hapter 2
In just a couple of hours. Lauren was already out of the pack house with all of her things in her suitcase. She made sure she left not a single trace of her except for the signature she wrote on the divorce papers she left on the table inside their room
The sky was already dark and the moon shone bright. It was way past midnight, but Lauren didn’t care and just exited the pack house. She was in a hurry to get out, not because she was afraid Declan might stop her–no, because he was already away with Vivienne to who–knows where they want to run away to and experience heaven.
But because Lauren could no longer stay in a place that repulsed her. She never felt like she ever belonged in the place. She appreciated the people that were kind to her, but their Alpha, Declan, was enough to make her feel like she wasn’t part of them.
No one
one even knew what she was to their Alpha. She always knew she was just introduced as a family friend (which she was, as her parents and Declan’s parents were close friends when her parents were still alive) but not ever as his wife and the Luna of the pack.
ed that
Not that he ever even marked her. What happened to them was just one time and at the influence of heavy alcohol. Lauren even was surprised such a beverage really took an effect on him. Werewolves barely get drunk, since what humans consider as a heavy–alcoholic drink, werewolves consider it as basically water. They barely feel it.
So Declan must have taken a crazy amount of it to get drunk that night. And it seemed to be voluntary, as if he just wanted to forget everything that has happened in his life.
That night, Lauren felt like Declan was the person he was before everything happened. They were once very close–best friends at that since their fathers, both Alphas to each of their packs were old friends, and their mothers had grown close, they basically grew up knowing each other.
Declan was older than Lauren by two years, and because of it, he’s always treated her like a little sister, Lauren felt like she had a protector, most especially when someone tried bullying her for being a late bloomer.
But Declan, even when they were younger, has always been strong and smart, defended her until no one dared talk badly against her in the school they anended.
Lauren hid her attraction to him when they became teenagers because she, too, did not expect for her brotherly love for him to grow into like that. Especially when she saw how muny attractive and smart girls were approaching him. Lauren thought Declan would never see her as a lover, just a Little sister he was protective with.
But when
is that she wanted it. Never had her love for him dwindled down.
the option of marriage was presented to her, she admits i
She fought hard to see the bad parts of him, pushing to herself that he wasn’t perfect so she would be turned off, but knowing him deeper just made her fall in love with him even more.
And Lauren knew she couldn’t. Not when he was starting to get serious with one of his girlfriends, Vivienne.
But the decision for their union was no longer about what she felt. Her people–packmates that were left after their enemies attacked them were left on her shoulders. They needed the support that the Black Ridges Pack could give for them to survive. And it was in exchange for them to have
the union
It was Alpha Harry’s idea, Declan’s father. Lauren thought of him also as a father, and she knew that he just wanted what was best for the both of them
Lauren’s father was his best friend since high school. They met in Alpha training, and since then, they treated each other as brothers. And the Blue
r Mountains Pack, her former pack, also became important to Alpha Harry, knowing how important it was for Lauren’s father.
Lauren also knew how Alpha Harry secretly doted on them like how their mothers did. Declan expressed many times how he only thought of her as a sister, but they kept on teasing. It was a running joke in their families, but what seemed to be a happy fantasy to finally be a real family, became an agreement. A disaster that entirely broke her and Declan’s relationship.
Lauren knocked at Harry’s home, the house he’s staying in now that he’s no longer Alpha. It was their family home and Lauren used to come a lot.
But she was here to return something. And to apologize.
“Lauren! What are you doing here at this hour_”
Harry’s words, faded when he noticed how many bags she was Fuiding,
Lauren didn’t want to cry, nor show any weaknesses, be she missed her father suddenly. And Harry was like a father to him.
“Papa,” she cried anel Harry immediately engulfed her in a hug.
Harry let her sit on the couch and let her cry for as long as she liked.
She knew the older man wanted to ask so many questions. After all, the last time they were together in a room, his son was dancing with his ex on the dance floor during the Gala, while she was peeking through the grand hall as he saw her.
Chapter 2
Lauren was trying her best not to let the man know how horrible their relationship had gotten. Even Declan, he also did not want his father to know that their marriage was not working.
Lauren knew he just accepted the arranged marriage out of respect for his father and the poor packmates she had.
But during the Gala night, it seemed like Declan didn’t care anymore. was the same night he got drunk and took Lauren’s innocence. Not that Lauren did not want it to happen. She was juu waiting for him.
But now, she felt regret that it even happened. That might gave her hope that their relationship could grow into something.
“Lauren, what happened?” Harry finally asked when her sobs stopped. Her tears were still spilling on her cheeks as she wiped them.
1-1 just want to say thank you, for everything that you did for me and our pack. We owe you our lives.” Lauren started, getting a hold of herself.
But Harry continued watching her, knowing there was something else except gratitude from her. It’s not like it was her first time thanking him for saving their pack.
“Did Declan hurt you?” Lauren shook her head and bit her lip.
She didn’t want to just defend Declan, she shook her head because she knew deep inside that their marriage was not going to work anyway.
Since the first day of their married life, he already expressed how much he didn’t want her.
“N–No. He has always been honest with me. And I should have just listened. I shouldn’t have been selfish”
Lauren looked at Declan’s father. He had the same dark hair and blue eyes her husband has. Unlike the latter, there was care in those blue eyes for
her.
“I just want to say goodbye and give you this. Lauren took out the ring that was inside her pocket. The black velvet box felt heavy when she passed it to Harry.
But Harry did not even raise his hand to receive it
-1–I’m giving it back. You were the one who gave it to me for our wedding
“It’s yours now. Theresa would love for you to keep it” Lauren shook her
er head, getting emotional again.
“D–Declan does not want me to have his mother’s engagement ring. We all know who he wants to give it to. He he doesn’t want me. So, I’m giving it back.”
“Lauren, dear.” Harry stood up as she did.
Lauren started taking her bags that had gone to the floor. All she really wanted was to at least give him one last goodbye before she left. She respected the man with all her hear. He protected her and treated her as a daughter all her life.
“Haven’t you
talked this one out? You should communicate properly. It is what marriage is all about.” Lauren shook her head.
“We both know he doesn’t want this in the first place, Harry. Please
Lauren suddenly lurched forward, suddenly feeling vomit rise to her throat.
“Lauren?”
Lauren ran towards their bathroom and started vomiting on the toilet. Harry tapped her back and held her hair as she continued lurching. Lauren’s tears cane back, feeling miserable.
She don’t know why she has been feeling sick these past few days. Maybe she ate something that poisoned her.
“Has Declan marked you yet?” Despite making a mess in his bathroom, Lauren felt more flustered at the question her now ex–husband’s father
“Have you had your period yrir
Lauren’s reddened cheeks started flushing out of color when she realized why Declan’s father was asking her these things.
Her wide eyes wel
16 him. “A–Ain 1 preg
“Lauren?” Her words were stopped when someone suddenly barged in on the door of the house.
Harry
2/3
y stared at her for a while, telling her he’d be back before he walked out of the bathroom to see who came in.
Chapter 2
But from the voice itself. She already knew who came in.
Declan
from the bathroom floor and walked towards the living room.
“Where home you born!”
Alpha speak to
Harry’s voice sounded so whole and authoritative despite his calm stature. Every Lauren froze on her spot when he heard the former A his son. Despite not being the Alpha anymore, he still had the tone of command.
But as if that had no effect on Declan, his eyes roamed around the room. When they landed into her, a breath of relief was released on his chest,
“Where have you been, Declan Ivanov! Answer me” That finally took Declan’s attention anal shame clouded his eyes for a while.
w he didn’t wa
want to disappoint his £
his father that kept him in the marriage.
father. He may even just be here to cover what was happening to them. It was his love and respect for
It’s the reason why Lauren also came here. To clear things out for both of them to Harry
“Father_” Just as Declan was about to speak, Vivienne suddenly care from behind him. And Harry’s calm demeanour suddenly turned cold and reprimanding
“You’re with your ex, while your wife-
Before he could burst out of anger, Lauren touched his shoulder and stepped towards Declan who was once again staring at her.
Lauren didn’t know why he was looking at her like that. She didn’t want to think he was starting to regret his decision to push her to get divorced. with his eyes looking like he just lost something that was important to him.
Lauren just had to look at the way Vivienne held his hand to get a hold of her reality. That she was unwanted by the man she always loved.
“You’re free from me, Declan. I already signed the divorce papers. I’m finally letting you go.”
Lauren put her wedding ring in his palm, his mother’s ring, and took her bags.
She passed by all of them who seemed frozen by her decision. They all thought she was going to hold on longer.
But she stepped out of the house, vowing to herself to start a new life with their unborn child.
C
