Chapter 1 - Severing bonds

~ Adeline ~

One week ago…

I clutch the paper in my hand tightly as though it will vanish in the next minute. Something churns in my stomach–something I couldn't quite fathom. The doctor’s words earlier had completely knocked the spirits out of me. My eyes hold emotions I cannot explain as I stare at the test result.

Positive. I am pregnant.

I am only twenty years old at the moment. I couldn't tell if this news would please Corey or my father.

Pulling out my phone, I stare at the empty call log. He didn't call me. Not even a text or anything–nothing.

I fold the paper and quickly stuff it into my purse before leaving. I suddenly remembered today was his birthday. I have been planning for this day for a while. I got a cake, and a lot of preparation. I even invited his friends. Perhaps one more present will not hurt.

A smile plasters across my lips as I plan everything.

Once it was evening, I picked up the cake before heading to Corey's apartment. I call his friends , but they are all busy, leaving me alone to do the surprise.

After I arrive, I stuff the key into the lock and turn it, and the door opens with a click. I feel my heart flutter in my chest as I make my way into the living room. He is not home yet. The house is a little messy, and I decide to tidy it up before he returns. After I am done, I wipe the beads of sweat that gathered on my forehead before setting up the balloons and neon lights. I check my time–it is just 6 o'clock. But seconds of waiting turns into minutes, and then into hours. I nod off on the couch while waiting for him.

I do not know how long I waited for, but my eyes snap open when I hear the sound of keys clinging outside. He was back!

I picked up my phone to check the time only to see that I had slept for the whole night. A frown comes to rest on my lips, but it vanishes in the next second as the door handle turns. I wait in anticipation, hoping to wish him a belated birthday at least, but all my words get stuck in my throat by the scene playing in front of me when the door fully opens.

Corey, my boyfriend and mate, has his fingers tangled in a woman's hair, his lips jammed to hers like a jam lock, not ready to part. His hands trail the curve of her slim body as his kisses get intense. They don't notice me yet, and I feel as though all air has been knocked out of my lungs. My lips are zipped tight as I clutch the test paper in my hand tightly.

They now notice me after minutes of intense making-out, but the woman doesn't flinch. Instead, she smiles like she doesn't know who I am. I know she does. She fuckin' wants to pretend she doesn't.

“Oops, your mate is here,” she mutters, making me clench my fists harder. I expect Corey to be sorry. To be surprised to see me, or to at least be like the cheating man in a movie and utter those cliche words "It's not what you think' or "It's not what it looks like', but he only stares at me indifferently. Irritated. As though I'm the pest ruining his moment as he soothes his rumpled shirt.

“Where are you here?” He asks while he watches the bimbo walk to the bedroom. I knew she was going to wait for him. I can hear the sound of my heart breaking, yet, I can do nothing about it.

“What do you mean? Yesterday was your birthday!” I half-yell, not hearing the obvious crack that marries my voice.

He now turns to me fully, and I see the various lipstick marks on his shirt. He is not even apologetic!

“I told you I would be busy,” he mutters coldly, making me chuckle in disbelief. By busy, he means that he will be with another woman.

“You should probably get going as well, I still have business,” he adds, making me snap. I throw the test paper in his face.

“I'm pregnant,” I mutter, feeling the hotness in the corners of my eyes. I know I am about to cry, but I'm not going to let him see it.

I search Corey's face for something–anything that will hint that he is happy about the baby, but his face is blank. He doesn't bother to pick up the paper on the floor.

“Do you hear me? I'm pregnant,” I mutter again, my voice dimming, and I hear his laugh erupt in the next second.

“Are you kidding me? You? With your weight, how exactly can you be pregnant?” He asks, but his question is not just a question. It's a hard jab to my heart, and I struggle hard to breathe. I even stagger backwards.

“Don't think you can just pin a baby on me just like that. You know what? We're over.” He mutters, making my back turn rigid. What did he mean?

“What?” I ask, unable to believe my ears. The same man whom the goddess had chosen for me on my eighteenth birthday, the same man who had promised he loved me, the same man who had planned an imaginary wedding with me was now breaking up with me?

“And hell, don't think I don't know you've been sleeping with other men. That baby is not mine,” he says, his voice cold as he turns back to me.

“Get rid of it,” he adds, making my eyes widen. By now tears had pooled them.

“What? No!” I yell, covering my belly, but he notices this protective move and smirks.

He walks forward, coming just a few steps away from me.

“Get rid of it, or I will do it for you,” he threatens, making me shiver. I see the unrelenting seriousness in his eyes that make my blood run cold.

“Ah!” A gasp erupts from my throat when his fist jab into my abdomen, making me crouch.

“St–stop,” I manage to voice out, breathing through my mouth as pain shoots through me.

One punch wasn't enough for him. His leg jabbed my side again, making my weighty body tousle to the floor. My wolf whimpers and tries to let itself out, but I hold her back.

Corey's legs collide with my stomach in the next second, making a blaring scream spill out of my lips. I hear a crack, and then wetness between my legs. Blood stains my dress. God, no!

“I wouldn't be with a fat b*tch like you. Not now and not in my next life. I reject you as my mate.” He finalizes, making a single tear roll down my cheek. I feel it. The pain of my heart being prickled, the little life that seeps out of me, and the painful sensation of our severing bond. A red light looms over us before scattering into the air, and just like that, I don't have a mate anymore.