2

Imogene's POV 

As much as the slap stung like hell, the pain radiated to my heart and I felt shattered.

“Orion..” I muttered.

There were gasps among the crowd.

‘She deserved it.’

‘Who knew she's such a petty thief?’

‘How dare she? She's so shameless!’

‘Poor Celine, her daughter-in-law is worthless.’

‘She’s just like her mother.’

“I didn't do it! I didn't steal it!” I yelled in frustration.

“Then explain how it got to your room!” Orion retorted.

I stammered, unable to say a word, it was as if my memories were hazy and blurry. “I swear that I'll never do such a thing.”

Luna Celine snorted and grabbed the neckline of my dress. “Then how do you explain this?”

“Mom, she might have been tempted by the diamonds, they're priceless and expensive.” Arizona inputted and I shot her a death glare.

“My son should have never married you! Your mother must have taught you how to steal!” Luna Celine accused.

“There's a rumor that she also slept with numerous men and ended up haggard, giving birth to a baby without a father.” Arizona uttered, enjoying my humiliation.

“Don't you dare say such things about my mother!” I roared at her and pushed her away, angrily. She let out a cry of pain and Orion stepped on me, slapping me hard across the face again.

“Don't you lay your filthy hands on her!” He thundered.

“How did I end up with a Luna like you? You've been nothing but a nuisance!” 

“What?” I blurted.

“I reject and renounce you as my Luna! I won't have anyone who hurts my mother or the people I love go scot-free!” Orion yelled.

It dawned on me what was happening as my heart broke into a million pieces, my wolf slowly writhing in excruciating pain. I watched like a fool, Orion pacifying his mother and leading her back to her room while Arizona tagged along.

I was left in a room full of scoffers, hurling insults at me and I wanted to move but my knees were weak, unable to carry my weight. Shamefully, I found my way back to my room and sat there, recounting everything that had happened and how things escalated.

For the next three days, I didn't leave the room and barely ate because I was too heartbroken and weak. That evening, Orion barged into the room, holding a piece of document in his hands. He slammed it on the table. “Sign it.” He barked.

I took the papers and scoffed in disbelief. “Divorce papers? Orion what are you-”

“Don't you dare say a word to me. Sign the papers and get the hell out of my house!” He threw it at me.

“I didn't steal the necklace, why won't you believe me!” I cried out.

“Because my Mom would never lie, I've always put up with you but this? This is the last straw that breaks the Camel's back.” He said, decisively.

“No, I won't sign it!” I said, definitely.

“Don't be stupid. Sign the papers.”

“I don't want to leave, you're my mate and husband.”

He scoffed at me like I was derailed. At first, I wanted to leave the marriage but deep down, I care a lot about him and now we're about to bring a child into this world, of course I can't just leave.

“Don't make this any worse Imogene, at first when I discovered you're my mate, I was shattered because I'd have to leave the love of my life for the daughter of an infamous thief and maid but I stayed despite all that.

Not anymore, Imogene and you know it. Have it signed by nightfall.” He said, emotionlessly and walked away before I could say a word.

I stared at the divorce papers, unable to fathom what to do. Even if it means falling at his feet and begging, I will. I can't leave, not when I have no one else.

When he returned that evening, he expected the papers to be signed and frowned seeing that it wasn't.

“I can't do this, you're the only family I have, I can't leave.” I told him quietly.

“You should have thought of it before stealing.” He fired back.

I sucked in air and went on my knees, holding his legs which shocked him. “Please, don't make me do this.” 

He recovered from his shock and laughed wickedly. “Don't do this to yourself. We both know we are not going to last long together, we never loved each other and the riff between us only grows bigger. You know who owns my heart, it can never be you.” He spat, viciously.

“I love you.” I blurted and he was startled. It was more of a lie but I couldn't afford to lose him. “I love you and can't live without you. Please…don't do this, I'll apologize to Luna Celine and spend the rest of my life atoning for this, just please…don't.” I begged, tears streaming down my face.

“Imogene, no matter how hard you fight it, you're just like your mother, a thief without self-respect so leave while I'm still being nice to you. You love me? How insulting!” He mocked then snatched his legs. I tried to go after him but he shoved me aside and I stayed put, afraid the baby would be hurt.

I stayed up all night, crying and weeping. As dawn approached, I made up my mind to go to his room and inform him of my pregnancy, maybe he'll reconsider. My mom is dead, where would I go with a child?

As I approached his door, I heard voices so I paused to eavesdrop.

“What do you mean you had no choice than to slap her? How could you do that when you were the one who gave the necklace to her?” 

“Sophia, how was I to remember that I modeled it after the same one Dad gave to Mom in order to please him and that Mom had lent you her own and forgotten about it.” I heard Orion retort.

Sophia huffed. “You don't trust your wife because she didn't come from a rich family! You humiliated her publicly, you and Mom. You both owe her an apology, how could you? You even slapped her for Arizona?” Sophia retorted.

“She hurt Arizona!” Orion threw at her.

“Oh please! No one can hurt Arizona, we both know she's a white lotus!”

“Sophia! No one is allowed to speak ill of Arizona, not even you, my twin sister.”

Sophia scoffed. “The same woman who hurt your best friend and ruined him? The same woman who almost caused you to lose the throne as alpha? The one you've been parading and letting to assume the role of Luna while your true mate suffers in silence? That woman?” 

“Don't speak that way Sophia, we're going to be married soon! She's my destined mate, the only woman I can ever love.” Orion replied and my heart hurt even more.

I heard the hinges of a door open and then footsteps followed by Sophia scoffing. “What's this? So you created an entrance to connect both rooms? You've been cheating on your wife?” 

“Sophia!”

“Don't you dare Sophia me, Orion.”

“Hi Sophia, I didn't know you were-”

“Save the pleasantries Arizona, apparently, you were screwing my brother and making a joke of his legal wife and now you're making him leave her?” Sophia scoffed.

“Sophia, I know you think I'm no good for your brother but I love him so much and my father has agreed to our wedding, right after that lowlife Imogene signs the divorce-”

“He'll marry you? The same woman who destroyed her mate's life?” Sophia interjected.

“Would you rather he remains married to that filthy orphan without class and-”

“And she'll be twice the woman you'll ever be, no one is divorcing anybody and that's final!” Sophia yelled and then stormed out.

She saw me outside and was startled. “Imogene.” She called out softly while I sobbed, tears rolling down my face. Orion also walked out and saw me. I chuckled sadly and turned around, walking away and ignoring Sophia's calls.

That night, I signed the divorce papers and waited till daybreak. Orion arrived in the morning and I stretched the divorce papers to him.

“Imogen-”

“You never have to see me again, Orion, henceforth, we are strangers. Goodbye.” I cut him short, stood up and walked out, taking with me the only possession I brought in, an old phone.

Half an hour later, I dialled a number as thunder resonated in the sky. “You said to call in times of emergency, this is an emergency.”