CHAPTER 4 : THE UNWANTED HUMAN WIFE IS NOBODY

Leila’s eyes widened, her hands trembling as she stared at the contract.

The same paper she signed years ago to save him… now being used as a weapon against her.

Her chest tightened, her vision blurring with tears. But before she could speak…

Adrian’s next words cut through the air like a blade.

“Tell me, Leila,” he said slowly, mockery dripping from every word. “How much are you worth this time?”

Her tears fell silently… 

Leila’s hands trembled as she stared at the contract on the table. Her voice cracked, raw with pain.

“For the past three years,” she whispered, “I’ve loved you completely. Unconditionally.”

Adrian’s expression didn’t change. Cold. Distant.

“And that’s what you think of me?” Her tears burned down her cheeks. “Let’s end this.”

She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her, sharp, commanding.

“You can’t just walk away whenever it suits you.”

Leila froze.

Adrian picked up the contract and slammed it on the desk. “Clause 3.2,” he said darkly. “Only I can break the contract. Not you.”

He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “Clause 4.2…” His eyes darkened. “I own you, Leila. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. You belong to me.”

Her heart pounded. “You don’t own me!”

“Oh, but I do.” His voice was low, dangerous. “You signed yourself over, remember? For money.”

The sting of his words broke something inside her. Before she could stop herself…

Smack!

Leila’s hand flew across his face.

“You’re such a bastard!” she cried.

Adrian’s head turned from the impact. For a moment, silence filled the room. His cheek burned red. His jaw tightened.

The door burst open.

“Adrian!”

They both turned.

Zara. Adrian’s mother burst into the room, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

“I sprinted here the second I saw the news,” she said breathlessly, her face glowing with excitement. “You and your new Luna, finally!”

She threw her arms around her son, hugging him tightly.

Leila froze, her heart twisting.

Then Zara turned toward her. The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by disgust.

“Now it’s time you get rid of this human leech,” she said coldly. “Don’t you think, Adrian?”

Adrian’s jaw clenched. He didn’t speak. He just stared at Leila.

Leila drew in a shaky breath. “I’m already leaving.”

“Good,” Zara snapped. “But everything you’re wearing belongs to my son.”

Leila gave a bitter laugh. “Of course it does.”

She reached for her earrings, unclipping them one by one. “You gave these to me on Christmas,” she said quietly. “After three days of silence.” She dropped them to the floor.

Then she pulled the chain off her wrist, her fingers trembling. “Valentine’s Day. Your pathetic excuse after two months of not coming home. I slept with my phone in my hand, afraid I’d miss your call.”

Her eyes glistened as she met Adrian’s gaze. “The call never came. And now I know why.”

She scoffed. “You aren’t drowning in work, Adrian. You’re drowning in your new luna.”

Adrian took a step toward her. “Leila, it’s not what you think.”

Zara’s expression twisted with fury. Without warning…

Smack!

Her palm cracked against Leila’s cheek.

“Mother!” Adrian shouted, grabbing Zara’s wrist. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Three long years,” Zara hissed. “Three years of you bleeding my son dry, and now you have the audacity to play the victim?”

Zara’s lips curled in a cruel smile.

“Adrian paid for every single piece of scrap on your worthless body,” she spat. “So if you’re slithering away, strip naked now.”

Leila froze. The room went silent.

Adrian’s jaw tightened. “Mother, that’s enough.”

But Leila’s trembling hands moved anyway. She pulled off her jacket. Then her blouse. Her eyes burned with humiliation.

“Hey,” Adrian said, his voice cracking. “You don’t have to do this. Leila, stop.”

She gave him a broken smile. “But this is what you and your precious family wanted, right?” Her voice shook. “To strip me bare. To remind me that I never belonged in your world.”

Zara crossed her arms, smirking. “One last thing. The ring.”

Leila looked down at the ring on her finger, the one symbol of love she once believed was real. Her chest ached as she slipped it off.

She held it out, then dropped it to the floor. The sound echoed like a gunshot.

“I, Leila,” she said, her voice rising, “reject you, Alpha Adrian, as my mate.”

Zara’s mocking laughter filled the room. “This isn’t how it works, little girl. Only a werewolf can reject a human. Not the other way around.”

Leila met her gaze, her eyes glowing faintly… an eerie, golden shimmer neither of them had ever seen before.

“But I’m not just a human,” she whispered.

Zara frowned. “Typical human delusion. All drama, no substance. See? Nothing is…”

Her words died in her throat.

Adrian suddenly gasped, clutching his chest. His knees hit the floor. Blood spilled from his mouth.

“Adrian!” Zara screamed, rushing to him. “What’s happening?”

He coughed violently, eyes wide with shock. His wolf howled from deep inside, a sound of agony and loss.

Leila stepped back, tears streaming down her cheeks. “This is the pain of rejection,” she said softly. “The same pain I felt when you cast me aside.”

Adrian’s eyes darkened, glowing like fire. “Leila… how, how are you doing this?”

The air in the room thickened, charged with raw energy.

Leila’s voice trembled but steady, “Because I’m one of you.”

Adrian’s body went rigid. His eyes widened in disbelief.

He rose slowly, still shaking, blood staining his lips. “Our mate bond… it’s real.” His voice broke. “You're a werewolf?”

Adrian staggered, clutching his chest as the burning pain still throbbed through him.

“You’re a werewolf?” he gasped. “No, I can’t believe that. I would’ve sensed your wolf. I would’ve smelled it!”

Leila’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. She didn’t speak, but her thoughts echoed like thunder.

Arrogant alphahole werewolf. You can’t sense what’s above you.

Because only a Lycan could hide from a wolf.

“I can’t accept your rejection,” Adrian said through gritted teeth. “Even if it works. I won’t let you go.”

Leila turned toward him, her eyes cold. “You can talk to my lawyer. I’m done with you.”

“Leila!” He reached out as she walked past him. “Leila, wait!”

He ran after her, his hand gripping her arm gently. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. The gesture was soft, almost tender.

“You shouldn’t walk out like this,” he said quietly. “You’re shaking.”

She looked down at his jacket, the scent that once brought her comfort now making her sick.

Adrian reached into his pocket and handed her a check. “I don’t want you leaving empty-handed. Take it, please.”

Leila stared at the paper, then tied it in a knot with trembling fingers. Without a word, she threw it right at his face.

The check fluttered, sticking against his cheek before falling to the ground.

Adrian froze.

Leila took off the jacket and shoved it back at him. “Keep your pity, Alpha. I don’t need it.”

Just then, the sound of a car door clicking open sliced through the silence.

A tall man stepped out, broad shoulders, dark coat, eyes sharp as steel. He walked straight toward Leila with confidence that made the air shift.

Without hesitation, he removed his own jacket and draped it around her shoulders, shielding her from the cold and from Adrian’s stare.

Adrian’s entire body went tense. His eyes darkened, voice low and dangerous.

“Leila…” he growled. “Who the hell is this guy?”