Chapter 2

Iris’s POV

Iris continued when Eric fell silent. “She has the Moonbane Curse, and the healer said—”

Eric interrupted her instantly. “What is this, Iris? Is this one of your schemes? Are you really that despicable that you’ll lie about something like this to get my attention?”

He always believed that she was trying to manipulate him into believing that they were true mates, chosen by the moon goddess herself.

For some reason, Eric couldn’t feel the mate bond. Iris had always felt it — the sparks, the pull, everything. But Eric said there was nothing. Iris was baffled because she didn't know if he was lying, or if he really felt nothing.

She could feel his disgust through the mindlink as he growled at her.

“Don't be such an attention seeker!” He snapped, his voice dripping with contempt.

She gaped. “But—”

He cut her off before she could say anything. “I told you I wanted a divorce. That's all I want you to speak to me about. No more games or schemes. You know that Zara is back.” Eric’s voice was as cold as ice.

Iris's hand shook as she stared at the report before her.

There was no use anymore. Eric never wanted her, even though they were fated mates, especially now that Zara was back, and Evie was dying.

There was no use fighting for a marriage that never existed from the start. The only reason she fought was because of Evie, and Evie was…

Iris burst into tears again, and Eric released an exasperated growl.

“Iris!” He snapped, believing that she was trying to play her mind games on him.

“Fine!” She gritted through clenched teeth as she wiped her tears sharply. “I'll give you the divorce you want, but I have one condition.”

Eric went silent instantly. It was unexpected, for as long as he knew, Iris had been unwilling to let him go.

So to hear her agree was a shock to him. He cleared his throat, “What is it?” He asked.

Iris sniffed, “Spend time with Evie till her birthday, come for her birthday, be the good father she needs. That's all I ask.”

Eric was silent for another moment because he felt that it was a trap.

“Is that all?” He asked slowly, and Iris nodded. “Yes, that's all.”

He sighed in relief. “Okay then, come to my office and pick up the divorce papers so that you can go through them, and when it's time, you can sign them.”

Iris smiled bitterly. He already had the divorce papers waiting and ready for her, like he couldn't wait to get rid of her as soon as possible.

Eric had always hated her because he claimed that Iris tricked him during his weakest moment. It was the night his father died. He had been grieving, drunk, and vulnerable, and she had comforted him. He never forgave himself for what happened between them, and he never forgave her either.

In his mind, she had taken advantage of his heartbreak to trap him, and later used the pregnancy to bind him. 

That time, he had still been hoping that Zara might return and get back with him. But his mother had made Eric swear to marry Iris before she died.

Now that Zara was back, his hatred grew even more.

~

After making sure that Evie was okay, Iris went to meet Eric at his office without any delay.

Beta Jeremy gave her a sad smile as he saw her approaching. “Whatever you need, do it fast because Zara is coming soon.” He warned her.

Iris nodded, faking a smile. “Don't worry, Jeremy. I've accepted the divorce. It doesn't matter anymore, I'm done begging for love.”

He looked like he wanted to give her a hug, but controlled himself, instead he gave her an encouraging nod.

As she approached the door, she overheard Eric speaking with someone from inside his office.

“Alpha Eric,” Gamma Marcus said, “Tell me, now that Zara is back, what's the plan?”

Eric replied immediately, “I'll do what I didn't have the chance to do before, I'll make her mine. Now, she has a daughter, Tiffany, and she's really struggling to be a single mother. So she needs all the help she can get.”

Iris stood frozen at the door, her heart ached as she listened. “Really?” Marcus said, sounding shocked. “What of Iris? She also has a daughter, your daughter.”

Eric's voice became cold instantly. “Don't mention the name of that manipulative bitch, Iris, here again.” He spat.

She bit her lips to stop it from trembling. She had always known he despised her, but hearing it like this, broke something inside her.

“Woah, so you really have no feelings for her? Even after you've been married to her for five years? And you have a seven year old child with her?” Marcus asked.

Eric scoffed. “Feelings? Every day, I wish I never even met her, let alone married her. My mother forced me, she made me swear before she died, all because Iris manipulated her.”

“She disgusts me so much. The only person I have ever loved is Zara. Nothing will change that.”

A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it, as her wolf howled in pain in her chest.