The dream felt intensely real. I moaned softly as his hands traced my skin, breaking our kiss. His touch was electric, sending waves of desire through my body. When his lips found that sensitive spot on my neck, I closed my eyes, silently begging him not to stop.
His hot breath teased my ear, making me shiver. Then, in an ice-cold voice, he whispered, "Never."
I jolted awake with a gasp, alone in my room.
Two years had passed since I'd married Kane Thorne, the future Alpha of the Nightfall Pack. Throughout our marriage, I'd tried countless times to win his love, but failed at every turn. Despite being his wife, he hadn't even marked me as his mate - something every werewolf yearns for from their Alpha. Kane hadn't been home in months, and I ached for his touch.
Sighing heavily, I sat up and stretched, then glanced at the clock. My heart stopped.
"Shit, I'm late!" I rushed to shower and get ready for my monthly appointment with Dr. Nathan Winters at the pack clinic. After throwing myself together, I hurried downstairs toward the main entrance, my troubled marriage weighing heavily on my mind.
Despite our problems, I loved Kane deeply. I'd always hoped having a child might bring us closer, maybe even make him want to come home more often.
*****
At the clinic, anxiety gnawed at me while Dr. Winters finished the examination and drew blood for testing. He left, promising to return soon with the results.
While waiting, I made a silent vow: if I wasn't pregnant this time, I'd file for divorce and end this loveless marriage.
When Dr. Winters returned smiling, my heart skipped. "Congratulations!" he announced.
"Really?" I touched my stomach. "There's really a baby?"
"Babies," he corrected.
My eyes widened. "What?"
"Twins," he confirmed.
Joy-filled tears streamed down my face.
"But I need to warn you," Dr. Winters added, his expression turning serious. "Your uterine walls are extremely thin."
His words sobered me instantly. A protective instinct kicked in, and fear for my unborn children gripped me. I knew right then I'd do anything to keep them safe.
"I'll be careful," I promised before leaving the clinic, still wearing a smile - at least until I got home.
There, I froze in the doorway. Kane sat in the living room with his mistress, Ruby, who was crying while he comforted her tenderly. The sight felt like a knife to my heart. I clenched my fists, fighting back tears.
Kane's eyes blazed with anger when he saw me. "How dare you show your face here! After what you did to Ruby!"
"What? What are you talking about?"
His face contorted with rage. "Don't play innocent. You disgust me."
Unable to take any more humiliation, especially in front of another woman, I covered my mouth and fled to my bedroom. There, I pulled out the divorce papers I'd prepared months ago, after Kane first started mistreating me because of Ruby. I'd held onto hope then, thinking a baby might change things.
How wrong I'd been. Running my thumb over the bold text of the divorce agreement, I whispered, "He'll never mark me as his mate. He'll always choose her over me, which means he won't accept our babies either. For their sake, I have to do this."
Wiping away tears, I signed the papers and sat on the bed, trying to process what I'd just done.
Suddenly, Kane burst through the door.
I quickly shoved the papers into the drawer and stood. "Kane-" I started, watching him lock the door.
Before I could finish, he pushed me onto the bed. "You really think you'll be Luna of this pack?"
I tried to wiggle free, but he pinned my hands above my head.
"Don't forget how you trapped me into this marriage." He started pulling at my clothes.
Despite his iron grip, I fought back, screaming, "No! Stop!"
He roughly kissed my neck. "You stop! Stop pretending! This is what you wanted when you ruined my life!"
His accusation stung, but I met his gaze steadily. "Then let's get a divorce."
Chapter 2
Kane froze at the word "divorce." He pulled back from my neck to study my face. "Do you even know what you're saying?" he asked, loosening his grip on my wrists.
I drew my hands protectively to my chest and searched his expression for any hint of pain at the suggestion. But I was fooling myself. He was one of the most powerful Alphas in our pack, second only to his father. A divorce would give him back his freedom - exactly what he wanted. Why would he be upset?
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I repeated, "Let's get a divorce."
Deep lines creased his forehead. "Whatever," he scoffed, rolling off me and standing up. "You're nothing but a pain in my ass."
I pushed myself up. "I mean it." To prove my point, I pulled the papers from the drawer.
"What's that?" he sneered.
I held them out. "I've already signed. I won't be your wife anymore."
Kane snatched the papers, glanced at them, then tossed them aside before grabbing my throat.
His jaw clenched as he glared at me.
I clawed at his hands, trying to break free, but he only tightened his grip. We struggled in silence, the tension crackling between us as his fingers pressed harder against my throat.
"Who do you think you're dealing with?" he growled. "You think you can just do whatever you want?"
Fighting for breath, I managed to say, "I'll leave Nightfall Pack."
His hand shifted from my throat to my jaw, and his lips twisted into a cruel smile that could make anyone's blood run cold. "Really? Where would a wolf-less nobody like you go? What pack would take you in?"
I met his hate-filled stare. I was the only person he truly despised, and he had Ruby now. So why fight this? If he wanted to be with her, why not let me go?
He felt nothing for me. These past two years had been hell; I'd done everything possible to please him. But this man was heartless - he never saw my love.
Even knowing he didn't love me, I'd held onto hope that he'd eventually come back to his wife, or at least understand how much I cared.
"I-I stayed because I thought we could have a family with children-"
"Children?" His eyes flashed dangerously. "You think I'd let you carry my heir, you pathetic woman? Stop dreaming about things you'll never have."
My mouth fell open in shock. In that moment, I knew I could never tell him about the pregnancy. These babies would be mine alone. I'd raise them with love, not surrounded by his hatred.
"What?" he demanded, squeezing my jaw. "Cat got your tongue?"
I summoned my courage. "Why won't you just sign the papers?"
His eyes darkened yet blazed with anger. "You think I won't?"
I held his gaze defiantly, though my heart hammered in my chest. Deep down, I wanted him to reconsider, to tell me not to go, to choose me over Ruby. To say he wanted our marriage to last forever. Even if he never loved me, I hoped he'd refuse to sign for the sake of our time together.
Instead, he released my jaw and stepped back. With a snort, he snatched up the discarded papers and grabbed the pen from my nightstand, signing his name as if he couldn't get rid of me fast enough.
I watched his face for any sign of regret, but found only indifference.
Though I'd prepared the papers myself, I never expected such coldness or the emptiness it would bring. Pain pierced my heart like a thousand needles.
How could he feel nothing while cutting someone out of his life who had cared so deeply?
As if to twist the knife deeper, he carelessly dropped the papers to the floor. Then he pulled out his wallet, took out a credit card, and shoved it into my hand. "Here. Consider it payment for your bedroom services these past two years."
Tears fell silently as he turned and left. I lowered my head, destroyed.
I'd been used. Completely used. His words echoed in my mind, each syllable a fresh betrayal. I'd given him my heart and trust. In return, I got his contempt and convenience.
The card's edge bit into my palm. I stared at it, then at the floor, lost in memories of our time together. Slowly, I placed my hand on my stomach and whispered, "I'm sorry. I have to take you both away from your father to protect you."
I set the card on the nightstand and packed my suitcase, wiping away tears as I worked.
He'd mocked my love. Used me for "bedroom services."
"I'll never forget this, Kane Thorne," I said, closing my suitcase. With newfound determination, I left the room, knowing I would never look back.
Chapter 3
Kane
I sat brooding in the bar, surrounded by pounding music and swirling fog from the smoke machines. "How dare she prepare divorce papers?" I muttered, glaring at my drink. "And she really thought I wouldn't sign them?" My lips twisted into a bitter grin. "Well, I sure crushed that little plan, didn't I?"
Selene wasn't just boring - she was manipulative. The night we "met" was still crystal clear in my mind. She'd been eighteen, and I'd just turned twenty-one. She drugged me that night, and I woke up next to her in a hotel bed. There was no doubt in my mind that she was behind it.
I'd hated her ever since, especially after my father forced me to marry her.
She must have begged my father to make it happen. As a gamma's daughter, being Luna was way out of her league - unless she trapped me. And my father, always playing the perfect, compassionate pack leader, didn't think twice about sacrificing his own son's happiness. Even worse, he'd used my future position as alpha to blackmail me into the marriage.
The fact that she could scheme like that at eighteen showed just how devious she was.
Though we'd slept together, I never felt the mate bond with her. That's why I never marked her. She didn't deserve my mark anyway, and being wolfless, it wouldn't have mattered. Oddly enough, my wolf had some weird soft spot for Selene, despite her not having a wolf of her own.
But fate had smiled on me. I met Ruby - sexy, gorgeous Ruby. Better yet, when I asked about a scar on her arm, I discovered she was the little girl who'd saved my life when I was a kid. Now she was saving me again, coming to the bar to comfort me after hearing about the divorce.
I felt her hand on my thigh and turned to her.
She pressed against me and whispered, "Don't worry about her. She never deserved you. Be with me instead. I'll never leave you." She stood and held out her hand. "Come with me," she purred.
I took her hand, following her through the crowd until we reached one of the bar's private rooms. She pulled me inside and closed the door.
Her curves were driving me crazy, and I pushed her onto a couch, ready to take her right there. But my wolf went ballistic. 'Stop! You'll regret sleeping with her!' he warned telepathically. 'She's not our mate.'
His reaction confused me. 'If you're so against Ruby because she's not our mate, why are you so attached to that wolfless woman?' I snapped back.
He dodged my question. 'Try this, and I'll take control,' he threatened.
I couldn't risk that. Sighing, I pulled away from Ruby.
"What's wrong?" she frowned.
"You're too pure," I said, patting her hand. "I want to wait for the right time."
A lame excuse, but what else could I say?
*****
Later, I headed home, frustrated that both my father and my wolf were controlling my life. My driver kept nervously checking his rearview mirror - my mood must have been obvious. When we pulled up to the house, I spotted Selene leaving with a heavy suitcase.
My anger boiled over. I jumped out, slammed the car door, and stormed toward her. She froze when she saw me.
"Where do you think you're going?" I demanded, eyeing her luggage.
"I already told you," she said softly.
"Told me what?" I roared.
She flinched.
Pathetic. If my normal voice scared her this much, what would my alpha voice do to her?
"I'm leaving your house and your pack," she whispered.
I sneered. Who was she kidding? She couldn't leave without permission from my parents, the head Alpha and Luna. "What's wrong? Too ashamed to stay in my pack?" I taunted.
She looked away like a frightened kitten.
"You coward. You have nowhere to go. No pack would dare shelter their future alpha's ex-wife. You're still bound to this pack. Cross the boundary, and the wolves will tear you apart."
She started crying those fake tears of hers. Disgusted, I brushed past her toward the house. But just as I reached the door, the sobbing stopped. I turned around to see her collapsed on the ground.
Chapter 4
Selene
I woke up in a hospital room, my last memory being a sharp pain in my stomach. Panicked, my hand flew to my belly.
"Don't worry," Dr. Winters said from nearby. "The babies are perfectly fine."
I turned to see him reviewing what looked like medical charts.
"Did... did Kane bring me here?" I asked hesitantly.
He set the papers down on the bedside table and walked over. "Yes, but he left already."
"Does he know?" I tried to keep the fear out of my voice.
"Not unless you told him."
I let out a relieved breath, my body relaxing. Then a troubling thought hit me.
As the pack hospital's chief physician, Dr. Winters was close to Kane. There was a good chance he might mention my pregnancy to Kane eventually.
"Dr. Winters, could I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Please don't tell Kane about the babies."
He raised his eyebrows. "You haven't told him yet?"
"No, and I never will."
"But Selene, they're Kane's heirs. The future of this pa—"
"No. He'll never accept them. I need to protect them from him. Please, if you want to keep them safe, don't tell him."
After an uncomfortably long pause, he nodded, his worried frown saying more than words could. "Alright," he conceded. "But he's bound to find out eventually."
"I'm leaving the pack," I said.
His eyes widened before he composed himself. "That would make you a rogue. It's dangerous."
"Yes, but I have no choice."
He shook his head. "Selene, you need to be extremely careful, especially now."
"I know. But it's better than staying here in danger and pain."
After leaving the hospital, I looked for Kane's car - the one he'd let me use over the years - but couldn't find it. Without my phone, I couldn't call a ride service. Fortunately, I spotted a taxi and flagged it down.
When I told the driver to take me to the pack house, fear flickered in his eyes. "The pack house?" he asked doubtfully, clearly worried about whether anyone was allowed there.
I calmly repeated my request.
At the main gate, security stopped us for inspection. They bowed when they recognized me, surprising both me and the driver.
The gates opened, and the driver, clearly excited, drove up the long driveway to the mansion-like pack house where Kane's parents lived. I understood his awe - I'd felt the same way once. Every pack member dreamed of visiting this place at least once. It was hard to believe I'd be leaving it behind.
When we stopped, guards rushed to open my door. Only then did I realize I had no cash. One of the guards paid the fare, and I thanked him before heading inside.
The house staff bowed and showed me to the living room.
"Where's Alpha Kane?" I asked. "Please tell him I need to speak with him urgently."
The servant went upstairs to find him.
While waiting, Alpha Garrett Thorne, Kane's father, came down the stairs. Despite being in his late forties, he looked strong enough to lead the pack for another decade.
I stood and bowed. "Alpha."
Alpha Thorne had always been kind to me. He often praised my generosity and management skills, believing I was the best match for Kane.
"Dear Selene, why do you look so troubled? Has Kane been mistreating you again? I'll set that boy straight today," he said, his voice thick with anger.
"We're getting divorced, Alpha," I said quickly, hoping to prevent any confrontation.
His eyes went wide with shock. I understood - this wasn't news anyone expected.
Since pack members needed both the Alpha and Luna's presence to formally leave the pack, I added, "I need Luna here too."
Chapter 5
A servant went to fetch Luna Diana Thorne from the garden. While Alpha Garrett and I waited in the sitting room, she arrived - the perfect blend of grace and power. Her reputation as a fierce warrior was well-known throughout the pack.
At first, she hadn't been thrilled about me being Kane's mate - a woman without a wolf. She'd made her disapproval clear with her cold attitude toward our marriage, which made what I had to say next even harder.
"I want to leave the pack."
Surprise flashed across Luna's face before she masked it. "What happened, Selene?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice. "Did he say something? Did he hurt you?"
Alpha Thorne jumped in before I could answer. "I'll make him apologize today. Don't make any hasty decisions."
They didn't get it. Kane never wanted me. He'd brought up divorce to them multiple times. He'd never planned to stay with me. Sometimes I wondered how different things would be if he hadn't agreed to marry me, if that night had never happened. Would we both have found happiness elsewhere?
Luna Diana nodded, backing her husband.
I gave them a sad smile. "I've always done what you asked. This is the first time I'm asking for something. Please, let me leave. It's better for both Kane and me to go our separate ways."
I wished I could tell them about their grandchildren. They deserved to know. But I couldn't risk it. Their son would never accept children from me. I couldn't take that chance.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check.
Luna Diana looked to Alpha Garrett.
He shook his head and turned to me. "What about your family?" he asked, meaning my foster father, his gamma. "You should stay with them."
I shook my head, terrified he might contact my father. Dad would never let me leave the pack. But I had to get out, had to give my children a chance somewhere else.
"I'll start fresh somewhere else," I said.
"As a rogue?" Alpha asked, his tone heavy with worry.
I nodded. All I knew about rogues was that they lived outside pack territory. But with no one here to turn to and my babies to protect, what choice did I have?
Alpha Garrett shook his head again, worry lines creasing his forehead. "Please think this through, Selene."
My mind flashed back to Kane signing those divorce papers. If he wouldn't reconsider, why should I?
"I'm sorry, Alpha. My mind's made up."
The lines in his face deepened as he sighed in defeat. He'd tried so hard to show his son I was the right choice, and I was grateful for everything he'd done. But Kane had been stubborn, and here we were.
As Alpha Garrett's eyes turned red, preparing to grant my request, Kane burst into the room.
"Selene!" he snarled.
Everyone turned as he stormed over and grabbed my wrist, yanking me against his chest. His cologne wrapped around me, familiar and intoxicating.
But his face was twisted with anger. "Turning my parents against me now?" he sneered.
Chapter 6
I met Kane's hostile stare, wondering why he still harbored such hatred for me, even after I'd given him the freedom he'd always wanted.
"Let go of her hand," Alpha Garrett barked, his voice thundering with fury.
"But Dad-"
"Shut it!"
Kane shot me a death glare, and I looked away.
Alpha Garrett pressed on. "You went ahead with a divorce without running it by me? Did you forget what I told you before your wedding day?"
From my peripheral vision, I could see Kane's knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists, his face contorted with rage.
"What drove her to take such drastic measures?" Luna Diana interjected. When Kane remained silent, she turned to me with motherly concern. "Sweetheart, please tell us what's wrong. We can work this out."
The memories came rushing back. I'd overlooked so many of Kane's transgressions, starting with our wedding night when he dumped an entire bottle of wine over me - his way of showing exactly what he thought of me. From day one, his words dripped with contempt, hurling insults and swearing I'd never capture his heart.
He'd kept that promise. Despite my best efforts, he'd never treated me like a real wife. Our marriage was nothing but a shell, a facade. Instead of being a loving husband, he'd come and gone as he pleased, treating me like yesterday's news, a target for his contempt.
Time and again, he'd accused me of trapping him, never believing my denials. Truth was, I'd been drugged that night too. I'd lost my virginity to him - something I hadn't planned either.
The morning after, I was just as shocked to wake up naked next to a stranger. I hadn't even known he was the alpha-in-waiting.
People always whispered about his cruelty, and after two years of marriage, I could confirm every rumor.
He'd been brutal, never showing an ounce of affection. I was always his unwanted wife. After what he'd said when signing those divorce papers, I couldn't stay anymore. The thought of living alone with my children seemed like paradise - I didn't need love or passion anymore, just peace.
Now, I just needed to get away from him - and get my babies far away too. Tears welled up, and I couldn't find my voice to answer Luna Diana.
Alpha Garrett turned to me. "Come to my office," he said, standing and heading that way. I followed, with Luna Diana beside me.
Glancing back, I was surprised to see Kane following us.
Probably wants to make sure I'm really leaving the pack, I thought.
In Alpha Garrett's office, he fixed me with his crimson wolf eyes.
I envied him and the other werewolves, wishing I had my own wolf spirit. Without one, I was barely stronger than a human. I had no clue why I lacked a wolf, but I envied their ability to shift and their supernatural powers.
With a heavy sigh and pain in his eyes, Alpha Garrett said, "I'm sorry it ended this way."
At least I knew he'd cared about me. At least someone in the pack had given me good memories.
He continued with the formal declaration: "I, Garrett Thorne, Head Alpha of the Nightfall Pack, hereby reject you as a pack member. All pack rights are revoked, including your right to remain within our pack or on our territory."
The pain hit instantly as the pack bond severed, spreading like wildfire through my body.
Luna Diana gripped my arm, supporting me as the burning sensation consumed me from head to toe. The pain grew so intense I feared for my unborn babies. I'd only wanted to protect them, and now I worried that leaving the pack might harm them even more.
I refused to cry in front of Kane, wouldn't give him another reason to mock me. Though surprisingly, he looked shocked - as if he couldn't believe I was actually leaving. He probably thought I was just complaining to his parents to force an apology. Well, he wouldn't have to worry about that anymore.
As soon as I could manage it, I held my head high and walked out of the pack house, though my heart was breaking.
No home. No pack. No family. No husband.
I was alone again.
"I'm a rogue now."
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