Chapter 5

A servant went to find Luna Grace Miller was approaching me.

It appeared she was in the garden. Alpha Lucas and I waited in the sitting room. A short while later, Luna Grace entered, the epitome of both elegance and power. Her presence commanded dignity, and her battle prowess was widely known and lauded.

Initially, she was not happy with having me, a woman who did not have a wolf, as a mate for Adrian. She had behaved cooly toward me and expressed her disappointment at her husband’s choice. But in time, I’d won her over, and she became fond of me as her daughter-in-law, which meant I hated have to say the words I uttered next.

“I want to leave the pack.”

Shock raced across Luna’s face before she reined in the expression of her outward emotions. “What happened, Natalia?” she asked with concern in her voice. “Did he say something? Did he hurt you?”

Before I could answer, Alpha Miller cut in. “I promise he will apologize to you today. Don’t do anything in a hurry.”

They didn’t seem to understand that Adrian never had any desire to be with me. In fact, he had brought up the subject of our divorce to them on multiple occasions. He had no intention of ever being with me. I could guess he’d done the same before our marriage, too. Sometimes, I wondered what would happen if he had never agreed to marry me, if I had never slept with him that night. What would our lives be like? Would we both have been happier?

In agreement with her husband, Luna Grace nodded.

But I smiled at them bitterly. “I’ve always listened to you both. This is the first time I’ve asked for something. Let me leave. Please. It’s better for me and Adrian to part ways.”

I wished I could tell them about my babies. As their future grandparents, they had the right to know. But I had no option. Their son was not someone in whom I could no longer place my faith in their son. It was quite clear to me that he didn’t want any children to be born by me. Thus, I was unable to take the chance.

In an effort to conceal my emotions, I took a deep breath.

In reaction, Luna Grace shifted her gaze to Alpha Lucas.

He shook his head, then turned his attention to me. “What about your family?” he asked, referring to my foster father, who was his gamma. “You should be with them.”

I shook my head, terrified about him contacting my father. He would never let me leave the pack. But I wanted to leave, needed to leave and raise my children elsewhere.

“I’ll start a new life outside,” I replied.

“Like a rogue?” Alpha asked, his tone both serious and concerned.

I nodded. All I knew about rogues was that they didn’t belong to any of the packs. But I had no one here, and I had to protect my babies, so what choice did I have?

Alpha Lucas shook his head again, deep lines forming on his brow. “Please reconsider, Natalia.”

My mind wandered back to the time when Adrian signed the papers. If he didn’t reconsider, then why would I?

“I’m sorry, Alpha. I’ve made up my mind.”

The lines on his face deepened, and he let out a sigh of resignation. He had done everything in his power to bring his son to the realization that I was his best choice, and I appreciated all his efforts. But Adrian had been stubborn, and now it had come to this.

As Alpha Lucas agreed to approve my request, his eyes turned red. Just then, Adrian entered the room.

“Natalia!” he growled.

All eyes turned toward him as he approached and grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward him. My body pressed against his hard chest, and the pleasant scent of his cologne filled my nose.

But his expression was anything but pleasant. “You’re provoking my parents against me now?” he sneered in accusation.