To Hate and To Hold

Irene watched as her mate wrapped his arms around another lady, his heart filled with joy. “Rene, you're really pregnant?” he asked as he touched her tummy and Rene nodded, “Yes, Alpha Kaiden. I'm pregnant for you.”

Irene then approached them, her fists clenched by her sides, “Kaiden, what's all these about?” she whispered softly, her heart tightening in her chest, “You impregnated another lady when our wedding ceremony is in three days?” Kaiden lowered his gaze, his heart filled with guilt, “Irene, I'm sorry but this is for the good of the pack. I've decided to make Rene my Luna instead as she's better and stronger than you in many ways.”

Irena suddenly felt dizzy, her vision clouded with tears, “Kaiden, you've decided to make her your Luna? Why? Haven't I done enough for you? Why have you decided to fill my heart with so much pain?!” She wailed as her legs buckled beneath her.

Kaiden's expression turned soft, and Rene's grip tightened on his arms, “Kaiden, let's go.” she said softly as she glared at Irene. Kaiden turned to Rene and said slowly, “Rene, you're pregnant now. I need you to go to my chambers to rest. I'll take care of this.”

Rene nodded and turned around to leave, a triumphant smile plastered on her lips. Irene watched the romantic interaction and felt like her heart was stabbed by a poisonous dagger, “Kaiden, she's allowed to go into your chambers now? What happened to the rule?” she snapped. “Only your Luna is allowed in there and you know that. Why…why are you doing this to me?”

Kaiden sighed, “Irene, I told you it's for the good of the pack. Rene is the daughter of a very powerful Alpha. Joining hands with them will make us stronger.” he explained as he took Irene's hand in his. Irene slapped his hands away and staggered backwards, “What happened to all the promises you made? You said I would rule by your side, but you're giving that away just because of her status? Just because I came from a poor background? Kaiden, I am your mate! The right Luna to the throne. Why would a stranger take my place!”

Angered, Kaiden suddenly yelled, “Irene, that's enough! Yes, it's because you came from a poor background. Getting married to you would add nothing to my name. To make matters worse, you're an omega with a small wolf!” Irene’s eyes widened in surprise, her hands flying over to her mouth as tears dropped from her eyes. “Kaiden…kaiden, you're saying all these to me because of her? Is that all I am to you?!” she cried out loud, her heart filled with despair. If the whole pack could tell her she wasn't deserving of the title Luna, she wasn't expecting her beloved mate to say the same. “So you've sided with them all this while? I'm below your status?”

Kaiden's heart was filled with pain as he stared at Irene. Due to the mate bond, the pain he felt in his heart was even more intense. He tried to approach Irene but she flinched, moving away from his presence, “Stay away from me!” she warned. Kaiden then said, “Irene, you can still be by my side.”

Irene raised her head slightly, her brows knitted in confusion, “Can I still be by your side when you have a Luna? A pregnant one at that.” Kaiden approached her ever so gently, “You..you can be my concubine. It's normal for an Alpha to have more than one wife. Although I hate the sound of it, but I would be glad to make an exception for you.”

“Your concubine?” Irene repeated, her heart filled with pain, “Kaiden, you want me, Irene, to become your concubine? I'm your mate for crying out loud! Make her your concubine, not me!” Irene's eyes were filled with pain as she held Kaiden's hands, “Kaiden, you can still change your mind. Our wedding ceremony is in three days. Do you want the entire pack to mock me?” her voice was laced with sorrow as she gazed at him, “Kaiden, I'll forgive you okay? Just don't cancel our wedding ceremony. You can't pick Rene as your chosen mate.”

However, Kaiden averted his gaze, not wanting to look into Irene's heart. Her eyes was filled with pain, and it was tearing him apart. “Irene, I'm sorry, but my decision is final.” he said as he pushed her slightly, turning his back to leave.

Irene suddenly felt cold as she fell to her knees, her vision blurred with tears. “This..this..this must be a joke.” She tried to convince herself only to be hit with reality. “Rene is really pregnant, and he's choosing her over me. What should I do?!” she mumbled to herself as she bawled out her eyes, her hands trembling from the pain in her heart. The pain was intense, and suffocating, making it hard for her to breathe.

With a new found determination, Irene approached Kaiden's chamber, hoping to talk some sense into him again. Upon reaching his chamber, she was surprised to hear lewd sounds filling her innocent ears. “Kaiden…kaiden, go faster! I love you, kaiden!” Rene's seductive moans were heard, making Kaiden gaze at her lovingly. “I love you too, Rene!”

Hearing her mate say those words, Irene fell to the ground with a thud and struggled not to think about it due to the intense pain she was feeling in her heart. Kaiden refused to make love to her, claiming that it was against the tradition to make love to a lady who hasn't been marked by her mate, and here he was screwing up another lady.

Irene's continously hit her chest with her hands, trying to reduce the pain in her heart but instead, it became even more painful. As the maids were passing by, they stared at Irene and scoffed, “That serves her right. How would a lowly omega like her dream of becoming a Luna?”

Their words wafted into her ears and made her heart even more painful. The fact that she was about to get ridiculed by the entire pack made her tremble in fear, but the maids were already gossiping about her. At the same time, Kaiden's beta approached her, “Lady Irene, you shouldn't be seen here, let me help you back to your chamber.”

Irene turned to Oliver, “You knew about this? You knew Kaiden was cheating on me and you never told me?!”