Chapter 2

Elias’ POV

“You need an heir to the throne, Alpha,” Elder Jamie's voice echoes through my mind again for the millionth time this morning.

“Yes, Alpha,” Elder Selena chips in. “It's been five years since you've married the Luna and yet, you have no child of your own. I think it's high time you let her go and take a fruitful Luna like Lady Isolde. She is a beautiful young woman and we believe she will make a—”

“Enough!” I cut in sharply, slamming my fists on the mahogany desk. “Don't you dare speak about my wife like that.”

Even though things haven't been rosy between Elaria and me in recent times, I wouldn't stand back and watch anyone talk down on her.

The Elders’ brows furrow and they exchange glances.

“It's just some delay that happens to every couple. I believe we will have a child soon.”

“Oh, will you?” Elder Marlowe, the most powerful elder, sneers. He stands, and the rest follow suit, their jaws tight. “We will give you the last ultimatum of three months. If the Luna doesn't get pregnant, then… you will have to step down as Alpha. Your cousin brother Ethan, who already has a beautiful wife and two healthy sons, will take your place as king.”

“What?” My breath seizes. “Are you threatening me right now?”

They do not answer immediately. All three of them walk towards the door, then halt and stare back.

“We are not threatening you, Alpha,” they chorus. “We are only stating facts. Three months, and you will no longer have a crown on your head.”

And just like that, they are gone.

This morning marks the end of the three months, and Elaria is still not pregnant. As much as I want to ignore them, I know I can't. Those aren't mere threats. Those Elders would actually make Ethan king, and if that happens, then I am as good as dead.

I pace around restlessly, over a thousand thoughts crashing down on me, but none of them seem like a way out.

Just then, the door to my study creaks open and Isolde steps in, her lips curled into a broad smile as she approaches me.

“Good morning, my Alpha.”

“Good morning.” My voice is tight.

Her eyes narrow at me. “What is wrong with you? You seem disturbed—”

I raise my finger to stop her from talking as I feel a mindlink connecting from my beta.

“Alpha, the Alpha of the Dominion Sovereign Pack says he wants nothing to do with you.”

The Dominion Sovereign Pack is one of the three biggest packs in the world. I have been trying to get them to ally with the Gravemoor Pack, but it's been a futile effort. Their Alpha just seems to hate me for no reason at all.

“What? Why?”

He hesitates, then finally speaks. “He says that an Alpha who uses his Luna as a ladder to success doesn't deserve a seat at his table.”

I grit my teeth, fists clenching until my knuckles hurt.

I hate that phrase more than anything else. Everyone thinks that without my Luna's help, I wouldn't have grown this pack to what it is now. Maybe that is true, but I didn't just sit back and let her do all the work, did I?

Even my pack members say the reason I won't let her go despite her childlessness is because she made me. Those words get to me and has made me overly insecure, making out once beautiful marriage to now be a battle field.

“Would you ask the Luna to speak to him?” he suggests.

“Fuck!” I slam my fists on the table. “I can't believe you're suggesting that right now. He already thinks I'm up to no good, and involving Elaria would mean I'm just admitting to his words.” I say that aloud and cut off the mind-link immediately.

My chest rises and falls in barely restrained anger.

Isolde walks to my side, her hand trailing down my chest. “Calm down, Alpha,” her voice is low and sultry. “You shouldn't be this tense.”

I grab her wrist. “Don't touch me, Isolde,” I warn. “Your scent and perfume will be all over me, and that would make Elaria think we are together like she always claims.”

“And why are you denying it, Elias? That night you made love to me—”

“That was a mistake,” I cut her off sharply. “I was sad and vulnerable. You should have pushed me away, but you didn't. I told you to stop talking about that day, didn't I?"

Of course, she won't. I know how she's been doing everything she can to become Luna.

She lets out a humourless laugh. “You are in this situation because of her, and you're still holding onto her. Elder Selena, my aunt, told me that they will summon Prince Ethan to the pack tomorrow morning and begin the process of making him king. The elders say they want a proper Alpha, not one who is at his wife's beck and call.”

My chest thuds heavily in fear, but I say nothing.

Then she adds softly, “It's high time you let her go, Elias, or you lose your place.”

I run a hand through my hair.

Maybe Isolde is right this time. It is better to let Elaria go, especially since our marriage has been shaky in the past few months.

“Fine then.”

She smiles triumphantly. “You made the right choice, Elias.”

“But then… Elaria might not agree to a divorce. You know how hard she tries to make things work.”

Even though I have been cold towards her lately, she is still trying to save our marriage.

“You might be right, but I know a way. She already thinks we are together, so let's keep up the act. Be cold to her and call her barren if possible. No one remains the same after hearing that.”

Even though I hate the idea, I have no choice.

“Tell the pack's lawyer to draft a divorce agreement in twenty minutes,” I order my beta through the mindlink.

And to my uttermost shock, Elaria agrees. She doesn't even plead or try to convince me. She just says “okay” like she has been waiting for this moment all her life.

I have been under a lot of pressure lately, but the cake on the table reminds me that it is our five-year anniversary today, and it makes me wonder if those five years mean nothing to her. I have never seen this side of her before. In fact, she seems like a completely different person.

Maybe if she had begged… maybe if she had held onto me, maybe I would have changed my mind. But would I?

As she signs the divorce agreement, my pulse roars loudly like a war drum. I want this, but now that she gives it to me so easily—too easily—I wonder if I have made the right choice at all.

When she rejects me, I stumble to the floor and clutch my aching chest tightly, while she walks away, head high and shoulders straight like a woman who has just regained her freedom.

Isolde crouches low, her hands gripping my arms as she helps me to stand. I stare at the divorce papers on the table over and over again, and I still can't believe that we are really over.

Seconds later, a maid storms in. “The Luna… she collapsed in the corridor.”

A rush of adrenaline courses through me before I can even think, and I rush forward.

“Where are you going?” she asks.

“To my wife, of course.”

“Ex-wife,” she corrects. “You just rejected her a while ago.”

“I don't care!” I shoot back. “She is still my wife for as long as she remains here.”

She falls silent.

The maids stare at me awkwardly like they know I haven't let go completely as I storm towards the corridor. Elaria is slumped there by the door, her phone beside her with Ivy's panicked voice spilling out. I quickly end the call.

“Elaria,” I call softly, holding her fragile body to my chest.

I had been shocked earlier that she was fine after the rejection, but now… she looks so weak.

I carry her in a bridal style, kick the door open, and walk into the room to place her gently on the bed. I pull the covers over her and brush a strand of hair away from her clammy forehead.

Seeing her up close, I realize how rough her skin is. She used to be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, the beloved daughter of the second most powerful Alpha in the kingdom. She had loved me so much that she gave up her place as Alpha heir to her sister and now, it's seems like I failed her.

My chest tightens with guilt. Caring for me and this pack over the last five years must have taken a toll on her.

I sigh and turn away quickly. Stepping out of her room, I make a mental note not to return to the palace until she is gone because I am afraid… I might beg her to stay.