Chapter 2 Realising her worth

VALENTINA

The woman standing before me looked terrifying. Her once beautiful face, now disfigured, bore a scar that marred the left side of her cheek. Her long lashes were burned during the attack.

She looks horrible.

A single tear traced a path down her ruined cheek. Everything in her life had been lost, thrusting her into the pain of hell.

Her pearly ivory eyes scrutinised deep within my soul, reminding me of my losses that carved each of my cells with remorse and ache, screaming of my defeat and evoking memories of the past.

I had left my father's protection and entrapped myself in Atlas's deadly web.

I wish I could turn the time, then I would have never left my home and perhaps—perhaps accepted my father's stubborn decision of arranged marriage.

For two years, there wasn't a day that passed when I didn't reach for my phone to call my father, yet dropped the idea. I was angry with him, but after losing almost everything, I felt that maybe I was wrong not to have listened to him.

But no more. Before I lose my life at the serpent's hands, I must leave and return home to my father…

“Luna, Alpha is here. He wants to see you.” My maid informed me.

I brushed away my tears. My eyes hardened in a way I never thought possible.

"Hmm," I whispered, and slowly walked out of the closet in my bathrobe.

There he is. My husband, standing with a face no one would ever doubt. Full of charm and innocence, but underneath that facade hides a dangerous demon.

My heart twisted in agony when he flashed his sweetest smile.

I thought he was my safe barrier. I thought he was my one and only, my forever kind of love until he brutally stepped into my soul and tore away my love and belief as if they weighed nothing…

“Baby…” He murmured and embraced me in a warm hug that no longer felt warm, but a camouflage of his cruel conspiracy.

I didn't return the hug and stood like a cold statue. The pain of his infidelity had sunk deep within me to even pretend to accept his disgusting touch.

Breaking the hug, Atlas cupped my cheeks. "How are you, love?" he asked. Those soft words felt like a sharp dagger plunged deep into my soul.

Staring deep into his cunning, dark gaze, I realized how foolish I was to fall for his sweet disguise. Worse, I dared to believe he was my safest place.

Had it not been for last night, I would never have recognized this person. I would never have learned that the man I loved most was the cause of my greatest suffering.

It turns out, as I am his destined mate, he was obligated to accept me as his official Luna. Therefore, he schemes against me to degrade me. And here I was, in a dreamy illusion of being accepted by my husband...

“Val, baby, what's wrong?” His words broke my thoughts, and my eyes met his.

A slight twitch appeared on my lips. "Nothing," I muttered. "What are you doing here? I thought you were busy finding a solution to my situation," I said, my voice holding a touch of sarcasm that he did not understand.

Atlas held my hand. "I have already found one," he said like a loving husband.

I wonder what part of his plan he is executing now. With a soft smile, I nodded, "Hmm, tell me."

He turned around toward the closed door of the room. "Come on in," he said.

The door opened, and Beta Jayden entered with a little boy in his arms. Immediately, my heart clenched just by looking at the boy. One glance at him, and I knew he was Atlas's illegitimate son for whom he had destroyed me. The resemblance was unwavering.

Atlas took the boy from Beta and stood before me with a sparkling gaze. “He is Arlen, an orphan, so I thought, why not adopt him?”

When I didn't reply, he passed the boy to Jyaden and again held my hands. “Val, I know you always wanted a baby of your own, but now the circumstances have changed. You can’t carry a child. Also, you lost your wolf as well. Besides, the council has already raised a question against you. So, I think if we adopt the boy, I can strongly defend you before them. With an heir, they won’t have any grounds to oppose you.” He said, using his gentle voice.

I gazed at the man. Everything was just because of this child? He hurt me, both physically and emotionally, so his lover's child could become the heir to the pack.

I wanted to laugh out loud but suppressed. Turning to the little boy, I went close to him and slowly touched his cheeks.

He retreated, yanking my hand away. His expression clearly showed fear and disdain. I offered a cold smile; it was unsurprising that he was Atlas's son.

"He's scared of me. Maybe he didn't like me as his mother," I said calmly.

"What are you saying? It's definitely not like that!" Atlas defended his son hurriedly. "He's just a child, try to understand.”

"Of course, I do. After all, anyone would be scared looking at my face," I said, flashing him a small smile.

Atlas let out a sigh that seemed intended to evoke sympathy, though I found his performance rather amusing. His acting was so convincing that throughout our two years of marriage, I never once suspected him, or Sienna.

“Valentina, it's not your fault.” He whispered, cupping my cheeks.

"Of course, it's not," I softly whispered. It was all your fault.

“Baby, I’ve decided to adopt this child, not only to present him to the council but because I strongly feel you’d be happier around him. When he'll call you Mother, it will appease your soul. I promise, your wounded feelings will be eased by this little guy.” He kissed my forehead, finishing his words.

Ah, how I ever forgot how outstandingly manipulative he is. In our married life, Atlas always had the final word, using his gentleness. He made me believe he was doing everything for my good while stabbing me in the back.

Every time he made me feel indebted to him for his consideration, and I, like a fool, believed him without a question.

He turned to the boy, saying, “Look at him, He is so innocent and craves love. Doesn't your heart wish to adore him?”

His words burned my wounded soul in a repeated move. Making me infertile he is asking me to adore his illegitimate child.

What a disgusting piece of shit.

A subtle smile played on my lips as I nodded. "Undeniably, he's charming," I remarked.

"But, did you observe a striking resemblance? He's your spitting image, Atlas. As if he is your own blood!" I feigned astonishment. "Fate is indeed capricious, isn't it? Yet, I sense a disparity; the little one does not bear even the slightest resemblance to me at all.” I faked a longing, sorrowful expression.

My words, nevertheless, stiffened him. His face was drained of colour. A frown of nervousness creased his brows.

“Nn-no baby it's not like that. I-it’s just a coincidence…” Atlas panicked for a split second, trying his best to take control of the situation. He probably didn't realize this point, out of excitement over his victory.

I almost burst out laughing but controlled myself in time.

Seeing him tense sent a wave of satisfaction through my heart. Although my anguish and losses far outweigh his, I still consider it a success.

“Atlas,” I touched his arm, “Don't worry, I will adopt him,” I said with an icy smile. Why not play a little before crushing down his desires just the way he did to me?

Oh my dear, dear Atlas, you have no idea whom you have messed with. You knew a loving and obedient wife; now you know the true Valentina Rodriguez.

My acceptance brought tremendous joy to his face. His handsome face which was ugly within, gleamed with mirth and he pulled me into a tight embrace.

“You have no idea how relieved I feel, Val.” He kissed my head. “I knew you’d never disappoint me and would make a decision as Luna of the pack!” He almost moved to tears, making my lips twitch at the perfection of his deceit.

“We no longer need to worry about an heir or the throne.” His joyous words rang in my ears like a taunt as I watched him with amazement.

“You’ll always be my most beloved Luna, baby,” he announced, as if his love for me were undying, while the truth is that he never loved me at all.

“I’m so glad to have met you; otherwise, I wouldn’t know men like you exist,” I said, my taunted remarks were so clear yet nothing entered his fat head.

He gently caressed my cheeks and said proudly, "I know.”

Atlas is a manipulative and arrogant man. His ego is bigger than his brain, yet my deep affection for him stemmed from his endearing and charming nature; however, I have since learned that this was merely a disguise.

I'm curious, how many times did he sleep around with his lover behind my back? Perhaps those nights when he stayed out of home with an excuse of important work, and mind me if I say, those nights were countless.

Nowadays, with many chemicals and potions, it's nearly impossible to feel the betrayal in the mate bond. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had to endure so long, and perhaps I could have saved myself from this agonizing anguish and loss…

“Baby, where are you lost?” Atlas asked, interrupting my thoughts again.

“In you,” I answered, looking at him intently.

Again not understanding the mockery, he grinned like a fool and touched my head, "hey, get ready; we will meet the council," he said.

A sneer touched my lips as I shrugged. “Well, I feel I don’t want to meet the council. In fact, I have another plan,” I said calmly.

“And what is that?” He raised an eyebrow, unable to contain his irritation. This is Atlas; he despised disobedience.

My lips curved into a smirk as I took my wedding ring off my ring finger and threw it at him and stated coldly, “I, Valentina Rodriguez, reject you, Atlas Darwin, as my mate, husband and Alpha.”