3. Divorcing Him

‎For the first time, Nolan looked surprised. His widened eyes stared at me in disbelief.

‎

‎“Wh…what?”

‎"I want a divorce.” My voice broke the quiet courtyard; it was like everyone present was holding their breath. For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Nolan's expression was still frozen, not in anger; I didn't even see any sign of hurt, and it broke me.

‎

‎The brief crack of surprise vanished almost instantly from his face, replaced by a calm so controlled it made my skin crawl. Then he smiled, the way I used to drool over. But now I see it: it never reached his eyes; it was all measured and calculated. Why didn't I see it before?

‎

‎“Take her back to the Alpha's residence," Nolan said, his voice smooth and authoritative in that Alpha manner. “My Luna isn't feeling well." 

‎

‎I stiffened. “I'm staying right here." 

‎

‎Vespera moved first, stepping closer with soft concern painted perfectly across her face, but her eyes spoke otherwise. “Althea, please," she said gently. “You've been through so much. Losing a child would break anyone. You shouldn't be making such decisions in this state.”

‎

‎Her hand hovered near my arm as if she might steady me. ‎I flinched away on instinct and watched as Nolan's gaze swept the onlookers—elders, guards, servants, pack members— their gazes lingering too long. "You all heard the healer,” he said coolly. "Shock, emotional instability. She needs rest, not conflict." 

‎

‎The words settled over the crowd like a judge's verdict. His words were law, apparently, and I was the one who fed that to him. ‎Some nodded, while others looked away. ‎My body shook in exhaustion as I felt the shift immediately, the subtle reordering of loyalty. My grief, my pain, turned into a convenient weakness he could use.

‎

‎“I'm not unstable," I said, my voice steady despite the tremor in my hands. “I know exactly what I'm asking for." 

‎

‎Nolan finally looked directly at me with a tight smile. "You don't.”

‎

‎He then turned to Vespera. "Take the child inside.”

‎

‎She hesitated, eyes flickering to me with something that looked almost like triumph, before guiding the boy away. The moment they disappeared, Nolan gestured toward the inner hall.

‎

‎“Come," he said. “We'll discuss this privately." 

‎

‎The door closed behind us with a soft thud. Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating. Nolan loosened his cuffs slowly, as if we were about to engage in pack finances instead of the ruin of my life. And to think I used to find that sexy.

‎

‎“You saw things you shouldn't have," he started at last. “And now you're unraveling." 

‎

‎I laughed quietly. “Don't insult me by pretending, dear husband." 

‎

‎He spoke, not bothering to deny it. ‎“Yes,” Nolan said flatly, as if already tired of the conversation, which made me scoff.

‎

‎"I've been with Vespera for years. The boy is mine, and he'll inherit this pack.”

‎

‎He just said those words carelessly, without shame. Like facts anyone would accept. ‎My chest tightened. "You let everyone believe he was your brother's.”

‎

‎"I let them believe what was convenient.” 

‎

‎“And me?" My nails dig into my palms. “What was I supposed to believe?" 

‎

‎He studied me for a moment, expression distant, but something that looked like guilt crossed his eyes briefly.

‎

‎“You were always supposed to do what you've always done, Althea. Smile, manage the pack, and be useful.”

‎

‎“Useful," I repeated, the word clawing out of my throat. “Is that all I was to you"?

‎

‎"Yes.” He stated matter-of-factly.

‎

‎The simplicity of it hurts more than the rage ever could.

‎

‎"Then why,” I asked hoarsely, "why did I never conceive?” I knew what I heard, but it's like a part of me chose to still have little faith in him. ‎He wouldn't do something so horrible like that, not to me.

‎

‎Something like amusement flickered across his face. Like he was reminiscing.

‎

‎“Because I made sure you didn't," Nolan said. “Moonroot extract. Although mild and tasteless, but very potent. The healer never even noticed!" 

‎

‎He jollied like a scientist drunk on his favorite experiment. The room tilted, my arms catching air as I tried to steady myself.

‎

‎“You—" My breath caught. “You drugged me." 

‎

‎“I controlled variables," he corrected. “A wolfless Luna carrying an Alpha's heir would have complicated things." 

‎

‎“No one loves to be a laughing stock, Althea. I mean…except you, of course.” He shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips. ‎I stared at him, the pieces clicking together with sickening clarity. Five years. Five years of the shame I carried alone. Why didn't I notice? He was never bothered about my not being able to get pregnant.

‎

‎He was just… there. Nutting inside me while I secretly hoped it would work each time we made love. He watched it register, then added calmly, “You were never meant to bear a child, Althea." 

‎

‎My vision blurred; the tears I had been holding so forcefully spilled, but he continued relentlessly.

‎

‎“You're just a decoration," he said. “A little side piece to make me look good. A wolfless body meant for appearance and pleasure, not legacy." 

‎

‎The words sliced through me one after another, so cruel.

‎

‎“Useless," he went on, and I just stood there. My legs are doing that thing it always does, refusing to let me flee. “Except for what you represent." 

‎

‎I finally took a step back, my spine hitting the table behind me.

‎

‎“You loved her," I said. It wasn't a question, more like to myself.

‎

‎Vespera never had to fight. Nolan had already chosen her.

‎

‎“Yes," Nolan replied without hesitation, pride shining in those brown eyes I despise now.

‎

‎“Vespera is the woman I love." 

‎

‎“And me?" Why do I keep asking these when I already know the answer? Maybe a little part of me still hopes. Even if it was just a little affection.

‎

‎“I chose you because you weren't a threat," he said. “For your bloodline and obedience. Your status helped me become Alpha, remember?" 

‎

‎I shook my head, something breaking loose in my chest. “All those years— you let me believe…”

‎

‎"Oh come on now, Althea,” he tsked. "Don't tell me you actually believed you were capable of being loved.” He cut in.

‎

‎"Sweetie, that was your delusion. And those don't get you anywhere.”

‎

‎I swallowed hard. “I'm asking for a divorce." 

‎

‎His expression finally hardened.

‎

‎“And I said, No." 

‎

‎“You can't force me—" 

‎

‎“I can," Nolan declared calmly. “Mate bond law forbids dissolution without the Alpha's consent. The pack needs stability. And I'm the Alpha." 

‎

‎“You're keeping me against my will." 

‎

‎“I'm keeping what's mine." 

‎

‎Those words sent a chill through me.

‎

‎“Letting you go would weaken my rule,” he continued, stepping closer to me while I planted my back firmly on the table. " And frankly…" he paused, eyes narrowing, looking down my body. “I don't want to." 

‎

‎I felt something inside me collapse completely. The last fragile hope, some foolish belief that he might let me walk away, died right there. ‎I don't want to be a prisoner here, to him. He stepped even closer, invading my space. I could smell him; the once familiar comforting smell now made my stomach churn.

‎

‎“You should be grateful," Nolan said quietly. “A woman like you had no right to ask for more." 

‎

‎The sentence struck deeper than a blow, and before I could speak, the door opened, and two guards stood waiting, with their heads bowed. ‎My eyes frantically pleaded with Nolan's as I shook my head.

‎

‎“Escort my Luna to her quarters," Nolan ordered. “Don't let her leave them, for her own protection." 

‎

‎Hands closed around my arms, not roughly, but firm enough to contain my thrashing and twisting.

‎

‎“Nolan— Nolan!" 

‎

‎I screamed as they dragged me away, my voice cracking as more tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. ‎He just sent a little wave before turning his back on me, because there was nothing left to see. ‎And I understood with chilling clarity.

This wasn't a marriage anymore.‎

‎It was a cage.