AURORA RORY WYNTER'S
My eyes narrowed and my jaw clenched as I scanned the article, each word was a fresh stab to my gut. Liam, wanted to celebrate our anniversary?
The same man who had barely acknowledged my existence in the past years of our marriage. The man who had heartlessly abandoned me in the hospital after I got into an accident and lost our baby?
The same man who had been shamelessly parading his secret relationship with his sweetheart and lovely mate Sofia in my presence.
I felt a bitter laugh rise up in my throat as I read the post.
The article even included a photo of us on our wedding day, beaming with happiness.
I remembered that day like it was yesterday. Everyone had thought our love would last a lifetime. But only I and Liam know, it was all a lie, a facade and a painful reminder of what I'd lost.
I slammed my laptop shut, the sound echoing through the silent room. What was he doing? What does he want from this?
Just how much does he want to see me suffer? The questions keep coming, and I have no answer to them. Liam was an unpredictable man, therefore there's no way I would know what he was thinking about.
I took out my phone and called his line.
It rang, but he didn't receive it. It was only after the second ring that he answered the phone.
"Liam."
"Hello?" His voice was calm and collected, with a hint of annoyance in it.
I took a deep breath as I asked, "What's the thing about the anniversary that I'm seeing online?" I went straight to the point.
"I just thought it was time to remind you that you're still my wife. Despite your little tantrum and attempt to leave."
"Liam, I don't understand what you are playing at right now, and what you want from it. I've given you the divorce papers, so erase everything, because I don't have anything to do with you anymore."
At least now that I've left the pack, I'm no different from a rogue, but I prefer that to being called Alpha Liam's beloved Luna.
His voice turned icy as he responded from the other end, "You think this is over? Fine, you gave me the divorce papers. But when did you see me sign them?"
That's true. Although I signed the divorce papers, this depends on mutual agreement, since he refused to sign it, we are technically still husband and wife.
But I would never return to that house, my hand tightened against the phone, "I'm not coming to that anniversary and that's final."
I shut my eyes tightly as I made that declaration, preparing to hang up the phone whilst thinking about what to do, but Liam's voice came from the other end of the line, reminding me of the consequences of not attending the anniversary.
"How irresponsible of you to want a divorce? I don't, and won't sign any fucking papers, and you of all people should know the consequences of leaving the pack for a long time, not to mention divorcing your Alpha when he's against it. Do I need to remind you of those terms?"
In the werewolf pack, most especially Moonsburg City, the alpha's disapproval of divorce holds significant weight, as Alpha is the ultimate authority figure.
However, their disapproval of divorce may also call for the involvement of the Council of Elders, a group of respected pack leaders who govern and enforce pack laws and traditions.
Furthermore, according to old traditions, the pack has a long-standing custom of arranged marriages, where the alpha and council select suitable partners for pack members to ensure strong alliances.
So the rules were not only applicable to the members, but also Alpha's.
It dawned on me that I had been defeated before anything could even happen, so I could only express my frustrations by yelling at him who was on the other end of the line, "How dare you Liam? How dare you heartless monster," my voice quivered in my throat as I bit on my lips trying to control the tears that were threatening to fall.
"So the words having been said, I believe you know what to do, after all I can't celebrate an anniversary without you there. So I expect to see you today at our home. And don't even think about trying to weasel your way out of it." He took a short pause and continued.
"Or would you rather have me pointing to you and say, mommy, I want her before you know the right thing to do? You're attending this anniversary and don't even try to mess it up this time."
The line went dead right after, leaving me feeling ashamed knowing I had been defeated before even starting.
Why won't Liam leave me alone? Why won't he just let me go? Even if I forced him into this marriage, even if it was against his will, but during these years, I'd put up with his coldness and his hatred. No, it was more like disgust.
I watched him parade that woman he ever wanted, when all I could ever do was stay in my room and feel the pain eating me flesh to bones.
I longed for his warmth, but not only did I not have it, I ended up losing my unborn baby, the one I've been looking up to since this while, despite not accepting the baby, when it was his wolf that took over that night and came to me.
I paced around the room, my mind racing. I finally slumped on the wall as I felt the tears well up my face. I later packed a small bag. With a deep sigh, and headed out of the apartment.
*******
"He would like to see you after your arrival."
Caleb Wellesley, Liam's beta said as soon as I stepped out of the car. He had come to pick me up, even though I didn't want to follow him, but I ended up getting into the car, because the last thing I want is someone getting into trouble with Liam because of me.
I took one last deep breath and entered the house. It surprised me a little that he wasn't in his office, nor the sitting room.
In contrast to what is going on, I could at least confront him, and maybe, who knows if I could have him sign the papers.
I had no choice but to knock, but no one replied to me. I had considered giving up. But in the end, I couldn't help opening the door and stepped inside.
I froze, just a few steps into his room, my eyes fixed on the sight before me. Liam Ryder was standing in front of me, zipping up his pants with a casual air. Revealing a chiseled torso that should have made my heart skip a beat if it was in the past. But right then it didn't.
He raised his head to look at the intruder, "You came in without knocking." He said with a frown.
I rolled my eyes, "I knocked, it was you that didn't hear,'"
His eyes were fixated on me as he nonchalantly replied, "Those are your clothes on the bed, you'll be wearing them tomorrow. At least it would be inappropriate to wear unmatched outfits on our anniversary, don't you think?"
I felt my hackles rise at the mockery in his tone, "What are you doing this for Liam?" I suddenly asked as my eyes bore into his as if it would really reflect the answers I wanted, which I already know, but I don't dare accept them.
Liam's voice was low and husky, but when he spoke, his words cut through me like a knife. "You're mine Rory, so do you really think I would let you leave? I need you to maintain my position as the Alpha. I'm sure you knew that much."
I took a deep breath, "I'm finally offering you the freedom you've always wanted, I'm giving you the space you crave so much. Just sign the papers and set me free. I want out of this marriage, of this anniversary, everything, I don't want them." At least not anymore.
But he shrugged and nonchalantly replied "What papers? You aren't talking about the one I tore into pieces, are you? Even if you bring millions of them, I will keep shredding them, and I believe you know me enough, right Rory?"
My eyes widened with anger and resentment as I heard his words. I took a step forward, staring at him. But in the end I could only look at the bed, the dress was neatly folded there, inviting me to take it and leave, which I did.
******
Aurora
I found a chuckle escaping my throat as I leaned against the wall of my room, my heart felt exhausted, I felt soulless.
I slapped my face as I repeated, "Wake up Rory! Get this so fucking straight! You can't mess this up"
Thinking, since tomorrow would be our last day together, I should just pretend through the rest of the hours. At least that's all we've ever been, a pretense.
I'm so fucking pathetic.
I was just about to go to the bathroom to wash my face when the door knob twisted and someone came in, it was in a rush as she quickly shut the door behind her.
"I thought you were going to divorce him, so we never have to see you again?" Her hands were crossed on her chest. As she stood at the door, blocking the way. The gentleness and innocence she has always put on was no longer there. Instead, savageness and disgust.
I pretend not hear her as I tried to opened the door and leave the room, but Sofia Vega, the pure and kind mistress of Liam Ryder pulled me back,
"Could it be that you're deaf just now? Or you didn't want to answer me?"
I didn't want to reply to her, but she increased her grip on my arm, "Answer me despicable bitch! Are you so desperate huh? Didn't you know when to back down? When will you give up on your fucking pathetic obsession? Don't you get it? His love was never for you, and never would."
It turned out she wasn't so innocent after all.
"Get out of the way." I said calmly all while trying to keep my emotions in check, I don't want to have any scenario with this woman, because If I did, I would be no different from her.
"Answer me, you orphaned bitch!"
And that was it, my restraint snapped.