Chapter 3
CHLOE'S P.O.V.
The following morning doesn't feel any better; if at all, it feels tense and cold, carrying the same chill from last night. I truly hoped I wouldn't be seeing any of them anytime soon.
Freshening up, I head downstairs for a late breakfast, hoping to avoid them, but my heart skips. Seated at the dining table were Catherine, Jasper, and Lucas. Sucking in a breath, I step forward, slipping into the seat next to Lucas while gently patting his head.
"Morning, sweetheart. Sleep well? You came down late for breakfast. Is there a particular reason for that?" Jasper asks with a warm smile. To any normal mate, that sounded warm and sweet, but not to me. Not when I got to know who they really were.
Forcing a smile, I respond, "Yes, I had a lot on my mind, so I slept late; hence, I woke up late. Apologies, but it seems to me that I didn't miss anything."
"Not really, but there is something I think we should talk about." Catherine chips in, wiping at her mouth. "Last night...I suppose we could both agree that you had too much to drink, and I'd like to think that you've come to your senses. After all, a 'divorce' would only hurt Lucas. No need to make the poor boy suffer. Don't you agree?" I nearly scoffed at her words. I had too much to drink? No need to make Lucas suffer? What about Sophia? What about my daughter's pains?
My fingers tightened around my cutlery.
"I've come to my senses? Forgive me, Catherine, but I've always been with my senses, both last night and now. My stance still remains. I want a divorce." With each word I utter, I keep my gaze fixed between Catherine and Jasper. Her eyes narrow into slits like a cat's.
"You--"
"Mother," Jasper interrupts, his tone placating, "this is between Chloe and I."
Relaxing into his seat, he speaks, "Chloe, I know you and I have had our differences, which I admit is my fault. But look at the bright side of things. You get to be Luna and a mother to our son..."
My palms slam down heavily onto the table, my eyes shut as I suck in a sharp breath. My wolf lingers thinly beneath the surface, itching to get out. She was sick of this. "While I do not deny that fact, what about my daughter? Our daughter? Must I keep up with this facade while she wastes away from home?"
"I understand your emotions, which is why I've come to a conclusion that I believe benefits us all."
My brows scrunch at him, wondering what he is up to.
"I'm listening."
"How about we bring Sophia home after six months? She'd be properly trained to befit the status of an alpha's daughter, of course under strict supervision. And along the line, we could discuss you seeing her before she comes home permanently."
I scoff at the absurdity of his words, "Are you kidding me? Why would I do that when I could easily push forward with the annulment of this marriage and claim my daughter?"
Jasper inhales softly, his lips turned up. "Yes, but I'd really advise against that."
"Why?"
Catherine lets out an exasperated sigh, her cutlery clanging noisily against her plate. "Enough with the back and forth. For Pete's sake, Chloe, if you claim to be ready to push forward with this annulment, then you should be ready to let go of not only your position and the benefits that come with it but also your pups. You walk out of this pack with nothing more than the clothes on your back and an allegation of you being an unfateful mate. We all know the punishment for that." Yes, death or exile, depending on the gravity of the situation.
I scoff in disbelief. "You can't do that. You have no proof."
"Proof? My darling, that could be the easiest to obtain. Surely you wouldn't want me going into details right here. After all, we do have a little one among us." Catherine disclosed, smiling fondly at Lucas, who could only smile in return, for he was only an innocent pup. My eyes burned hot with unshed tears, my nails extending into claws that dug into my skin.
'How could you?' I ask Jasper through the mate bond, to which he smirks in return.
'How can't I? You did this to yourself, Chloe, when you went on with that nonsense of wanting a divorce. You should be grateful I didn't have you whipped and stripped of your position.' My jaw locks tightly, a stray tear cascading down my cheek, which I hurriedly wiped away.
"Luna, are you okay?" Lucas asked innocently. My heart thumped painfully in my chest. My sweet boy.
"Yes, yes, I am." I smile at him, patting his head.
"So, what's your decision?" Catherine asks impatiently.
Hesitating momentarily, I respond, "I'll do it. But I must ask the Alpha to keep to his words. Sophia comes home after six months, not a day later. And I must be granted the permission to see her."
Catherine hums in what sounds like disapproval, while Jasper clasps his hands, leaning forward with his elbows resting on each side of the table. "Of course, baby, you have my word."
"Which reminds me, Lucas's birthday celebration is fast approaching. Have you made any preparations regarding that?" Catherine asks, to which Jasper nods.
"You know I'd do anything for Lucas's mother; I promised Donald I'd care for him as my own, and I intend to do just that."
"If I may, Jasper, my proposition to take care of the arrangements for his birthday celebration still stands. Lucas is my son, and I should see to it as his mother that he gets the best. Shouldn't I?" I interrupt with a smile.
Catherine looks at me suspiciously while Jasper looks pleased. "Of course, baby. That'd be most wonderful. Wouldn't it, son?" He says cheekily to Lucas.
Oh indeed it would.