Octavia's POV
That night, it felt as if the moon goddess had answered my prayers. I had prayed continuously for Jake not to appear at the hospital. My eyes were crimson and swollen, and I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me in such a state.
By morning, my heart had hardened. My mind focused solely on my next course of action: visiting the pack affairs department where we'd registered our mate bond to obtain a divorce. Alpha Jake had instructed me to keep our relationship secret, which was understandable. He shouldn't be mated to someone like me. It only demonstrated weakness. I was merely a low ranking female, nothing more.
The doctor interrupted my thoughts, informing me I was discharged. I left immediately for the pack affairs department.
The pack's petitioner urged me to seek counseling with my mate before granting my divorce request. I bluntly rejected the offer and demanded he proceed with the documents. After completion, he assured me I'd receive hard copies within three days.
Arriving home, I saw Summer wearing my red dress, the one Jake had purchased for me, sitting casually with my sister in law, Amaya, who doted on her. My heart constricted painfully as I observed Summer's small baby bump, the one preserved while mine was murdered.
Upon noticing me, Summer began complaining dramatically. "Oh my goodness, I'm so hungry. Is nobody preparing breakfast this morning?"
Amaya responded immediately. "That low ranking she wolf's duty is to cook. What the hell is she good for? It's her responsibility."
I quietly ignored them, heading to my baby's room, the small space Jake and I had prepared before our child was taken. Decorated with orange and blue paint, filled with toys and two cribs, the walls displayed sonogram images Jake had hung himself. When I'd shared news of my pregnancy, he was so elated he'd brought me to the pack hospital for numerous images. He'd arranged this room stating it belonged to our baby and no other.
I removed a sonogram, pressing it against my chest as I curled into one of the cribs, unaware when tears escaped.
Amaya and Summer entered suddenly.
"So because you couldn't protect your own child, you're dragging us into your misery. I don't mind you starving, but don't involve us. I wonder why you didn't die with your child. Maybe we'd have adapted to cooking ourselves, but since you're here, go cook—it's all you're capable of," Amaya unleashed.
I glared at her, tears threatening to spill. "Ask your brother. He was present. He'd be better positioned to clarify your curiosity."
"You low ranking omega!" She grabbed my hair and slapped me so hard I tasted blood.
"If you want food, tell the she wolf beside you to prepare breakfast and leave me alone," I glared back, eyes blazing with hatred.
"I know she's not happy seeing me here. She's irritated by my presence. I should just leave so she can be comfortable," Summer said, rubbing her belly.
"You good for nothing, stand up and prepare breakfast for the house," Amaya said, about to drag me when Jake seized her hands.
"Amaya, let my luna be," Jake's thunderous voice erupted. "The omegas have prepared breakfast and are setting the dining table."
Summer hissed, "She's not even a luna yet," leaving with Amaya, who rolled her eyes in disgust.
Jake sighed. "How are you feeling?" He attempted to touch my hair, but I pushed his hand away, repulsed.
Once, I would have melted in his embrace. Not anymore.
"I know you're angry I didn't collect you from the hospital. I apologize. I was extremely busy," he said.
"Busy indeed," I muttered, noticing the visible love bite on his neck.
"Busy with her, right?"
"No," he responded without hesitation. "You can't make accusations like that. Summer is my late cousin's wife. Their pack was attacked by rogues; she survived alone, carrying a pup. I brought her to stay with us, but the elders insist I should mate her since she's pregnant and her pup needs a name before being accepted into our pack. Listen, I promise this is just being a stand in father figure, nothing more."
I swallowed bile, looking at the man I'd loved blindly for three years as he spoke with such concern and care for another woman, his supposed cousin's wife.
The Jake I loved died with my pup. Now I only saw a man I wanted to shred into pieces, ensuring he paid for every evil deed committed against me.
"It's fine, Jake," I said, voice flat and emotionless. "Do whatever you want. It's your house, after all."
I saw disappointment cross his face. He'd expected me to argue like before, but he dismissed it immediately. "Come with me. I have something for you," he said, gently pulling me from the crib toward the dining room.
At the table, Summer and Amaya were already consuming their meals. Jake adjusted a chair for me, and I sat down.
He bent under the table, retrieving something he'd kept there.
"I purchased your favorite perfume. I thought it might cheer you up for being discharged," he said with a proud smile, unwrapping a small elegant bottle and spraying a delicate mist. "See, it's the same scent you always use."
I smiled bitterly, my heart sinking. Two years together, and he didn't know I was allergic to lily jasmine fragrance.
As the sweet, overwhelming scent wafted through the air, my nose tingled uncomfortably. I started sneezing uncontrollably, tears streaming as my body rejected the toxic fragrance.
"Oh my gosh, Octavia, you sneezed into my food! It's contaminated, and you were just discharged from the hospital!" Summer cried dramatically, slamming her plate down with deliberate force.
I wiped my streaming eyes, glaring through tears. "You're far from me. How did it reach your food?"
Jake's face darkened with rage as he grabbed my arm roughly, forcing me to my knees on the scalding food splatter covering the floor.
"Apologize to her this instant, or I'll empty the entire perfume on your face so you can sneeze properly!" he threatened harshly, his voice menacing as burning hot food seared through my knees.
