Octavia's POV

That night, it felt as if the moon goddess had answered my prayers. I had prayed continuously for Jake not to appear at the hospital. My eyes were crimson and swollen, and I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me in such a state.

By morning, my heart had hardened. My mind focused solely on my next course of action: visiting the pack affairs department where we'd registered our mate bond to obtain a divorce. Alpha Jake had instructed me to keep our relationship secret, which was understandable. He shouldn't be mated to someone like me. It only demonstrated weakness. I was merely a low ranking female, nothing more.

The doctor interrupted my thoughts, informing me I was discharged. I left immediately for the pack affairs department.

The pack's petitioner urged me to seek counseling with my mate before granting my divorce request. I bluntly rejected the offer and demanded he proceed with the documents. After completion, he assured me I'd receive hard copies within three days.

Arriving home, I saw Summer wearing my red dress, the one Jake had purchased for me, sitting casually with my sister in law, Amaya, who doted on her. My heart constricted painfully as I observed Summer's small baby bump, the one preserved while mine was murdered.

Upon noticing me, Summer began complaining dramatically. "Oh my goodness, I'm so hungry. Is nobody preparing breakfast this morning?"

Amaya responded immediately. "That low ranking she wolf's duty is to cook. What the hell is she good for? It's her responsibility."

I quietly ignored them, heading to my baby's room, the small space Jake and I had prepared before our child was taken. Decorated with orange and blue paint, filled with toys and two cribs, the walls displayed sonogram images Jake had hung himself. When I'd shared news of my pregnancy, he was so elated he'd brought me to the pack hospital for numerous images. He'd arranged this room stating it belonged to our baby and no other.

I removed a sonogram, pressing it against my chest as I curled into one of the cribs, unaware when tears escaped.

Amaya and Summer entered suddenly.

"So because you couldn't protect your own child, you're dragging us into your misery. I don't mind you starving, but don't involve us. I wonder why you didn't die with your child. Maybe we'd have adapted to cooking ourselves, but since you're here, go cook—it's all you're capable of," Amaya unleashed.

I glared at her, tears threatening to spill. "Ask your brother. He was present. He'd be better positioned to clarify your curiosity."

"You low ranking omega!" She grabbed my hair and slapped me so hard I tasted blood.

"If you want food, tell the she wolf beside you to prepare breakfast and leave me alone," I glared back, eyes blazing with hatred.

"I know she's not happy seeing me here. She's irritated by my presence. I should just leave so she can be comfortable," Summer said, rubbing her belly.

"You good for nothing, stand up and prepare breakfast for the house," Amaya said, about to drag me when Jake seized her hands.

"Amaya, let my luna be," Jake's thunderous voice erupted. "The omegas have prepared breakfast and are setting the dining table."

Summer hissed, "She's not even a luna yet," leaving with Amaya, who rolled her eyes in disgust.

Jake sighed. "How are you feeling?" He attempted to touch my hair, but I pushed his hand away, repulsed.

Once, I would have melted in his embrace. Not anymore.

"I know you're angry I didn't collect you from the hospital. I apologize. I was extremely busy," he said.

"Busy indeed," I muttered, noticing the visible love bite on his neck.

"Busy with her, right?"

"No," he responded without hesitation. "You can't make accusations like that. Summer is my late cousin's wife. Their pack was attacked by rogues; she survived alone, carrying a pup. I brought her to stay with us, but the elders insist I should mate her since she's pregnant and her pup needs a name before being accepted into our pack. Listen, I promise this is just being a stand in father figure, nothing more."

I swallowed bile, looking at the man I'd loved blindly for three years as he spoke with such concern and care for another woman, his supposed cousin's wife.

The Jake I loved died with my pup. Now I only saw a man I wanted to shred into pieces, ensuring he paid for every evil deed committed against me.

"It's fine, Jake," I said, voice flat and emotionless. "Do whatever you want. It's your house, after all."

I saw disappointment cross his face. He'd expected me to argue like before, but he dismissed it immediately. "Come with me. I have something for you," he said, gently pulling me from the crib toward the dining room.

At the table, Summer and Amaya were already consuming their meals. Jake adjusted a chair for me, and I sat down.

He bent under the table, retrieving something he'd kept there.

"I purchased your favorite perfume. I thought it might cheer you up for being discharged," he said with a proud smile, unwrapping a small elegant bottle and spraying a delicate mist. "See, it's the same scent you always use."

I smiled bitterly, my heart sinking. Two years together, and he didn't know I was allergic to lily jasmine fragrance.

As the sweet, overwhelming scent wafted through the air, my nose tingled uncomfortably. I started sneezing uncontrollably, tears streaming as my body rejected the toxic fragrance.

"Oh my gosh, Octavia, you sneezed into my food! It's contaminated, and you were just discharged from the hospital!" Summer cried dramatically, slamming her plate down with deliberate force.

I wiped my streaming eyes, glaring through tears. "You're far from me. How did it reach your food?"

Jake's face darkened with rage as he grabbed my arm roughly, forcing me to my knees on the scalding food splatter covering the floor.

"Apologize to her this instant, or I'll empty the entire perfume on your face so you can sneeze properly!" he threatened harshly, his voice menacing as burning hot food seared through my knees.

Octavia's pov

I stared at Jake with tear-filled eyes, and his dark gaze flickered with remorse as he released my throbbing arm.

"I'm sorry, Octavia. I didn't mean to. It's just..." His rushed apology was cut short when Summer whimpered.

Jake's sister shook her head disapprovingly, crossing her arms. "Now look, Summer is feeling irritated because of your display."

Jake immediately abandoned me on the floor and rushed to Summer, scooping her into his arms and caressing her forehead tenderly.

"I think it's the contamination, Jake. I feel so sick and I can't eat," Summer cried weakly against his chest.

"Let's go eat out," he said to her.

"Clean this mess up!" Jake barked at me without turning around, his voice echoing as he carried Summer away.

His sister stared down at me with disgust, hissed sharply, then walked out.

Sighing exhaustedly, I slowly picked myself up and began cleaning the scattered food and plate fragments, wincing as my knees burned from where I'd knelt on the scalding splatter.

When finished, hands raw and body aching, I dragged myself upstairs to the bedroom I'd shared with Jake for two years without knowing he was such a heartless monster.

I walked straight to the closet, retrieved a suitcase, and started packing every bit of my belongings. All the gifts we'd received over the years, including ones he'd given me, I tossed into a box. The few pictures we'd taken together went in too; there weren't many since our mating bond was secret.

I moved to the frames hanging on the wall. As I reached for one bearing my face, I accidentally knocked down Jake's frame. Files scattered from behind it. As I gathered them, something caught my attention.

My eyes caught a wedding photo of Jake and Summer, dated a year ago. He'd told me he was still in the mating bond process with the elders, that they were still deliberating. But this date told a different story.

All this time, he'd mated Summer while still with me. No wonder he never marked me, even after our intimate moments. Summer held the bigger space in his heart.

My eyes froze as I set the photo aside and saw the next document, a medical form confirming the patient had been informed about contraceptive risks and benefits for Nexplanon. His signature and the healer's were stamped on it. Despite the "fewer viable eggs" warning boldly capitalized, he'd still signed approval.

The remaining documents were for oral contraceptive pills.

I clenched my fists as tears flowed down my cheeks. If he never saw a future with me, why marry me at all?

By the time I finished packing, I'd ensured my departure wouldn't be noticed until after I left. I was about to drag the box out when the door opened and Jake entered.

"What are you doing?" He stood at the door, looking surprised at the room.

Without meeting his gaze, I replied, "I'm reorganizing and getting rid of old things you and I won't be needing anymore."

"You're really throwing everything in this box out?" he frowned.

"Yes, I won't be needing them anymore."

His eyes flashed to a teddy bear with his name customized on it. "This too?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"But you never slept without this," he looked confused.

"It's worn out now. I'll manage without it."

He'd given me that teddy bear for my birthday. It had a lullaby song, and since that day, I'd cherished it like my life depended on it.

He frowned like he wanted to say more, but before he could, Summer's voice called his name from outside. She walked in, gripping his arm possessively.

I didn't flinch when Summer asked, "Do you need help with that? I could help you."

"She's only trying to help. Why are you being so difficult? Summer is nice, and I think you'll like her if you get along," Jake stated.

"Just as you did, right?" I threw back, but he glared angrily and left the room.

"You're impossible," he said, making his exit.

"Doing exactly what you should have done long ago. Why did you take so long to realize Jake is just a snap away from me?" Summer said provocatively.

I stayed quiet, moving the heavy box toward the door.

"You're playing dumb, right?" she asked, moving to sit on the bed.

"If I were you, I wouldn't stay with a man who killed my child just to please someone special..."

I didn't wait for her to finish. "You know, Summer, as much as I hate you, I still pity you. Loving a man who murdered his own child, it could be your child's turn tomorrow for another special person. Haven't you thought about that? If not, allow me do the thinking for you, because only a deranged woman would stay comfortable after witnessing this."

Summer's eyes widened with annoyance, but I didn't care. "Just like these old things I'm throwing away, Jake will do the same to you if he finds someone new. Nevertheless, I wish you the best, Summer."

I saw her clench her fist, about to explode, but I pouted and tilted my head, staring into her face.

"You pathetic low omega, how dare you challenge me? I'll show you what a deranged woman can do. You'll regret this," she snarled and rushed toward the wall, slamming her temple repeatedly against it.

Fear gripped me as I watched in confusion and shock.

After several hits, she dropped to the ground, screaming loudly in pain, blood running down her face. She increased her cries, using her full voice, and the door burst open. Jake and Amaya came running in.

"What the hell did you do to her?" he asked with bloodshot eyes.

Octavia's pov

I stood there frozen, my hands trembling as I witnessed the rage in Jake's eyes when he looked at me.

Summer whimpered softly as she lay on the floor, and eventually it transformed into loud sobs.

"After you left, I was consoling her about losing her pup. I only said she'd conceive again and bear more pups for you. She pushed me and slammed my head against the wall repeatedly. She attacked me violently," Summer fabricated.

I tried to speak, but no words came. In a flash, Jake appeared before me, pinning me against the wall as he grabbed my neck tightly.

The moment my back hit the wall, I felt a crack at my lower spine.

"Aaaargh," I cried as my voice returned.

"I swear I didn't touch her. She's lying. She slammed her own head to frame me," I pleaded, but Jake showed no mercy, his eyes blazing with fury. Instead, he threw me aside like nothing, and I landed hard. My right hand hit the wall and went numb instantly.

I moaned softly as hot tears streamed down my face. "Please help me. I didn't do it."

"You better pray to the moon goddess that nothing happens to Summer and my pup, or I'll become your greatest terror," he said, scooping Summer into his arms while she continued crying.

"You deserve this and more. Next time you'll know your place and how to maintain boundaries," Amaya stated, kicking my belly and spitting on me.

I watched as they left the room, and I was left behind in agony, dealing with the crime I did not commit.

The pain became unbearable as my eyelids closed slowly and darkness took over. There was only one thought on my mind as I fell deeper into the silence.

*I hate you, Jake.*

I was only a low ranking she wolf in the pack. This was due to the fact that my mother was the pack's slave, even lower than an omega.

That night, after I heard the news that my crush, Jake, was involved in an accident and lost a lot of blood because his girlfriend left him for the alpha of the pack, I ran to the pack's hospital and donated blood to him. I stayed by his side until he recovered.

After the incident, he ignored his family's threats and vowed to love me and make me his mate.

I remembered my mother's warning against Beta Jake when she discovered our love, but I was infatuated and ignored her warnings.

The things we do for love.

Now Summer came back to him after everything she did to him in the past, and he still chose her over me.

Finally, I regained consciousness. I didn't know how long I'd lain on the cold tiles. My head throbbed intensely, my body weak from exhaustion. I rested against the wall when the door swung open. Jake walked toward me, pulled me up by my hair, and dragged me out.

"What do you want this time?" I managed to speak, but he ignored me and shoved me to the corner.

My gaze met with that of Summer, who was sitting in a wheelchair with her head bearing a slight bandage on the side. She gave me a triumphant smirk.

"Jake, do not let her go unpunished. She has already bitten off more than she can chew," Amaya stated.

I turned to my other side, where two guards were standing with a clipper set on top of a long mirror on the table in front of them.

Terror gripped me as my heart pounded violently against my chest, each beat louder than the last, but I managed to stay composed.

"Jake, you need to believe me. I didn't touch her. She started this and now she's using it against me," I pleaded, hands trembling in fear.

"Even after what you did, you're still calling her a liar when you should be apologizing. What level of jealousy would make you do this to a pregnant woman?" Jake said.

When he said that, I looked straight into his eyes as tears dropped, and at that moment, everything he had done to me flashed back through my memory.

He stood in front of me, lecturing me about being wicked for something I did not do, but he murdered my unborn pup and pretended like nothing happened, not even showing a form of remorse for what he had done.

Lily snarled inside me as my eyes flashed golden light, giving him a warning. I pushed her back inside. As someone barely hanging on to survive until I leave for good, I could not bear risking it all now, as I was still in my healing phase. I could not shift properly due to the presumed childbirth, and even if I did, I would be dead with all of them struggling to hold back their wolves from devouring me.

"Look what you did to your fellow she wolf. Her hair is shaved because of you, cut off so they could access the injury," he growled.

"She won't be the only one with shaved hair. You'll bear the consequences for causing her pain and making her look this way," he said, commanding the guards to shave my hair.

I glanced at Summer's hair. Only a small strand was removed from her temple, barely visible unless closely examined.

"No, no, no..." I cried. "You can't do this to me. Please, I can't lose my hair." I shook with all my strength so they couldn't access it, but a hard blow landed on my chin, leaving me motionless as I fell to the ground.