Isabella's POV

Despite my weakness and pain, I made my way to the north territory to handle the issue. After settling the dispute between the two beta families of the pack, I headed straight back to the pack manor.

As I entered the hall, I saw the three elders standing there, their faces grim. One of them stepped forward and slapped me across the face.

My ears rang from the impact. So, they knew what I had done. My left cheek burned with pain.

“How could you do that? That was our soon-to-be Alpha! Why did you abort the child?” Elder Nixon, the one with piercing blue eyes, accused me. He was the oldest in the pack at 120 years old.

I stared at them blankly, holding my head high, my voice void of emotion. “I have the right to do whatever I want with my body. I may be the Luna, but I’m not stupid enough to ignore my rights. I know what’s best for that unborn baby, and honestly, your Alpha didn’t deserve it. You all know what he’s done, yet you act like it’s nothing.”

Elder Nixon's jaw clenched, and he nodded. “Alpha Jaxon’s actions aren’t what we condone. But since he’s the Alpha, we can’t openly disagree with him.”

I wanted to laugh at his reasoning but stopped myself. Whenever I made mistakes, I was punished. But Alpha Jaxon? No, he never faced any consequences. It was my fault for always begging the council not to punish him. I guess I deserved it, and now they wouldn’t say a word about his actions.

“Whatever. By the way, I’m divorcing that Alpha. My mind is made up, and my decision won’t change, no matter what,” I shot back coldly, striding past them with whatever dignity I had left.

“What will Alpha Jaxon’s parents say when they find out, Luna Isabella?” Elder Nixon called after me, but I ignored him. I was exhausted and needed to heal.

I wandered into the garden, but when I turned in another direction, I sensed two of Alpha Jaxon’s friends—Jacob, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Whitefang pack, and Beta Mike of the Haxon pack. So, Alpha Jaxon was here.

His two friends wouldn’t visit the pack without an invitation from him.

“I’m glad Alpha Jaxon decided to donate his sperm to Luna Rose,” Beta Mike remarked, sipping his wine. “It’s the best choice, considering Alpha Dominic is weak and incapable of giving her a child.”

I’d never met Alpha Dominic, but it seemed he was Rose’s husband. Did he know what his Luna was up to?

“Right? Alpha Jaxon should just divorce his wife. Luna Isabella is weak and cringes over him, not realizing he doesn’t want her. What a fool!” Alpha Jacob added mockingly. “She’s not worth it, man.”

Alpha Jacob had a point about me being madly in love with my husband, and yeah, that cringed me. But I didn’t appreciate him calling me weak.

“Stop talking about my Luna like that,” Alpha Jaxon’s voice cut in. “You know I’m doing this out of pity for Luna Rose.”

Alpha Jacob chuckled. “Pity? Come on, man! You’re still in love with Luna Rose. Who wouldn’t be? She’s beautiful, caring, and innocent.”

Jacob had been a childhood friend of Alpha Jaxon and Rose, and he clearly disliked me. He wanted Alpha Jaxon and Rose together because they were the perfect couple. I felt like I was nothing compared to Rose—strong, beautiful, and kind. I simply didn’t measure up in his eyes.

“You should just divorce her,” Alpha Jacob continued. “You’re having a child with Luna Rose. Just ask her to leave her husband. She loves you and would do it if you asked.”

Before I could hear Alpha Jaxon’s response, I stepped out, catching the three of them by surprise. It felt like I’d walked in on something I shouldn’t have.

Alpha Jaxon stood up and came toward me. “How long have you been there?” he asked, there was panic in his eyes realizing that I heard so much. “Don’t mind what they’re saying, wife.”

Before he could touch my arm, I pulled away from him, treating him like he was something disgusting.

I looked at Alpha Jacob and said, “Don’t worry, what you want is about to happen soon.”

I could see Alpha Jacob’s face go pale, probably because Alpha Jaxon was glaring at him, warning him to keep his mouth shut.

I turned to walk away, but Alpha Jaxon followed me. “What are you talking about, Wife? Alpha Jacob was just joking. Don’t take it seriously.”

“Leave me alone, Alpha Jaxon. Whatever you say, I don’t care,” I shot back, freezing him in his tracks.

I walked away, leaving him there. Did he really think I was the same as before, begging him and letting his friends’ words get to me?

You’re wrong, Jaxon!

Annoyance bubbled inside me, but then a wave of dizziness hit. My wolf was still weak, and hanging around here wouldn’t help me heal.

As I stepped into the manor, I noticed some pack members outside, staring at me with wide eyes and whispering judgments.

Suddenly, a firm hand grabbed my arm, dragging me back from the front door. I looked up to see Jessa, Alpha Jaxon’s mother and the former Luna, wearing an angry expression.

Isabella's POV

“Elder Nixon told me! Tell me, Luna Isabella, you did not kill my grandchild!” Her voice roared with indignation, and most of the pack was watching.

Former Luna Jessa was a kind, warm-hearted woman, and I was glad she was Alpha Jaxon’s mother. She treated me like I was her own daughter, and it hurt to see her like this. I didn’t want to hurt her, but Alpha Jaxon didn’t deserve it.

Why couldn’t Alpha Jaxon be more like his mother?

Seeing the disbelief, anger, and hurt on Jessa’s face squeezed my heart. She was the only one who had been genuinely good to me, aside from former Alpha Don, her husband, and her two sons.

I didn’t know what happened to Beta Sinclair, Alpha Jaxon’s younger brother, after the heated fight between them for the position, seven years ago. He decided to leave the pack after losing to his older brother.

“I’m sorry, Mother, but I did,” I replied. “You know what your son did. He loves another woman; he gave her a child, and it took me so long to have mine because he didn’t want intimacy with me. If he knew I was carrying his son, would he believe to his Luna? Would he care when he disregards me as his mate?”

Gasps rippled through the pack members.

Former Luna Jessa released her grip on my arm and looked away from me, guilt washing over her. She knew the truth but felt powerless.

“You love my son; you should have spared the unborn child,” she said helplessly.

“Loved,” I corrected. Her eyes widened as realization hit her.

“I will love that child,” Jessa said, her voice breaking, and my heart warmed a little.

"You will,” I replied, a sad smile crossing my face.

“Let’s talk inside, Issa,” she said, taking my hand.

Once we were in the drawing room, she hugged me tightly. “I understand why you did it. But I hope you can forgive my son, and I hope he realizes his mistake. Just be patient with him.”

I pulled away from her embrace. “I can’t, Mother. I’m divorcing your son.”

Her eyes widened in shock and panic. “You can’t, Issa. You’re his mate; you can’t do this!”

Just then, the door swung open, and Alpha Jaxon entered, his face pale as he rushed toward me, gripping my arms. “You did not abort my child! Isabella, why is it so hard for you to understand that I just donated my sperm to Rose? It was out of pity, for goodness’ sake! How many times do I have to explain this to you? Why can’t you get it?”

I stared at him blankly. His mother tried to intervene, but he barked at her to leave us alone, and she obliged, looking worriedly at me.

“Say something!” he yelled. “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?”

I simply stared at him, which only irritated him more. He shook me. “Say something, Isabella! Say something!”

I felt nauseated as the pain coursed through me again from what he was doing.

I swallowed hard as cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and I pushed his hands off my arms.

“We have nothing more to discuss, and don’t touch me again. You disgust me,” I said, earning a laugh from him.

“Is this a joke to you? I know you’re jealous, but I promise, after the baby is born, I’ll cut ties with both of them. Isn’t that enough of a sacrifice? What more do you want from me? Why should my child pay for this? Do you even have a heart?”

A heart?

What a shameless jerk! I couldn't hold back any longer and slapped him. “Don’t you ever say that I don’t have a heart! Just do whatever you want. I don’t care anymore!” I gritted my teeth. “I’m not worth it, right? You might as well find someone better. The divorce papers are signed with my blood; just signed it, and you can have the woman you love!”

Then I shoved past him and stormed out of the drawing room.

I saw his mother waiting outside, but she didn’t say anything—just looked at me with pity.

I didn’t want anyone’s pity, and I wouldn’t shed a tear for the selfish, heartless man he was.

Once in my room, I grabbed the suitcase I’d already packed. I had no plans to stay in this manor any longer. The memories here sickened me, reminding me of my foolish love for him.

As I walked down the hall toward the entrance, Alpha Jaxon stepped into my path. His face looked sad as he pleaded, “I’m sorry. Please don’t do this. What will people say if you divorce me? Think about our social status.”

In the end, that’s all he cared about—how it would affect the pack’s standing.

I stared into his eyes, seeing his wolf roaring in anger, not wanting the marriage to end, not wanting the bond to break.

Did his wolf see the weak wolf inside me, the one in pain and full of anger?

But I didn’t say a word as I passed him.

“If you walk out that door, Isabella, I won’t accept you back if you change your mind!” he threatened. “You’ll realize your mistake, and even if you beg, I won’t take you back. Think about that!”

There was no chance I was coming back.

He had made me realize so much—he wasn’t worth my love.

Never again!