Chapter 2 Draft the Papers

Alaric froze, replaying her words in his head. He moved to touch Celeste but she snatched her hand away.

His jaw tightened. “I refuse to accept it. You are my mate and that will never change!”

If someone were to witness this, they would think he actually cared.

“You are not going to leave my pack nor will you break what we share because of your selfish reasons!” Alaric stared her down.

A low laugh slipped Celeste’s laugh.

The ritual of the moon goddess stated that once fated to your mate, there was no way out. 

Anyone who wants to leave the pack must have divorce papers signed by their mate. In the past, she had seen it as a way to guarantee Alaric’s faithfulness.

Now, it felt like a heavy chain pressing down on her neck. 

She would continue to keep enduring so much pain and humiliation because of some stupid rule, binding her to a life that she no longer wanted. No matter what, she had to make Alaric sign the divorce papers.

"You are a Luna. What do you mean you wanna break your mate bond?" Teresa chimed in through a nervous laugh.

Celeste arched her brow at her, "This is between my mate and me. You have no right to interfere," she replied Teresa with a sharp glare.

Teresa covered her face and ran out, looking hurt.

"Celeste!” Alaric snapped, calling her to order. “Keep your emotions in check and stop acting like a child. Teresa will not take your place as Luna just because she has pups."

Really. The fact that he thought so was astounding to her. Even now, he still thought she cared about being Luna?

"Have you forgotten how Teresa, right here, drove into me and made me lose my pups two years ago?” She then turned to Alaric. “Or how you left me lying on the floor, bleeding, without batting an eye, because that day, Teresa just happened to sprain her ankle?"

Her words settled in the room, the silence stretching for too long.

Alaric’s face faltered and for a second, Celeste thought he would come to his senses. Then, his mother spoke.

“Not only are you barren, you are also a liar,” she spat. “There she goes again. You know that you tripped. Maybe if you stopped lying for a second, you will finally have pups of your own.”

Celeste felt a hand on her shoulder, jerking her head toward it. Alaric stood behind her, wearing a sympathetic smile.

"You need to calm down. You're—" She didn't let him finish before she yanked his hand off her shoulder.

"Don't you dare touch me.”

His brow furrowed as he sighed heavily as though he was tired of the

Conversation.

“You had better stay home and get some rest instead of thinking of nonsense like a divorce,” he said and turned towards the door.

Gowen barked a small laugh. “It is not like she has nowhere to go. Orphans like her end up on the street because no one wants them.”

Not that Celeste expected kindness. She knew this would happen the moment she asked for a divorce.

Yet she couldn’t sit idle. She would be damned to let these people trample her spirit after all she had endured from them.

As they left the house, Alaric’s voice cut through the air. “Take care of the house. We’re going out.”

Celeste didn’t reply or try to stop them. Let them leave. They had just handed her the perfect opportunity to walk away.

The moment the door closed, she grabbed her phone, and dialed Beta Fang's contact.

The call connected on the second ring. “Greetings, Luna. How may I assist you?” he asked politely.

“I need you to draft a document. It’s urgent.”

“May I ask what this document concerns, Luna?”

“A divorce,” she said, her voice calm and steady.

Beta Fang froze, his mind running through a dozen possibilities. 

“Draft the papers.” Her voice rose. “Once it’s ready, inform me and have it delivered to the house. Thank you.”

“I’ll begin immediately.”

With that, she ended the call and got right to work.

Tossing her phone aside, she started to pick out all the gifts she had given Alaric over the years: the paintings, the shirt from their first date…

Stuffing everything into a bag, she hauled it toward the back of the house.

Hurried footsteps and a familiar scent reached her. She didn’t need to look before she knew who it was.

Leah, her best friend.

“Where are you dragging these heavy bags?” Leah asked, blocking her path.

Celeste’s lips twitched. “I’m going to burn everything.”

“Wait, Celeste…” Leah murmured, “Is something wrong? Why burn them?”

“I want a divorce from Alaric.” 

As the words left her lips, Leah burst into laughter.

Celeste’s eyes narrowed. What the hell?

“I’m so sorry,” she said between her laughs. “I just…I thought you were drowning in your feelings. Finally, you have woken up. I’m glad you’re letting go.”

Leah clasped Celeste’s hand. “This is the Celeste I want—the one who won’t tolerate nonsense. Now let’s burn this!” she said with a wide grin that drew a chuckle from Celeste.

Standing before the pile, Celeste watched Leah set it ablaze, flames devouring every memory she owned with Alaric.

They both stared at the fire, her wolf whining within her but she knew it was for the better.

"So what made you decide this? And don’t give excuses. Did they do something again?” Leah’s playfulness vanished into a serious stare.

Celeste exhaled gently. “I had another miscarriage.”

Leah gasped. “Oh goddess…are you okay? Wait…don’t tell me Teresa caused this one again? Is Alpha still on Teresa’s side?”

Celeste’s eyes met hers silently.  Leah covered her mouth, realization dawning. Shaking her head, Leah dragged Celeste inside. “We’re leaving! We’re leaving this hell now.”

Leah had always been her supportive partner.

After packing, her belongings that barely fit into one suitcase. After years of being married to Alistair, she barely had any personal belongings.  At that moment, Beta Fang delivered the divorce papers. 

“So what now?” Leah asked, glancing at Celeste as she placed the document on the desk inside Alaric’s study room.

“What do you think?” she retorted with a knowing gaze. Leah’s smile bloomed instantly.

Hooking her arm through Celeste’s, they walked out together.

“I’ve been waiting for you to restart your agency. Damn, things are about to get exciting.”

~~

Alaric’s eyes scanned the room. “Celeste!” he called, pushing the door open.

A frown spread on his face at the emptiness. His heart skipped as he strode into the study.

Still empty.

Turning to leave, his eyes caught a document on the desk.

Snatching it, he read “Divorce Agreement” written boldly across the top.

A sarcastic laugh escaped his lips. “What a joke.” He tore it apart.

Running his fingers through his hair, he sniffed the air. Her scent was faint, like she had been gone for hours. Yet deep inside, he believed she wouldn’t abandon him as though he meant nothing.

His eyes lingered on her portrait of them on the desk.

"I know you can’t do this to me, to us, Celeste. I’ll allow you this once to vent your anger.” His finger traced her face tenderly, his lips stretched in a small smile.  

“Once you regain your senses, you’ll realize I’m the best for you.”