Chapter Three
I didn’t expect Hunter and Katherine to follow me to the pack dining hall.
The pack’s elders had invited me for a meeting, likely out of courtesy as Hunter’s “official” mate. I barely had time to sit down when Hunter and Katherine strolled in, taking seats across from me as if it were perfectly. normal.
I glanced at them, forcing my voice to stay steady. “I was invited to discuss trade routes with the elders,” I explained, hinting at a need for privacy.
Hunter smirked, leaning back. “And did they say they didn’t want their alpha involved?”
I said nothing, knowing there was no winning with him in public. My role here was nothing more than a formality.
The conversation began, with elder Logan praising Hunter’s recent decision to expand alliances with neighboring packs. As the meal continued, Logan raised his glass, signaling a toast. A server approached with a glass of wine for each of us.
Just as I was about to decline politely, Katherine’s honeyed voice. interrupted. “Ava’s a powerhouse. I heard she can hold her liquor better than any omega!” She grinned, her wide eyes filled with false innocence.
I froze, my throat tightening. It was the same little games Katherine had been playing for months.
“Who told you that?” I asked coolly.
Katherine’s smile wavered, but she quickly turned to Hunter, feigning hurt. “Did I say something wrong?”
Hunter placed a hand on her shoulder, his expression darkening. “Ava, it’s just a toast. Stop making things difficult.”
I swallowed, feeling a surge of anger but kept my voice calm. “I can’t drink, Hunter. I’m pregnant.”
The room went silent, every pair of eyes locking on me. The elders looked at each other, and even Katherine’s mask slipped momentarily.
After a heartbeat of stunned silence, Katherine stood, raising her glass. “Congratulations, Ava!” Her voice was bright and high–pitched, like this was just
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another harmless joke.
She raised the glass to her lips, but Hunter stopped her. “Kath, you shouldn’t drink either,” he said. “Not in your condition.”
Ignoring him, Katherine gave a mocking smile and took a sip, choking a bit as she forced it down. “No, I have to,” she insisted. “This is my apology for every time I’ve hurt Ava.” Her face flushed pink as she coughed, tears gathering in her eyes.
Hunter sprang up, glaring at me. “Look at what you’ve done, Ava. Only someone as naive as Katherine would believe your lies.”
His anger poured out, filling the room. “You know what? If you can’t get along with her, maybe we should just reject this bond. Maybe we should get a divorce!”
The sting of his words cut deep, but I held my head high. “Fine,” I said evenly. “Let’s.”
Without looking back, I rose and walked out of the hall, holding my composure until I was outside. I barely noticed the cool night air as I pulled out my phone, dialing my lawyer. Midway through explaining my decision to go through with the bond separation, headlights suddenly blinded me.
I looked up, freezing as a sleek black car came hurtling towards me at an alarming speed, tires screeching against the gravel. My heart pounded. I had just enough time to jump out of the way, collapsing onto the ground as the car swerved, sped past, and disappeared into the night.
I sat there, dazed and trembling, as a faint metallic scent filled the air. “Are you alright?” A pack member’s voice broke through my haze. She knelt beside me, her eyes wide with concern.
I looked down, finally noticing the sticky warmth spreading across my thigh. Blood pooled around me, soaking into the earth.
The woman helped me up and rushed me to the infirmary.
At the infirmary, the pack healer glanced at my blood–stained clothes with a frown. “Ava, you should call your mate. This injury could be serious.”
I clutched my phone, staring at Hunter’s number. For a long moment, I considered calling him, hoping he might care enough to show up.
But memories of his cold indifference came rushing back. His words. echoed in my head: Maybe we should get a divorce.
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I sighed, letting the phone drop back into my lap.
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