I Want An Unbinding

MAELIS

My breath caught in my throat and my stomach dipped in dread. Sera immediately removed the probe from my belly and tucked it under the sheet.

His gaze moved from the ultrasound screen which was now blank to me and my heart slammed against my chest so hard I was sure he heard it too.

I rose from the bed, drawing my shirt over my belly. I tried to speak, opening and closing my mouth in a bid to explain the situation but nothing came out.

“I know you both heard me. I won’t be repeating myself,” he said, his gaze not leaving mine.

Sera moved fast, standing before me as she bowed slowly.

“Your highness,” she began. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting your presence in the clinic today.”

Theron raised his brow in question, his irritation evident. “I wasn’t speaking to you.” His gaze traveled to mine again. “I asked why you are here.”

Once again, Sera beat me to it.

“She came in with a complaint of having an indigestion and I was just running a normal checkup on her and also checking her wolf’s energy to make sure everything is fine.”

I directed my gaze to sera, clearing my throat noisily. “Yes, I haven’t been feeling well these past few days and needed to get it checked out.”

Theron’s eyes lingered on the blank unltrasound screen and for a split second, I wondered if he believed our lies.

“Alright,” he replied nodding slowly and the knot in my stomach slowly loosened.

“Daddy, you said you were going to play with me ,” Caden, the child I just noticed was by his side spoke up.

My brow furrowed in confusion at his presence. Why was he here with the child?

I walked past Sera and toward him, my anger palpable. “Why did you come here and why is the child with you?”

He smiled at Caden and ruffled Caden’s hair. “I need Sera to run a few checks on him. After years of being in the rogues captivity, I want to be sure he’s healthy. Nerine should be here too but she’s too exhausted. She needs all the rest she can get.”

I bit my inner cheeks, drawing blood as I struggled hard to keep my emotions at bay.

He pushed the child toward Sera. “Run every test you think he needs.” He turned towards Caden. “Once she’s done, I promise we’ll play as much as you want, even into the night.”

The boy smiled brightly and excitedly clung onto sera who led him away.

“Come with me,” he said to me and without waiting for a response, made his way out.

With curiosity gnawing inside me, I followed him out.

Why did you leave after the incident?" he asked.

"I needed air."

"You've been avoiding everyone since Nerine arrived."

"I didn't realize I was obligated to socialize."

His jaw tightened slightly. "She wasn't trying to provoke you Mae. She only came to check on you."

A scoff escaped my lips, rolling my eyes at him.

“You need to do better," he added. "For the pack's sake."

For the pack's sake?

I looked at him, really looked at the man I had spent five years loving in silence, the man who had welcomed another woman into our home with a child without once considering my feelings. The man who despite being told I had come to the clinic cause I felt ill never bothered to ask if I was feeling better.

A wave of emotion coursed through me and I shut my eyes briefly, not wanting to fall apart before him.

Once I opened my eyes, the only emotion I felt was anger and without thinking twice, I blurted out loud.

“I want an unbinding.”

Theron stared at me, long enough for me to register the look of surprise in his eyes. Like he never thought I’d ever be able to let go of him first.

“Since we have just six months on the contract and everyone is itching to go their separate ways, why don’t we accelerate it? So you can spend quality time with your new found family,” I said, my voice cold and my gaze unmoving.

His jaw clenched hard and an unreadable expression crossed his eyes before disappearing.

“Fine.”

I blinked, unable to believe that he had just let me go easily. I had thought he would argue, put up a fight or something but I guess he really couldn’t stand the sight of me any longer.

“Fine." He dipped his hands into his pocket. "I'll arrange a council meeting in a couple of hours so the process can begin as soon as possible."

He held my gaze for one more second and then turned and walked away.

I stood there alone. I should have felt relived but instead my heart ached. Five years of loving him and trying to please him and all it took to erase me was one word.

I swallowed hard and made my way back to my room. I sat at the edge of my bed and pressed my hands against my belly. For the first time since this morning, I finally allowed myself to breathe.

I curled up in bed smiling slightly and hugging myself tight as I thought of a future with my child, one where I didn’t have to over compensate for who I was.

My eyes suddenly grew heavy and without a second thought, I welcomed the darkness that surrounded me.

I didn’t know how long I was asleep for until a loud knock sounded on my door.

With a grunt, I yelled, “come in.”

A maid who I didn’t recognize made her way into the room, with her head hung low.

“Your highness,” she began. “The Alpha requests your presence in the Council chamber, Luna. The meeting begins in thirty minutes.”

My heart leaped in my chest and I clasped my fingers together tightly. This was it! It was finally happening.

I nodded at the maid. “Thank you. You may leave.”

She bowed slightly and then made her way out of the room.

I immediately walked toward my wardrobe to pick out a dress for the occasion. I wanted to dress better than I have ever done, not because I wanted to impress anybody but because today marks the day my freedom begins.

In thirty minutes, I was ready and was on my way to the council chamber.

The council chamber was already occupied when I walked in. Seven elders sat at the curved table,their expressions giving nothing away. Theron sat at the head of the room, his hard gaze following my every step.

My eyes travelled to his side and seated there with her arm on his was Nerine.

My steps flattered for a second and I clasped my hands tighter together.

Why would Theron invite her for our unbinding? She had absolutely no business being here!

A sinister smile crossed her lips as her eyes met mine, I swallowed hard and made my way to my seat as my throat burned with jealousy I couldn't control no matter how hard I tried.

I plopped down on my seat, trying my best to avoid the piercing gaze of Theron.

The meeting began how every council meeting always did. Routine reports were presented, decisions were made and one matter after another was settled, but I heard almost none of it.

I sat quietly in my seat, zoning in and out as the meeting progressed. I picked at my fingers, my nerves raging as I waited nervously for the unbinding to be discussed.

Suddenly, Theron stood and his gaze swept across the hall. The hall fell silent and every gaze turned toward him. I forced myself to breathe slowly, my heart pounding so hard it almost hurt.

This was it.

In a few minutes, everything will the over. I glanced at my stomach beneath the table and fought the urge to smile.

Theron’s eyes met mine and I held his gaze, waiting for him to speak.

"You are all aware of Nerine’s return with my child.”

His deep voice echoed through the hall.

“I called for today’s emergency meeting to formally introduce Caden Voss…” He paused. “As my heir."

My brow creased and my smile disappeared. I sat frozen in place, the words replaying in my head over and over again, refusing to make sense.

This was why Nerine was here. This meeting was never for the unbinding.

Murmurs filled the hall and before I could fully process everything, Nerine was brought forward with Caden at her side.

My eyes settled on Theron who refused to meet my gaze.

The head council rose to his feet. “Congratulations alpha. On behalf of the Council, we acknowledge Caden as your legitimate heir, pending the completion of the blood rite."

One after another, the remaining elders stood and offered their congratulations.

"May the Moon Goddess bless the future Alpha."

"Silvercrest finally has an heir after years."

Theron rested a hand on Caden's shoulder, a small smile forming on his lips. "My son will undergo the legitimacy ritual at sunrise tomorrow."

"As tradition demands,” the head council replied with a nod. “The Council will oversee the rite personally."

Nerine lowered her head modestly, her smile flattering for a split second. After a few more congratulations, they were led back to their seats.

Silence ensued in the hall once again.

The head council cleared his throat noisily. “Is there anything further to be discussed, alpha.”

“There is,” Theron replied.

My heart rate quickened at his words and I stared back at Theron expectantly once again, waiting for his next words.

“Now…” he began. “With the return of my heir there has been a slight change of plans."

A strange feeling of unease settled at the pit of my stomach and my fingers tightened around the edge of my chair.

His gaze traveled to Nerine and then to the head council before finally resting on me.

“The dissolution of my marriage will no longer proceed,” his cold voice rang through the entire hall.

My breath caught in my throat and my whole body went still.

No, this wasn’t possible.

Just a few hours ago, he had looked me in the eyes and agreed.

But he continued, without the slightest hesitation. “Luna Maelis will retain her title and will remain by my side until I decide otherwise.”