Chapter 2

CHLOE'S P.O.V.

The room falls into complete silence; it's almost torturous. You could hear the faintest sound of a water drop. Peter, Jasper's friend, scoffs; "There's no denying it, you've gone bonkers, Chloe."

I lifted a brow in his direction. "Really? And what makes you think you have the right to speak to me in such a manner, Peter? Why, you think you're someone of importance simply because the Alpha lets you sit at his table. Permit you to join in such gatherings; do you think your words hold any water? Please, keep dreaming." I jeer at him, his ego obviously bruised judging by how red his face turns and the tightness of his jaw.

"How dare--"

I raised my hand, effectively shutting him up. "I'd watch my tongue if I were you; I can still have you whipped and thrown into the cells. After all, I'm still Luna." I smirked, a smug smile stretching across my lips.

Catherine scoffed, "So, your talk of an apology and feeling overwhelmed was what? Faux? What games are you up to, Chloe? This matter has been concluded."

"Has it, Catherine? Tell me, how would you feel if you had a daughter who's being abused? I damn well know that you won't sit on your hands. But you expect me to do that?" I chuckle bitterly. "You all are delusional."

Signaling to one of the Omegas, she hands me a brown envelope and leaves. Walking over to Jasper, I toss him the document.

"Here are the divorce papers; sign them and let's get this over with. Oh, and by the way, I'm taking the pups along with me." I reveal, muttering of disagreements stirring.

Through the mate bond, I feel Jasper's anger, and when we lock eyes, I see him barely holding back from allowing his wolf to take over. Suddenly, he laughs. Not an amused one, no, a menacing one. For a moment, I feel terrified, but I steel my countenance, determined not to let them see me frightened.

"Chloe, Chloe, Chloe," he says, getting up, that smile still playing at his lips, "we're doing this, really?" He waves the document at me.

"You know, for a moment, I thought you'd come to your senses. But it seems I was wrong." With quick reflexes, he grabs me by my hair, forcing my head up painfully, my face scrunching up in pain. " What? Tired of the responsibilities? Tired of being watched and unable to roam around with your lover? Is that it?"

Seeing the unfolding events, Catherine had Celia, an elderly Omega who was also the housekeeper, take Lucas back to his room.

I snicker at Jasper's words, "Lover? You're accusing me of being a cheat, Jasper? That's rich coming from you. If there's anyone who has been unfaithful to this mate bond, it's you, and we both know it."

"Peter, it's been a long night, hasn't it? Why don't we call it a night" Catherine suggested, although her tone was anything but. Taking the hint, I hear Peter's retreating footsteps.

"You've been awfully bold tonight, Chloe. I'd like to know what's given you such courage to talk back at me and even go as far as demanding a divorce from me. Surely you know the council won't stand for it; you could risk being exiled from the pack."

"Not if I show them evidence," I hiss at myself.

He laughs mockingly, "Evidence?" He releases me, only to pick up the pictures I had earlier tossed. "Don't tell me you think these pictures would serve as evidence. Sophia undergoes training to become stronger and sustains a few bruises, so you claim that she's being mistreated?"

"If you think so, why don't we send Lucas away too?

He scoffs, poking my shoulder with his pointer finger, "Wake up, Chloe; cheating allegations far outweigh these preposterous claims."

I stumble back, shocked at his words, "You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I?" he smirks cruelly.

A fierce stare-down ensues between us until Catherine breaks through the silence, "Jasper, that's enough. I believe a little discussion between us girls would be enough to clear up this misunderstanding, wouldn't it?" She walks up to me with a smile, patting my shoulder, and to anyone else, it might look like she was the sweetest and most harmless woman. But that was far from it. Catherine was as deadly as a viper, a cunning werewolf.

Leaning close to me, she whispers, "It seems the little pup has grown teeth and claws; I would hate to have to file them down." I shiver at her subtle warning, although I try not to show it.

"Jasper, why don't we leave Chloe to herself for a while? I'm sure she simply needs a breather, nothing a little stroll can't fix."

Following Jasper and Kayleen, Catherine left, and I was finally able to allow the angry tears, which had been bottled up inside of me, to flow. Strolling into the woods, I pull out my phone and dial a contact. The phone rings for a while until the receiver picks up, her voice coming through from the other end.

"So? How did it go?" She asks urgently before I can even utter a word.

A tired sigh escapes me. "You were right, Jo. They were all against it. It went exactly how you predicted." There's a solemn silence between us. Josephine Mallor was who I considered a true friend and confidant; she also worked for me as an investigator.

"I can't imagine how terrible you must feel; why don't you get some rest? We'll talk some other time, okay, love?"

I nod. "Yeah, sure thing."

Reaching home, I walk into my closet wanting nothing more than to freshen up and go to bed. Pulling open my personal drawers, I find a file placed inside. Barely opening it, I realize it's a diagnostic report, but just as I'm about to take a clearer look at it, the door opens and Jasper steps inside, so I hurriedly hide it.

Stepping back into the room, I see him standing by the doorway, wearing a smug expression.

"Feel better? I bet a stroll was exactly what you needed to get a clear head." He says in a mocking tone, then walks up to me, twirling a piece of my hair in between his fingers. "You will never be able to get rid of me that easily, Chloe Bennett."