Chapter 3 Three

Alisha's pov

Days after

The moment I stepped into the grand hall event, my pulse was a drumbeat in my ears. My chest ached- this time not from the overbearing weight of my illness but from everything I'd had to endure up till now.

My head ached from a long night of crying, but knowing eyes were on me- the human Luna who had no place being anywhere, who didn't belong, I strode in confidently with my chin lifted up, my eyes headed straight for the Alpha and my son.

My chest seemed to tighten seeing him there with Natasha as she scooped more food into his plate while beaming at my husband. It was infuriating to watch, even more heartbreaking when the events of the previous night played in my head.

The room was full. Pack members milled in, the usual chatter, smiles painted like masks across their face.

But I didn't miss their lingering gaze as I walked past, the way their eyes sauntered towards my direction.

Even the Alphas, shameless hungry gaze in the male wolves ceased to be unhidden as they roamed their eyes over me.

I was feeling sick to my stomach. Moments ago, I had just thrown up. But I wasn't going to let the disastrous news that threatened to shatter me days ago leave me vulnerable under the eyes of these people who have seen me as nothing but prey all their lives.

Well, not tonight. I was done being a footstool.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" In the midst of the whispers over the music, Zaden approached me, eyes burning into me.

The bodice of my gown was tight enough and skimpy to barely leave anything to the animation. And it was firy red to match my brown hair which flared down my back.

My makeup was loud and bold and so were my steps. I matched his cold face with a very cool one, the picture of ignorance on my face.

Natasha looked like she wish her glare could burn a hole through my dress

"Is anything matter Alpha? I'm not also permitted to attend an event being hosted because you told me so?" He cleared his throat and I hid a smirk, seeing his gaze turn heated when it met the bare skin open at my chest before glaring at me.

"You are dressed like a whore. Get back and change this instant. I don't know if that trip to the hospital messed with your head," he scanned the room as though he didn't want to look at me. My chest tightened and I blinked back tears from so much hurt while I squeezed my fist. "You embarrass me."

I smiled. Just enough to be polite, but my voice carried steel. Without another glance at me, he turned back to the table.

"Well that's alright. It's doesn't make a difference now, I've always been an embarrassment to you, remember? So you might as well just listen to what I have to say."

The room stilled. There was an uneasy silence that seemed to settle amongst a few pack members who were already intrigued.

"Now? I don't think so."

"You're only calling for unnecessary attention Alisha. Do you think this is the appropriate moment?" Natasha spoke up, and I visibly had to hold myself together not to launch at her. She sounded distasteful of me, just as much as anything I did really

"The only moment that matters is right now. I'm asking for a divorce."

A fork clattered in the hall and the sound of steel hitting the floor seemed to echo across, sending a message that the whole place was completely silent. I ignored the collective stare and slight gasp in the crowd.

Ben's eyes widened and that's when I realized it was his fork that had deopped. I didn't care. Even though my heart felt like it would burst from my chest. I didn't care.

"I, Alisha Tabor, reject you, Alpha Zaden, as my mate. This very instance, this very moment, I no longer want anything to do with you."

"What?" Zaden's laughter was sharp, mocking, but I could hear his mind flaring. He was bewirlded, a complete mess on the inside.

Questions were springing out of proportions in his head. Ben's mind was just as juggled, confusion ridden there. They both had one thing in common at that moment. And that was shock.

I felt a wave of nausea hit me from having to hear their incessant troubled minds like they were annoying children- nuisances.

"You- you can't be serious."

"Oh I am," I quickly replied, which earned me a look of surprise mixed with agitation from him. My gaze swept across the room, noting every single person there before it travelled towards Natasha, Ben, finally landing back on him. "Although I'm shocked to say the least that you are not keen on accepting my rejection. I've spent my life bending backwards for you, for this family. I've smiled even when it felt like I wanted to break. I've endured so much. And for what? To be undermined, mistreated, overlooked?"

"You're being ridiculous. You look pale, you probably haven't had anything to eat. Sit down and don't let this get worse than it already is." There was an underlying warning in the tone of his voice, but his mind was a contrast. It was brimming with rage, with worry, with an anxiety that was both fascinating and agitating. Why was he adamant on not letting me go?

"My own son regards another woman as his mother."

"Alisha- "

"I'm not done speaking," I hissed. "I've already heard enough. Plenty actually. I know you regret this union between us. And I'm making this very much easy for you."

The room seemed to get tense. Ben stirred, his hands gripping the edge of the table as he looked between us, irritation on his face.

Zaden suddenly smirked. One filled with amusement and that's when my heart sank.

Two guards suddenly seemed to appear at my side and before I could protest, I was grabbed by both arms, hindering me on the spot immediately.

"What is the meaning of this." I spat in rage, struggling, but it was no use.

"You not only disrespected me before my guest, you accused me of things that are untrue all a plot just to leave me and this union. You disrespected the moon goddess "

Whispers went up amongst the crowd. I was torn between rage and confusion as I watched him. It was like looking at the very devil that second.

"You will be under house arrest till you come to your senses. Ben and I have done nothing less to love you, and you do this? Tell me, is it another man you wish to be with?!"

I was dumbfounded, yet all that I could do was stand there, mute, trying not to break apart before him. Tears filled my eyes and I was grateful that the guards had already taken me away before he could see my face.

The moment the door to my room opened, I was flung inside like an inconvenience.