23

Chapter 23

Jace's POV 

"D-don't call me that when you don't mean it." I felt like a punch lodging itself in my gut. She sounded so broken. 

"What makes you think I don't mean it?" I held her face with both my palms as our son made noises on her shoulder before burping loudly. 

"You still have feelings for her, that's why."

"What the hell! I don't have feelings for her, Jenna. I never did. All we had was physical."

"Well, then, maybe you still haven't been able to get over the feel of her body."

"Goddess," I pulled my hands away in frustration. "Where is this coming from, Jenna? Just because I asked you some questions about punishing Liza, you think I have feelings for her."

"You made me apologize to her in front of everyone." Her voice was laced with ache. 

"I never meant for you to apologize to her, Jenna. You did it because you were mad at me."

She let out a mad laugh, "You said it yourself in front of everyone that I have no authority over her because she's your cousin when you asked why I didn't discuss her punishment with you."

"That's not what I meant, Jenna. I was simply saying that sending her to the dungeons for having my photo is kind of harsh."

"So you're saying I should've punished her in some other way?" She gave me a mad look. 

"If that's what you really wanted to do to her for merely having my picture, yes."

"Merely?" She stared at me in fury. "You think it's a petty matter, Jace?"

"I'm sorry but it is." I averted my eyes. 

I laughed, "Then again I'll ask you the same thing— what would you feel and do if Chris had my panties under his pillows?"

He crossed the room and grabbed my waist. Pinning me to his chest, he growled into my face, "Why do I have to say it again and again? I don't want to imagine it. And, no. It's not bloody the same, okay!"

"To me, it is." I pushed him away. "And for the record, that's not why I punished her. I know it's pathetic to send someone to the dungeons for having their ex's pictures."

"Jenna—"

She interrupted me, and what she said ahead left me feeling like an idiot, "She was fúcking fingering herself while moaning your name! A maid came to me to tell me about it. She was making quite a show for everyone to see. Tell me what she was doing wasn't wrong, Alpha King Jace!"

I was speechless. My eyes opened and closed in daze. 

I had no idea this was the reason— and it did mean Liza deserved a punishment. She was purposely instigating my Luna Queen. 

"She's been doing different things to get on my nerves. She calls me a temporary Luna. She claims that our relationship won't last long. She curses our bond." How dare she say that. "There's only so much a person can endure."

"She does it more often because she knows she has you standing behind her. Tell me, is that okay? I'm your wife but someone else keeps talking about how good you are in bed." She cried loudly. 

"I... Didn't know that, Jenna. I thought—" 

"How would you know! You never tried to know the truth. You judged me, assuming that I was picking on her because we both have a past." She turned away from me. 

"Jenna, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. I thought you were mad at Liza still being here and wanted to be rid of her."

"If I wanted that, I would've set that in front of you as a condition before marriage haven't I?" She eyed me sadly, making my throat thicken. "We both know you would have done anything to get me to agree." 

I looked down feeling ashamed. She's right. I would have done it at all cost. 

Catching her hand again, I tried to kiss it. To my sadness, she pulled her hand out of my hold. 

"It's okay, Jace. I knew this would happen." 

"Jenna," I sighed as she walked towards the door. "Where are you going?" 

"To mom." Pause. "I'll stay in her room tonight."

I couldn't stop her. Not after all that I stupidly let happen. 

~~~

3 days later, 

"Jenna, there's an event in one of the southern packs. They invited us as guests."

"I don't feel good, Jace. I don't think I can go." She answered before I finished my words. 

Gulping, I tried to study her face. Jenna had locked herself in ever since that day happened. I try to touch her but she doesn't respond. I keep talking and she only hums, no replies like she used to give before. I try to come closer and she just lays there quietly as if she's a corpse. 

In fact, for the last three days, she's been staying with mom. 

I've tried my best to melt her anger. I haven't succeeded even once yet. 

"Jenna, when will you stop being angry? I am sorry. I've been sorry since—" We both turned in the direction of our room. Our son was crying loudly. 

"I'll go and see." She said quietly and walked away. 

I kept sitting on the couch as my restlessness and frustration multiplied. I don't know how to get my wife to act like before. It's like there's a wall between us. A huge wall like there is in the Game of Thrones and I can't come to cross it. 

"She's still not talking to you?" I turned to watch mom sitting next to me. 

"No, mom. I've done everything but she's just become so detached like we are strangers." I shared it with her. "It's unbearable for me, mom. I want her to talk to me like before."

"You really hurt her, Jace. So much that she was asking me about things she shouldn't have."

I shifted curiously, "What kind of things?" 

"She wanted to know if there's a way to resign from the position of the Luna Queen." My heart thumped in my chest in daze. 

"She what?" 

"You heard me, son. She was inquiring if somehow she could just be Jared's mother and not the Luna Queen. What happened that day has truly bothered her." 

I rubbed my face as a lump lodged in my throat. I feel like crying and screaming at the same time. 

"I didn't know it would come to this, mom. I was just..." I trailed off as I know I was partial that day. 

It's not like I have a soft corner for Liza, I just got wary when I heard she was punished for staying in the dungeons. I really thought Jenna was going after her because of our past. 

However, after I learned the truth, I punished her in my way. 

'You call that punishment?' My wolf snorted. 'You sent her away for a fortnight to the A****n forest.'

'I sent her to a place where there's no internet or basic comfort. It's hell for girls like her. When she comes back, she will know not to mess with my queen.' I snapped. 

Tbc…