashing back to the countless times she had visited the mansion dressed in modest, unassuming clothes-- doing everything to blend in, to please him and his family. But now, with their divorce looming on the horizon, Alicia no longer cared to play the part of a dutiful wife. After slipping into the outfit, she carefully applied a touch of makeup, just enough to bring out the vibrance in her already flawless complexion. The subtle enhancements accentuated her smooth skin and delicate features, lending her a certain glow. When Joshua saw her descending the staircase, he froze for a brief moment, eyes lingering. Perhaps it was the way the dress hugged Alicia's graceful curves, making her seem more alluring than usual. At the entrance of the Yates Mansion, they both slipped into their familiar roles, masking the tension between them with practiced ease. Alicia casually looped her arm through Joshua's, their movements synchronized as they walked into the courtyard. Though Jerald was too ill to receive anyone, the grand hall bustled with life, relatives filling the space with chatter. The noise hummed around her, but for some reason, as soon as Alicia crossed the threshold, a sharp chill pricked at her skin. She instinctively looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure lounging casually at the far end of the room. Legs crossed, dark shirt unbuttoned just enough to reveal a sliver of his collarbone, the man oozed arrogance, his presence commanding. When Alicia's eyes finally met his-- a familiar, authoritative stare that pinned her in place-- her mind raced as emotions began to surge uncontrollably. Joshua noticed the shift in her demeanor, his brows furrowing as he asked, "What's going on with you?" Alicia's breath caught in her throat. One word escaped her lips, barely audible. "Caden?" Just the mention of his name sent a chill down her spine. To her, Caden was the embodiment of her nightmares. Due to their families' friendship, their paths first crossed at the tender age of ten. Caden, having taken a year off, transferred to her school, and from that moment, Alicia's perfect world began to unravel. She could no longer claim the top spot. No matter how relentless her efforts, no matter how late she stayed up studying, Caden was always a step ahead. He would outscore her by the smallest of margins--a point, maybe two--leaving her perpetually stranded in second place. Anyone else might have accepted defeat, settled into the role of runner-up. But not Alicia. Born into the once prestigious Bennett family, she was raised under the suffocating weight of living up to her family name. Excellence wasn't just a goal--it was the currency by which she could earn her parents' affection. Failure was not an option, yet Caden had the audacity to snatch away everything she'd worked for with what seemed like effortless ease. It was as if he'd set his sights on her from the very beginning, and Alicia, stubborn to a fault, refused to back down. Their rivalry spanned over a decade, a relentless battle fought both openly and in the shadows, and their final showdown took place in college, just before their graduation, at the national competition. Alicia poured her heart and soul into that moment, her focus razor-sharp as she aimed for nothing less than perfection. And she achieved it, having garnered a perfect score. But Caden, ever the serpent, had bribed the judges, twisting the results in his favor. Alicia was forced, once again, into second place. The sting of injustice was deep, but the harshest blow came from her father, Phil Bennett. Over the phone, his voice dripped with disappointment in her ranking. Alicia, having grown accustomed to his tirades, said nothing. She waited for his anger to ebb, then asked quietly, "I'm graduating soon. Will you come back?" Her mother, Donna, had always been her softer solace. She comforted Alicia that day, promising they'd be there for her graduation. But life had other plans. Phil and Donna, rushing back from Itrubisite to attend the graduation, perished in a tragic plane crash. Overnight, Alicia's world crumbled, left an orphan in this cruel world. Since that day, she had never challenged Caden again. Afterward, Caden left Warrington to build his career overseas. ... "He's back for the inheritance," Joshua muttered, his voice barely audible. Alicia cast him a sidelong glance as he continued, "With a family empire as big as ours, an eldest son like him wouldn't give up so easily." Her brow furrowed slightly. It was true--the Yates empire was massive, a legacy most would kill for. But Caden had accumulated his own fortune, surpassing even the family's vast wealth. Did he really care about the inheritance? Then again, this was Caden. Competing was in his blood. Even if he didn't care about the fortune itself, he'd fight tooth and nail just to win, to toy with everyone else. The man had a knack for stirring chaos purely for his own amusement. Alicia had been his rival for as long as she could remember, and even now, the thought of giving him so much as a glance felt like a waste of energy. She turned to walk away. But Joshua caught her wrist, his grip firm yet tense. "I know you two don't get along," he said. "But he's still my elder brother. We need to maintain appearances." Her body stiffened at the touch, and she immediately tried to pull her hand free. Joshua's frown deepened. "Alicia, behave," he hissed. Irritation flared in her chest. "I'm not refusing to go in. Just let go of me first. I don't want your filthy hands touching me." A flicker of something dark passed over Joshua's face, and instead of releasing her, he intertwined their fingers, squeezing them tight. Alicia bit her tongue, silently fuming. As they neared, Caden's gaze slowly lifted, his eyes narrowing in a lazy, almost bored assessment of them. "Caden," Joshua greeted, his tone strained, meeting his brother's gaze with forced cordiality. Caden's eyes flicked to their entwined hands, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Your girlfriend?" he asked indifferently, as though he didn't recognize Alicia. Chapter 5 We Meet Again So Soon Alicia's nerves coiled tight like a spring. That voice... Her messy thoughts blurred into chaos, but one thing broke through the haze--Joshua's calm declaration. "Alicia and I have been married for two years now. She cares about me, so we kept it low-key. Just went straight for the registration; no ceremony. You were busy abroad at the time, so we didn't bother you." Caden arched a brow, his voice laced with venomous mockery. "Oh, so she's my sister-in-law." The way he spat the words "sister-in-law" felt more like a s*ap than a title, leaving no doubt about his contempt for her. Alicia could feel the man's sneer underneath every syllable. And all this was thanks to her so-called husband, Joshua. Her hand trembled as she snatched a tissue, vigorously wiping her hand. "Looks like Alicia's a bit of a germophobe," Caden observed, his tone a casual jab at her disgust. Joshua's expression darkened, the tension between them thickening. He hadn't expected her to humiliate him like this. "It seems I've spoiled her too much," he muttered, his voice low and tight with irritation. Caden's eyes gleamed with a dangerous glint. "If it's a serious condition, she should get treated. It could impact her role as a mother. You know how badly our father has wanted a grandchild." At this, something flickered across Joshua's eyes. Even though Alicia, his wife, was right beside him, he went ahead and lied through his teeth. "Thanks for the concern, Caden, but I already have good news for Dad. I just haven't gotten around to telling him yet." Caden's smirk deepened, his gaze flicking toward Alicia, who was about done with the bullshit of a charade. She quietly excused herself and strode off. "How far along is she?" he asked meaningfully. "Doesn't seem like she's pregnant." Joshua didn't miss a beat. "Just a month." The answer was as much a threat as it was an announcement. Now, the inheritance stakes had just been raised, and Jerald, ever focused on continuing the family line, would certainly take his unborn grandchild into consideration. Caden's smile hardened, and Joshua delivered the final blow with a smug undertone. "You'd better catch up, Caden. I can't always be one step ahead." Caden, unfazed, waved his hand lazily. "No rush." ... Alicia stepped onto the terrace, the cool night breeze washing over her skin. She drank in the fresh air hungrily to steady her nerves. Pulling out her phone, she quickly dialed the manager of the private cinema again. "Have you found the ring?" she asked anxiously. The manager hesitated, sounding troubled. "Ms. Bennett, we've searched thoroughly and questioned all the staff, but... we really couldn't find any ring." "Then..." Alicia clenched her fist, her mind racing. "Do you have the contact details of the guest who booked the room that day?" "I'm sorry, but due to our privacy policy, we can't disclose any information on our clients." Her heart sank. "I see," she sighed with resignation. "Please tell me immediately if anything turns up, okay?" In a perfect world, she could've just bought an identical ring and pass it off for the original. Unfortunately, Joshua had that ring custom-made, and it wasn't easy to replicate. After dinner, it started to rain. The relatives began to trickle out one by one. Joshua stood by her side as they made their way to the car, his eyes trailing down to her bare wrist. "If you liked that bracelet at the auction, then I can buy you something like it," he said coolly. Alicia had to resist the urge to roll her eyes sardonically. She didn't believe for a second that Joshua had a change of heart towards her. "Trying to buy my silence, huh?" Her words were sharp, slicing right through Joshua's tender facade. "No need. I have no desire to be tangled up in your affairs." Joshua hadn't intended to sound like that, but her mocking tone struck a nerve. His jaw clenched, and a bitter smile crossed his lips. "Fine. Don't take it. The money I spend on you is a waste anyway." Alicia bit the inside of her cheek before adding firmly, "Joshua, I already told you. I'm willing to leave this marriage empty-handed. Let's sign the divorce papers tomorrow morning and end this once and for all." His smile twisted into something dark, something dangerous. "What about the ring?" "I lost it." Joshua's eyes narrowed, his tone unrelenting. "I don't care about anything else. I want the ring." She could barely contain her frustration, her breath hitching as he delivered his final blow. "If you can't find it," he said coldly, "I'll assume you're holding onto it because you still care about me." Just then, Joshua's phone rang; it was Lilliana calling. "Joshua." She mewled his name pitifully. "The thunder is so loud. I'm scared to sleep alone... Can you come over?" The car wasn't heading anywhere near Lilliana's and Joshua was furious with Alicia, so without a second thought, he kicked her out into the rain and sped off. He didn't even leave her an umbrella. Alicia stood frozen by the roadside, the downpour quickly soaking through her clothes. The cold rain seeped into her bones, chilling her to the core. Gritting her chattering teeth, she swallowed the bitter taste in her mouth and began trudging along the drenched pavement. Behind her, the soft hum of an engine crept closer. A sleek, low-profile Maybach rolled up beside her, its headlights cutting through the rain. "Mr. Ward," the driver said, glancing back, "I believe that's Ms. Bennett." The car slowed to a stop. Caden glanced out the window, his sharp eyes narrowing on Alicia's lonesome figure. She had just paused, her fingers gathering the fabric of her soaked dress, tying it up to ease her stride. Caden's lips curled into a faint. "Invite her inside," he drawled. The car came to a halt next to Alicia. The driver stepped out, holding a large umbrella over her head, his voice polite. "Ms. Bennett, it's hard to find a cab at this hour. May I offer you a ride home?" Alicia's eyes flicked up, recognizing the man as the Yates family's driver. She hesitated for a moment before nodding, her voice soft but steady. "Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience." However, as soon as she slipped into the backseat of the car, she locked eyes with its other passenger--Caden. "We meet again so soon, sister-in-law?" His voice, smooth as velvet, carried a hint of mischief. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &7& | Romance Novel | 48295 | https://www.facebook.com/100083771162998/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2663950 | 1 | active | 1/13/25, 6:21 PM | 6/12/25, 5:03 AM | 1736814073 | 1749722627 | 2257 | wwwedb.com | Learn more | IMAGE | 🔞Attention! Do not read in public！👉 | https://wwwedb.com/market/meganovel/13?lpid=11783&utm_campaign={{campaign.name}}&utm_content={{campaign.id}}&adset_name={{adset.name}}&adset_id={{adset.id}}&ad_id={{ad.id}}&ad_name={{ad.name}}&placement={{placement}} | 1.0758161228966E+14 | New world publications | https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.35426-6/472774100_1155146919539350_7318115266633345558_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s60x60_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=c53f8f&_nc_ohc=wqfzj05nxW4Q7kNvgGr9fke&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&_nc_gid=AVZpEncxRp3qz6tSXImLKwG&oh=00_AYDIK3zJpHMEm-l2nUM719dzv_zI4EO7owLBo7N2Hbjm5g&oe=678B90D8 | PERSON_PROFILE | 0 | 0 | "Where is she?" I hear the Beta scream. I groan and rise to my feet, grabbing the cleaning basket before heading over. The moment Beta Kyle sees me, he strides towards me and his hand slices against my cheek. I don't make a sound. Years of experience has taught me to keep my mouth shut at all times. "Alpha Trey is expecting company and you still have not cleaned the office." Beta Kyle spits at me. I nod my head and my hand tightens on the cleaning basket. If only I could find the courage to swing it at his head, it would make my day. But I didn't need another week locked up with no food. My stomach already hurt enough. "We are trying to make a good impression on Alpha Dane. Don't you understand how important it is for us to join ourselves with his pack?!" I don't answer, It's a trap, a ploy to provoke me into saying something that would justify punishment. I keep my eyes lowered, avoiding his gaze. "He is the Alpha of Black Shadow, the biggest pack in the world, we need him!" We had never been attacked and we had never attacked anyone, so why did we need another pack to help us? He grabs my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin as he turns me around and kicks me into the office. "Useless Wolf." He mutters as he moves away. Quietly closing the door, I lean against it, observing the already clean office. It looked perfectly fine for a meeting with this so-called powerful Alpha. Closing my eyes, I slide down to the floor. I hated this house. I thought that when I turned eighteen, I could finally escape, but four years later, here I still am, a slave in my own home. Doing all the dirty tasks for my brother, Alpha Trey and the pack. While my ex mate, Beta Kyle waltzes around reminding me of how worthless I am. Someone clears their throat and I freeze, I thought I was alone. Leaning forward, I see a handsome man sitting in a chair, just around the corner. A foot propped up on his knee as he nurses a glass of alcohol. His short hair is dark and his eyes are a deep crimson colour, that don't quite look right. They suddenly shift to me and I throw myself back against the door as my heart pounded. "Is this the way you greet all Alphas?" His deep voice rumbles through the room, there was an edge of amusement to his tone. "I'm sorry." I whisper, getting to my feet. "I...I thought I was alone." I had no idea who he was but I could feel the power radiating off of him, even without my Wolf. "Come forward." He orders and I already feel a lump forming in my throat. Alpha Trey wil kill me. I step around the corner, doing as I'm told, allowing him to see me properly. I close my eyes, expecting the worst. "You smell funny. Yet you are a Wolf, correct?" I nod, though I couldn't tell how he was going to react. Most laughed when they found out about me. "I would prefer it if you spoke to me." He growls, "I'm not in the mood to play games." "Yes." I whisper. I couldn't help but think of all the punishments I was going to have to endure. A whipping maybe? Starvation for another week? "Why do you smell strange? And how is it possible for you to not know I was in the room? You should have scented me." "I..." I hated the question. "You should open your eyes when you are talking to someone. Has your Alpha not taught you anything?" His deep voice sends a shiver through me. Slowly, I open my eyes and lower them, there was no way I was making eye contact."My Wolf abilities were bound," I mutter. Twice, I wanted to add. Twice my abilities were bound. But he probably wasn't interested in that part. He leans forward, I could feel him staring at me, "Why would someone do that?" If this is the Alpha that my brother is supposed to be meeting with, I knew I could screw everything up for him by saying too much. "It was a punishment." I whisper. It wasn't far from the entire truth. There's a twitch in his cheek. Was he angry to hear of such a punishment? Or maybe, just like the others, he was amused by it. I couldn't tell. The door swings open and my brother screeches at me "Neah, what are you doing in my office?" He turns to the crimson eyed man. "I am so sorry that my sister is bothering you, Alpha Dane." Crap, it's him. My brother spins around, hand poised to hit me. I close my eyes, bracing myself, ready to feel the burn. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."Peeking through slits, I see Alpha Dane has risen to his feet, his hand coiled around my brother's wrist. He is taller than my brother, more muscly too. "Neah," My name rolls off of his tongue, "was kindly showing me to your office, Alpha Trey, as you failed to meet me at the front of your house like I requested." What? I had no idea what he was talking about. And he had no reason to lie for me. My brother glares at me, withdrawing his hands reluctantly. "Neah is your sister, correct?" Alpha Dane questions my brother. "She is." Alpha Trey mutters with disgust. He looks away from me to focus on the man asking questions. "Why do you treat her like trash?" No one had spoken to my brother about his treatment of me because everyone took great joy in beating me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't move but I knew I'd better leave. If this deal goes to pot because of me, then that would be my fault too. "Neah was responsible for our parents' death." Alpha Trey spits. I closed my eyes, battling back the tears that were threatening to break free. "Responsible how?" Alpha Dane's voice rumbles through me. He was definitely angry. "She served them Wolfsbane." Don't make a sound. Don't make a sound. I knew Alpha Dane was studying me. They all did, no one could ever quite believe how someone could do something so disgusting as poisoning their own parents. I stood there, with my head hanging low, wishing for the ground to open up and suck me in. There are movements around me. He was standing directly in front of me. With a rough finger he tilts my face up towards his, forcing me to look at him. "You poisoned your parents?" "I was six." I splutter. "I just made them lemonade." My voice comes out all squeaky as I try to defend myself. I could barely remember my parents, but I could remember all the guilt I had been made to feel since that day. His crimson eyes flash to my brothers. "Hardly seems fair to blame a six year old." "A six year old should know the difference between plants." Alpha Trey snaps "Sounds to me like she was set up." Alpha Dane shrugs his shoulders, letting go of me. "You weren't there, Alpha Dane." My brother muttered through gritted teeth as his eyes narrowed to slits. "I didn't ask you here to talk about my slave!" Alpha Dane grabs his leather jacket from the chair. Unlike other Alpha's, he seemed to dress more casually, and his arms are bare of tattoos, not a single bit of ink poked out anywhere. "You're right and now I have a few things to mull over." "I thought we agreed." My brother exclaims. "Nothing has been signed. Now I will show myself out." The moment he is out of the office, my brother slams a hand into my stomach. "What the heck did you say to him?" "N...nothing. Well, he just asked me why I smelled funny." "Did you tell him?" My head involuntarily moves up and down. "But I didn't say it was you." I tried to sound strong and confident but it just comes out as a whisper. My brother's hand locks into my black hair as he yanks my head back, sending a shooting pain through my skull. "If you have ruined this, you won't see daylight again." He drags me by my hair from the office and down the hallway towards the basement door. "Please…." I beg. "He was an Alpha…I… I had to answer him." My cheeks burn with my tears as he flings the door open. On the other side of the door is Alpha Dane. He is leaning against the wall with his arms folded, staring out at us. My brother's hand falls from my hair, relieving the pressure on the back of my skull... "Alpha Dane, I thought you had left." Alpha Trey murmurs angrily. "I said I would show myself out. I thought I had found the door, but instead I find a basement, riddled in your sister's strange scent. Is this how you treat your family?" "It's none of your business!" Alpha Trey sputters. Alpha Dane laughs. "If I agree to this deal, everything about your business becomes my business. So tell me, what would your punishment be for her? No food, locked away for a week, beatings?" I see those crimson eyes land on my swollen face. "I have a proposition for you, Alpha Trey." "We have already agreed on terms." "Well, I'm adding one. And if you don't agree, you will not get my help. Instead, you will become my enemy. And we both know, you don't want that." "I take it that your new terms have something to do with her?" Alpha Trey mutters through clenched teeth. "You would be correct. Let me take her away to my pack and then you, Trey will have a deal." Me? Why would he want me? I was a nobody, no one special. "Deal." After a little more thinking, Alpha Trey sticks out his hand for Alpha Dane to shake. He doesn't take it, instead his crimson eyes shift from me to my brother. "I will have paperwork drawn up and will return tomorrow." He reaches a hand out and cups my face, "Ensure you have everything packed." He drags his thumb across my bottom lip and strides to the opposite end of the hallway and straight to the front door. He knew exactly where the front door was, so what was he up to? He pauses at the door. "If I find out you has laid a hand on her. The contract will be the last thing you need to worry about." He struts out, slamming the door behind him. After Dane leaves, my brother grabs me by the collar. "You think you're going to have a good life if you follow Alpha Dane out of here? Don't be naive!" He continues in a vicious voice. "He's the coldest man in the world, he's killed nine of his mates, I'm waiting to see what happens to you!" | New world publications | 3782 | https://www.facebook.com/100090352943774/ | 0 | LEARN_MORE | View Edit Delete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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