Iris’s POV
Anxiety and dread gripped my heart as I prayed to the moon goddess that my ears were just deceiving me—that five years of devotion and commitment hadn't all been for nothing.
My mate, Alpha Jake Smith's birthday was coming up tomorrow. I had been working tirelessly to make sure everything was in order for the birthday. I needed to get his opinion on some of the options for the designs, so I went to his office where I knew he would be.
“Iris is really busting her ass for your party, Alpha Jake.” I heard Beta Philip's voice say as I lifted my hand to the door handle.
“I almost feel bad for her.” Philip added with a small chuckle.
I froze, as confusion and unease settled in my chest. Why would Beta Phillip say that? My heart raced as I stood there to hear more.
“She’s so desperate to please you. It's honestly pathetic,” Gamma Luke chirped in with a sneer in his voice.
Jake snorted. “Well, what do you expect when she’s so broken and needy?” He responded casually.
“What will happen when Zara gets back? Because I know she won’t miss your birthday party.” Luke asked.
My blood ran cold. Zara? But Zara was just an old friend of Jake. Right?
“What will happen?” Jake asked with a snort. “Zara is the one I want by my side as my mate, and Luna—not Iris.”
The room erupted in laughter at his words.
“You’re ruthless.” Philip chuckled.
“What? It’s true. Her family issues have really messed her up. Nobody wants that type of luggage.” Jake defended.
“I wonder what the moon goddess was thinking to give her to me as a fated mate. But on the brighter side, she is a good way to keep myself satisfied till Zara gets back.” He added, and they all laughed.
I covered my mouth to stifle the sob that almost escaped. Pain and betrayal settled in my chest.
Five years. Five years of loyalty, love and sacrifice. But everything had just been a big lie, and it seemed like everyone else knew, except me.
Tears streamed down my eyes as I turned away from the door and left, abandoning the remaining of the preparations.
~
When I got home, I released the tears that I had been holding on to all the way home. I wept as I remembered all the promises and vows that Jake had made to me over the last five years. How had I never seen it? He had always looked so genuine and sincere.
I glanced at the pregnancy report lying on the table beside me with tears blurring my vision. I had wanted to surprise him with the news of my pregnancy for his birthday tomorrow, thinking it would be the best birthday present.
I flung the pregnancy report across the room with a cry of anguish as I thought of how stupid I had been all these while. I glared at my stomach with bitterness. There was no use bringing the child into this world – a world of deceit and betrayal. No one deserved this kind of life.
However, as I thought of removing the small life growing in me, I got overwhelmed with sadness. I couldn’t get rid of this baby. This child belonged to me, and was the only thing I was sure of in my life.
I cried myself to sleep that night as I kept replaying everything that happened over and over in my head.
The next morning, a gentle kiss on my forehead woke me. I blinked sleepily, and I found myself face to face with Jake's soft smile.
“Hey you,” he murmured softly. I smiled warmly at him.
“Hey,” I replied with a croaky voice.
The events of yesterday felt like a distant dream at first, before it slammed into me, and the smile on my face faded instantly.
Jake noticed it immediately, and he furrowed his eyebrows in concern.
“Are you alright?” He asked, rubbing his thumb across my chin.
I gave him a forced smile as I nodded, turning my head away from his hand.
“Iris, are you sure?” He asked, his furrow deepening.
I nodded, “Just tired.” I replied, trying to keep the pain out of my voice.
“Oh, I noticed you left early yesterday without finishing the preparations for my birthday. You must have been tired.” He replied, with concern shining in his eyes.
Jake looked so concerned and worried for me. It was so hard to imagine that he was the same person who had said those cruel things in his office yesterday.
‘Oh Jake, you’ve really been so good at fooling me all these years’. I thought to myself as he turned to walk away. ‘But no more’.
