Chapter 5

Tessa’s POV

Ignoring his words, I walked away and headed into the room in my closet. I packed my belongings into a bag, my heart weeping but steady enough not to show weakness. Sebastian’s voice followed me from the sitting room, mocking every step I took, but I kept moving and didn’t answer him. “You’re really doing this, Tessa? Walking out like some pathetic rogue? You’ll be begging to come back in a week!” His words echoed down the room, laced with that aggressive edge he always pulled out when he felt like a loser. He approached and stood in front of me, like he was trying to intimidate me but as usual, I acted like he was invisible.

I zipped the bag shut, forcing my breathing to stay even. Lititi stirred inside me, her low growl vibrating inside me, urging me to snap back, but held my temper. No more wasting energy on him.

As I reached the front door, Marianne blocked my path, her eyes filled with fury as she folded her arms across her chest, standing in front of the door. “If you leave this house, Tessa, don’t you dare come back,” she said, her voice cold and cutting through the tension. “The Ironclaw Pack won’t recognize you as Sebastian’s wife anymore. You’ll be nothing, just a disgraced Icevein reject.”

I met her gaze head-on, my heart pounding but my glare at her courageous. Her words hurt, but I wouldn’t let her see it. “I don’t want your recognition,” I shot back. “I only want my freedom.” Before she could spit out another word, I stepped past her, brushing her shoulder just enough to make her stagger away as she dramatically called out her son's name while pushing herself to the ground.

“Oh my… You filthy whore! How dare you lay your hands on me. Sabastian…” She welled. 

Sebastian lunged forward in hurry, his face twisted in rage, veins bulging in his neck as he helped her up. 

“She pushed me.” The old fool added as Sabastian snapped at me.

“How dare you lay your hands on my mother?”

“I’m not ready for this drama. Make sure you sign the divorce papers, I need my freedom from this hell of a marriage.” My words sounded very different from how I would sound earlier, begging him for forgiveness but no, I can’t do that. I would rather stay single forever rather than stay in an abusive marriage. Of what use is marriage if I can’t be happy in it?

 “Freedom? You think you deserve that after everything you’ve put up with?” he snarled, grabbing my arm roughly and yanking me back. His grip was tight, fingers digging into my skin as I watched my skin turn red. I could smell the alcohol on him, mixed with that smug cologne he always wore, but it only made my stomach churn in disgust. “You’re my wife, Tessa! You don’t get to just walk away because you caught me having a little fun with Lyra. Grow up!”

I twisted out of his hold, my own anger urging to extend as Lititi howled in my mind. His eyes flashed with that beta dominance, trying to pin me down with his aura, but I pushed back, my  eyes meeting his. “A little fun? You call cheating with my best friend a little fun?” I snapped, my voice rising. “You humiliated me, Sebastian! Mocked me in your office like I was some joke. I’m done being your perfect little accessory. Let me go!”

He laughed, a harsh sound that echoed off the walls, his lips curling into a sneer. “Done? You’re nothing without me! I made you relevant in this pack. Your Icevein blood? It’s worthless now. Go ahead, leave and see how long you last out there as a lone wolf.” He stepped closer, towering over me, his breath hot on my face. “But mark my words, you’ll crawl back. You always do. Always.”

Marianne nodded behind him, her smug expression fueling the fire in my gut. “Listen to your husband, Tessa. A real wife fights for her marriage, not runs away like a coward. What would your father think of this tantrum?”

I whirled on her, my bag slipping slightly on my shoulder. “My father warned me about this family, and I should’ve listened. You’ve both used me, my connections, my support are thrown back in my face. I’m not fighting for a lie anymore.” Turning back to Sebastian, I shoved him hard in the chest, surprising even myself with the force. He stumbled back a step, his eyes widening in shock before narrowing again.

“You don’t have the right to leave this marriage except I say so.” he growled, advancing with clenched fists. “You think you can just reject me and walk out? I own you, Tessa. The court won’t even hear your case. You’re finished!”

I didn’t flinch this time. “Own me? I’m not your property. I rejected you twice already, feel that bond fraying? It’s over.” My voice sounded weak a little, but I held my ground, staring him down. Lititi’s strength surged through me, making me more confident.

Marianne stepped in, her hand on Sebastian’s arm to hold him back, though her eyes stayed locked on mine. “You’re making a grave mistake, girl. The pack will hear about this, your infidelity, your abandonment. No one will take you in. You’ll be shunned.”

I ignored her words and I pushed past them both, yanking the door open. Sebastian made one last grab for my bag, but I jerked it away.

“You’ll regret this!” he shouted, his voice booming as I stepped outside. “Tessa! Get back here!”

I didn’t look back. The door slammed shut behind me, cutting off his rage.

The cold air outside hit my face, and for the first time in years, I felt like I could breathe freely again. I got into my car and drove straight toward the city, my mind racing with thoughts of the Werewolf Court. I knew they would likely dismiss me, but I had to try because staying meant surrender. The highway blurred past, trees whipping by as I gripped the wheel and sped up, tears feeling my eyes. Lititi paced restlessly in my head, her agitation mirroring mine. 

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message from whoever it may be. I almost ignored it, but curiosity got the better of me, and I opened it to realize Lyra had sent me a photo. There she was, smirking in a selfie, wearing Sebastian’s shirt, the one I’d bought him last Christmas. And the text that followed it said. “You’ll regret walking away, Tessa. He’s mine now. Enjoy your freedom lol.” My chest tightened with anger, a hot flush rising to my cheeks. I wanted to smash the phone, to scream back, but I refused to reply. I wouldn’t give her that satisfaction. Instead, I tossed the phone onto the passenger seat and sped even more..

When I arrived at the courthouse gates, two guards stood at the entrance, their eyes narrowing when they saw me. They were burly wolves, in uniforms, their postures alert like they could smell trouble as their swords were placed beside them. One of them stepped forward, blocking my path. “State your business,” he said gruffly, his gaze sweeping over my rumpled dress and messy hair.

I straightened up, meeting his eyes. “I’m here to file for divorce from Sebastian Simeon, Beta of the Ironclaw Pack.”

The other guard chuckled under his breath, exchanging a knowing look with his partner. One of them smirked. “Divorce, huh? Against a Beta? Bold move.” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping. “You got proof? Or is this just some lovers’ spat?”

“It’s not a spat,” I snapped, my voice sharper and sounding serious. Lititi growled softly, sensing their dismissal. “He cheated on me with my best friend. I have rights under pack law. Now let me through.”

The smirking guard crossed his arms, his expression amused. “Rights? Lady, the court doesn’t just hand out divorces like candy. Especially not to someone from Icevein blood stirring up drama.” He glanced at his buddy. “What do you think, Mike? Think the council’s got time for this?”

Mike shrugged, his face impassive but his eyes mocking. “Doubt it. But hey, it’s her funeral. Go on in, miss. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

They stepped aside, still smirking. “Good luck,” he muttered, sarcasm dripping from every of their words. “You’re gonna need it.” The second one added.

I knew it wouldn’t be easy. As I walked in, my head was filled with the thought that I am ready to face whatever it would be, knowing the council chamber wouldn’t be welcoming. 

Suddenly, I heard a familiar deep voice call my name. “Tessa.”

I turned and came face to face with the same man I’d had a one-night stand with. The man whom I’d been attracted to last night. He’s in a navy blue fitted suit. His shoes spoke of luxury. His watch and cufflinks were nothing but real gold. His dark hair is combed backwards,  he looked so handsome and hot as he approached me with his both hands in his pockets and with his same emotionless expression.