Chapter 4

Serena's POV

Hearing your own mate talk about falling in love with another 'woman' was an out of body experience.

But that was the last thing I needed to hear to completely dissolve the rest of my feelings.

Instantly I was emptied of all the burning passion I had for him, and I dumped the ashes out of my heart.

"Are you serious about making her Luna?" I asked, already ready to hand it all over and be done with these people.

He tried to touch my shoulder and I shifted back so fast nearly knocking over a huge decoration plant pot.

Caden stared at his hand hanging in the air like the limb didn't belong to him. Not once in all our time together had I ever rejected his touch.

It didn't matter how burnt out, moody or depressed I was.

If he wanted it, he would have it.

But I had taken off those thick  rose colored lenses, seeing him for the manipulative bastard he was.

He always told me he wasn't emotional, that his father was abusive. It hardened him. I swallowed his lie hook line and sinker only to see him handling someone else like an egg, smiling up to his ears when he held her, saying the sweetest things he always cringed at and told me were stupid.

Awkwardly he took his hand back, stuffing it in his pocket to look intentional.

"Rest easy, you still have 7 months before Liliana delivers and she'll need at least 6 months tending to the pup. Then afterwards you can train her on her responsibilities for the next couple of months  which means..." He held up two digits, "I'm giving you at least a year and half to get your life together and figure out what you're going to do afterwards,"

My eyes widened so far, had he really gone insane?

"Let me get this right..." I said clasping my palms together, "you expect me to prepare her to take over my position?"

His crunched eyebrows like that didn't make perfect sense for a grievance.

"It was never truly your position because I never marked you,"

Realization hit me like a truck, he'd framed not marking me as some noble act but in truth it was meant to keep HIS options open not mine.

I had truly been a fool.

But not anymore.

Now I had a plan.

"If you want me to help, then I will for old times sake."

••••••••

"I'll kill him with my bare hands!" Gale, my personal guard from my home pack Howlfall growled from the bottom of his throat leaving a hole in the wall. "How dare he disrespect you...How..." His eyes rested worriedly on me softening up, "How can you be so calm, my lady?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Everything is working out for me, isn't it?" I said carefully inspecting my jewelry box, I wouldn't be taking much but this was definitely coming along.

"But my lady that pig has smeared your name by mindlessly spreading his seed, how are you not affected? How will you stand staying here for so long watching them being all over each other?"

"I won't," I said sitting in front of my vanity. "Tending to a mistress? What a joke. I will be out of this place before the next full moon, three weeks from now."

A smile found his lips then it fell back down.

"But my lady it's still isn't fair you have given so much for this pack, for you to leave empty-"

"Gale, I won't be leaving here empty handed." I corrected it quickly.

Not after all I'd sacrificed.

Caden had shot himself in the foot and he didn't know it yet.

I stroked through my hair, it was dry and a dull blonde like hay, my eyes sunken and my skin pale. Not had I given my body to this pack but also my heart.

And yet it still wasn't enough.

"I want this message I'm about to give you to be sent through a communication crystal." I told Gale to still inspect my jewelry box and set it down. I came over and whispered everything in his ear.

The man who was built like a brick wall shifted from one over to the other with uncertainty coating his eyes.

"My lady, I know you're desperate but-"

I doubted myself for a second.

"I have to do something Gale."I said with a note of finality, "you're right. I am desperate and desperate times call for-"

I was interrupted by my door swinging open. Belinda stomped in with two burly guards in tow, she didn't regard me for us before sending them to my closet.

"Stop right there, you can't just come barging in and-"

"My son said it's okay, besides Liliana needs to feel comfortable. Pack doctor says she has a high risk pregnancy and we can't have you here triggering her,"

She spoke without even looking at me, as if I was so dismissable I didn't deserve that.

Gale was boiling beside me, but a glance from me was enough to make him sheath his claws albeit reluctantly.

I knew if I let him run wild it would be more of a loss, at least for now.

"If you want me out of this house then I'll leave but I would prefer if I was the one packing my things,"

She looked at me with a scoff.

"And give you an opportunity to steal? Not a chance!"

I watched the guards ransack my room like I was a common criminal, they broke and damaged several things. I didn't react, they were all replaceable but then Belinda took my jewelry box declaring loudly.

"This belongs to the Luna of Thornblood," her eyes were like needles, "it might be your family heirloom, but it should stay with whoever holds the title don't you agree?"

She looked at me waiting for a reaction, that almost got it out of me but I remained calm even as I left to stay in the Thornblood Cabin with my messily packed bag.

She, her stupid son and that shameless mistress had no idea what was coming for them.