CHAPTER THREE: RUNNING AFTER HIS LUNA

Elena didn't say a word. She only dragged the IV stand beside her, removed the needle from her hand, and changed into her clothes. Tears rolled down her cheeks, hot and endless, as her heart shattered again. Gabriel hadn't even asked about her or their child. All he cared about was Vanessa, the woman he cheated with.

With trembling hands, Elena pulled out her phone and called Nathaniel. Her voice was broken, but her words were sharp.

"Find me a divorce lawyer," she said.

Later that evening, Elena sat alone at home, her bags packed neatly by the door. She had signed the divorce papers already, waiting for Gabriel to come home and add his signature. Her hands rested protectively on her stomach as she took deep breaths, steadying herself.

The door opened with force, and Gabriel walked in, his face full of anger.

"What the hell, Elena?" he shouted, slamming the door behind him. "You never brought the soup! Vanessa's been waiting all day!"

Elena rose slowly from the couch, her eyes red from crying, but her voice steady as steel.

"You want soup? Fine."

She walked to the table where two bowls of soup had been set down. Without hesitation, she grabbed the first bowl and poured it all over Gabriel's face. He gasped as the hot liquid soaked into his shirt. Before he could react, Elena picked up the second bowl and poured it over his head.

Gabriel yelled, fury twisting his features.

"Are you out of your damn mind?!"

But Elena didn't flinch. She stepped closer, handed him the divorce papers, and said with a cold voice, "We're done. I want a divorce."

At that very moment, the mate bond appeared, glowing faintly around their hands like silver fire, a cruel reminder of the bond that tied them. Gabriel froze, his anger turning into disbelief as he stared at the bond line.

"You want to divorce me?" he growled. "Because of your little fling?"

Elena's heart cracked at his words, but she held his gaze. Her disappointment ran deeper than her pain.

"You're a real piece of work, Gabriel. You know that? I can't believe I didn't see it before now."

Lifting her hand, her voice rang with finality.

"I, Elena Sterling, reject you, Gabriel Thorne, as my mate and Alpha. From this day forward, our bond is shattered."

The bond flickered like lightning and then snapped. Pain tore through both of them, but Elena stood tall even as her body trembled. Gabriel staggered, clutching his chest. His eyes widened in disbelief.

"You dare reject me?" he roared. "Do you have any idea what you've done? You are nothing without me! No money, no status, you will regret this, Elena!"

But Elena didn't answer. She simply picked up her bag, her expression unreadable, and walked to the door.

Outside, Nathaniel was waiting, leaning against the car. The moment Elena stepped out, he rushed forward and opened the car door for her. She slid inside without looking back.

Gabriel stormed out of the house, his eyes wild. He watched as Nathaniel's car pulled away, taking Elena farther and farther from him.

His chest rose and fell heavily, and rage burned in his veins. He clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

"So that's it?" he muttered under his breath. "Elena wants a divorce? She's leaving with her boyfriend now?"

The car disappeared down the road, and Gabriel let out a scream that echoed through the night.

"Elena!" he shouted, his voice breaking.

But the car was already gone.

When Elena arrived at her grandmother's home, Matriarch Victoria Sterling came out and hugged her tightly. "I've missed you so much, Elena."

"I'm so sorry, Grandmother. You really warned me, but I was blinded by love. I didn't listen. I let you down, Grandmother," Elena cried, her voice trembling as tears slid down her cheeks.

Her grandmother placed a firm but gentle hand under her chin, lifting her face so she could meet her eyes. Her gaze was strong, yet full of love.

"That bastard never deserved you, Elena. You hear me? He never did. But you're home now. You're safe. Rest your mind. Focus on your baby. And most importantly, learn to be a real Alpha."

Elena sniffled and wiped her tears, but her eyes now carried a spark of determination. She placed her hand on her belly, holding it with care.

"I will, Grandmother. I promise."

A small smile touched Victoria's lips as she studied her courage. "How far along are you? Did they give you a sonogram?"

At once, Elena's face shifted, her heart dropping. "Oh! I left the report at Gabriel's," she whispered. "I'll get it tomorrow. He doesn't need to know about the baby."

Meanwhile, at the Shadowmere Pack mansion, Gabriel was getting ready for his office. His tie hung loose around his neck as his eyes drifted toward the empty bed. He frowned.

"Elena... did you make my French toast sticks?" he muttered to the silence.

But the house was quiet. Too quiet. He walked into the kitchen, expecting to find her, but all he saw was an empty counter. He froze, his jaw tightening as memories flashed—how Elena used to wake early, making blueberry pancakes, and how she'd laugh while feeding him bites.

The nostalgia cut through his pride, making his chest heavy. Just then, his phone rang. He snatched it up.

"Hey, Mom," he said flatly.

But his mother's voice was sharp and full of fury.

"You're divorcing Elena? Have you lost your mind, Gabriel?! Elena is the best Luna we ever had. She took care of your entire pack, hell, she even cooked for you! Tell me, what other Luna does that?" Her words came like knives. "And I've just heard from the hospital... she's pregnant!"

Gabriel's eyes widened. His heart slammed against his ribs. "What?" he breathed.

"Elena is pregnant!" his mother repeated. "What the hell were you thinking?"

The phone slipped slightly in his grip as shock rattled him. His mind went blank.

"Elena... is pregnant?" he whispered to himself.

Without another thought, he rushed out of the house. His car screeched to a halt outside when he spotted another vehicle already parked in the driveway. His heart thudded painfully.

The car door opened. It was Elena.

He ran toward her, his eyes desperate. "Is it true? You're pregnant?" he demanded.

Elena's gaze was calm but cold. "You already know?" she asked.

"Is it my child?" His voice cracked slightly.

Her expression hardened. "What do you mean?"

"Who the hell else would it be?" Her lips curled with sudden triumph.

Gabriel was surprised.

"So I'm going to have an heir?"

"For the sake of the baby, I'm willing to give you another chance," Gabriel said, his tone dripping with arrogance. "All the lies, all the leaving, I'll overlook it. Just come home, Elena. Be my Luna again. Raise my heir."

Elena clenched her fists at her side, holding back tears of anger and pain.

For a moment, Elena's body shook. The man she had once loved stood in front of her, speaking as if her worth only existed because of the child inside her. She lifted her head, her voice like ice.

"Well, how generous of you," she said bitterly. "Too bad. I've already gotten rid of the pregnancy."

Gabriel's face froze, horror flashing across his features. His chest heaved as if she had stabbed him straight through the heart. His eyes darkened.

"You..." he growled, his voice low and trembling with rage. "You killed our unborn children."

His fists clenched, his entire body shaking as though he would shatter Elena into pieces right there.